Fall temperatures have finally reached East Tennessee, and it’s the perfect time to take a drive-able excursion with the family to enjoy the beautiful foliage and weather.
Just a hop and skip away from Knoxville is lovely Asheville, NC. Asheville is a great city to visit and it is also home to the Biltmore Estate. If you are like me, your first thought is: is the Biltmore really a great place to take kids? I’m here to say that with a family of five with ages six, four, and a three month old, that YES it is a perfect place to take your family.
Did you know that children nine and younger are free with a paying adult? Another reason why you should take your kids while they are young! Ages 10-16 are 50% off the adult price.
The Top 3 Things for Families Visiting with Children at Biltmore is:
1) Kids’ Audio Guide to Biltmore House
3) The Farm in Antler Hill Village
Information Kids’ Audio Guide to Biltmore House
This fun and entertaining 90-minute tour is narrated by Cedric, the Vanderbilts’ Saint Bernard. Cedric guides young guests through amazing rooms in Biltmore House, sharing stories about the Vanderbilts and living in America’s largest home.
My kids absolutely loved this feature and my oldest listened to it through every single room at the house!
This audio tour is geared towards children ages 5-10.
Visitor Information for Families
After a tour at the Biltmore House, there are many places to grab lunch. Stable Café (they have a children’s menu), or The Courtyard Market, which features gourmet hot dogs, sausages, fresh salads and snacks. In the same area, children can also enjoy the following:
- Ice Cream Parlor: Savor hand-scooped ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, and drinks
- Confectionary: Delight in sweet temptations such as chocolates and unique candies
- Toymaker’s: Shop for old-fashioned toys and games
After lunch and an ice cream break (mint chocolate chip was my choice if you were wondering!), we headed to the gardens to view all the beautiful flowers and to experience the trails. The Biltmore has a great garden and trail map that you can use for your journey.
On the first evening we arrived, we also checked out The Farm in Antler Hill Village. It’s a great area for the kids to check out some farmyard animals and play on the little playground.
Here’s some more features of The Farm:
- Pet and admire farmyard animals including chickens, goats, horses, sheep, and more
- Explore and climb on antique tractors and wagons
- Play with toys and games from the 1800s
- Watch a video in the Barn about life on the estate
- Participate in fun daily crafts like churning butter or making a basket
- See fascinating demonstrations by our blacksmith, woodworker, beekeeper, and others!
Antler Hill Village
- Live Music
- Grape Stomp for kids (check dates as this is seasonal)
- Cool off with delicious treats from a Creamery
- Learn even more at our Biltmore Legacy exhibition
- Stay a little longer and have dinner at the Bistro or Cedric’s Tavern (we had dinner here, and it was awesome and perfect place to take kids!)
Now you know we wouldn’t leave you, the adults, out of the fun…you can stop by the Winery near the village for a tasting and a tour. The boys even had their own tasting with grape juice!
Outdoor Activities:
- Get out in nature with family bike rentals
- Take a carriage ride
- Guided Horseback trail ride through beautiful woodlands (more information can be found here)
- Segway tour
- River float trip
- Get wet and fish with a 2 hour Kid’s Fly Fishing lesson
A few notes below for families visiting the estate from their website:
Planning Tips
- Every restaurant is family-friendly. There are a variety of dining options on the estate, and every restaurant features a children’s menu and a helpful wait staff.
- Bring your stroller. Lightweight travel strollers or child backpack carriers are ideal for visiting Biltmore House. They allow you to navigate the house’s stairs with ease and give little feet a break.
- Take breaks during your visit to Biltmore House. There’s no rush to see it all. Head outside to the Stable Courtyard for some fresh air, a quick snack, or an early lunch at the Stable Café.
Tickets & Packages
- When you buy tickets online in advance, you can skip the line at the Reception & Ticketing Sales Center.
- Kids 16 and younger admitted free all summer (through Labor Day)!
The rest of the year, kids ages nine and younger are admitted free when accompanied by a paying parent or guardian. - Plan your visit in one easy step by purchasing an Asheville-area hotel Family Package that includes accommodations, admission to Biltmore, breakfast and lunch, and other great perks.
You’ll also want to check out The Biltmore at Christmas as it’s a must-see holiday tradition to start with your family! Check out their full list of family-friendly options here.
Disclaimer: I did receive a visit in exchange for this review but my opinions are 100% my own. The Biltmore was truly amazing and so much history to share with your kids!
