Monday, May 11, 2026
We got up and had breakfast. We were the first to arrive at the restaurant, which was perfect. The night before had been complete chaos, with kids running around everywhere, so I was glad we got in before it turned into a madhouse. I kept wondering why there were so many kids around when school was supposed to be in session.
Our package included access to the main house, so after breakfast we headed over for the tour. As I said earlier, it is hard for me to imagine the wealth and what it must have been like to live on the estate in its day. It must have taken a small army to cook, clean, and maintain the property.
Access to the house included an audio tour, which meant we could take our time. I noticed there were other tours available, but those required advance reservations. As we left, the line to get into the house was getting longer, so I was glad we went early.
The tour lasted a couple of hours, which was the perfect length. I wouldn’t mind going back. The audio guide pointed out a few pieces of art by Renoir and Monet, and I believe one of the reserved tours focused on the art owned by the family.
Afterward, we headed over to the area with the creamery and winery. I was disappointed when I realized the creamery was more of an eatery than a cheese shop. We then went to a wine tasting featuring wines made at the Biltmore Estate. It didn’t surprise me to learn that many of the grapes are brought in from California.
After a fun visit to the Biltmore Estate, it was time to head to Biltmore Village, where our next hotel was located. Biltmore Village is right outside the main gate, which made it very convenient. We checked in, and later that day headed into downtown Asheville for dinner at Tupelo Honey Cafe.
I knew Asheville had been hit hard by Hurricane Helene in 2024. Still, as we drove around, I was surprised to see areas that were still devastated. It was a sobering reminder that even places built around tourism and beauty can still be recovering long after the headlines have moved on.
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