I haven't done the rooftop tour but I can highly recommend the Afternoon Tea at The Inn, it's wonderful.

I have been on a rooftop tour there with a private party and really enjoyed it. Lots of narrow stairs and quite windy so be prepared. All of the tours are wonderful for more information if you like history and want to see more of the house. The audio portion is important if you don’t want to just wander around. I hope you have lovely weather to stroll the grounds!

We did it and it was wonderful. We both really enjoyed seeing and hearing about the infrastructure of the house. We went on another tour that drove us around the property and that was really good too - lots of interesting history from the great tour guide. We stayed on the grounds at the hotel and the whole experience was amazing.

I did the rooftop/architectural tour! It was amazing. Folks like us here who appreciate that stuff really enjoy it. 😊 We did the grounds tour as well, and loved it also. We live in NC so I’ve literally been there probably 10 times over the course of my life. I’ve seen it in every season! The winery tour/tasting is also fun. Great restaurant at the Inn. We’ve stayed at the Inn, and it’s great, but I really love staying at the Grove Park and driving over. The Grove Park is just so amazing. The Biltmore Inn is just more like a typical luxury hotel. Of course the proximity to the “big“ House is great, though!

The rooftop tour is great - we went on the roof and saw the 'gargoyles' up close. There was a lot of information about how the building was built. And the view from the roof is great. The Backstairs tour was quite interesting too.

I've never done the rooftop tour. The garden festival should be good by the time you go. Last time we went for that many years it was too early in spring for much to bloom.

And check out the microbrews in Asheville! Also a place where there are a lot of interesting places to eat and you can't really go wrong for the most part. The last two times we were there for concerts it rained, so not as much fun to walk around downtown.

Haven't done the roof top tour yet but it's on my list and friends rave about it. Have done the regular house tour several times with visitors, the gardens and conservatory are not to be missed and there are miles of beautiful trails too. Agree with nini804 about the Grove Park Inn being my choice for accommodations over the Biltmore properties. Weather permitting, this is a great way to see Asheville Flying Bike Tours

Like nini, we have been to Biltmore multiple times. We are about 2 hours from there and had friends that lived in the area, so visited often. I love when the azaleas are in bloom and then later on, the rose gardens. Christmas there is truly something to behold. Enjoy! There is much in the area. We always enjoy a drive through the Montreal area. I missed when you are going, but if you are lucky, the mountain laurel may be in bloom.

@gsciencechick...One year, dh & I went in early April which as you know is when things are blooming like crazy here, like azaleas for days. Well, the garden tour in early April is a whole lotta forsythia and that’s IT! 😂 We still joke about our forsythia tour.

Better than March (part of a spring break trip one year). Brrrrr. And icy roads!

Early May is best for the azaleas at Biltmore. Those of you who enjoy/grow orchids, should see their display. The conservatory is to die for! I love seeing how they mix plantings in containers, display them, etc.

Speaking of the Grove Park Inn, it is gorgeous but I am not impressed with the rooms, other than the views. I remember before the remodel that the rooms actually smelled musty (the buildings are stone). We have not stayed there since the remodel, so maybe rooms have been upgraded. We enjoy the restaurant and looking around. The fireplaces are something to see.

Is it wrong to be angry at my late parents? :) After reading this thread I checked out Biltmore on google maps. Know what? We drove from OK to VA every summer until I was 18 to visit my parent's families, which is where they're from.

Drove to the middle of Asheville then north to VA. My parents never told me about Biltmore! In high school I read a book of my choosing about Nancy Astor. And they still didn't bother to tell me and let alone take me, to Biltmore?

@texanjana where in TN is your DD (if you don't want to answer that, I understand). I am in TN.

O.T. Where in Va., Oakley? P.s. nice to see you here and feeling more assured re DH and his treatment plan. Keeping you in my thoughts . Sorry. That belongs on other post. Friends here won’t mind, I’m sure 😊

I love the kitchens and the huge laundry, they are truly the working skeleton of that estate. I toured the last time several years ago with my mother and daughter at Christmas. It was lovely!

Texanjana I'm really happy you posted this question. It piqued my interest in the Biltmore Estate and I found this interesting article. In my own poor way, now that I'm semi-retired and hubs is retired, we view our own little 1/4 acre with a similar ethos, a place where both we and visitors can partake of social and artistic inspiration from both the inside and outside. It's not a purvey of just the wealthy, the middle class can be as thoughtful about their home's design, if on a smaller budget . . . this is how I've always envisioned my home, a location for a salon of friends and family. I had a tiny version of it once when I lived out east, even in a row house. I entertained family, friends and students and worked hard to design and decorate my spaces to facilitate those kinds of uses. Where I am now is an uphill battle. Not sure if I'll ever make it out there to visit, but if i do, the Biltmore Estate would be a must see for me!! The more details the better!! The Vanderbilts are a fascinating crew!
https://www.ourstate.com/biltmore-insiders-tour/

In my particular case though, visitors are going to have to pitch in with the housekeeping if they plan on staying long, we can barely keep up with just the two of us!! I guess that would be part of the challenge. Not only getting to the point where you don't suffer as we do from CHAOS, (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) but also "too messy to have a house cleaner come over" syndrome . . .