We recently traveled to Asheville, North Carolina. The main purpose of our trip was to visit the Biltmore Estate. I was a little nervous about taking our kids there (ages 5, 3, and 1) but it was actually much easier – and more family-friendly than I could have imagined! Yes, you can visit the Biltmore with kids! Find out my tips below:
Tips for families visiting Biltmore Estate
We specifically planned our visit for a Sunday because it did not require a timed visit. Getting anywhere on time with three little ones is intense, and I didn’t want to be tied down. Check the website for days that require a timed arrival, this varies by season.
Do kids get in to Biltmore for free?
Yes (and no)! Kids aged 9 and under are always free with a paying adult. This alone helps me count the Biltmore as a child-friendly establishment!
How long does it take to tour the Biltmore Estate with kids?
In hindsight, I wish we would have allowed for two days on the Biltmore grounds. I didn’t do enough research to indicate this, but after the house tour (approximately 2 hours) our kids were tired and hungry. We headed over to the Antler Hill Village for a late lunch at Cedric’s Tavern and promised the kids they could play on the playground depending on their behavior.
I think with a 2-day pass (signs on the property said this was $10 extra per adult) I would have done the same, BUT come back a second day to explore the gardens and spend more time in the Village. Our children are so young, if you have older children that can handle more walking, you could easily visit in one day.
Bring your stroller!
Small strollers and baby carriers are allowed inside at Biltmore Estate. We had our three-year-old in an umbrella stroller and our 1-year-old in a baby carrier. There are stairs, but the staff is super accommodating. We used the elevator on the way up and carried the stroller down the stairs- the kids had escaped anyway. The elevator is original to the home, so that was exciting for us parents to see how it functions.
The Biltmore Estate offers a headset audio tour! We didn’t get them because we figured it would be too hard to listen intently and keep our children from breaking things! Lol! If we only had Jackson with us, we would have picked up the kid’s audio- I think that would have been helpful for him.
When the boys got a little anxious we played I-Spy with them! We may have annoyed some of the people around us, but it kept them occupied and made them notice the unique items in the home.
Getting tickets for Biltmore
I bought our Biltmore Estate tickets at AAA prior to departure. It saved us a few dollars off of the gate price, but more importantly, I didn’t have to stop at the gate! Call your local AAA before departing to make sure they have them in stock.
Last, as you’ll probably notice, you can’t take photos inside the house. ?(But you can take your camera along and take photos outside).
More information-
We stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton on Tunnel Rd. This hotel was great for our family. More info on Homewood Suites HERE. You may also like the Doubletree by Hilton Asheville.
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