A Local Offers Tips on What Not To Do at Biltmore Estate
In the mountains of Western North Carolina stands America’s answer to Versailles the one in France, not Kentucky. An opulent mansion built by the grandson of one of America’s great robber barons, Biltmore stands as a beautiful testament to vision, persistence and the power of obscene amounts of money. The gardens are gorgeous even when they’re not in bloom. The village, hotels and winery all fit nicely with the larger piece of land. The view out over the mountains is also spectacular.
The estate that George Vanderbilt envisioned and funded is a wonder of the world. It would fit perfectly amongst the Old European estates but is somehow perfectly suited for a slice of heaven in Western North Carolina.
Being at Biltmore is like stepping into a classical work of art. Nothing impressionist. Something defined and practiced, like the works of David. It’s beautiful and sobering all at the same time. You feel the weight of the place – or at least I do. But there is an obligation that comes with status. You walk with your back a little straighter as if you expect a butler to pop out at any time and call your wife “mum” and gently chastise you for wandering evenly slightly off the approved path.
So, while the list of things you shouldn’t do at Biltmore is long – you should not, for instance, try to conduct a séance – allow us to make a few more practical suggestions.
Six things not to do at Biltmore
1. Do not show up without a ticket
A visit to Biltmore is not a spur-of-the-moment thing. You can’t pull up to the gatehouse and say, “Yeah, we just want to run to the winery and get a bottle for tonight.” Buy your ticket before your visit and reserve your spot to get in the Biltmore House. There are multiple types of tickets available including a daytime ticket which allows you into the house and to participate in the tours or visit the shops or winery, an overnight stay or an annual pass.
2. Do not try to get in the indoor pool
I compared Biltmore to Versailles earlier and I think that’s apt. But there’s also a little vibe of the Overlook Hotel – the haunted place in “The Shining” by Stephen King. I never look too closely at group pictures at the Biltmore because I don’t want to see myself staring back like Jack Torrence.
Which brings us to the indoor pool. Built 120 years ago, the pool was a technological achievement. It held 70,000 gallons of water which was heated. There’s a deck around the pool and lighting at the bottom. It must have been a sight a century ago. Today the pool is drained and the wall to arched ceiling white bricks give it a ghastly, ghostly feel. Visitors have reported feeling uneasy and nauseous. However, my guess is it’s just the bizarre design of the room.
3. Do not wander off the designated paths
While Biltmore is no longer a functioning home, parts of the house and grounds are off-limits. Respect that. First, you paid a lot of money to be there, and it would be a shame to get kicked out. Secondly, plenty of tours are available to see the house and grounds. No need to be rude and try to access areas you’re not supposed to be.
4. Do not skip Historic Biltmore Village, the winery or the larger grounds
This is part of the planning process. Make sure you give yourself time to enjoy the full Biltmore experience, which might even require an overnight stay to allow you the necessary time. You don’t need a ticket to go to the Village. It offers an array of shops, restaurants and lodging. It’s charming and a key part of the Biltmore experience. You also have the Shops at Biltmore as well as its restaurants and the winery. There are also educational activities and tours that go beyond the house and garden.
5. Don’t try to pick the flowers
You would think this one goes without saying, but people are a trip man. You’ll see someone who thinks they’re out of sight and they’ll try to get a special souvenir from the gardens.However, do not try to tackle these people. Vigilante justice is frowned upon at the Biltmore despite the unfortunate incident with the night watchman back in 1922.
6. Don’t forget to read about the Biltmore’s history before you go
From the old Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt to his grandson George, who only got to enjoy his estate for 14 years before dying of complications following an appendectomy, the history of the people who built and lived in the estate is as interesting as the estate itself.
Ten years after her father died, Cornelia – who had inherited the estate – married a British aristocrat named John Francis Amherst Cecil. They married and had two children. Cornelia, however, did not find married life at the estate suited her. She left for New York and studied art, leaving her husband and sons in North Carolina as she pursued a more Bohemian life. The couple divorced in 1934. She changed her name to Nilcha, dyed her hair pink and moved to France, never returning to the United States again, leaving the estate in the care of her ex-husband and sons.
The estate remains in the Cecil family today. Knowing Nilcha’s story and how she must have seen the place as a prison certainly enhanced my touring experience.
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