One of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit is with a visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC! This is a fun day trip from Gatlinburg and it is well worth the effort to see America’s largest home decked out for the Christmas season! Here are the top 3 things to do when visiting the Biltmore Estate for Christmas:

1. Candlelight Christmas Evenings

Celebrate the joys of the holiday season by attending one of the Candlelight Christmas Evenings at the Biltmore Estate! As soon as you arrive to the Biltmore House, you will be greeted with the soft glow of luminaries and holiday lights on a huge Norway spruce. Once inside, you can enjoy thousands of ornaments on dozens of Christmas trees and the delightful flicker of candlelight! This wonderful event features live performances of Christmas music to accompany your self-guided visit, as well as admission to the Antler Hill Village and Winery. The Village is an essential part of the holiday experience as the entire property is illuminated with a fabulous display of lights and the Village’s fountain glows with special visual effects! Be sure not to miss the champagne bubbling ornament display that adorns the Winery Tasting Room!

2. Christmas Daytime Tours

While visiting the Biltmore Estate for Christmas, take a Christmas Daytime Tour to stroll through George Vanderbilt’s gorgeous mansion! There is a marked route to lead you through the home and there are knowledgeable guides along the way who are happy to assist with your tour. You are free to visit at your own pace as you witness the stunning sights of architecture, artwork and other magnificent sights from the Gilded Age. Overall, you should allow for 1.5 to 2 hours for the Christmas Day Tour. If you want to upgrade your tour experience, you can also purchase an Audio Guide to Biltmore House, a Guided Tour or one of the unique Behind the Scenes tours. There is even a special Audio Guide for children that is narrated by Cedric, the Vanderbilts’ Saint Bernard!

3. Holiday Shopping

Find something for everyone on your Christmas list while holiday shopping at the Biltmore Estate! There are several charming estate shops for you to explore, including A Christmas Past. This lovely Christmas store features a sparkling array of Christmas ornaments, music and other treasures for you to bring back home. You will also find Bookbinders, which offers books relating to the Vanderbilt family and their era at the end of the 19th century. These books make a perfect souvenir and a great gift for those history buffs in your family! If you are looking for some unique toys for your children, visit Toymaker’s for a shop full of old fashioned games and toys. Other fun shops at the Biltmore Estate include A Gardener’s Place, the Carriage House and the Confectionery.

Check out our coupons for Biltmore Estate today to enjoy a discounted visit to the Biltmore Estate for Christmas! Happy Holidays from the Gatlinburg TN Guide!