This holiday season, why not plan a visit to America’s largest home, a 250 room mansion built by George Vanderbilt more than a century ago.

The magnificent structure was constructed over 6 years, and the worksite featured its own brick factory and woodworking shop. Architect Richard Morris Hunt modeled the home after three chateaux in France. It featured 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces!

The home was officially opened to family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895.

Every year for the holidays, Biltmore is transformed into a spectacular wonderland of lavish decorations in the Victorian style. According to their website, “Biltmore House welcomes the holiday season with a larger-than-life celebration that includes dozens of trees adorned with lavish decorations, more than 400 wreaths and bows, 700 poinsettias; miles of evergreen garland; thousands of ornaments, tinsel, and beading; and a 35-foot Fraser fir.”

You can visit Biltmore during the day, or you can attend a magical Candlelight Christmas Evening, featuring “hundreds of luminaries and the golden radiance of candlelight and firelight illuminating our elegant holiday décor. Tinsel, beads, and German-blown glass ornaments twinkle in the glow of thousands of white lights. Choirs, musicians, and music from the Banquet Hall organ fill America’s largest home with joy and excitement.”

You can also eat in one of Biltmore’s restaurants, and you can even spend the night at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. There are many different shops to experience, including Carriage House, Bookbinder's, A Christmas Past, Confectionary, Toymaker's, and A Gardener's Place.

Enjoy a historic holiday experience, with all the Victorian splendor enjoyed by one of the richest families in America's history, with a visit to Biltmore!

Tours of Biltmore are generally self-guided. Audio tours and specialty guided tours are available for an additional cost. Visit the museum's website for up to date information and schedules.