If you’re heading to The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, don’t miss the gorgeous Biltmore Conservatory! It was one of my favorite parts of my visit to the Biltmore. With a little over 7,000 square feet of space, the conservatory is jam-packed with over 2,000 exotic flowers and tropical plants.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit, including which type of ticket to purchase, how to get there, what to see and more!
Purchase Your Biltmore Conservatory Ticket
First, buy your ticket the Biltmore Estate. Keep in mind the estate is huge – 8,000 acres – and includes the Biltmore mansion plus 75+ acres of formal and informal gardens; hotels, restaurants; a winery; and rotating special exhibits.
Because there’s so much to see, there are different ticket types available. You can purchase a ticket that gives you access to the full estate or select specific parts depending on what you’re interested in. Or, purchase a ticket that gives you access to the grounds only, including the Conservatory. If you have any questions when purchasing a ticket, you can reach the Biltmore at 800.411.3812 to discuss your visit so they can help match you with the correct type of ticket.
Where to Park & How to Get There
Upon entering the estate, ask an attendant to point you toward parking lot A or B, close to the Biltmore mansion. After parking in one of these lots, it’s about an 8-10 minute walk to the Biltmore, then an additional 6 minute walk to the Conservatory. Here’s a map that shows the walking route from the house to the Conservatory.
There’s also a shuttle that runs from outside the Biltmore mansion to the Conservatory. This shuttle runs from April through December.
What to See at the Biltmore Conservatory
The conservatory is 7,000 square feet and the collective work of George Vanderbilt and his partners in creating the Biltmore Estate: architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Finished in 1895, the Conservatory underwent a two-year renovation beginning in 1997. Today, some can’t-miss things to see in the Conservatory include the orchid room, citrus room and cacti room. During the holiday season, you’ll also find festive flowers such as numerous poinsettias scattered throughout.
Is There a Restaurant at the Biltmore Conservatory?
There’s a seasonal café, the Conservatory Cafe, located on the Conservatory’s back patio. The café serves small plates, snacks and wine from the Biltmore’s own winery. For more restaurants, it’s a short drive to Antler Hill Village, also located on the property grounds. There, you’ll find several restaurants, a winery, and a creamery serving ice cream.
The Biltmore Conservatory Gift Shop
There’s a great gift shop, A Gardener’s Place, connected to the Conservatory. The shop has a wide selection of books, gardening tools, supplies, and gifts for garden lovers. I even picked up some tulip bulbs during my visit! It’s definitely worth stopping by once you finish your visit to the Conservatory.
What to See Next
When you finish up at the Conservatory, you’re well-positioned to see the adjacent gardens, such as the Rose Garden, located just outside the front doors, or the gorgeous Italian Garden. After you explore the gardens, you’re close to the Biltmore Mansion (requires a timed entry ticket) as well as several shops, a restaurant and confectionary.
If you’d like more information to plan your visit, you might enjoy the Garden Lover’s Guide to Biltmore.
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