Near Cedar Crest Inn Bed & Breakfast: Biltmore Estate

There's More to Biltmore Than America's Largest Home: Wine Tastings, Cooking Demos, Specialty Tours, River Bend Farm Spend the day at Biltmore. After a delicious breakfast at Cedar Crest Inn bed and breakfast, drive just a few blocks to the entrance of Biltmore. For your convenience, you can purchase your Biltmore tickets at the inn. Activities for Everyone When visitors plan a trip to Biltmore, they often think first of Biltmore House with its 250-rooms of art and antiques, but there's so much more to George W. Vanderbilt's historic property in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Whether a guest's interest lies in food and wine, gardening, history, agriculture, family activities or just escaping the everyday, Biltmore has an event or activity to suit. "Guests used to come to Biltmore, see the house, maybe have lunch and then head home," said Vice President of Marketing Communications Elizabeth Sims. "Today, the property offers so much to see and do, it's easy to spend two hours or two days and there's always something to come back and see another time. With special events year-round, outdoor adventures, food and wine offerings, specialty seminars and the estate's accessibility to other activities in the area, every visit can be unique." Year-Round Events Whatever the time of year, Biltmore offers ever-changing ways to enjoy Vanderbilt's historic property. Each spring, the estate celebrates with a month-long Festival of Flowers and Easter weekend wouldn't be complete without the massive egg hunt on the Front Lawn of Biltmore House. Summer is packed with activities including Winery Summerfest Weekends offering great jazz and blues and Summer Evening Concerts bringing nationally known acts to the South Terrace of Biltmore House for fabulous music under the stars. In the fall, Biltmore welcomes cooler weather with Harvest Celebration featuring crafters, music, dancing and children's activities. And then there's Christmas at Biltmore and Candlelight Christmas Evenings when the 250-room chateau is transformed into a fairytale castle with miles of evergreen garland, hundreds of poinsettias, dozens of Christmas trees and a magnificent 35-foot tall live Fraser Fir decked with lights, ornaments and gifts. Food & Wine In addition to special events, the estate capitalizes on its culinary heritage with food and wine programming throughout the year. Guests at Biltmore Winery year-round should ask about complimentary behind the scenes tours, cooking demonstrations, seminars and wine tastings. Other culinary activities have included guest chef programs, introductory wine classes and daylong cooking classes featuring the estate's own chefs. Life on the Farm For those interested in learning about Biltmore's agricultural heritage, there's River Bend Farm. The village includes River Bend Barn, built in 1902 and to communicate the rich farm life that the estate has supported for more than a century. In addition to displays of historic farm equipment, guests can explore the Kitchen Garden and meet draft horses, calves, lambs and chickens at the Farmyard. On select dates throughout the year, visitors can enjoy mountain music and see artisans including a blacksmith and woodworkers practice their craft. Gardens Gardeners and nature lovers can also find plenty to keep them occupied at the estate. Seminars are offered periodically on the property at A Gardener's Place along with garden craft workshops such as wreath making and holiday decorating. Guided garden walks are often offered during special events and when guides aren't available, guests can explore extensive trails on their own. Biltmore's walking trails are a testament to Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmsted's belief that the landscape should be enjoyed and admired by guests. Each path provides a new opportunity to discover nature and the estate's wildlife and bird community. Walk along what was once the main carriage drive on the Glen Road, or explore the estate's rustic side with the Bass Pond and Creekside Trails. In spring and summer, the Meadow Trail features wildflowers and grasses, while the Woodland Trail is ablaze with azaleas in spring. Even in winter, the Conservatory offers displays that allow guests to get a taste of summer while staying warm and dry. Outdoor Activities George W. Vanderbilt enjoyed living in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina not only for the area's natural beauty, but also for the recreational opportunities it afforded. One hundred years ago, Vanderbilt's guests spent hours enjoying a variety of outdoor activities on the property during their visits. And now, those original activities, plus a few more modern adventures are available to today's guest. Guided by expert staff versed in outdoor sports as well as the history of Biltmore Estate, guests can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, float trips, carriage rides, fly-fishing, Segway tours, sporting clays, day camps and the Land Rover Experience Driving School. "Programs offered through Explore Biltmore reflect growing interest in soft adventure and more active vacations," said Director of Outdoor Programs Lee Reading. "Whether guests are looking for a relaxing carriage ride or an exhilarating mountain bike outing, our guides will expose them to fascinating aspects of the 8,000-acre estate they might not encounter otherwise." The Explore Biltmore Outdoor Center is located in an historic estate farmhouse on the property. Required reservations for activities can be made at the outdoor center, at the estate's Welcome Center or at the Biltmore House Stable complex. An estate admission ticket, Twelve-Month or Vanderbilt Pass or inn reservation is required. History History buffs can spend hours exploring Biltmore House and enjoying the glimpse it provides into life during the Gilded Age. Add to the pleasure of a visit by chatting with Biltmore House Hosts, knowledgeable in all aspects of the property. For an even more in-depth look at George W. Vanderbilt's legacy, specialty tours are offered at an additional cost. The South Wing Behind-the-Scenes Tour guides guests into attic spaces and onto the rooftop for an hour-long exploration. Enjoy a panoramic look at Biltmore's grounds, gardens and the Blue Ridge Mountains while examining architectural, structural and technological details. The 60-minute North Wing Behind-the-Scenes Tour takes guests into a variety of areas of Biltmore House that have not been restored including bachelor's bedrooms and the butler's pantry. A highlight of the tour is stepping out onto the Organ Loft in the Banquet Hall where a Skinner pipe organ entertains visitors. Guests can even explore the sub-basement, which houses the technology that made Biltmore House a 19th-century model of creature comfort. The Legacy of the Land Tour is a 90-minute guided motor coach ride that delves into the land's rich past and offers information about the people and places that existed before Vanderbilt's arrival. See remnants of a community church, a railroad trestle and important archeological and historical locations as you tour the estate's pastoral landscape. And More! And then there are five restaurants, nearly a dozen shopping venues, self-guided tours of Biltmore Winery, afternoon tea at the Inn on Biltmore Estate and more surprises awaiting visitors to Vanderbilt's 8,000-acre property any time of year. After a day of exploring Biltmore, return to Cedar Crest Inn bed and breakfast to relax in your room or enjoy a drink on the porch. For more information, contact Biltmore by phone at 828-225-1333 or 1-877-324-5866, or visit Biltmore Estate's Website at www.biltmore.com.