Are there secret passages in the Biltmore house?

Are there secret passages in the Biltmore house? One of the most popular tourist attractions in the state, Biltmore Estate proves that even the most-visited places have their secrets. The sprawling Vanderbilt mansion conceals hidden doors and secret passageways.

Why is the Biltmore so expensive?

Why Is Biltmore So Expensive? The ticket price is you paying for the HUGE amount of maintenance, restoration, and staff that it takes to run the estate, along with all the various activities that there are to do around the estate. It's not JUST to see the house and grounds.

What did the Vanderbilts eat at Biltmore?

Often the highlight of a stay at Biltmore, dinner featured between six and ten courses, including soup, fish, entrée, roast or relevé, game and salad, dessert, and coffee to aid digestion. Meals included a combination of store-bought delicacies and the home-grown bounty of estate farms.

Does the Biltmore house have secret passageways?

Hidden in plain sight are doors that were designed to blend seamlessly into the décor and lead to secret passageways. These passageways were designed to help George Vanderbilt's guests and Biltmore staff navigate efficiently and privately from common areas to other rooms in the house.

Does the Vanderbilt family still exist?

Branches of the family are found on the United States East Coast. Contemporary descendants include American art historian John Wilmerding, journalist Anderson Cooper, actor Timothy Olyphant, musician John P. Hammond, screenwriter James Vanderbilt, and the Duke of Marlborough.

Why did George and Edith Vanderbilt have separate bedrooms?

Like other married couples of the Vanderbilts' social class, Edith and George had separate bedrooms so maids could dress her and valets could dress him. Behind curtains is Edith's walk-in closet.

What was hidden at the Biltmore Estate?

Famous works by Rembrandt, Raphael, Anthony van Dyck – even Gilbert Stuart's George Washington portrait – were whisked away from Washington's National Gallery of Art by train and hidden at the estate to protect against possible attacks.

Was the Biltmore in Forrest Gump?

“Forrest Gump” (1994) Scenes of Tom Hanks' title character running were shot in and around Asheville, including on the Biltmore Estate.

What are the 250 rooms in Biltmore?

The 250-room French Renaissance chateau includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. Adjacent to Biltmore House are 75 acres of formal and informal gardens designed by renowned American landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.

Why are there gargoyles on the Biltmore?

At the back of the Biltmore House, several of these creatures adorn the downspouts. These are true gargoyles, as these fearsome creatures were originally designed to carry rainwater clear of the walls in ancient times.

Who is the heir to the Biltmore Estate?

Who owns Biltmore Estate today? The estate is still family-owned. George Vanderbilt's great-grandson, Bill Cecil Jr, is the current CEO of Biltmore Company. His father (and George Vanderbilt's grandson William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil) was responsible for most of the dramatic growth of Biltmore.

What are the secret things to do at the Biltmore?