Biltmore Estate was completed and officially opened as the summer residence of George Washington Vanderbilt in 1895.  It is the largest home in the United States.  While it is not a home anymore, it is still owned by descendants of the Vanderbilt family.

Visitors can tour the home, gardens, winery, and other areas on the 8000 acre estate.  I visited Biltmore with my grandmother, aunt, and cousin almost 7 or 8 years ago.  I had forgotten several things about the house and noticed new things this time around.  I still love the indoor swimming pool (found in the basement) and the 2 lane bowling alley (which is one of the oldest in the US).  I dream of having a home large enough to contain a library such as the one found in Biltmore.  It’s two stories with a spiral staircase leading up to the 2nd level and wooden ladders throughout to help reach books on the top shelves.

When I suggested visiting Biltmore on this trip, I thought of my mother.  My mother, if you haven’t ever noticed by my photos, loves gardening (specifically flower gardening).  I sometime think that my mom’s yard contains one of every kind of flower that is able to be grown in this area.  Because of this, I knew my mom would love the Biltmore gardens.  I don’t think they disappointed.  (Although, I think we went in between some of the seasons.  For example, the roses were just finished blooming when we got there.)

(As an aside…CNN’s Anderson Cooper is the great-great nephew of George Washington Vanderbilt.  In other words, his great-grandfather was George’s brother.)

Click here to see all of the photos I took at the Biltmore Estate.  (Unfortunately, we can’t take photos inside so these are all outside shots.)