Just outside the gate of Biltmore, brick sidewalks lead you into a village where local shops and national names have learned to share the same block.
Biltmore Village was Vanderbilt's idea first: a cottage community built to house the estate's workers, designed by architects who borrowed the shape of an English village. More than a century later, the pebbledash walls and cottage rooflines still stand, filled with galleries, breweries, restaurants and shops that carry that same spirit forward in their own way.
Here's a look at ten things to do in Biltmore Village this year.
What Is Biltmore Village?
Biltmore Village is the historic shopping and dining district just outside the entrance to Biltmore, home to galleries, restaurants, breweries and a mix of independent and national retailers, all inside a cluster of English-style cottage buildings from the 1890s.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Biltmore Village?
1. Shop boutiques and brands
Biltmore Village's tree-covered brick sidewalks mix independent boutiques with familiar national names, and new shops keep joining the mix. Bring home a Lilly Pulitzer print from Palm Village, browse home decor at Huckleberry House Collective, or let the kids pick something out at Dogwood Darlings. Round out the afternoon with a stop at JW Bell, Talbots, Chico's, Monkee's of Biltmore or Spartina 449.
2. Wander the galleries
Art runs deep here. New Morning Gallery, one of the Southeast's premier craft galleries, fills its rooms with American-made pottery, glass, jewelry and woodwork. Nearby, the Village Artist Market showcases handcrafted work from local and regional artists, from pottery and jewelry to textiles and sculpture, a vibrant new home for the Village's creative spirit. Art turns up in unexpected corners too, like the colorful gallery tucked into the lobby of the Grand Bohemian Lodge, or the walls of the DoubleTree, where art and history share the same space.
3. Sit down for a meal
Corner Kitchen has anchored Biltmore Village dining for two decades in a Victorian home more than 125 years old, known for its everyday brunch and farm-to-table classics. Round out your visit with Italian house-made pasta at Gemelli, a steak at Ruth's Chris Steak House, or lodge-style breakfast, lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch at Red Stag Grill inside the Grand Bohemian Lodge. For something lighter, Finch is a gourmet market and wine bar where you can grab coffee, a sandwich or a charcuterie board and settle onto the patio.
4. Raise a glass
Biltmore Village is an essential part of Asheville's brewing scene. Hi-Wire Brewing's Big Top taproom is a 27,000 square foot production facility with 25 taps and Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food truck parked out front. Hillman Beer pairs its lineup with a deli menu in a family-owned, pub-style taproom, and Burial Beer's Forestry Camp, built inside a 1933 Civilian Conservation Corps facility, keeps its kitchen led by Executive Chef Mike Achberger, serving farm-fresh, Appalachian-inspired plates alongside the beer.
5. Browse antique dealers
Hundreds of independent antique dealers have set up shop in Biltmore Village. You'll find these dealer booths in convenient locations including the cavernous Antique Tobacco Barn, Sweeten Creek Antique Mall and Village Antiques, a good trio for collectors and curious browsers alike.
6. Make a night of it
Biltmore Village has grown into a proper home base for a stay, not just a day trip. The Grand Bohemian Lodge's rustic, layered lobby and bar make a good place to slow down with a drink. The AC Hotel by Marriott brings a clean, minimalist take for the modern traveler, DoubleTree pairs upscale comfort with an indoor heated pool, and Courtyard by Marriott keeps you within walking distance of the shops, restaurants and galleries you came for. See more places to stay in Biltmore Village.
7. Visit Biltmore
Biltmore Village sits at the front door of Biltmore, America's Largest Home®. George Vanderbilt's French Renaissance house holds 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces, and the surrounding 8,000 acre estate carries forested trails and gardens laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted. See our guide to Biltmore to plan your visit.
8. Take in the architecture.
Slow down and look up. The English-village cottages along Boston Way, Swan Street and All Souls Crescent were designed by architect Richard Sharp Smith in the 1890s, and the pebbledash walls and cottage rooflines still frame the Village today. The Cathedral of All Souls, consecrated in 1896, remains one of the most photographed exteriors in the Village, though its interior is currently closed to visitors.
9. Rejuvenate with a wellness experience
Step into Zen Skincare and Waxing Studio for a facial, wax or other therapeutic service in a peaceful setting, a good pause between rounds of shopping and strolling. Prefer to stay put after checking in? The Spa at Grand Bohemian offers massages, body treatments and facials in a quieter corner of the hotel, open to both guests and visitors.
10. Time your visit around a Village event
Biltmore Village hosts events throughout the year, from artist markets and gallery receptions to Dickens Christmas in the Village, a holiday-season tradition that turns the streets into a scene from another century. Check the Village's events calendar before you go to see what's on during your visit.
