You Might Feel Like You’ve Stepped Into ‘The Gilded Age’ In This Southern City

HBO’s The Gilded Age captured viewers' hearts in 2022, and a renewed fascination with the time period began. Filmed within the luxurious summer cottages of the Astors and Vanderbilts in Newport, Rhode Island, the show fictionally weaves together historical icons such as Caroline Astor, Ward McAllister, and JP Morgan and imagined characters such as Bertha and George Russell, who are loosely based on Alva and William Vanderbilt (Alva is a Southerner herself; she was born in Mobile, Alabama). It’s no wonder, then, that these depictions of America’s famous self-made millionaire families have inspired luxurious modern-day travel where the wealthy elite once walked.

While the show itself, now in its third season, is filmed in Newport, Rhode Island, look no further than Asheville, North Carolina, for the Southern version of this incredible period. After all, it was here that one of America’s aristocratic visionaries, George Vanderbilt, built his 178,926 square-foot home, Biltmore, amid the rolling hills of the Smoky Mountains. Here’s how to eat, drink, play, and stay like American royalty in Asheville.

Things To Do

Explore Biltmore Estate

When George Vanderbilt employed Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted to design his Asheville home, he wanted the wow to begin from the approach. Two miles of forested roads lead to the Biltmore Estate. The natural exterior surroundings contrast with the home’s over-the-top interior elements. The opulence of the Gilded Age greets you at the door. Megan Forest-Singer, associate museum curator, describes the Winter Garden, "[It represents] this Gilded Age idea of engagement with nature and bringing the outside indoors, so that you can experience it year round very predictably," she says. Make note of the highly decorative wood sheath over iron in this room, which is cutting edge building technology of the time. "Because George didn’t want it to necessarily look cutting edge, he hid it behind this old style aesthetic very deliberately, so that he could align himself with European royalty to communicate that he's American royalty." From here, grand rooms melt one into the next with antique tapestries and priceless art adorning the walls. You can almost hear long skirts swishing through the hallways.

Stroll Grovewood Village

Discover one of Asheville's true "hidden gems" at Grovewood Village, located next to The Omni Grove Park Inn. What was once the bustling hub for Biltmore Industries' weaving and woodworking is now a captivating arts and crafts village, providing an insightful look into Asheville's rich history. Dip in and out of buildings like the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum to see a collection of rare historic automobiles and The Grovewood Gallery, which represents over 350 artists from across the country.

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Drive through Montford

Pass through history in Montford, a designated national and local historic district situated just north of downtown Asheville. Established in 1893, the thick of the Gilded Age, Montford boasts a rich tapestry of architectural styles, featuring everything from grand Victorian homes to intricate Arts and Crafts designs, many of which are now bed and breakfasts.

Visit Riverside Cemetery

While in Montford, take a few minutes to meander through Riverside Cemetery. Established in 1885, the cemetery is a historic and still-active burial ground in Asheville. It's the final resting place for notable literary figures like Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry, alongside prominent and everyday Asheville citizens. Explore its more than 13,000 burials, 9,000 monuments, and 12 family mausoleums.

Experience The New Museum of Costume Jewelry

Founded by local collector Sharon Ryback, the Museum of Costume Jewelry showcases over 300 pieces of 20th-century costume jewelry. The collection will span iconic eras and featured items such as Art Nouveau carved horn earrings, Art Deco Bakelite necklaces, WWII sweetheart jewelry and mid-century Hollywood brooches. Visitors can expect to see designs from legendary names like Coco Chanel, Elsa Schiaparelli, Miriam Haskell and Christian Dior.

Where To Eat And Drink

Dine

George Vanderbilt’s vision for his estate was to have a completely self-sustaining farm, and that vision carries on and comes to life at Luminosa. Located within The Flat Iron Hotel, Luminosa offers a hyper-local, sustainable take on Italian cuisine. This zero-waste kitchen sources ingredients daily from local farms and butchers, which leads to an ever-evolving menu. Nearby at Grove Arcade, you’ll find Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar. Here, literary themed cocktails are served in a grandiose atmosphere. Think velvet curtains, marble topped counters, Persian rugs, and vintage champagne buckets. At Golden Hour in the city’s River Arts district, Gilded Age opulence meets modern aesthetics with towering ceilings, a subway tile bar, and shimmering chandeliers. The menu is approachable with an extravagant punch—diners can request a caviar bump with the chef.

Imbibe

Descend beneath The Flat Iron Hotel to uncover the Red Ribbon Society. This hidden cocktail bar pays tribute to Asheville's bold 1907 anti-Prohibitionists who wore red ribbons in defiance. At Antidote at Chemist Spirits, explore three floors meticulously designed with early 1900s apothecary aesthetics and indulge in a creative craft beverage menu that evokes the distinctive atmosphere. Eda Rhyne Distilling Company is situated in Biltmore Village. Here, distillers create spirits such as fernet and amaro using foraged materials. Stop in for tasting flights or unique cocktails.

The Biltmore Company

Where To Stay

The Gilded Age made way for the Progressive Era. Asheville is flush with architecture across these time periods, and its accommodations reflect that history. The Flat Iron is a 71-room adaptive reuse hotel that reimagines one of Asheville's first skyscrapers with stunning Art Deco-inspired design. The details are unmatched; even the check-in desk is wrapped in fabric reminiscent of that found in the Biltmore’s salon, and the historic, manually operated elevator takes guests between floors. To sink into the Gilded Age era, opt to stay at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. A contemporary interpretation of the classic European elegance that fueled George Vanderbilt's vision for Biltmore House more than a century ago, the retreat mirrors the grace, curated collections, and storied past of the grounds. Experience the gracious hospitality and unparalleled level of service for which the Vanderbilts were renowned, all under the watch of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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