The Breakers or Biltmore? It's to hard to choose.

Oh how I love this dream house extraordinaire! Set in the beautiful North Carolina Mountains, I think this French renaissance chateau designed by Richard Morris Hunt has to be one of the most graceful structures on earth. George Vanderbilt, though very wealthy, still managed to have more taste than money, and almost depleted his bank account when he decided to build this sprawling four acre mansion as a country retreat for his family. The estate was set up to be a self-supporting farm as well and originally included the cultivation of crops and a dairy. Inside the house you will find a bowling alley, swimming pool, huge below stairs kitchen area, and large laundry. There are 250 rooms and 65 fireplaces, a solarium, huge servants quarters and a magnificent library. The view of the splendid unspoiled countryside from the back of the house and the Italian-style portico is absolutely breathtaking as are the gardens and vista directly in front. Landscaping was done by none other than the founder of landscape architecture Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed Central Park. As you tour the house you will see enough priceless paintings, sculptures, tapestries and fascinating antiques to make any museum curator or collector green with jealousy. The estate remains a self-supporting facility offering tours year round, seasonal festivals, several good restaurants, a winery, gift shops, book stores, and a beautiful Inn. For anyone who loves to see how the wealthy once lived and played in that long gone era before personal income tax made it nearly impossible even for them this is truly a fantasy land for the mind and feast for the eyes not to mention a really relaxing and interesting vacation spot.

I've never been in it but seen it from a distance. Biggest privately owned house in the US built by Vanderbuilt. Excess at its best.

Awesome place. Well kept up and just plain old beautiful. With like 100 and some rooms. If you are in the Asheville area. Be sure to visit Biltmore.