If you go to the Biltmore Estate

TICKETS: Day passes for self-guided tours of the house, gardens, winery, conservatory and other estate attractions are $39 for adults, $19.50 for children 6 to 16. Guided and behind-the-scenes tours are an extra $15. Tickets can be purchased at www.biltmore.com, by calling 800-624-1575 or at the estate. The grounds are open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 15 through Dec. 31, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Jan. 1 to March 14.

LODGING: The top-rated Inn on Biltmore Estate has rooms starting from around $200 a night, with packages available.

THINGS TO DO: Outdoor activities abound on the 8,000-acre estate, which was laid out by the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, from biking and hiking trails to river float trips, fly-fishing trips and horseback riding.

THE BOOK: The Open Collections Program at Harvard University's library has made the text of "Millionaire Households" available online at ocp.hul.harvard.edu/ww/allbooks.html.