tours of mansions

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Martha's Blog
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

The Grandest Historic Mansions to Visit Across the United States

Roxanna is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

All open to the public, you can tour the interior of these luxury establishments to admire their size and number of rooms. From state to state, these are as beautiful as they are significant in U.S. history.

Time travel may not be possible, but we can experience the next best thing by visiting historic mansions. These living museums preserve history by keeping the way of life from the era in which the former residents lived on display.

Simple curiosity is the main reason for the popularity of historic house tours. It's human nature to be curious, even nosy, about the people who live beyond those wrought iron gates, those tall white pillars, that mass of fragrant wisteria. House tours provide a healthy—and legal—outlet for our inquisitiveness while benefiting the organizations that work to keep history alive. Kitty Robinson of the Historic Charleston Foundation explains, "I think people love to see what other families have done with these historic homes to make them livable. Toddlers really do live in eighteenth century living rooms." Tours also offer rare opportunities for amateur and professional collectors , gardeners, designers, and history buffs to see what might not be found in books, magazines, or museums. "People go for inspiration," says Sandra Soule, the editor of America's Wonderful Little Hotels and Inns guidebook series.

Many of these properties had to temporarily close their doors to the public at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that some of the restrictions have eased and states are reopening to tourists, historic mansions have also begun allowing the public to visit their sites again. And these house tours can be found all over the country this summer, from Providence, Rhode Island, to Pasadena, California. Cicero once asked, "What is more agreeable than one's home?" For a vacation, maybe someone else's.

Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York

This historic mansion is also a luxury hotel, which means you enjoy a royal European experience right in New York. Oheka Castle was built in 1919 as a summer home for Otto Hermann Kahn.

Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut

See where Mark Twain lived. The house is open for tours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays but tickets should be purchased in advance. If you're not ready to travel just yet, know that it's also possible to go on a virtual tour.

George Washington's Mount Vernon in Mount Vernon, Virginia

George Washington lived in this home that was 10 times the size of most other homes in West Virginia. Currently, only the first floor is open again for tours and tickets need to be purchased ahead of time.

Fairlawn Mansion in Superior, Wisconsin

Tours are limited to 12 people per tour, but if you're able to get inside, the Fairlawn Mansion is worth a visit. A gorgeous Victorian house that was first occupied by private residents from 1890 to 1920, the property went on to become a Children's Home for 42 years. Today, it's the perfect place to learn about this region's history.

The Ringling Mansion in Sarasota, Florida

Behold the home of the famous circus leader: the mansion called Ca' d'Zan . Once the winter home of circus impresario John Ringling (the name means "John's House" in Venetian dialect), this 1920s Venetian-Gothic-style villa was the romantically crumbling backdrop for the 1998 film Great Expectations . Today, fully restored, it's a museum and a scene-stealing home, where you can stand on the bay-front terrace.

Highlands Ranch Mansion in Highlands Ranch, Colorado

See a working ranch with history in action at the Highlands Ranch Mansion . Featuring historic barns, ranch houses and more on the property, it's like walking into a Weatern fairy tale.

Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright in Mill Run, Pennsylvania

Built in 1935 by Frank Lloyd Wright, Fallingwater served as a weekend home for the couple that owned Kaufmann's Department Store. The architecture is beautiful and a sight to behold.

Bingham-Hanna Mansion and the Hay-McKinney Mansion in Cleveland, Ohio

These two mansions are part of the Cleveland History Center and are works of art. Artifacts from the early 1900s, when the homes were built, give visitors a glimpse into the past.

Prospect Place in Trinway, Ohio

This historic mansion was a stop along the Underground Railroad. George Adams lived there with his wife, and abolitionists would meet in his parlor.

Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina

In addition to a gorgeous mansion, the Biltmore Estate features 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds. George Vanderbilt's former home, the property has a whopping 250 rooms and was completed in 1895.

The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island

The Italian Renaissance–style villa was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his family and the grandest of the Gilded Age summer homes in Newport. Designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt to replace an existing wood structure, the 70-room, four-story home was decorated by Ogden Codman, Jr. and completed in 1895. Today, the Breakers is owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County, which offers access to a number of historic homes in the area, including another Hunt design, Marble House, which was built for Vanderbilt's brother.

The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts

Author Edith Wharton took inspiration from Belton House in England, as well as French and Italian influences, when designing the house and grounds at the Mount , which was built with architects Ogden Codman, Jr., her coauthor of the book The Decoration of Houses, and Francis L.V. Hoppin. Wharton lived and worked there for 10 years before she and her husband, Teddy, sold the property in 1911. The Mount was declared a National Historic landmark in 1971 and is now a cultural center dedicated to Wharton's life and work.

Bayou Bend Collection and Garden in Houston, Texas

Philanthropist Ima Hogg and her brothers built the mansion in the River Oaks area of Houston between 1927 and 1928. Texas architect John F. Staub designed the house, taking inspiration from 18th-century Georgian and Spanish Creole architecture. The home's 14 acres of gardens mix formal landscape design with natural woodlands. Hogg donated the property to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and it is now a house museum showcasing American paintings and decorative arts.

Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee

They didn't call him "The King" for nothing. More than 40 years after his death, both fans and those curious about this pop culture phenom are still flocking to Elvis Presley's Graceland home. Yes, the Jungle Room always draws a crowd, but there's more to what is now deemed Elvis Presley's Memphis at Graceland than his former living quarters. After touring the Graceland mansion, guests can also visit several adjacent museums, including those housing celebrity memorabilia from his career, favorite automobiles he owned and even his private jets named the "Lisa Marie" and "Hound Dog II." Guest quarters are also a part of the complex for those wanting an overnight experience.

Vizcaya in Miami, Florida

Built between 1914 and 1922, Vizcaya was the winter residence of industrial executive James Deering. The Miami home boasts a design meant to look like a time-worn Italianate villa complete with grottos and bridges. The surrounding gardens are based on Italian and French examples incorporating flora suited for a subtropical setting. Unlike many other historic mansions converted to museums, Vizcaya still has most of its original decor. Visitors enjoy perusing 34 decorated rooms showcasing more than 2,500 art objects collected by Deering, and furnishings that have been in the home for more than 100 years.

Related Articles

Find anything you save across the site in your account

18 of America’s Best Historic Homes to Visit

By Elizabeth Stamp

America’s historic houses are a key part of the country’s heritage. Stepping inside one of these well-preserved homes gives visitors a glimpse of architectural achievements, as well as the lifestyles and traditions of the past. Whether you’re a fan of the founding fathers, a literature buff, or a connoisseur of the modernist masters, there are plenty of pedigreed properties to visit across the country. From 18th-century plantations on the East Coast to 20th-century mansions owned by California’s elite, America’s historic homes offer a look at the past while showcasing art, artifacts, and gardens that are as spectacular as the homes they accompany. They also provide an intimate look at the lives of their notable owners, including Edith Wharton, Frederic Edwin Church, Harriet Tubman, and Philip Johnson. Discover some of the best historic homes in the United States and start planning a trip back in time.

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park (Auburn, New York)

In the late 1850s, abolitionist Harriet Tubman purchased property in Auburn, New York, from Senator William Seward and moved there with her parents from Canada, where they had been living since 1851. She returned to the home following the Civil War, and in 1896 she purchased 25 acres of adjacent land to create the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged. She deeded the property to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1903. Today, her residence, the home for the aged, and the Thompson AME Zion Church make up the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, which was established in 2017.

Biltmore (Asheville, North Carolina)

Known as America’s largest home, Biltmore House boasts 250 rooms and the square footage of four football fields. The massive manse was built by George Vanderbilt, in collaboration with architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, over a period of six years. The 8,000-acre estate now includes a winery and a village with a hotel, shops, and restaurants.

The Breakers (Newport, Rhode Island)

The Italian Renaissance–style villa was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his family and the grandest of the Gilded Age summer homes in Newport. Designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt to replace an existing wood structure, the 70-room, four-story home was decorated by Ogden Codman, Jr. and completed in 1895. Today the Breakers is owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County, which offers access to a number of historic homes in the area, including another Hunt design, Marble House, which was built for Vanderbilt’s brother.

The Oaks (Tuskegee, Alabama)

Completed in 1900, the Oaks was the home of educator and author Booker T. Washington at the Tuskegee Institute , where he served as the first president. The Queen Anne Revival–style house was built by students and local craftsmen and was the first residence in Macon County to be equipped with electricity and steam heating. In 1974, Congress established the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, which includes the Oaks, the George Washington Carver Museum, and the university grounds.

By Erika Owen

By Briana Feigon

By Katherine McLaughlin

Hearst Castle (San Simeon, California)

Created by architect Julia Morgan and newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, the 165-room estate overlooking the California town of San Simeon showcases a magnificent collection of art and antiquities, as well as 123 acres of terraces, gardens, and pools, including the iconic Neptune Pool. The property is now a house museum and a California State Park where visitors can explore different aspects of Hearst Castle’s history, from its art and architecture to its heyday as a retreat for Hollywood’s biggest names.

Langston Hughes House (New York)

The top floor of the Italianate brownstone on East 127th Street in Manhattan’s Harlem neighborhood was home to the acclaimed poet, playwright, and novelist Langston Hughes for the last 20 years of his life. The 1869 building was where the Harlem Renaissance leader wrote I Wonder As I Wander and Montage of a Dream Deferred. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and from 2016 to 2019 it was home to the I, Too Arts Collective .

The Mount (Lenox, Massachusetts)

Author Edith Wharton took inspiration from Belton House in England, as well as French and Italian influences, when designing the house and grounds at the Mount , which was built with architects Ogden Codman, Jr., her coauthor of the book The Decoration of Houses , and Francis L.V. Hoppin. Wharton lived and worked there for 10 years before she and her husband, Teddy, sold the property in 1911. The Mount was declared a National Historic landmark in 1971 and is now a cultural center dedicated to Wharton’s life and work.

Monticello (Charlottesville, Virginia)

Thomas Jefferson began construction on his plantation, Monticello , in 1769 and found inspiration in the work of Andrea Palladio, as well as in ancient and Renaissance architecture. He later enlarged and remodeled the house beginning in 1796. The 43-room estate was Jefferson’s home until his death in 1826. Monticello is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum, where visitors can view exhibitions about Jefferson, the estate, and the enslaved people who lived and worked there.

Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home (Atlanta)

Built in 1895, this Queen Anne–style home on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta was later purchased by Rev. Adam Daniel Williams. Williams’s daughter Christine and her husband, Michael King, would have three children there, including Michael Jr., who would later become known as Martin Luther King Jr. The civil rights leader would spend his first 12 years in the home and after his assassination in 1968, it was restored and turned into a museum. In January of 2018, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, which includes the house, was designated a national historic park and later that year, the house was purchased by the National Park Foundation.

Gamble House (Pasadena, California)

Designed by architects Charles and Henry Greene for David and Mary Gamble, the Gamble house is one of the best examples of American Arts and Crafts architecture. The home was completed in 1908. It became a museum after it was deeded to the city of Pasadena and the University of Southern California in 1966. The home and its original furniture, which was also designed by Greene & Greene, have been beautifully conserved and the exterior was restored in the early 2000s.

Olana State Historic Site (Hudson, New York)

Painter Frederic Edwin Church designed his home in the Hudson River Valley on a hilltop site with the help of architect Calvert Vaux. Church was inspired by his travels, and incorporated Middle Eastern motifs (specifically Persian) alongside the Victorian architecture. The 250-acre estate is now a National Historic Landmark; the house showcases work by Church and the artist’s collection of decorative arts.

The African Meeting House (Boston)

The oldest surviving Black church in America, the African Meeting House—also known as First Independent Baptist Church and the African Baptist Church of Boston—was built in 1806 on Boston’s Becon Hill. Many well-known abolitionists spoke at the meeting house, including Frederick Douglass, Sarah Grimké, and William Lloyd Garrison, who founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society there in 1932. The building is now owned and operated by the Museum of African American History and is the final stop on the Black Heritage Trail.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (Miami)

The waterfront villa in Miami was built by James Deering, who hired artist and interior designer Paul Chalfin to create his vacation home with the help of architect Francis Burrall Hoffman Jr. Following Deering’s death in 1925, the estate served as a private, and later public, museum. The main house showcases more than 2,500 furnishings, artwork, and objects, and visitors can also explore the 10 acres of formal gardens, as well as forests and an impressive orchid collection.

Paul Laurence Dunbar House (Dayton, Ohio)

Acclaimed poet and author Paul Laurence Dunbar purchased this 1894 brick home in Dayton, Ohio, in 1904 and lived there until his death in 1906. Following the death of his mother in 1934, the house was purchased by the state, and in 1936 it was designated as the first state memorial honoring an African American. The home is open to the public and displays Dunbar’s personal belongings, including the desk where he wrote much of his work, a sword given to him by President Theodore Roosevelt, and a bicycle built by his friends Orville and Wilbur Wright.

The Glass House (New Canaan, Connecticut)

Architect Philip Johnson’s home in Connecticut is an icon of modern architecture. The Glass House , completed in 1949, was revolutionary for its integration into the landscape and its use of materials. The 49-acre property is home to 14 structures, built between 1949 and 1995, including a sculpture gallery, a studio, and Ghost House, an architectural folly. The estate also hosts an impressive selection of 20th-century artwork collected by Johnson and his partner, curator David Whitney, including pieces by Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, and Robert Rauschenberg.

Drayton Hall (Charleston, South Carolina)

Set on the Ashley River, Drayton Hall was founded in 1738 and is now the oldest unrestored plantation house in America. The house is the first example of Palladian architecture in the country and is displayed unfurnished to allow the original materials and architectural details to take center stage. Today the estate is a National Trust for Historic Preservation site, and guests can tour the house and grounds, which includes one of the country’s oldest African-American cemeteries.

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens (Houston)

Philanthropist Ima Hogg and her brothers built the mansion in the River Oaks area of Houston between 1927 and 1928. Texas architect John F. Staub designed the house, taking inspiration from 18th-century Georgian and Spanish Creole architecture. The home’s 14 acres of gardens mix formal landscape design with natural woodlands. Hogg donated the property to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and it is now a house museum showcasing American paintings and decorative arts .

George Washington's Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, Virginia)

George and Martha Washington’s plantation home was originally built by the president’s father in 1734. Washington expanded the house over 45 years, beginning in 1754, and transformed the one-and-a-half story house into a 21-room mansion. Many of the buildings on the property have been restored or reconstructed, such as the outbuildings where enslaved men and women worked, and a museum showcases artifacts from Washington’s life and presidency.

By Jenny Bristol

By Paola Singer

By David Foxley

Guide-led Tours

Our expert guides lead fascinating specialty tours such as beneath the breakers and the elms servant life. other guided tours available by season at some houses., beneath the breakers tour, daily 10:30 am.

Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.

Servant Life Tour

Daily 10:30 am, 2 pm and 3:30 pm*.

See and hear how the other half lived. This tour will highlight the stories of some of the men and women who worked to service the social whirl of Newport during the Gilded Age. * Sept. 1-Oct. 14, 10:30 & 3:30. Oct. 15-Jan. 1, 2025, 10:30 & 2:30.

Inside “The Gilded Age” Tour

May 17 – june 28, 2024.

Fans of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” will love this guide-led tour of locations in four of the Newport Mansions where the show was filmed. Tuesdays and Fridays only, May 17 through June 28.

The Breakers Third Floor Preservation in Progress Tour

Daily 3:30pm – 4:30pm.

For the first time in the 129-year history of The Breakers, the private third-floor family space occupied by generations of Vanderbilts will be open for public tours.

Get the Newport Mansions app

Download our tour app before your visit and bring your earbuds.

Additional Visitor Info

Map & parking info.

Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.

Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Mansions & Gardens

Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.

Partners in Preservation

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Hotels with Pools

Hotels on the Water

Unique places to stay, best rooftop bars, must-try lobster rolls, top ice cream spots, summer must-do's, beach guide, umbrella sky newport, top events this june, fairs & festivals this summer, on-going gallery exhibits, guide to parking, first timer's guide, top 12 things to do.

During the Gilded Age, America’s wealthiest families flocked to the City by the Sea and its surrounding areas; making the area their summertime playground. The meticulous preservation of more than a dozen of these homes gives us intimate access to the artistry, personality, and complex culture that went into these colossal time capsules. All that being said, simply having access to and enjoying the breathtaking grounds and cliffside vantage points of these homes is a treasure we cherish.

JUMP TO MANSION LISTINGS

• Spring on The Coast
• Summer on The Coast
• Ocean Drive
• Free Things To Do
• Beaches, Sailing + Water Sports
• Farms + Orchards
• Arts + Museums

Featured Attractions

• Top 10 Things To Do
• Outdoor Recreation
• Mansions + Historic Sites
• Entertainment + Nightlife
• Spa + Wellness

These listings offer some of the best experiences throughout The Classic Coast.

Best Spots for Sunrise + Sunset

Look no further, here are the top spots for sunset + sunrise in and around Newport.

Summer is Coming

Call us biased but we think summer in Newport is synonymous with heaven on earth.

Weekend Must-do's

Think: Saturday morning farmers markets, Sunday afternoon hikes along the shoreline, and some of the best meals of your life in between (we guarantee it).

you may also like

20+ Things To Do in June

Guide to parking.

84 Fabulous Historic Homes & Mansions in the USA

• Pinterest 1.2K
• Facebook 154

I love beautiful mansions – whether newer mega mansions or historical mansions. This gallery showcases over 60 fabulous famous and infamous historical mansions from all areas of the United States.

Regions include the Eastcoast, the South, Midwest and the Westcoast. Notable regions include Newport, Rhode Island mansions , stunning Gold Coast mansions , Palm Beach mansions and more.

This collection includes some of the most famous houses in the world owned by robber barons, industrialists, authors, politicians, media tycoons, automobile moguls and more.

While some of the homes here are called a castle , America was founded after the need for a medieval castle . What resulted are simply spectacular houses akin to a chateau, villa or manor house .

Enjoy your scroll through a slice of America’s history via America’s greatest historic houses .

Related: Cool Shipping Container Homes | High-End Luxury Townhomes | Sleek Glass Houses | Rustic Houses

Houses 31 to 73 on the next page

1. Mark Twain House – Hartford, Connecticut

The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut was built by Edward Tuckerman Potter and was the house of Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

It was designed following the American High Gothic style and is now currently in the hands of Hal Holbrook. The cost of the house is currently $16.3 million and features  35,000-square-foot (3,300 m2)

About the Mark Twain House

• Where:  Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America
• When:  August 1873
• Who built it: Edward Tuckerman Potter
• Current owners:  Hal Holbrook
• Cost:  $16.3 million
• Size:  35,000-square-foot (3,300 m2)

Source: Factinate

2. Ringling Mansion – Sarasota, Florida

Ca’ d’Zan, or the Ringling Mansion in Sarasota, Florida is a Mediterranean Revival residence home of the American circus owner, developer and art collector John Ringling and his wife Mable.

The property was designed by architect Dwight James Baum in 1924 and it was built by the Sarasota developer Owen Burns. In 2013, the property costs $21 million currently owned by the Florida State University.

About the Ringling Mansion / Ca’ d’Zan

• Where:  Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
• Who built it: Designed by: architect Dwight James Baum / Built by: Sarasota developer Owen Burns
• Current owners: Florida State University
• Cost:  $21 million
• Size:  36,000 square-foot

3. Vanderbilt Mansion – Hyde Park, New York

Vanderbilt Mansion is a historic house museum in Hyde Park, New York. Designed by the preeminent architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, the house is a fine an example of the Beaux-Arts architecture style while featuring archetypes of the American Renaissance in its interiors.

The property costs $36 million with a 211 acres (85 ha) currently owned by the National Park Service.

About the Vanderbilt Mansion

• Where:  Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
• When: 1896 – 1899
• Who built it: McKim, Mead & White
• Current owners: National Park Service
• Cost:  $36 million
• Size:  211 acres (85 ha)

4. Highlands Ranch Mansion – Colorado

See our gallery of tudor revival homes here .

The Highlands Ranch Mansion built in 1962 is one of the most architecturally unique structures in Colorado. The Mansion features 27,000 square feet (2,500 m2) containing more than 14 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms.

Owned and operated by the Highlands Ranch Metro District, the mansion costs more than $13 million and being maintained by the Highlands Ranch Metro District.

About the Highlands Ranch Mansion

• Where:  Colorado, United States of America
• Who built it:  Samuel Allen Long
• Current owners: Highlands Ranch Metro District
• Cost: more than $13 million
• Size: 27,000 square feet (2,500 m2)

5. Kykuit Estate (Rockefeller Mansion) – New York

The Kykuit, also known as the John D. Rockefeller Estate built by Rockefeller family in 1913 is a 40-room historic house museum in Pocantico Hills, a hamlet in the town of Mount Pleasant, New York.

The cost of the property has not been yet revealed to the public but it is most likely at a very high price considering its size of 3,400 acres (1,380 ha).

About the Kykuit

• Where: Mount Pleasant, New York, United States of America
• Who built it: Rockefeller family
• Current owners:   Rockefeller families
• Cost: Currently unknown
• Size: 3,400 acres (1,380 ha)

6. Oheka Castle – Huntington, New York

The Oheka Castle, also known as the Otto Kahn Estate built in 1914–1919 by Delano & Aldrich and Olmsted Brothers is located on the North Shore of Long Island, in the West Hills section of Huntington, NY.

The property is the second largest private home in the United States measuring over 109,000 square feet (10,100 m2) and features 127 rooms. Its cost is currently at $22.5 million owned by Gary Melius.

About the Oheka Castle

• Where: Huntington, New York, United States of America
• When: 1914–1919
• Who built it: Delano & Aldrich and Olmsted Brothers
• Current owners: Gary Melius
• Cost: $22.5 million
• Size: 23.2 acres (9.4 ha)

7. Oak Alley – Louisiana

The Oak Alley Plantation located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, in the community of Vacherie, St. James Parish, Louisiana, is a historic plantation constructed by Joseph Pilié in 1837. The property boasts 25 acres (10 ha) and costs $50,000 while spent $60,000 in renovations in 1925.

About the Oak Alley Plantation

• Where: Louisiana, United States of America
• Who built it: Joseph Pilié
• Current owners: Oak Alley Foundation
• Cost: $50,000
• Size: 25 acres (10 ha)

8. Boone Hall Mansion

The Boone Hall Plantation is one of America’s oldest working plantations that was built in 1681 and was reconstructed in 1936. It was built by William Harmon Beers and features 10,000 square feet (930 m2). The property is currently owned by the McRae family.

About the Boone Hall Plantation

• Where: South Carolina, United States of America
• Who built it: William Harmon Beers
• Current owners: McRae family
• Size: 10,000 square feet (930 m2)

See our list of Southern historic homes here .

9. Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s House) – Virginia

Monticello was the primary plantation of the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. He was the one who designed the property at age 26 after inheriting the land from his father following the neoclassical design principles described by Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio.

This building, featuring 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) that costs $15 million is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About the Monticello

• Where: Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
• Who built it: Thomas Jefferson
• Current owners: Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.
• Cost: $15 million
• Size: 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares)

10. Rosalie Mansion – Natchez, Mississippi

Built in 1823, the Rosalie Mansion is a historic pre-Civil War mansion and historic house museum in Natchez, Mississippi. The property served as the architectural inspiration for a large number of Natchez’s grand Greek Revival mansions, and was a major influence on Antebellum architecture in the greater region.

It was constructed by J.S. Griffin in 1822 and features 22 acres. Today, it is owned and maintained by Mississippi State Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

About the Rosalie Mansion

• Where: Natchez, Mississippi, United States of America
• Who built it: J.S. Griffin
• Current owners: Mississippi State Society Daughters of the American Revolution
• Size: 22 acres

11. Nottoway Mansion

The Nottoway Mansion, also known as the Nottoway Plantation House was built in 1858 by Henry Howard following the Greek Revival and Italianate-styled mansion . It is located near White Castle, Louisiana, United States and features 53,000 square foot that costs $14 million.

About the Nottoway Mansion

• Who built it: Henry Howard
• Current owners: Paul Ramsay
• Cost: $14 million
• Size: 53,000 square foot

12. Magnolia Plantation

The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens located on the Ashley River at 3550 Ashley River Road west of the Ashley, Charleston County, South Carolina is a historic house built in 1850 by Thomas and Ann Drayton. The property remains under the control of the Drayton family after 15 generations and is open to the public. It features 464 acres, 187.77 hectares.

About the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

• Where: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States of America
• Who built it: Thomas and Ann Drayton
• Current owners: Drayton family
• Size: 464 acres, 187.77 hectares

13. Houmas House – Darrow

The Houmas, also known as Burnside Plantation and currently known as Houmas House Plantation and Gardens was built in 1840 by John Smith Preston, and is a historic plantation complex and house museum in Burnside, Louisiana. It features 10 acres (4.0 ha), which is currently owned by Kevin Kelly.

About the Houmas House

• Where: Burnside, Louisiana, United States of America
• Who built it: John Smith Preston
• Current owners: Kevin Kelly
• Size: 10 acres (4.0 ha)

14. Montepelier (James Madison’s House) – Virginia

James Madison’s Montpelier was the plantation house of the Madison family, including fourth President of the United States, James Madison, and his wife Dolley.

It is located in Orange County, Virginia and was declared a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It was built in 1764 by Madisons and duPont, which features 4.452 km² and costs $25 million.

About the Montepelier

• Where: Orange County, Virginia, United States of America
• Who built it: Madisons and duPont
• Current owners: National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Cost: $25 million
• Size: 4.452 km²

15. Hazel Path Mansion

The Hazel Path Mansion located in Hendersonville, Tennessee is currently is available for weddings and other events. It was built by Daniel Smith Donelson in 1857 featuring 254 acres and costs $800,000. The property’s current owners are Louis Oliver and James Fuqua.

About the Hazel Path Mansion

• Where: Hendersonville, Tennessee, United States of America
• Who built it: Daniel Smith Donelson
• Current owners: Louis Oliver and James Fuqua
• Cost: $800,000
• Size: 254 acres

16. Drayton Hall

The Drayton Hall located on the Ashley River about 15 miles northwest of Charleston, South Carolina is an 18th-century plantation whose architectect is unknown.

The mansion was built for John Drayton and his family after he bought the property in the late 1730s. The property features 3.177 km² and is currently owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

About the Drayton Hall

• Where: Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
• When:   1747–1752
• Who built it: Unknown
• Cost: Unknown
• Size: 3.177 km²

17. Calhoun Mansion – South Carolina

The Calhoun Mansion located at Charleston, South Carolina is a Victorian house built by W.P. Russell for George W. Williams in 1876. It costs $5,000,000 featuring 24,000-square-foot. Today, it is currently open for public tours under Howard Stahl.

About the Calhoun Mansion

• Who built it:  Designed by W.P. Russell for George W. Williams
• Current owners: Howard Stahl
• Cost: $5,000,000
• Size: 24,000-square-foot

18. Fairlawn Mansion – Wisconsin

About the Fairlawn Mansion

• Where: Wisconsin, United States of America
• When:   1889-1891
• Who built it:  Martin Pattison
• Current owners:   Superior Public Museums
• Cost:   $6.5 million
• Size: Unknown

19. Fonthill Castle

Fonthill, also known as Fonthill Castle was built in early 20th century by Dr. Henry C. Mercer and served as his home in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The property’s cost is still unknown and currently owned by Trustees of the Mercer Fonthill Museum.

About the Fonthill Castle

• Where: Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
• When: 1908 – 1912
• Who built it: Dr. Henry C. Mercer
• Current owners: Trustees of the Mercer Fonthill Museum
• Cost:   Unknown
• Size:   27 ha

20. Robert Todd Lincoln’s Mansion

Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home located in Manchester, Vermont is the former summer home of Robert Todd Lincoln and his wife Mary Harlan Lincoln. It was built in the 20th century by Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge following the Georgian Revival style architecture. The property boasts 412-acre,167 ha and its current value is unknown.

About the Hildene

• Where: Manchester, Vermont, United States of America
• When: 20th century
• Who built it: Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge
• Current owners:   Friends of Hildene
• Size:   412-acre,167 ha

21. Biltmore Estate

Located in Asheville, North Carolina, Biltmore Estate is a large (6950.4 acre or 10.86 square miles) private estate and a popular tourist attraction. It was built in 1889 – 1895 by Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted. It features 6950.4 acre or 10.86 square miles that costs $300 million currently owned by Bill Cecil.

Biltmore is the largest private residence in the USA coming it at 175,000 sq. ft.

About the Biltmore Estate

• Where: Asheville, North Carolina, United States of America
• When: 1889 – 1895
• Who built it: Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted
• Current owners: Bill Cecil
• Cost: $300 million
• Size: 6950.4 acre or 10.86 square miles

22. Mount Vernon – George Washington’s Estate

Mount Vernon, situated on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia, was the plantation house of George Washington, the first President of the United States, and his wife, Martha Dandridge Custis Washington.

It was built in 1758 by George Washington and remained his country home for the rest of his life. It features 500 acres (200 ha) and currently, it is being retained by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association.

About the Mount Vernon

• Where: Fairfax County, Virginia, United States of America
• Current owners: Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association
• Size: 500 acres (200 ha)

23. Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright

Fallingwater is a house located in southwestern Pennsylvania designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935. The property was designed as a weekend home for the family of Liliane Kaufmann and her husband, Edgar J. Kaufmann, Sr., owner of Kaufmann’s Department Store. It features 1750 acres and has a value of $15.9 million.

About the Fallingwater

• Where:  Southwestern Pennsylvania, United States of America
• Who built it: Frank Lloyd Wright
• Current owners: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
• Cost: $15.9 million
• Size: 1750 acres

Related: Concrete Houses

24. David Davis Mansion – Bloomington, Illinois

The David Davis Mansion also known as Clover Lawn, is a Victorian home in Bloomington, Illinois that was built in 1870-1872 by Alfred H. Piquenard.

It was the residence of David Davis, Supreme Court justice (1862–1877) and Senator from Illinois, which features 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) that is currently owned by the Illinois Department of natural Resources.

About the David Davis Mansion

• Where: Bloomington, Illinois, United States of America
• When: 1870-1872
• Who built it: Alfred H. Piquenard
• Current owners: Illinois Department of natural Resources
• Size: 4.5 acres (1.8 ha)

25. Cairnwood Estate – Pennsylvania

Cairnwood is a 26,000 square feet (2,400 m2) historic home designed by the architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings and built in 1895. This historic home is located in Bryn Athyn, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania currently owned by the Academy of the New Church.

About the Cairnwood

• Where: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States of America
• Who built it: Architectural firm of Carrère and Hastings
• Current owners: Academy of the New Church
• Size: 26,000 square feet (2,400 m2)

26. Fairlane (Henry and Clara Ford Estate) – Michigan

The Fair Lane was the estate of Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford and his wife, Clara Ford, which was built in 1913–1915 by architects Joseph N. French, William Van Tine, Marion Mahony Griffin, Frank Lloyd Wright and Jens Jensen.

Located in Dearborn, Michigan, Fair Lane has 31,000-square-foot (2,900 m2) and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

About the Fair Lane

• Where: Dearborn, Michigan, United States of America
• When: 1913–1915
• Who built it: Architects Joseph N. French, William Van Tine, Marion Mahony Griffin, Frank Lloyd Wright and Jens Jensen
• Current owners: Henry Ford Estate, Inc
• Size: 31,000-square-foot (2,900 m2)

27. Hearst Castle – San Simeon, California

Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark located on the Central Coast of California designed by architect Julia Morgan for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst between 1919 and 1947.

The property has 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m2) and is worth $195 million. When the owner Hearst died in 1951, it became a California State Park in 1954 and was opened to visitors later on.

About the Hearst Castle

• Where: Central Coast of California, United States of America
• When: 1919 – 1947
• Who built it: Architect Julia Morgan
• Current owners: Leonard Ross
• Cost: $195 million
• Size: 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m2)

28. Frederic Edwin Church’s Mansion – New York

The Olana State Historic Site is a historic house museum located in Greenport, New York. It was designed by architect Calvert Vaux as the home of Frederic Edwin Church who is one of the major figures in the Hudson River School of landscape painting.

The estate features 250.2 acres (101.3 ha) and is currently in the care of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

About the Olana State / Frederic Edwin Church Mansion

• Where: Greenport, New York, United States of America
• Who built it: Architect Calvert Vaux
• Current owners: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
• Size: 250.2 acres (101.3 ha)

29. Asa Packer Mansion

The Asa Packer Mansion is a historic house museum located in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1852 following the designs of Samuel Sloan and was the home of Asa Packer, a coal and railroad magnate and founder of Lehigh University.

It has less than one acre and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985 and currently owned by Ronald J. Sheehan.

About the Asa Packer Mansion

• Where: Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, United States of America
• Who built it: Architect Samuel Sloan
• Current owners: Ronald J. Sheehan
• Size:  Less than one acre

30. Glenview Mansion – Rockville, Maryland

Glenview Mansion is a historic home located at Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland. It was designed by architects Porter, Irwin S, Lockie, Joseph A and James H. Small III for Catherine and Richard Johns Bowie, the original owners of the property.

The property has 65 acres (26 ha) and was purchased by the City of Rockville for $125,000.

About the Glenview Mansion

• Where: Montgomery County, Maryland, United States of America
• Who built it: Architects Porter, Irwin S, Lockie, Joseph A and James H. Small III
• Current owners: City of Rockville
• Cost: $125,000
• Size: 65 acres (26 ha)

Related Posts

Dolomites House – Custom Modern Home Design by JM Architecture

Hartland Estate by Studio Jencquel

Villa Nyckelpiga by Architect Johan Sundberg

House in the Páramo by ZITA

7,425 Sq. Ft. Mansion in Syracuse, IN ($4,400,000)

Tokyo Loft by G architects studio

What are you looking for.

17 Useful Tips for Visiting the Newport Mansions in Rhode Island

• Post author: Rachel Means
• Post last modified: 2023-11-09

Visiting the Newport Mansions is on many a dreamer’s bucket list, but there’s a lot to know before you go.

Like did you know not all of the mansions are open year-round? Or that small bags are allowed inside the mansions but strollers aren’t?

Where are you going to eat lunch, and where are you going to park?

Don’t worry! I’ve been there, done that, and learned everything you need to know ahead of time so you can enjoy your visit.

Here’s all our most useful tips for planning your first visit to the Newport, Rhode Island mansions!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and associate of other programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Best Newport Mansions to Visit: Ranked

The most popular Newport mansions to visit are owned and maintained by the Preservation Society of Newport. They have 9 houses, some of which are not open all year round.

Below I’ve ranked the mansions according to our must-see order based on opulent decor, interesting history, and availability.

• The Breakers
• Marble House
• Chateau sur Mer
• Isaac Bell House
• Hunter House

Can You Visit the Newport Mansions for Free?

This question comes up the most, so I wanted to address it first. No, you can’t visit any of the Newport mansions for free , even if you only want to see the grounds.

The only exception is if you know a Preservation Society member and they bring you as their guest.

It’s possible to see some of the mansions from the public sidewalk on the street, but you’re obviously limited in the views you’ll get.

For example, The Elms has large trees that cover most of the front façade, and The Breakers sits back a ways from the street so you only see a sliver of the front.

Most of the estates are surrounded by walls, too, so you can’t really see inside.

While there are plenty of fun things to do in Newport , we highly recommend budgeting to see a couple of the mansions while you’re here.

17 Useful Tips for Visiting the Newport Mansions

1. you need tickets to visit the grounds..

None of the Newport mansions have free entry to explore the grounds only. If you purchase a ticket to tour inside the house, you’ll also get entry to the grounds.

If you want to view the grounds only and not the interior of the mansion, those tickets are available for a reduced price.

See all your Newport Mansion ticketing options here.

2. Some mansions are guided tours only requiring advanced reservations.

Not all of the Newport mansions are open all year round.

Some of the smaller mansions are only opened seasonally and require advanced reservations and guided tours. This trips up Preservation Society members, too.

Even if you’re a member and want to see one of the seasonal houses like Chepstow or the Isaac Bell House, you have to reserve a spot ahead of time.

Members won’t have to pay for the tour, but you do need to reserve a spot. These homes are smaller and the tour size is limited to better fit in the limited interior space.

If you show up without a reservation, they’ll try to fit you in (we’ve watched them do it), but there’s not much they can do if the tour is already filled to capacity.

3. Bring headphones and download the app to enjoy the free audio tour.

What a great resource this is! Get the app and download the audio guide for each mansion.

It’s much more in-depth than the paper brochures available, and it keeps your hands free so you can take pictures while the audio guide plays. I loved it!

The app also has landscape tours at some of the mansions, like an audio tour for the grounds. It connects to your GPS and pops up informational tidbits as you walk around the grounds.

4. Photography is allowed inside the mansions.

Personal photography is allowed inside all of the Newport mansions, so feel free to take as many photos as you’d like. Shutter bugs rejoice!

Tripods and selfie sticks aren’t allowed , and obviously you’re not allowed to block others from enjoying the mansion, but otherwise you can take as long as you like and take as many photos as you want.

Important: this doesn’t include photoshoots.

If you’re trying to take senior pictures or engagement pictures or something like that where you have props (like a graduation cap) or a wardrobe change, you’ll have to get a special permit.

It’s easy to get cute and fun pictures both inside and outside of the mansions. If you’re snapping a few low-key, unobtrusive photos, you’ll be fine without a permit.

But if you show up in your quinceañera dress, they’re gonna know something’s up and ask about your permit.

5. Don’t forget the special guided tours.

The Elms and The Breakers both have additional guided tours available, revealing the behind-the-scenes areas of these great mansions.

The Elms Servants Life Tour features the lives of the men and women who worked for the Berwind family, touring their living quarters and some additional areas in the basement where they worked.

Most fancy houses have a tour like this nowadays. They’re very popular ever since Downton Abbey came out.

The Beneath The Breakers Tour takes you into the tunnels and basement level of the house, discussing the many modern marvels of the day that made The Breakers tick.

I loved both tours, but I liked Beneath The Breakers a little more because it’s so unique.

If you’re looking for that extra special something to round out your mansion visit, I highly recommend a specialty tour.

6. Strollers aren’t allowed inside the mansions.

None of the houses allow strollers. Children are welcome , but you’ll either need to hold little ones or keep them close by as you walk through the house.

I strongly recommend you consider whether your children are old enough to appreciate the house, or at least old enough/well-behaved enough to stay by your side as you appreciate the house.

I’ve been in a mansion when a toddler got loose, ducked under a rope, and took off between all the furniture, precious knickknacks, and 15 th century tapestries.

Luckily, he didn’t knock over anything, but you can imagine the mother’s dismay.

Stroller parking is available outside the front of each house , but you’ll leave your belongings at your own risk.

7. Pack a picnic lunch to eat on the grounds.

I was surprised to discover that picnics are allowed on the grounds at the Newport mansions!

Bring a blanket, picnic basket, or even camp chairs and a cooler and enjoy a meal as a Vanderbilt guest may have.

I recommend The Breakers or Marble House for this, as they both have stellar ocean views, but all of the properties allow picnics.

8. Consider becoming a member or get the one-year access pass.

A great way to save money when visiting the Newport mansions is to become a Preservation Society member.

Your pass will get you in to all nine of the society-owned mansions free of charge for a year, as many times as you wish to visit.

It also comes with other perks and special member events. I did the math and discuss if a Newport Mansions member pass is right for you here.

If you want to visit 4+ mansions in a year, the Access Pass will save you money.

It’s cheaper than buying standard tickets, but also cheaper than becoming a full member of the Preservation Society of Newport County.

If you and another adult want to visit 4+ mansions in one year, then a full membership is worth it.

9. All mansions have free parking lots.

Parking in Newport is notoriously difficult, but each of the Newport mansions open for tours has its own free parking lot.

Now, they can be packed on busy days, but I’ve always been able to find a spot. I had to circle a few times at The Breakers lot, but I did find a spot. Didn’t have any trouble at any of the other houses.

Pro Tip : The parking lot for Marble House is across the street from the house and a tad bit north, so you’ll pass it before you pass the house if coming from town. If you put Marble House into your GPS, you might miss the parking lot. As you get near the house traveling south on Bellevue Avenue, start looking on the right side instead of the left, and you’ll see the green and yellow sign.

10.  Small bags are allowed inside.

As an avid photographer, I really appreciate this policy, but this is also good news for those visiting without cars or with kids.

None of the mansions can store luggage, but a small backpack or diaper bag is fine.

You’ll still need to be aware of where you’re standing so your bag doesn’t accidentally brush up against a wall or artifact, but the ropes will mostly keep you in the safe zone.

11.  No food or drinks inside the mansions.

Food and drinks aren’t allowed inside the mansions, except for water, so make sure you give the kids a snack before you go inside.

You might have the snacks in your bag, but the kids can’t eat it inside the house. You’d have to take them to the restroom area and eat it there.

If you leave the house to eat a snack, they won’t let you back in because you already scanned your ticket.

12.  All of the mansions have restrooms.

Every mansion has restrooms available for visitors. However, they’re always at the very end of the tour, usually by the gift shop.

So, if you’re in the middle of a self-guided tour, you’ll have to walk to the end of the tour, usually on a different floor of the house, use the facilities, and then walk backwards on the tour route to where you left off.

Don’t try to re-enter from the front/start of the tour.

They’re going to want to scan your ticket, and yours won’t go through because it was already scanned when you started your tour.

Sometimes there’s an attendant that’ll recognize you and let you back through, but it’s easier to go backwards.

All of the mansions have staff on each floor, and they’ll help you find the fastest route to the restrooms.   

13.  Be prepared for crowds at The Breakers.

The biggest and most popular to visit Newport mansion is The Breakers. With that fame comes crowds…

Pretty much every time of day and every day of the week, The Breakers will be busy. Pack your patience.

Come early or late for the smallest crowds, right at opening or an hour or two before closing.

Even with the crowds, you can move pretty easily through the house at your own pace. If you’re listening to the audio guide, though, you’ll probably move in groups.

14.  Avoid arriving on the hour or half hour.

Speaking of moving in groups, start your self-guided tours at a non-standard time.

Humans like round numbers, and many will arrive at say 1PM for their tour. If you arrive at 12:45PM, you’ll be fifteen minutes ahead of a big group of people that all arrived at the same time.

It’ll help space you out inside the house and give you a bit more breathing room during your tour.

15.  All mansions require climbing stairs. Some are accessible via elevators.

Not every Newport mansion is accessible for mobility-impaired visitors.

Every house has stairs. A few of the mansions have elevators, but not all of them. And sometimes the elevators are down for maintenance, so call ahead the morning of your visit to check.

Inside the houses, there are two types of staircases: the ones built for use by the owners and the ones built for use by the staff. You’ll use both as you tour the mansions.

The ones used by the owners are always wide, often marble, and usually a shorter stair height because it was easier for the ladies in their ridiculous Gilded Age dresses to get up and down the stairs.

You’ll climb up these staircases at the beginning and/or in the middle of your mansion tours.

The servants’ staircases, though, are narrow and standard stair height. They’re usually located behind a secret door, and you climb down them at the end of a tour.

16.  Viking Trolley Tours has a shuttle option for The Breakers.

The Preservation Society doesn’t have shuttle service between its properties. If it’s a nice day, you can walk between a few of the properties.

It takes some time and adds more time on your feet, which you’ll probably already have enough of if you’re visiting more than one mansion per day, but it can be nice if you’re up for it.

Viking Trolley Tours has an option to add a Breakers tour to their trolley tour. You’ll board the trolley in town, take the tour around town, along Ocean Avenue, and into the mansion district before they drop you off at The Breakers.

You’ll then take your tour of the Breakers, and the trolley will meet you 1.5-2 hours later to pick you up and take you back to town where you started.

17.  Ride the free RIPTA bus to the mansions.

During peak visitor season, one line of the local city bus system offers free rides.

A lot of people descend on the tightly packed town in summer, so the free bus option helps to reduce the number of cars in the area.

Route 67 runs from the Newport Transportation Center in town all the way to the southern end of Bellevue Avenue before turning around.

It stops directly in front of both Marble House and The Breakers, but you can get to all of the mansions from this route if you walk a little.

FAQs for Visiting the Newport Mansions

When’s the best time of year to visit newport.

Summer is the best weather but also the most crowded time of year to visit Newport. Spring and fall are both good alternatives for slightly smaller crowds but still comfortable weather. Winter has its own allure, with the smallest crowds but also fewer shops are open.

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Newport?

I recommend at least 3 days in Newport to take it all in, but you can easily day trip to Newport from Boston or other nearby cities.

If you want to see several mansions and do other fun things in Newport , then I recommend extending to 5 days or a week.

How Much Time Do You Need to Visit Each Mansion?

This is so subjective, but I’d say at least 1-2 hours for each mansion. Most of the mansion self-guided audio tours are about 45 minutes to an hour long.

But you might be taking pictures or waiting for crowds to move in front of you, and it could take longer.

Plus, you’ll want time to walk the grounds at each mansion, which could be a quick 15 minute loop or a more leisurely stroll with stops to sit on a bench and enjoy the views.

Do the Newport Mansions Have Parking?

Yes, all of the mansions open for tours have their own parking lots. The most popular spots, like The Breakers, can still be very crowded though. I’ve always found a spot, but may have circled a few times before I did.

Are There Places to Eat at the Newport Mansions?

Not really. Two of the mansions (The Breakers and Marble House) have cafes with overpriced pre-made lunch items like sandwiches or salads.

The Chinese Tea House at Marble House also offers afternoon tea, if you book it ahead, which is a fun experience if you like tea, tea sandwiches, and desserts.

But if you need a more substantial lunch, there’s nothing like that at the mansions. You’re better off going back into town for lunch.

Happy travels!

About the Author : Rachel Means

With six-figure student loan debt and only 10 PTO days per year, Rachel started traveling the world. A decade later, she’s paid off her loans, changed careers, and been to 38 US states and 17 countries. She’s an expert at planning and budgeting for travel and loves to help others do it, too! Read her full story here.

You Might Also Like

Hiking Trails in Congaree National Park: Which is Best for Your Fitness Level?

Complete First-Timer’s Guide to Andrew Jackson State Park

3 Tempting Reasons to Visit Indianapolis (that Will Surprise You!)

20 of the Most Remarkable American Mansions

Mansions are indeed fascinating, especially to most of us who are outsiders to the opulent lifestyle they represent.

But more than wealth and luxury, each of these mansions have their own unique stories and secrets; sometimes mundane and sometimes scandalous.

If the mansions’ stories don’t fascinate you, their size, grandeur, and design would.

In today’s blog post, take a visual journey through the most historic, famous, and iconic American mansions.

Plantation Homes

A plantation complex is composed of different buildings and structures that are commonly found on agricultural plantations in the southern states from the 17th century into the 20th century.

Typically, a plantation complex has the main house, often called plantation home, a slave quarters and other residential structures, a kitchen yard, ancillary structures (such as offices, schoolhouses, or churches) and agricultural structures (such as storage barns, stables, or cotton presses).

Historically, plantations are a huge part of American history, particularly African-American history. Large numbers of African-Americans were held as slaves in these plantations while their white owners got rich off their labor.

Many plantation houses standing today feature antebellum architecture, which is a neoclassical architectural style characterized by huge pillars, a wide balcony, and big center entrances to multiple-story, box-like mansions.

Below are some of the most notable plantation homes in America.

1. Evergreen Plantation (Edgard, Louisiana)

The Evergreen Plantation is the most intact plantation complex in the South and one of the rare ones still operating as a sugarcane plantation.

The main house was built in 1790 and renovated in 1832 in the Greek Revival style with some Federal accents. Its most distinctive feature being the double staircase on the front of the house.

There’s also a double row of 22 slave cabins that have been maintained through the years and help tell the history of the African-Americans who were once enslaved here but were freed after the Civil War and continued to work in the plantation.

Though it’s a National Historic Landmark (the highest historical designation that can be bestowed on a place), the Evergreen Plantation is privately owned and fully functional, meaning people actually live and work in the grounds. However, the main house and the slave quarters are still available to tour.

Their tour touches on the family history of the owners, the architectural and historical significance of the buildings on the complex, the agricultural aspect of the plantation, and most importantly, the labor of the enslaved African-Americans that was crucial to operating such an enormous plantation.

Essential Information Address: 4677 LA-18, Edgard, LA | 985-497-3837 Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am-11am; 11:15am-12:45pm; 1pm-2:30pm; 2:45pm-4:15pm Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Cost: $20 per head for adults; c Website: Evergreen Plantation Note: The plantation may be closed when there are no scheduled tours or for private events, so book in advance through their website or by calling.

2. Whitney Plantation (Garyville, Louisiana)

The Whitney Plantation Historic District is America’s first slavery museum and the only plantation museum in Louisiana to solely focus on the lives of enslaved people.

In 1990, John Cummings bought the plantation from a petrochemical company and spent millions of his own money and 14 years researching and developing the property into a museum and memorial dedicated to telling the tragic story of slavery in America from the eyes of the enslaved.

Working with famed historian Ibrahima Seck as the director of research, Cummings collected plenty of artifacts and research materials and formally opened the plantation to the public in December 2014.

Sixteen original structures remain on site. Visitors can view the French Creole-style Big House, two slave cabins, a steel jail, a Baptist church donated and moved from Paulina, Louisiana, and various memorials, including the Field of Angels, the Allées Gwendolyn Midlo Hall, and the Wall of Honor.

Essential Information Address: 5099 LA-18, Edgard, LA | 225-265-3300 Hours: Mon-Sun; first tour starts at 10am and the last tour starts at 3pm Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Cost: $25 per head for adults; discounts available for children, students, military, seniors, and locals of the same parish Website: Whitney Plantation

3. Oak Alley Plantation (Vacherie, Louisiana)

Oak Alley Plantation is named for the double row of southern live oaks creating an alley from the Mississippi River up to the main house.

The main mansion was finished in 1839, done in Greek Revival-style architecture, with a distinct colonnade of Doric columns all around the exterior. The mansion itself has a square floor plan.

The first owners, Jacques Roman acquired the property in 1836 and had the mansion built.

During this time, the most noted slave in the plantation named Antoine developed the “paper shell” pecan through grafting. It was even entered in the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia where it won a prize. It thus became known as the Centennial variety.

Unfortunately, the plantation where the pecan trees were cultivated washed away in a river break in the 1990s and none of the original Centennial pecans survived.

After Jacques Roman passed away, he left it to his wife Celina. She didn’t know how to manage a sugar plantation, though, and it ended up in auction. The subsequent owners could not afford the upkeep and the buildings fell into disrepair.

In 1925, Andrew Stewart bought the plantation as a gift to his wife, Josephine Armstrong Stewart. The Stewarts commissioned architect Richard Koch to supervise extensive restoration and modernization of the buildings.

When Josephine Stewart died in 1972, she willed the historic house and grounds to the Oak Alley Foundation. Their mission is to educate the public about the history of the sugarcane plantation, its owners, and its place in a bygone era characterized by wealth but marred by slavery.

Places that are available to tour are the Big House, a formal garden, the Slavery Exhibit, the Sugarcane Exhibit and Theatre, the Blacksmith Shop, and the Civil War Tent.

A restaurant and inn are also available on the grounds, in case you want to dine and stay overnight in the plantation.

Essential Information Address: 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA | 225-265-2151 Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm Duration: 2 hours Cost: $25 per head for adults; discounts available for children, students, military, seniors, first responders, and teachers Website: Oak Alley Plantation

There are more plantations along LA-18, which we touch upon in our post about the best things to do in Louisiana .

4. Belle Grove Plantation (Shenandoah Valley, Virginia)

Belle Grove Plantation is known as the home of Major Isaac Hite, Jr. and as the headquarters of General Philip Sheridan during the Battle of Cedar Creek.

The history of the plantation dates back to when son Isaac Hite, Sr., the son of a German immigrant, bought 483 acres of land in the Shenandoah Valley, southwest of Middletown.

When his son Isaac Jr. got married to Nelly Conway Madison, President James Madison’s sister, Isaac Sr. gifted them the land. They developed the land into a grain and livestock plantation and had the Manor House built in 1797.

The Manor House features a grand portico with columns, glass transoms that bring natural light into the rooms, and a T-shaped hallway, allowing for ventilation from all four sides. President Thomas Jefferson contributed these design ideas, which he had actually used for his own home constructed earlier.

After Isaac Jr. died, it was occupied several times during the war, the most notable of whom is General Sheridan, who lived here in 1864. Another succession of owners lived in the house until 1929, when Francis Welles Hunnewell bought the property.

Hunnewell had the Manor House and the surrounding buildings restored in the 1930s and 1940s. When he died in 1964, he bequeathed the house, the surrounding 100 acres of land, and $100,000 to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Today, it is part of the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove National Historical Park. The Manor House, the outbuildings, and the surrounding landscape are all available to tour since they were opened to the public in 1967.

Essential Information Address: 336 Belle Grove Road, Middletown, VA | 540-869-2028 Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm (last tour at 3:15pm), Sun 1pm-5pm (last tour at 4:15pm) Cost: $12 per head for adults; discounts available for children, students, military, and seniors Website: Belle Grove Plantation

5. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (Charleston, South Carolina)

The Magnolia Plantation dates back to 1676, when Thomas and Ann Drayton built a house and a formal garden on the site. It grew and evolved through the years, but the plantation remains under the control of the Drayton family.

Magnolia began as a rice plantation but after the Civil War, its focus shifted to horticulture. In fact, it’s the oldest public garden, being open to visitors since 1870.

Today, the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is Charleston’s most visited plantation, offering tours of the plantation house, the expansive gardens, and an exhibit featuring African-American life in the plantation from their perspective.

Basic admission gets you access to the Historic Garden, Petting Zoo, The Conservatory, Orientation Theater, The Peacock Café, and the Gilliard Garden Center.

Additional guided tours are a separate cost each and include the Plantation House Tour, Nature Tram, Nature Boat, Audubon Swamp Garden, and Slavery to Freedom.

Essential Information Address: 3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC | 843-571-1266 Hours: Mon-Sun 9am–4pm Cost: Basic admission: $20 per head for adults; discounts available for children; Additional tour: $8 per additional tour per head for adults; discounts available for children Website: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

6. Belle Meade Plantation (Nashville, Tennessee)

Belle Meade Plantation is a historic plantation that operated as a cotton and livestock farm. It dates way back to 1807, when John Harding bought Dunham’s Station log cabin and developed it into a plantation.

He named it Belle Meade, which means “beautiful meadow” in French. He began breeding and racing horses in the plantation. His son William inherited the property in 1839 and expanded it to the neighboring property.

The main house was first built in the 1820s as a red brick Federal-style house. When William took over, he had the house altered in a Greek-Revival style and applied stucco to cover the red bricks.

A two-story veranda was created with six limestone pillars, the left wing was removed, and the right wing was raised two stories.

A dairy, carriage house, stable, and a mausoleum were added to the plantation complex by the turn of the 20th century.

During the Civil War, Harding had to cease his breeding and racing operations. Confederate General James Chalmers occupied Belle Meade as his headquarters during the Battle of Nashville, and after the Civil War, Harding resumed his horse farming operations.

Belle Meade had many successful thoroughbred studs. In fact, a few of their bloodlines remain and dominate modern horse racing.

In 1953, after the plantation has turned over a few owners, the mansion, eight outbuildings, and the 30 remaining acres of the plantation were purchased by the State of Tennessee to ensure their preservation.

Nowadays, you can tour the mansion, the grounds, and the outbuildings. They also offer a Journey to Jubilee tour that educates visitors about the first African-Americans brought to Belle Meade and highlights their importance to the success of the plantation.

After touring, you can go for a free wine tasting at the winery on the grounds. If you want a more extensive wine tasting, you can also sample more wines and pair them with food for an additional fee.

Essential Information Address: 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN | 615-356-0501 Hours: Mon-Sun 9am–5pm; last tour at 4pm Cost: Mansion-only tour: $24 per head for adults; discounts available for children and seniors; for other tours, see their list of tours Website: Belle Meade Plantation

7. Pebble Hill Plantation (Thomasville, Georgia)

Pebble Hill Plantation was built by Thomas Jefferson Johnson in 1825, first cultivating cotton, then rice. Upon his death, his daughter Julia Anne who managed the plantation with her husband John Mitchell.

In 1896, Melville Hanna acquired the property and eventually gave it to his daughter Kate in 1901, who then bequeathed the property to her daughter Elizabeth Ireland, known as Pansy.

She established and endowed the Pebble Hill Foundation in 1950 and willed that the entire estate be given to the foundation so it can be publicly opened as a museum and educate as many visitors as they can about life during that era.

The main house was first built in 1850 by architect John Wind, who was commissioned by the Johnsons. Eventually, in 1934, when the plantation was owned by Kate Benedict Hanna, the main house burned down.

Hanna then commissioned architect Abram Garfield to rebuild the house and he made it into the Neo-Georgian, Greek Revival style mansion that we know today.

The H-shaped configuration was retained, but the entire house was rebuilt in masonry to make it fire-resistant. The columns on the exterior are reminiscent of the Greek Revival style, while the plaster molding is reminiscent of Beaux-Arts architecture.

Today, the main house and the grounds are open to the public for tours.

Essential Information Address: 1251 US Highway 319 S, Thomasville, GA | 229-226-2344 Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 12pm–5pm; first tour starts at 10:30am, last tour starts at 4pm Cost: $16 per head for adults; discounts available for children Website: Pebble Hill Plantation

Gilded Age Mansions

The Gilded Age refers to the period between the Civil War and the turn of the twentieth century, when America experienced rapid economic growth.

The richest of the rich, such as the industrialists, bankers, and heirs to already-rich clans are the ones who most benefited from this economic growth, and they weren’t modest about it. They build lavish homes for themselves and vacation homes for the summer.

Gilded Age mansions usually feature European-inspired architecture and interiors, but what makes them uniquely American are the innovations that reflect the current technology at the time. These innovations include central heating, indoor plumbing, and showers.

The rich families also weren’t shy about displaying their wealth in their mansions; these would often have high ceilings, one or two sweeping staircases, marble floors, a separate reception room for receiving guests, and a huge ballroom, usually with crystal chandeliers and painted ceilings.

Here are some of the most famous Gilded Age mansions.

8. The Breakers (Newport, Rhode Island)

There’s no shortage of Gilded Age mansions in Newport, and The Breakers is the most popular of them all.

Cornelius Vanderbilt II bought a wooden house called The Breakers and commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design a villa to replace the wooden-framed house. The result is an Italian Renaissance-style palazzo inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin.

Today, The Breakers is known to be the most lavish mansion in Newport and the signature symbol of the Gilded Age.

Essential Information Address: 44 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI | 401-847-1000 Hours: Vary depending on season; check this detailed, regularly updated calendar prior to your visit Cost: $26 per head for adults; discounts available for children Website: The Breakers

9. The Marble House (Newport, Rhode Island)

Marble House was built as a summer house (or “cottage,” as Newporters call them) and is largely credited as the summer house that begun the transformation of Newport from a sleepy town to a renowned district of stone mansions.

In short, it was the mansion that started it all.

Another Vanderbilt commissioned this mansion, namely, William K. Vanderbilt, Cornelius II’s younger brother. It was a gift for his wife, Alva, in honor of her 39th birthday.

Architect Richard Morris Hunt also worked on this mansion. Inspired by the Petit Trianon at the Palace of Versailles, Marble House is one of the earliest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture in America.

Its distinct façade features Corinthian pilasters that are two stories high, as well as arched windows and a monumental portico.

Essential Information Address: 596 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI | 401-847-1000 Hours: Vary depending on season; check this detailed, regularly updated calendar prior to your visit Cost: $18 per head for adults; discounts available for children Website: Marble House

10. Rosecliff (Newport, Rhode Island)

Rosecliff is named for the rose gardens along Cliff Walk that were planted by the original owner of the property, the historian, diplomat, and amateur horticulturist George Bancroft.

Theresa Fair Oelrichs, a silver heiress from Nevada, bought the Rosecliff property in 1891 and commissioned the architectural firm of McKim, Mead, and White to design a summer home suitable for throwing extravagant parties.

Stanford White, the principal architect, modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon in Versailles. This is evident in the open-air colonnade at the center, the paired Ionic columns, pilasters on the second story, and the roofline balustrade concealing the staff quarters on the third floor.

The highlight of the mansion is the grand ballroom in the middle of the building. Measuring 40 feet by 80 feet, it was Newport’s largest ballroom where Theresa Fair Oelrichs threw the most memorable balls, securing her place as one of the greatest hostesses of Newport.

The magnificent ballroom has been featured in films such as True Lies and The Great Gatsby .

Essential Information Address: 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI | 401-847-1000 Hours: Vary depending on season; check this detailed, regularly updated calendar prior to your visit Cost: $18 per head for adults; discounts available for children Website: Rosecliff

Check out our article about Newport’s Gilded Age mansions to learn about more mansions you can tour in the area.

11. Lyndhurst (Tarrytown, New York)

First built in 1838, Lyndhurst was owned first by New York City mayor William Paulding, Jr. who hired architect Alexander Jackson Davis to design a mansion in the Gothic Revival style.

This architectural style is evident in the pointed roofs and windows, as well as the castle-like towers and parapets. At the time, this type of design wasn’t very common, and so critics called it Paulding’s Folly for a while.

It was then bought by George Merritt, who renamed it Lyndenhurst for the linden trees planted on the estate. He hired Davis again to double the size of the mansion.

Years after Merritt died, Jay Gould purchased Lyndenhurst as a summer home, shortened the name to Lyndhurst, and stayed there until he died in 1862. This is why Lyndhurst is also known as the Jay Gould estate.

Essential Information Address: 635 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY | 914-631-4481 Hours: Thu–Mon 10am–4pm Cost: Apr to Sep: $20 per head for adults; discounts available for children, seniors, military, and students; Oct to Dec: $24 per head for adults; discounts available for children, seniors, military, and students Website: Lyndhurst Mansion

12. Vizcaya Museum And Gardens (Miami, Florida)

Formerly known as Villa Vizcaya, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a sprawling estate developed to conserve the surrounding mangrove swamps and tropical forests.

James Deering, a known conservationist, developed the property from 1914 to 1922. Architect F. Burrall Hoffman designed the estate in the Mediterranean Revival style, influenced by Tuscan Italian Renaissance and Baroque architecture.

When Deering died in 1925, his descendants sold off the surrounding parcels of land one by one. Presently, the main house, formal gardens, and the village are now owned by Miami-Dade county, including the art, antiques, and furnishings.

Today, you can tour the museum and the lovely gardens outside.

Essential Information Address: 3251 South Miami Ave., Miami FL | 305-250-9133 Hours: Wed-Mon 9:30am-4:30pm; Tue closed Cost: $22 per head for adults; discounts available for seniors, children, students, wheelchair users; Free for military with ID and children 5 and under Website: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

If you plan to spend a weekend in Miami to visit this mansion, try our Miami weekend itinerary .

13. Lynnewood Hall (Elkins Park, Pennsylvania)

Lynnewood Hall was built between 1897 and 1900 for Peter AB Widener, a well-known tycoon. Architect Horace Trumbauer designed this grand home for Widener and his children after he lost his wife.

Trumbauer designed the T-shaped mansion in the Neoclassical style of architecture, inspired by Prior Park in Bath, England, and Ballingarry in New Jersey.

The interiors were furnished with the most expensive materials: walnut and marble, silk and velvet, Persian rugs and Chinese pottery. Art by Raphael, Rembrandt, El Greco, and other notable artists adorned the walls.

Tragically, Peter Widener’s son George and grandson Harry lost their lives when the Titanic sank in 1912, followed by Peter Widener himself in 1915. Joseph, the only surviving son, took over the property and maintained the extensive art collection.

When Joseph Widener died in 1943, neither one of his children wanted to take on the responsibility of maintaining the mansion and the assets. It was abandoned until 1952, when a religious group bought it.

To raise funds, the religious group sold off the assets, such as the mantels, artwork, and even the landscape sculptures.

Subsequent property tax troubles with the next owners of the mansion resulted in the mansion to be in the market since 2014. At 70,000 square feet, it is the largest surviving Gilded Age mansion in the Philadelphia area, and currently the largest home for sale in the United States.

So if you have an extra $11 million lying around (and an extra $100,000 a year for taxes), you can buy this mansion and have a piece of history, albeit a tragic one.

Essential Information Address: 900-934 Spring Ave, Elkins Park, PA

Biggest Mansions

Megamansions never cease to amaze and intrigue us. Here are the biggest American mansions to date.

14. Biltmore Estate (Asheville, North Carolina)

At 178,000 square feet, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned home in the United States.

Technically a Gilded Age mansion, architect Richard Morris Hunt designed the Biltmore House Châteauesque-style, reminiscent of the French chateaus in the 16th century.

This is evident in the steep roofs, towers or turrets with conical roofs, the metal cresting on roof ridges, and the arched windows and doors.

George Washington Vanderbilt II and his wife Edith lived in their luxurious family home until his death in 1914. The massive estate remains under the control of the Vanderbilt’s descendants, with The Biltmore Company as the registered owner and family members serving as board members.

Presently, three floors of the Biltmore House, the surrounding gardens, and the winery are available to tour. You can choose among a variety of tours that take you to different parts of the house and the grounds, as well as self-guided, guided, or private tours.

Also, there are various outdoor activities you can do, such as hiking, biking, carriage rides, sporting clays, fly fishing, river rafting, horseback riding, and falconry. Kids can learn about farm animals or simply play on the huge playgrounds.

If you’re feeling tired from the tour, you might want to try out their luxurious spa treatments or even stay overnight in the Village Hotel, The Inn, or Cottage.

Essential Information Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC | 800-411-3812 Hours: Mon–Sun 9am–5pm Cost: Varies depending on the tours or activities you want to do; check out their list of available tours and activities Website: Biltmore

Planning a trip to Asheville, or planning to stop there for a night while on a road trip? Check out our article on what you can do with one day in Asheville .

15. Oheka Castle (West Hills, New York)

Oheka Castle is a Gilded Age, Châteauesque-style mansion that’s now a luxury hotel.

In 1914, financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn commissioned the architectural firm Delano & Aldrich to design a country home, specifically asking for the structure to be fireproof, as he lost his previous home in a fire some time ago.

The castle was completed in 1919 and from then on has been the second-largest private residence in America. Oheka Castle is named for the first syllables of O tto He rmann Ka hn’s name.

French influences are seen all over the house, from the steep roofs to the arched windows and doors. The grand staircase leading to the second floor was inspired by the Chateau de Fountainbleu in Paris, France.

The mansion sits atop the highest point in Cold Spring Harbor, providing residents a breathtaking view of Cold Spring Harbor and Cold Spring Hills.

The grounds were designed by the Olmsted Brothers and included a formal sunken garden, an 18-hole golf course, a greenhouse complex, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool, orchards, stables, and even a landing strip.

After Kahn’s death in 1934, ownership of the estate turned over a few times before finally being bought by Gary Melius, who renovated the house and restored the gardens using the original plans by the Olmsted brothers.

Today, after the $40 million restoration project, Oheka Castle is now a luxury hotel, conference center, and a weddings and events venue. It’s also been the filming location for plenty of music videos, movies, and TV specials.

They offer a guided Historic Mansion Tour that offers limited access to the estate and gardens, followed by coffee, tea, and cookies.

Essential Information Address: 135 W Gate Dr, Huntington, NY | 631-659-1400 Hours: Mon-Su, 11am-12pm Cost: Historic Mansion Tour: $25 per head for adults; discounts available for children, students, seniors, and hotel guests Website: Oheka Castle

16. Arden House (Harriman, New York)

Arden House is a sprawling estate known as America’s first conference center.

It’s unique among the other Gilded Age mansions in that it’s an entirely American mansion—the carved wood, paintings, tapestries, marbles, stone, granite, and sculptures were all sourced from, and made, in the United States.

The Arden estate was first owned by Peter Pearse Parrott and was named after his wife, Mary Antoinette Arden. Edward Henry Harriman bought the property in 1886. Over the next several years, he bought up forty different parcels of land in the area, and increased the land area of his estate to 28,000 acres.

Harriman commissioned Carrère and Hastings to design what is now Arden House. Construction began in 1905 and was finished in 1909. Sadly, Harriman only lived in it for a few months before he died.

The house had a ton of rooms, including a grand ballroom, a library, a large formal dining room, a bar, as well as numerous bathrooms and bedrooms. The most elaborate and the most preserved of the rooms is the music room styled in Gothic-style architecture.

The Harriman family lived in the estate until 1933, after which they allowed the US Navy to use the Arden House as a convalescent hospital during the Second World War.

In 1950, the Harriman family donated the property to Columbia University, who used it as the “home of The American Assembly,” making it America’s first conference center.

Subsequent owners turned it into a public space, with the intent of eventually selling it to the State of New York, but the plan never materialized.

It is currently owned by the Research Center on Natural Conservation, a Chinese-backed nonprofit organization, who turned the mansion back into a conference center, just as it once was.

Essential Information Address: Harriman, NY Website: Arden House

Strange And Unusual Mansions

From creepy mansions with paranormal backstories to mansions that can withstand hurricanes, here are some of the most curious and odd American mansions.

17. Winchester Mystery House (San Jose, California)

In case you’re wondering, yes, this house belonged to a member of the Winchesters of firearms fame.

William Wirt Winchester was the treasurer of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. He was married to Sarah Winchester. They had an infant daughter who tragically died of marasmus, and William himself died of tuberculosis in 1881.

Legend has it that a Boston psychic convinced Sarah that her family was being haunted by ghosts of those who were killed by Winchester rifles.

The same psychic told her that the only way to appease these spirits is to move out of her home in New Haven, Connecticut, move west to California, and continuously build a home for herself and the spirits.

Sarah followed the psychic’s advice and bought a small eight-room farmhouse in San Jose, California.

After her husband’s death, Sarah Winchester inherited more than $20 million plus an almost 50% ownership of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, giving her an income of around $1,000 per day. This fortune kept the construction and renovation of her mansion going until her death in 1922.

By the time she was done, the Winchester was a modern marvel with indoor plumbing, hot showers, elevators, and central heating. From 8 rooms, she expanded the house to have 160 rooms, 40 bedrooms, and 2 basements.

More unusually, the mansion contained doors that lead nowhere, staircases that lead straight to ceilings, a Tiffany glass window in a wall where it’ll get no light, and numerous secret passages. A recurring theme in the house is the number 13 and spider web motifs.

After Sarah’s death, the house was auctioned off and then leased by John and Mayme Brown, who then bought the property for themselves after 10 years. They opened the house to the public in 1923, with Mayme Brown serving as the property’s first tour guide.

Today, the Winchester Mansion is owned by Winchester Investments LLC, a company representing the interests of the Browns’ descendants.

The story of Sarah Winchester and her eccentric house has intrigued millions of visitors all over the world, making the house one of the most popular American mansions to visit. Guided tours are available to see more than a hundred rooms in the house.

Essential Information Address: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA | 408-247-2000 Hours: Mon-Sun open 9am; closing hours vary Cost: Varies depending on the tour you want to do; check out their list of their daily and seasonal tours Website: The Winchester Mystery House

18. Acqua Liana (Manalapan Beach, Florida)

Known as the largest, most opulent certified green mansion, Acqua Liana is a 15,000-square-foot mansion on 16 acres of oceanfront property in Manalapan, Florida, close to Palm Beach.

Designed by renowned real state artist Frank McKinney, Acqua Liana features waterfalls, water walls, water gardens, and water floors. A double helix glass staircase, a movie theater, and a 2,000 gallon aquarium bar are just some of the luxurious features of the mansion.

For all its unique features and enormous size, the mansion is certified “green” by three organizations: the US Green Building Council, the Florida Green Building Coalition and Energy Star for Homes. This makes this mansion the first ultra-luxury home to earn a triple certification.

The house was sold for $22.9 million a few years ago, but a brochure and a video tour are still available to provide a glimpse into this environment-friendly mansion.

Essential Information Address: 620 South Ocean Boulevard, Manalapan Beach, FL Website: Acqua Liana

19. Caveland (Festus, Missouri)

What is now known as Caveland started out as a mine on the side of a hill in the 1800s to the early 1900s and was converted into a roller skating rink and concert venue in 1958 by Sue Morris.

The venue closed in 1985 and was bought by the Sleeper family in 2003 from eBay, of all places.

They converted it into their family home, constructing a two-level, 5,000-square-foot house inside. The front chamber contains the living areas, the middle chamber has the laundry room and storage, and the back chamber still has the stage where performers entertained the roller skaters.

The house also features thirty-foot ceilings, large windows on the front to let in as much natural light as possible, and an indoor natural groundwater spring pool.

Its temperature is regulated naturally; no furnace or air conditioning was ever installed.

You can see photos of the construction and of the family on their official gallery .

It’s now listed for sale ; the Sleeper family is ready to downsize.

Essential Information Address: 215 Cave Dr, Festus, Missouri Website: Caveland

20. Eye of the Storm (Charleston, South Carolina)

The “Eye of the Storm” on Sullivan’s Island in Charleston is 230 feet from the beach, with a design that’s quite different from the other houses in Charleston.

Built in 1992, this dome-shaped house is energy-efficient and hurricane-proof. George Paul designed the house for his parents after they lost their house to a hurricane in 1989.

The side of the shell that faces the beach features large windows that provides a view of the beach and a maritime forest.

The dome and the interior design are inspired by the curves of seashells. It has 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, an elevator, a wet bar, a skylight, an 889-square-foot deck, and even a bank vault room.

It was renovated in 2018 and put up for sale for $5 million. You can view the photos of the mansion as well as the surrounding areas in their website.

Essential Information Address: 2851 Marshall Blvd, Sullivan’s Island, Charleston, SC Website: Eye of the Storm

Visit one of these American mansions soon!

Plan your next trip to gawk and tour one of these mansions! Or better yet, save up a few hundred thousand dollars and live in one.

Which of these American mansions intrigued you? Know of any mansions that we skipped? Tell us in the comments!

Go Out and Explore

8 Wild and Wonderful Lake Superior Beaches to Explore

Best Winter Vacations to Take This Year

10 Best Babymoon Destinations In The US

The Best 9 National Parks to Visit in Winter

One Day in Asheville, North Carolina

10 Enchanting Lakes in Alaska to Visit

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Get Inspired

Get the travel guide, become an insider, the luxurious and historical gold coast.

Step inside Long Island’s Gold Coast along the North Shore for a look into the elegant and opulent lifestyles of the elite. Owned by past presidents, artists and aristocracy, many of these homes once hosted royalty, heads of state and stars such as Charlie Chaplin. Often the backdrop for Hollywood productions, the Gold Coast mansions also served as inspiration for The Great Gatsby. Open for tours and events, travel back to an era bygone when visiting these estates.

Sands Point Preserve

• 127 Middle Neck Road
• (516) 571-7900

Sand's Point Preserve is home to three spectacular mansions: Falaise; Hempstead House; and CastleGould. Falaise is a Normandy style home filled with antiques and open to the public for tours. It's here that Charles Lindbergh wrote his famous book "WE," while staying with the Guggenheim family at…

Coe Hall at Planting Fields Arboretum

Visit Planting Fields Arboretum/Coe Hall, a Tudor Revival mansion where you can view the family’s original furnishings, including the completely restored Louis XVI reception room and the spectacular grounds and gardens (created by the Olmstead Brothers).

The Mansion at Glen Cove

• 200 Dosoris Lane
• (646) 518-8771

Built in 1910 on the 55- acre estate of John and Ruth Pratt, The Mansion at Glen Cove boasts 187 luxuriously designed guest rooms and suites, 60 renovated rooms featuring Safavieh designs. All rooms richly-appointed with plush bedding, coffee/tea maker, 32’ flat screen HD LCD TV with cable…

Insider Tip

Explore more  Gold Coast Mansions

Old Westbury Gardens

• 71 Old Westbury Road
• (516) 333-0048

This elegant estate, which features a 23-room English manor house and traditional, formal gardens sprawling over 200 acres, was the home of John S. Phipps and his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps, in 1906. The spectacular estate has been featured in over 25 movies including North by Northwest and Love…

Old Westbury Gardens hosts festivals and seasonal events in the garden throughout the year They also occasionally have garden yoga classes. Check their  website  for more information.

Oheka Castle

• 135 West Gate Drive
• (631) 659-1400

A breathtakingly beautiful historic mansion located on the famed Gold Coast of Long Island between New York City and The Hamptons. At OHEKA CASTLE guests will discover a World of charming luxury and European ambiance. OHEKA is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of…

The OHK Bar & Restaurant offers patrons a unique culinary experience paired with a European ambiance and al fresco dining.

Tour of Oheka Castle

Resting majestically on the highest point of Long Island, emanates the elegant refinement of a chateau in France and a rich history that is distinctly American. Financier and philanthropist, Otto Hermann Kahn built OHEKA CASTLE close to a century ago on the highest point on Long Island in Cold…

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

William K. Vanderbilt II was heir to one of America’s greatest fortunes and traveled the world collecting marine and cultural artifacts for the museum and mansion he built on Long Island in 1910. Eagle’s Nest boasts 43-acres of waterfront estate in Centerport, Long Island with a 24-room…

Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar

• 117 North New York Avenue
• (631) 385-1515

Dedicated to the expression of modern American cuisine, Prime is more than just a culinary adventure, it is a true experience. Guests can choose from an array of raw bar favorites, like blue point oysters, little neck clams, and lobster cocktail, along with Mizu Sushi, and steaks and chops like…

Enjoy unique shops, dining, and nightlife in trendy downtown Huntington Village

More From Long Island

Things to do, where to stay, travel info.

Download a copy of the Inspiration Guide for inspiration and more information to plan your perfect getaway.

Get the inspiration guide

Become an Insider

With the Long Island e-newsletter delivered two Fridays a month for information on signature events, special offers and regional inspiration.

Hotel Deals!

Hot hotel deals.

• Travel Guide
• Art Galleries
• Historic Homes & Buildings
• Historic Sites
• Lighthouses
• Newport Mansions
• Historical & preservation societies
• Marinas & Harbors
• Motorized Charter
• Family Favorite Beaches
• Hidden Gem Beaches
• State Beaches
• Lakes & Ponds
• Dog-Friendly Beaches
• Music & clubs
• Performing arts
• Spectator sports
• Drive-in movie theaters
• Indoor activities
• Pick Your Own
• Nature & science
• Parks & trails
• Winter outdoor fun
• Spa & wellness
• What to do in Rhode Island now
• This Weekend
• Newport Family Summer Getaway
• Summer Like a Vanderbilt
• Rhody Art & History Immersion
• Urban Family Escape
• Ocean State Biking Adventure
• Northern RI Arts & Culture
• Coastal Family Fun
• Block Island Retreat
• Ocean State Food & Drink Tour
• Arts & Culture Family Experience
• Great Outdoors Family Adventure
• Family Fun & Games
• Newport Arts & Culture Experience
• Central-Northern RI Arts & Culture Experience
• The Rhody Mix Experience
• Block Island/ New Shoreham
• Broadway, Newport
• Chepachet Village
• Downtown Westerly
• Garden City, Cranston
• Hope Street, Providence
• Main Street, East Greenwich
• Thames Street, Newport
• Westminster Street, Providence
• Wickenden Street, Providence
• Wickford Village
• Unplugged on Block Island
• Cocktails & Culture
• Boos & Brews
• Take a Hike
• Birds Flock Here in the Fall
• Early Black History in Providence
• Nature & Luxury in South County
• Upscale Romance in Newport
• Newport with Your Squad
• Fun & Frugal Winter Break
• A Classic Coastal Christmas
• Winter Family Fun in Northern Rhode Island
• Shop like a local
• This weekend
• Gaspee Days: America's First Blow for Freedom
• Free events
• Submit Events
• Annual Fairs, Festivals & Events
• July 2024 Events in Rhode Island
• June 2024 Events in Rhode Island
• Hotels & motels
• Bed and breakfasts, inns & guesthouses
• Rentals & reservation services
• Waterfront Campgrounds
• State Campgrounds
• Delivery & takeout
• Clam shacks
• Coffee & cafes
• Desserts & ice cream
• Outdoor Dining
• Bars & Pubs
• Breweries & distilleries
• Vineyards & Wineries
• Speakeasies
• Blackstone Valley
• Block Island
• Newport County
• South County
• Warwick & West Bay
• Tourist info centers
• Travel guide
• Airports & airlines
• Car rentals
• Electric vehicle charging stations
• Rhode Island Public Transit (RIPTA)
• Colleges & universities
• #VisitRhodeIsland
• Special Offers Form
• Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport
• Rhode Island in the news
• Move your business here
• Celebrate Pride in RI
• Accessibility in RI
• International
• Tourism News

Rhode Island historic homes & buildings

They don’t build ’em like they used to – and you’ll understand that the moment you enter one of Rhode Island’s breathtaking historic homes. From Colonial-era cottages oozing charm and history to waterfront Gilded Age Newport Mansions that were once the summer homes of the nation’s wealthiest families. These dozens of buildings – some serve as museums, some have become restaurants, hotels, and resorts, while others still serve as private homes – are must-sees.

Filter by: Clear Filters

• No available filters
• Recommended

All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website, however it is subject to change. Information is updated in an ongoing manner in partnership with local tourism offices, individual businesses and organizations and via a direct feed from goprovidence.com, discovernewport.org, southcountyri.com and Yelp.com.

Summer Getaways

• Industry Partner
• Leisure Travel

• Story Ideas
• Fun-Sized Rhode Island
• Rhode Island in the News
• Free Travel Guide
• Contact Visit Rhode Island
• What's New in Rhode Island
• Downton Abbey Lifestyle
• Rhode Island Foodways
• Hidden Gems
• Fall Enchantment
• Image Library
• Meetings & Conventions
• Privacy Policy
• Partner Portal
• SMS Privacy Policy
• SMS Terms & Conditions

Special Offers

Looking to plan your next visit to Rhode Island, check out some of the current special offers and enjoy savings, extra perks and more!

The Breakers Third Floor Preservation in Progress Tour

The Breakers Third Floor Preservation in Progress Tour is a limited, guide-led experience of private bedrooms, bathrooms and recreational spaces used by the Vanderbilt family and household staff for more than a century.

But it’s also much more than that. Visitors will witness preservation work in action, as the research, planning and physical work to restore these spaces is taking place right now. You’ll see floors and walls that have been restored and others that have been left untouched to show the effects of time and the elements. You’ll see décor from the 1890s, 1940s and later, reflecting the family’s changing uses of the third floor. This is a much different experience than the standard Breakers tour, and we hope guests will appreciate the Vanderbilt family legacy like never before.

What you need to know

• Starts June 24.
• Maximum of 10 people per tour.
• Please have your ticket scanned in The Breakers entrance foyer. The tour begins in the Gentlemen's Reception Room nearby.
• To receive the membership discount, members must log in at www.newportmansions.org as a member or call (401) 847-1000, ext. 111.
• $25 Non-member, adult
• $20 Preservation Society member, adult
• $10 Youth ages 6-12

More Tours, Events & Exhibitions

Beneath the breakers tour, daily 10:30 am.

Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.

Gilded Age Newport in Color

March 15 – june 30, 2024 10:00am – 3:00pm.

This exhibition explores a largely unknown but important chapter in American history: the experience of a thriving African heritage community in Newport.

Servant Life Tour

Daily 10:30 am, 2 pm and 3:30 pm*.

See and hear how the other half lived. This tour will highlight the stories of some of the men and women who worked to service the social whirl of Newport during the Gilded Age. * Sept. 1-Oct. 14, 10:30 & 3:30. Oct. 15-Jan. 1, 2025, 10:30 & 2:30.

Inside “The Gilded Age” Tour

May 17 – june 28, 2024.

Fans of HBO’s "The Gilded Age" will love this guide-led tour of locations in four of the Newport Mansions where the show was filmed. Tuesdays and Fridays only, May 17 through June 28.

Hospitality Employees & Newport County Days 2024

June 8 – 10, 2024 10:00am – 5:00pm.

Newport County residents and employees of the hospitality industry are invited to visit the Newport Mansions as our guests!

The Newport Flower Show: “At Home”

June 21 – 23, 2024.

The 28th annual edition of New England’s premier flower show explores the theme "At Home," celebrating the beauty and inspiration that flowers and plants bring to the spaces in which we live.

The Iconic Trees of Newport: Past, Present & Future

June 27, 2024 6:00pm – 8:00pm.

Learn about Newport’s landscape history, the threat posed by beech leaf disease and planting strategies for the future. This educational forum is a collaborative effort among The Preservation Society of Newport County, The Newport Tree Conservancy, the City of Newport and Bartlett Tree Experts.

“Becoming Peggy Scott”: An Evening with Denée Benton & Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar

July 9, 2024 6:00pm.

We invite you to a special evening at Rosecliff for dinner and conversation with actress Denée Benton, who plays Peggy Scott on HBO's "The Gilded Age," and Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar, Executive Co-Producer and Consulting Historian for the Emmy-winning series.

Summer Dinner Dance: La Fête du Jardin

August 10, 2024 7pm.

Our annual black-tie fundraising event promises a fun and elegant evening of dinner and dancing amid a magical garden setting.

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

September 20 – 22, 2024.

Save the dates for the 19th annual festival, featuring the Vintner Dinner, Sunday Brunch and tasty yet educational seminar experiences.

Get the Newport Mansions app

Download our tour app before your visit and bring your earbuds.

Additional Visitor Info

Map & parking info.

Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.

Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Mansions & Gardens

Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.

Partners in Preservation

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE Decor editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Inside a Never-Before-Seen Hamptons Home Designed by Peter Marino

“The house almost disappears into the landscape,” the architect tells us.

See Peter Marino’s Hamptons Stunner

Low slung and blinding in its whiteness, the Long Island home has aluminum railings and screens, or brise-soleils, inspired by French modernist architecture. “My approach to residential design is heavily influenced by the site and functionality of the house and the way the clients want to live,” Marino said in an email interview. “For this client, it’s a seasonal home, and I find that for second homes, clients are much more willing to entertain new ideas. We embraced an indoor-outdoor aesthetic where massive expanses of glass were used to connect views directly to the ocean.”

A 20-foot-high living space anchors the interior, together with a floating stair that links the lower and upper floors and an exposed steel bridge that connects the top story’s two wings. “It’s free and easy, not complicated,” Marino said. “The house almost disappears into the landscape.”

Ingrid Abramovitch, the Executive Editor at ELLE Decor, writes about design, architecture, renovation, and lifestyle, and is the author of several books on design including Restoring a House in the City.

House Tours

A Beach House That’s Anything But Newport

This Celebrity Designing Duo Can’t Miss

Is This the Ultimate Poolside WFH Space?

This Apartment Is a Nod to the Women of the 70s

This Bachelor Pad Is Full of Art—And Sneakers

From the Archive: A 1740 Farmhouse Retreat

This House Has a Secret Zsa Zsa Gabor Connection

Inside a Neutral-Washed Family Oasis in NYC

This New York Apartment Merges Softness and Soul

Forest Hues Seep into This Vail Retreat

This Studio Apartment’s Now a Swank Sanctuary

Michigan Central Station tours: How to visit Ford's renovated train depot

You may have missed your first opportunity to visit the renovated Michigan Central Station , but there are still plenty of dates it will be open to the public.

The Michigan Central Open experience at the train station, located at 2001 15th St. in Detroit, is just getting started and will chug along through the summer, offering plenty of chances to experience Ford's transformation of the train depot.

Here's what to know.

Michigan Central Station initial public tours

The first 10 days of public open house tours at Michigan Central Station, running June 7-16, are sold out . Those visits required advanced registration that is now closed.

Guests will explore the first floor of the building during an immersive experience. There will be activations, storytelling, artwork and shareable moments.

If you got tickets to this set of tours, be sure to arrive 15 minutes before your entry time. Tickets allow visitors to access the station within 30 minutes of the ticket window. Guests should expect to be in the station for no more than one hour.

Can I tour Michigan Central Station if I didn't get tickets?

Don't worry if you missed out on the first set of tours running June 7-16; public tours of the train station will resume June 21 and will run Fridays and Saturdays through the end of August.

What's the cost for weekend Michigan Central Station tours?

No registration is required. People may visit the station from 5-9 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

The building will be closed to tours on the other days of the week until September, when expanded public hours will be announced.

How do I get to Michigan Central Station?

Major events can drive plenty of traffic in the Corktown area. Several  roads will close  throughout the reopening event, but visitors can choose from nearby street parking, free parking in the 1501 Wabash St. garage on a first-come, first-served basis, riding the bus through the Detroit Department of Transportation, e-scooters or ridesharing.

What's next for Michigan Central Station after reopening?

After reopening festivities, Michigan Central will begin a "phased reactivation" of the train station for several months as restaurant, retail and other commercial and community-focused partners fill the space.

Dana Afana contributed.

9 Celebs Who Totally Lied During Their Home Tours

“It was hard to ignore them so I just lied.”

Since the early days of MTV Cribs , fans have gotten an inside look at the homes of the rich and famous. Celebs go behind the scenes to show off their massive mansions, their incredible backyards and their fleet of luxurious cars. And while it’s fun to see how our favorite stars live, it turns out that these home tours might not be entirely accurate. Quite a few celebrities have later admitted to lying about parts of their tours -- from small things like their book collections to faking their entire home!

Find out what was fake about these home tours…

1. Ashley Tisdale

When Ashley Tisdale gave a tour of her home for Architectural Digest, she decided to spruce things up before the camera crews came inside. One of those updates included completely filling up empty shelves with books that she had never read. During filming she admitted that her husband had gone out to buy hundreds of books just days earlier.

“These bookshelves, I have to be honest, did not actually have books in them a couple of days ago. I had my husband go to a bookstore, and I was like, ‘You need to get 400 books,’” she shared . “Obviously my husband’s like, ‘We should be collecting books over time and putting them in the shelves.’ And I was like, ‘No, no, no, no. Not when AD comes.’”

Dakota Johnson Says Her Madame Web Gen Z Costars 'Annoy' Her

2. Dakota Johnson

Fans fell in love with Dakota Johnson ’s home when she gave a tour for Architectural Digest in 2020. While walking through, she pointed out a bowl of limes on the counter of her kitchen, sharing that she loved limes and loved displaying them. A year later, Dakota admitted that they were actually a prop placed in the kitchen by home stagers -- and she was actually allergic!

“I actually didn’t even know they were in there. I was giving the tour and went into the kitchen, and it was set dressing. I’m actually allergic to limes…Limes make my tongue itch,” she revealed on The Tonight Show . “It was hard to ignore them so I just lied. I went the full opposite direction.”

3. Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens gave viewers an inside look at her Hollywood home in an Architectural Digest video. While in the living room, she showed off her grand piano and even played a little bit of Mozart. While she did say in the video that the piano “doesn’t get used much,” it turns out that she doesn’t know how to play at all!

“The piano came from my previous house, but I don’t play. I don’t read music, really. I’m great at faking it,” Vanessa shared in an Architectural Digest article.

Vanessa Hudgens Confirms Pregnancy at Oscars, Debuts Baby Bump

When JoJo was still a teenager, she gave fans a tour of her vacation home on MTV Cribs . Years later, she revealed that she had never lived in the home at any point in time and it actually belonged to her uncle and his family.

“It was so ridiculous. The thing is, we didn’t have a home at that point. My mom and I were living out of suitcases and we were mostly in hotels. So that was actually my uncle’s house, on the Cape. That wasn’t my house. That wasn’t my stuff. When I was sitting on the spinny thing, that was his kids. That’s the truth,” she told HuffPost .

She continued, “I should’ve balled hard, and been like, ‘Welcome to my crib, look at how luxurious it is,’ and I should have rented out a place. But no. I just used my uncle's crib. So that was me lying on Cribs .”

When 50 Cent appeared on Cribs , he showed off his mansion as well as a collection of luxury cars. Years later, when he ended up in court, he testified that much of his over-the-top lifestyle was a front. In actuality, his diamond jewelry was borrowed and his fleet of cars were mostly rented.

“It’s entertainment,” he said during the trial, according to the New York Daily News . “Those cars were rented.”

These Female Celebrities All Dated Much Younger Men

Former girl group 3LW appeared on Cribs years ago but they didn’t actually own the house that they toured on the show. During the episode, they explained that they had bought a house together while working on their second album and were all living together. It wasn’t until 2021 that Naturi Naughton revealed that the house wasn’t theirs -- and they didn’t even have their own cars.

“MTV did the Cribs and back when 3LW was hot. We had to pretend. But I didn’t have a car, I didn’t have a house, I didn’t have any of those things…But we did MTV Cribs ,” on The Breakfast Club . “I had to clean the house by 7 o’clock to give it back to the owner. We had to clean up all of our stuff, we had to get a cleaning person.”

7. Robbie Williams

When Robbie Williams was in his early 20s, he appeared on Cribs for the first time, showing off an eight-bedroom manor house in England. He even had butlers working on the property. It turns out the house was actually being rented from Jane Seymour and the butlers were hired just for the shoot.

“We didn’t let [Jane] know that I was going to pretend it was my house. And because I was, like, 23 and full of spunk, I didn’t even consider other people’s thoughts or feelings, so I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Jane Seymour,” he said during a radio station appearance .

Robbie Williams Looks Back on 'Confusing' But 'Magical' Relationship With Spice Girl Geri Halliwell

When Ja Rule appeared on MTV Cribs, he gave a tour of a five bedroom mansion in Miami -- where he threw a massive party. While he was up front that he was renting the place, it turns out that parties definitely weren’t allowed and the owner reportedly sued him for $1 million for trashing the place and causing structural damage.

Back in 2008, Bow Wow’s episode of Cribs featured his fleet of luxury vehicles. While he showed them off as if they were his own, some eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the bottom of the cars were all branded with the word “prestige.” Upon further investigation, they discovered a company called Prestige Luxury Auto Rentals in Miami -- leading many to believe that he had actually rented all of the cars.

51st Daytime Emmy Awards -- All the Red Carpet Fashion!

Kailyn Lowry & Jo Rivera Reunite to Celebrate Isaac's Middle School Graduation

Kevin Jonas' Daughter Alena Hilariously Dresses Up As Him For New Jersey Day

The Real World: Las Vegas Stars Trishelle Cannatella and Steven Hill Reunite

Scott Disick Praises Mason Disick for Graduating Middle School

Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry Son, 9, Does Rare Red Carpet with Singer

Jazz Jennings Says Weight Loss Has 'Created a Shift Within'

Iskra Lawrence Claps Back at Body Shamers After Pregnant Runway Appearance

Nina Dobrev Shares Surgery Update After Bike Accident

Tori Spelling Reveals She Got Veneers After Letting Her Teeth 'Go to S--t'

Jennie Garth and Peter Facinelli's Daughter Attends Prom

Kim Kardashian Wears Janet Jackson's "If" Music Video Outfit to Concert

More in celebrity.

Amber Portwood Introduces Teen Mom Costars to New Boyfriend Gary

Meghan Trainor Thought She Once Miscarried During Ryan Seacrest Interview

Ashton Kutcher Slammed For Touting Cost-Cutting Benefits of Using AI for Film & TV

Explore Zheleznodorozhny

Essential zheleznodorozhny.

Iconic Victorian 'Full House' home for sale in San Francisco: Here's what it's listed for

The Northern California house used as the fictional Tanner family home in the late 1980s and early 1990s hit TV series "Full House" is on the market again.

According to a Coldwell Banker Reality listing, the 4-bedroom, 3-bath home located at 1709 Broderick St. in San Francisco i s for sale at $6.5 million.

The iconic more than century-old Victorian house is located in the city's Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood.

The three-level, 3,737 square-foot house was built in 1883 and renovated in 2019, according to The Swann Group , who listed the home online Thursday. The listing shows the home features two laundry rooms, a gym, a private movie theater room and a two-car garage.

Private English garden and indoor sports court come with home

In addition, the listing boasts the home comes with a gas fireplace, a private English garden, an indoor sports court and more.

"This Victorian home caters to the most discerning taste with timeless contemporary sophistication, seamlessly integrating period details with modern upgrades," the listing reads.

"Full House" reunion snap: John Stamos posts rare pic with the Olsens on Bob Saget's birthday

The Swann Group listed the house on the website Thursday. It was previously listed and sold in 2016 for $4 million, making the current $6.5 million listing a 62.5% price increase.

USA TODAY has reached out to The Swann Group.

See inside the home with a virtual tour .

'Full House' show, cast

The first episode of the sitcom "Full House" aired on ABC in September of 1987.

The show ran for eight seasons.

The star-studded cast included the late  Bob Saget , who played Danny Tanner, as well as John Stamos ,  Dave Coulier , Jodie Sweetin, Candace Cameron Bure , Scott Weinger and  Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen .

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

Take a peek inside this stunning 6,000-square-foot, 1860s Italianate home in Prospect

An ornate brick farmhouse sits on an eight-acre lot in Prospect. Built in 1863 by James Trigg, the home was once occupied by Willie Snow Ethridge, an author and columnist who was married to The Courier Journal editor Mark Ethridge.

Today, the property is owned by Bruce Hardy, who paid homage to the author by naming his schnauzer-labrador mix, Willie.

“(Willie Snow) lived here up until 1963,” Hardy said, adding that she wrote more than a dozen books, some of which are about the time she spent in the house. They cover shopping trips, parties thrown, and guest lists of now-famous individuals.

“ Ernest Hemingway and her were really good friends,” Hardy exclaimed, “(and) John Steinbeck has been a guest in the house.”

Built to last

In addition to bestowing Willie Snow's name upon his pooch, Hardy keeps copies of her books on a shelf, as well as a few framed photos of her with esteemed house guests such as Steinbeck and Walter Cronkite .

As for the house itself, Hardy has maintained the original windows, doors, and hardwood flooring on the first floor since buying the abode in 2008.

“It was a sudden purchase,” he recalled. “It came up for sale on a Friday. We looked at it that Saturday and bought it that Sunday. It was originally me and my partner (David, who) passed away a few years ago, (but) ever since (we bought it, I’ve) been working with … Todd Stengel (of Todd Stengel Construction Inc. ) on the house.”

He adds that every electric box and gas line had to be updated. And the roof — which held 150 years’ worth of insulation, including asbestos — had to be completely cleaned out. But the structure of the house itself is incredibly solid. It was built on steel beams and boasts thick, solid brick walls.

“When we had the house inspected by an engineer, he (said) he’s never seen anything like it,” Hardy recalled. He adds while he lost 20 trees during a recent tornado, he could barely even hear what was going on from inside the house.

Ready to party

The home's original stone kitchen, off the side of the house, has since been converted into a one-car garage. Shortly after purchasing the property, Hardy completely remodeled the current kitchen as well as the formal dining room. Numerous other modifications took place during the renovation, including in the formal living room, cigar room, and sunroom.

“When we bought it, every wall … had layers of wallpaper,” Hardy said. “For the first three years, we had contractors here every day.”

After the major work was completed, Hardy enlisted the help of interior designer Libby Rush of Bittners . Fresh coats of paint and carefully curated furnishings and accessories got the home ready for the many parties Hardy has hosted over the years. This includes big soirees during the holidays.

“At Christmastime, the entire house — the shrubs, driveway, (and) entrance — is lined in white lights,” he said. “I have a total of nine Christmas trees throughout the first and second floor, (and) the whole house is opened up for parties. It’s just a great house to entertain in.”

Open to all

The first floor of Hardy’s home — including the stunning garden — will be open to visitors for the Kilgore Home & Garden Tour .

“The Olmsted brothers designed (the original garden) in the early 1900s,” Hardy said. “We contacted their main office in Boston when we first moved here to see if they could help us. … They had the original plans, and they sent them to us.”

Hardy has since been working with Chris Summers of Summers Nursery & Landscape to bring the garden back to its former glory. The garden as it stands today is Summers’ creation, designed to reflect an outdoor space that the Olmsteads might have crafted. It boasts gently curved pathways through various areas, each of which features a distinct entryway that separates it from the next part of the garden.

“Frederick Olmsted’s designs were always (created to be like) you’re walking from one room to another room,” Hardy explained. He adds that the plants used throughout were carefully selected to ensure there is always something blooming.

“Whenever we entertain (and) people come here, (they’ll) see something different,” he said, adding that the hues of the fall foliage are beautiful, and typically last for several weeks.

Local wildlife enjoy the garden as well. Hardy has seen deer, coyotes, raccoons, bunnies, and more come through the space.

“David and I always considered ourselves caretakers,” Hardy said. “We’re just here to take care of it while we’re here, and hopefully the next owners will do the same.”

He adds that after buying and renovating the historic home, he never expected to move. But with David gone, a sale might be in the cards within the next few years.

“But I’ll be real picky (about) who buys it,” he said. “I’m going to wait around until the right (buyer) comes. (It has to be) somebody who’s going to appreciate it and share it.”

Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalza at [email protected] or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at [email protected].

nuts & bolts

Owner : Bruce Hardy.

Home : This is a 4-bed, 5-bath, 6,000-square-foot, Italianate home in Prospect. It was built in 1863 and is known as the James Trigg House.

Distinctive elements : Original windows, doors, and hardwood flooring throughout the first floor; renovated kitchen and formal dining room; two staircases; nine functional fireplaces; gardens designed by the Olmsted brothers; koi pond in garden; eight-acre lot.

Applause! Applause! Contractor Todd Stengel; interior decorator Libby Rush; landscape designer Chris Summers.

24th Annual Kilgore Home & Garden Tour

WHAT : The tour showcases some of Louisville's most outstanding homes and gardens for tour goers to peruse at their leisure and chat with Master Gardeners. All proceeds benefit the Kilgore Samaritan Fund to provide counseling services to all members of the community regardless of their ability to pay.

WHEN : June 8-9. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE : This year's tour features five gardens and two homes in the neighborhoods of Indian Hills, Prospect, Goose Creek, Plainview, and Belknap. Addresses are posted online.

TICKETS : Tickets can be purchased online and are $40 for adults and $5 for children.

PARKING : Street parking is available.

MORE INFORMATION : For more information, visit kilgorecounseling.org/home-garden-tour .

A private village in Scottsdale houses some of Arizona's priciest real estate. I got a tour of its guarded neighborhoods.

• Silverleaf Village in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the city's most exclusive and expensive community.
• The residential area boasts Scottsdale's most expensive home, a $54 million mega-mansion.
• I got a private tour of the village with 24-hour guards and a championship golf course.

In the canyons beneath a mountain range dotted with cacti is Silverleaf Village, the most exclusive and expensive residential community in Scottsdale, Arizona .

In a city with a rapidly growing millionaire population , Silverleaf had an average selling price of $5.5 million in 2023, according to a representative of the neighborhood. And it's home to the most expensive residence on the market in Scottsdale — a mega-mansion listed for $54 million .

The village is in the 4,400-acre residential community of DC Ranch . Last month, I got an exclusive tour of the entire neighborhood's four villages, and Silverleaf stood out as the most elite, with custom estates and an exclusive clubhouse.

Take a look around the luxury desert oasis that Scottsdale's richest locals call home.

Silverleaf Village is in North Scottdale.

Silverleaf is on the east side of DC Ranch in North Scottsdale. The village is nestled in the canyons of the McDowell Mountains.

The village has 16 gated neighborhoods.

According to the DC Ranch website , the neighborhoods are guarded 24 hours a day.

The homes are a mix of luxury villas and custom estates.

Silverleaf's street signs have a fancy look, with curled details on the posts and serif fonts. According to the neighborhood's website, the homes were built in Spanish and Mediterranean Revival-style architecture.

The elevated signage, paired with mansions reminiscent of Italian castles and Greek villas, made me feel like I was somewhere in Europe.

Within the village is a private club with a golf course, a spa, pools, and restaurants.

Since the clubhouse is so exclusive, I wasn't able to access it with my media tour guide. But according to the club's website , it's a 50,000-square-foot space with casual and fine dining, a world-class spa, and both resort-style and lap pools.

I did get a peek at the championship golf course. It sprawls 18 holes over 7,322 yards and is surrounded by hills and succulents.

The homes with the highest elevation appeared to be the most luxurious.

Driving up the mountain, I noticed the houses looked more like mega-mansions. They had long, walled driveways leading up to estates with multiple buildings.

The village is still developing.

Toward the top of Silverleaf Village, I spotted several empty sites ready for more custom estates to be built. According to the neighborhood's website, luxury condos are also in the works.

From the top of Silverleaf, residents have a view of Scottsdale.

The top of Silverleaf had the best views in DC Ranch. Past the mansions and cacti dotting the canyon, I spotted golfing greens and a runway at Scottsdale Airport, where the wealthy park private jets .

With massive estates, luxury amenities, and jaw-dropping views, it was easy to see why Silverleaf Village is the most expensive place to live in Scottsdale.

• Main content

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 0
• Very Good 0
• English ( 0 )

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

ALLIANCE - Tripadvisor