The 8 Most Historic Houses in the US

For any US history buff, a stay at any one of these eight accommodations promises a thrilling experience. Bookers can spend a night in a railroad tycoon’s mansion, a charming castle, a labyrinthine brownstone, and more.

The Mansion on O Street, Washington DC

On Valentine’s Day in 1980, H.H. Leonards-Spero opened a hotel made up of four Victorian brownstones, all connected by secret passages, hidden doors, and a mind-bending staircase. Staying in one of the themed suites of this maze-like mansion is a truly immersive experience. Its rooms are piled high with artifacts, fine art, and memorabilia, making it almost more museum than hotel, and nearly all of the items on display are available for purchase. The Presidential Suite has a teak hot tub, and the Rosa Parks Suite is where the famous civil rights activist used to stay when in DC. Also great are the Lennon, Graceland, Speakeasy, and Safari Suites, and the hotel itself hosts concerts, special private events, and treasure hunts.

The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Rhode Island

Step into the past and the shoes of a Gilded Age railroad tycoon by staying at The Chanler at Cliff Walk. With only twenty villas and suites, the hotel has an exclusive air that’s reinforced by the fact that its famous guests include President Teddy Roosevelt, back when it was a private property. Bookers can start their day with some coffee on the lawn before enjoying the mansion’s direct access to Newport’s beautiful Cliff Walk, which runs along the rocky North Atlantic coast. In the evening, attend one of the Chanler’s signature events—a scotch and cigar dinner—before cozying up in a suite inspired by the French Renaissance aesthetic.

Congress Hall, New Jersey

Built in 1836, this L-shaped, pale yellow mansion overlooks the Atlantic in the quaint town of Cape May. While staying here feels like you’re back in the 19th century, Bookers will still get to enjoy every possible modern amenity. The downstairs Boiler Room bar was a Speakeasy during the Prohibition era. At the far end—past its exposed brick and neon lighting— Bookers will spot two large doors that were used to smuggle alcohol in from the beach.

Covered Bridge House, New Hampshire

The Covered Bridge House B&B is a classic example of New Hampshire charm, with its white, wood-paneled facade and bright red shutters. Step from the Georgian Colonial porch and into its incredibly preserved interior that’s full of quilts, antique wardrobes, wrought iron beds, and candles lining window sills. Some rooms overlook the Saco River, while the rest offer views of the Bartlett Covered Bridge, which this B&B is named after. Built in 1850, the bridge is a historic feat of engineering and a rare commodity, since it’s one of the only fifty-three covered bridges remaining in New Hampshire. To fund its preservation for future generations, it was converted into a gift shop in 1966. Besides its rich history, this B&B serves Bookers an outstanding breakfast spread that features French toast, freshly-baked muffins, bacon, eggs, and waffles, as well as strawberries and cream.

Bama Bed & Breakfast, Alabama

Bama Bed & Breakfast delivers genuine Southern hospitality in a historic setting to all Bookers. The fifth President of the United States, James Monroe, signed the original patent for this antebellum mansion, which was originally built in 1823. Even though breakfast is served in a formal dining room under a chandelier, the overall atmosphere is laid-back and homely. The B&B is run by a family who prepares an Alabama breakfast banquet each morning, featuring French toast soufflé and casserole.

Berry Hill Resort, Virginia

Berry Hill Resort is a place of grand proportions, with its facade lined by colonnades, ninety-two suites, and sitting on 660 acres of manicured grounds.

This former plantation estate was built in 1839 and is now a National Historic Landmark. It has an incredible entrance along a tree-lined boulevard that leads directly into a regal staircase, polished hardwood floors, high ceilings, and precious antiques alongside modern luxuries like a spa, a fitness center, and gourmet restaurants. Bookers can learn more about the estate’s impressive history on one of the tours.

Delta Bohemian Guest House, Mississippi

The Delta Bohemian Guest House is so welcoming that Bookers will immediately feel like they’re staying with friends, thanks in part to the tire swing in the front yard, but more so to its artistic owners Madge and Billy. The owners have created a soulful, bohemian atmosphere in this historic house, built by a local Mississippi Delta planter back in 1917. The property shares a backyard with the Clarksdale White House, where the owners live and offer several rooms open to Bookers as well. The main house is a classic Southern home with an immaculate lawn framed by magnolia trees.

Mushroom Houses, Michigan

The Mushroom Houses are a collection of four fascinating cottages designed by the renowned architect, Earl Young, in Charlevoix, Michigan. They consist of the Cottage, the Chalet, the Applecore Cottage, and—the star of the show—the toadstool-shaped Thatch House.

Each structure is totally unique, all built with limestone and odd-shaped boulders in curved lines, then topped with European thatch. Bookers can lose themselves among the acres of 100-year-old apple trees, lush forests, and the beaches of Lake Michigan.

#BeABooker and book your trip today.