Good Lifestyle

With the rise of TV shows like HGTV's Hometown and Instagram accounts like Cheap old houses , historic houses now attract the interest of a much wider and younger population than before. Bob Villa days of the 80s and 90s. For those of us who don't have our own old house (or just have an obsession!), planning trips to places rich in history and historic homes is a must. Of course, a destination should tick all the usual holiday boxes (pleasant accommodation, good weather, delicious food and activities), but only certain localities offer house museums, quaint residential streets to explore and unique architecture . We consulted travel experts to compile a list of the best American cities to visit if you like old houses. Keep reading to plan your next trip.

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The 13 Best American Cities If You Like Old Homes

1.Newport, Rhode Island

To call Newport's historic residences "homes" would be an understatement. The coastal Rhode Island city is known for its Gilded Age mansions that once served as summer residences for New York and Philadelphia magnates, including the Vanderbilts. (You may have heard much of HBO's hit series Golden age was filmed in these exact mansions .)

Today, 11 of these sumptuous homes have been preserved and are open to the public for tours across the Newport County Preservation Society . Trudy Coxe , the company's CEO and executive director, says the must-see home is circuit breakers . "No one in Newport has ever topped this 138,000 square foot summer 'cottage' for Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife, Alice." It has 70 rooms (including an imposing great room with 50-foot ceilings), 27 fireplaces, and marble throughout.

For lovers of landscape architecture, elms is a must. The neo-classical style gardens feature marble pavilions, fountains and stunning elms.

Another fun way to see the historic homes is the 3.5 mile route Walk on the cliff , a national recreation trail along the ocean from which you can see both the house museums and beautiful private homes (note that some sections are rocky and more of a hike).

And in Newport's main downtown core, meander through residential streets to admire 18th-century clapboard homes in a nautical setting.

2. Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

Across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. is Alexandria, Virginia, which was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants. It is perhaps best known for being the adopted hometown of george washington , but as Visit Alexandria notes, there is also a dark side to his past, as he "was one of the greatest national slave trade ports in America."

All of this history can be seen in Old Town Alexandria, a nationally designated historic district along the river. Brick streets and cobblestone lanes are lined with adorable Georgian and Federal-style homes (more than 200 structures were built before 1820), and there are 140 sites linked to the nation's first president, according to Visit Alexandria.

If you are looking for a great Instagram photo, Rebecca Doser , Director of Communications at Visit Alexandria , said to head for the Spite House. At seven feet wide, it's the skinniest house in the United States. "Visitors can pose arms outstretched in front of the door or capture Spite House wedged between its white and red neighbors across the street," suggests Doser.

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3. Charleston, South Carolina

This list wouldn't be complete without Charleston, South Carolina, the birthplace of historic preservation in the United States. Liza Holian , Marketing and Communications Manager at Charleston Historic Foundation , notes that “Charleston’s history spans more than 350 years,” making it one of the oldest cities in the country.

As Holian explains, you can see homes dating back to the 1700s along Tradd Street, or you can check out the waterfront mansions along the Battery. And as you wander around, you’ll find helpful “historical plaques and markers.”

For the ultimate photo op, head to Rainbow Row, a stretch of pastel-colored homes on East Bay Street near the Battery. Or you can go to the Rose House on Chalmers Street. The bubblegum-hued house is the oldest in town and is made more photogenic by the cobblestone street on which it resides.

Another site Holian says you shouldn't miss is the Nathaniel Russell House Museum . “The entire house has been restored to its 1808 glory, with every piece of furniture and china carefully selected according to the most historically accurate interpretation.”

Within a short drive of Charleston are several plantations. You can take tours of the beautiful gardens, but more importantly, you will learn about the lives of the slaves who lived and worked there. Some of the most popular are Magnolia Plantation , founded in 1676 and boasting superb romantic gardens, Middleton Square , home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America, and Boone Hall , perhaps best known for its avenue of oak trees and featured in Notebook .

4. Savannah, Georgia

If you're headed to Charleston, you can drive two hours south and add Savannah, Georgia, to your old house itinerary.

According to Visit Savannah , it exudes historical charm thanks to its “cobbled streets” and “picturesque squares”. Add to that the town's famous mossy oaks and you get a romance like no other.

But for fans of historic houses, what makes Savannah truly worth the trip is its plethora of house museums open for tours. Erin Clarkson , author of Beginner's Guide to Savannah , recommend it Mercer-Williams House : "The Italian-style house was made famous by the book Midnight in the garden of good and evil and is a popular tourist attraction. » She also suggests visiting the Owens-Thomas House and slave quarters . “It was one of the first houses in America to have indoor plumbing (even before all levels of the White House were fully plumbed),” she explains. “The home also features a unique interior bridge that connects the rooms on the top floor.”

“Visitors can also take walking tours of the city's many historic neighborhoods, such as the Victorian District and Landmark Historic District, as well as trolley tours,” adds James Ian , experiential travel expert and founder of online travel publishing Travel collection . Clarkson specifically recommends Savannah Architectural Tours .

Other historical attractions highlighted by Ian are Bonaventure Cemetery , Rivière Street (where you'll find tons of shops, galleries, and restaurants along the waterfront) and the famous Forsyth Park , with fountains and gardens.

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5. St. Augustine, Florida

We would be wrong not to include the oldest city in the country. St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish settlers and today has seven historic districts on the National Register. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

“The City of St. Augustine has a very strict preservation policy in place that protects the architecture that makes this historic city one of its most beloved,” says Barbara Dore , responsible for communications and public relations at Florida's Historic Coast .

Golden notes that the Lincolnville neighborhood has the largest collection of historic homes. According to Florida's Historic Coast, Lincolnville was founded in 1866 by newly freed slaves and later played a central role in the civil rights movement.

In the historic downtown district, you can stroll the side streets (which include the oldest and narrowest street in the country) and admire the Spanish-style architecture, as well as the The oldest house museum .

Like Newport, St. Augustine has its own Gilded Age history. Visitors can experience it at lighter museum , the former site of the Alcazar hotel resort, and the Villa Zorayda Museum , the former winter residence of a Boston millionaire who modeled his home on the model of the Alhambra palace in Spain.

History buffs will also have the option of spending the night in a historic home. "THE Auberge Saint Francis is the oldest inn in St. Augustine, and it's still in business!" notes Betsi Hill , travel writer and founder of Betsi's world . She also suggests The Collector's Inn and Gardens , "nine buildings dating from the 18th century [which] display the founder's extensive collection of art and antiquities".

6. Natchez, Mississippi

Founded by French settlers in 1716, Natchez is the oldest town on the Mississippi River. "The town itself has more than 1,000 structures on the National Register of Historic Places, including over 40 authentic pre-Civil War homes and Victorian buildings dotted all around town," says Caroline Rogers , an account coordinator at Lou Hammond Group , which represents Visit Natchez .

Although the area is certainly walkable, you may choose to take the National Park Service (NPS) driving tour of Civil War sites , which they say takes about 75 minutes. As Rogers notes, some of the sites you'll see include the Auburn Museum and Historic House , a Greek Revival residence that is Natchez's oldest home, and Magnolia room , "which dates back to 1858 and is the last mansion built downtown before the Civil War".

larry snider , Vice President of Operations at Casago Vacation Rentals , says you can't miss either long wood , a five-story mansion on 87 acres of land considered to be the largest octagonal house in the United States.

If you want to spend the night in one of these historic homes, Rogers says many have been converted into bed and breakfasts, including Historic Dunleith Inn , Choctaw room , And The guest house .

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7. New Orleans, Louisiana

It's hard to compare New Orleans to any other city in the United States, which is why it's all the more exciting to visit and experience its Creole culture and Spanish and French influences.

The city on the Mississippi River is probably best known for the French Quarter, the main tourist area that is home to the infamous Bourbon Street. According to the French Quarter Management District, the architecture of this quarter has more of a Spanish influence, with its iconic wrought iron balconies and course.

The other popular area to see historic homes is the Garden District, lined with stately homes. Christopher Falvey , co-founder of Unique NOLA Tours , says some of the must-see sites here are the Buckner Mansion (from american horror story fame), the architecturally unique Monroe Adams House, the Walter Grinnan Robinson House (known for its two-story curved verandah) and the Brevard House (the author's former home Anne Rice ).

A more off-the-beaten-path activity is walking around to see New Orleans' famous shotgun houses. THE design of these small houses is originally from Santo Domingo (now Haiti). After the Haitian slave revolt in 1804, “thousands of free people of color emigrated to New Orleans,” says Falvey’s Unique NOLA Tours. You'll find them concentrated in the Irish Channel and Esplanade Ridge neighborhoods.

8. Tucson, Arizona

Not all historic homes have to date back to the 1800s. In Tucson, Arizona, you can experience a wealth of "20th-century modern designs, including some of the best examples of Southwestern mid-century architecture" , said the team of Visit Tucson share with Better life .

And what's really fun is that you can stay in many of these modernist gems. For example, the 1952 Ball Paylore House - "a one-of-a-kind home in downtown Tucson featuring a hexagonal shape and passive solar design using a crescent-shaped patio and rotating umbrellas," according to Visit Tucson - is available through Airbnb . Also available it's 1977 Jacobson House . Located in the Catalina foothills and built of concrete and glass, it's "a perfect example of desert brutalism," the tourism agency notes.

If this style of home interests you, consider booking your trip during the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation's annual event. Tucson Modernism Week , which features films, talks and other events celebrating this architectural style.

But modernism isn't all the city has to offer. "In downtown Tucson, you'll also find many original Sonoran townhouses built in the 1800s," says Visit Tucson. These one-story adobe houses date back to when Tucson was part of Mexico. The largest collection of these homes in the United States is in the Barrio Viejo neighborhood, which you can visit via the Presidio Museum .

Finally, a stroll down Main Avenue will introduce you to the Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival homes where "Tucson's wealthiest families lived in the 1860s through the early 1900s," according to Visit Tucson.

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9.Louisville, Kentucky

There's a lot more to do in Louisville than drinking bourbon and watching the Kentucky Derby, and one of those attractions is visiting historic homes.

"Just south of downtown, Old Louisville is known to house the largest contiguous collection of Victorian-era homes in the United States," notes Jordan Skora , Head of Marketing Communications at Louisville Tourism .

Skora says one of the best ways to experience the city is to book a walking tour through Louiseville Historical Tours : "The 90-minute tour will showcase a variety of building styles including Chateauesque, Richardsonian-Romanesque, Italianate, Victorian Gothic and Queen Anne architecture." You can also opt for the nightly Ghost Tour, "which talks about some of the most haunted mansions," Skora notes.

Several historic homes are also available for interior tours. Skora points out grove of locusts , which "preserves a 1792 mansion, outbuildings, and a 19th-century farmhouse" and provides insight into the enslaved African Americans who once lived there.

Jocelyn Xamis Wolters , curator and co-founder of the travel site World Wolters , suggests the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum . "This castle-like home is a wonderful introduction to the city's Victorian architecture and an example of Richardsonian Romanesque at its best," she says.

10. Columbus, Ohio

There's plenty to do in Ohio's state capital: catch a Buckeyes game, stroll the Scioto Mile, have lunch at the North Market. But lovers of old houses will want to head to German Village.

Just south of downtown Columbus, this historic district was built by German settlers in the mid-1800s and has over 1,000 buildings. According to Lea Berger , head of public relations at Discover Columbus , "[the] lovingly restored brick houses, shops, streets and sidewalks are full of historic charm."

Every June, you can visit the interior of some of these houses on the German village society Annual visit to Haus Und Garten.

Another fun (and tasty!) way to explore the German Village is on a food tour . Not only will you taste German dishes, but you will also learn about the cultural and architectural history of the neighborhood.

Berger also suggests visiting Victorian Village, "a largely residential neighborhood just outside the bustling Short North arts district, known, as its name suggests, for its exceptional Victorian architecture." She says the most remarkable house is the Sell Manor , "known locally as Circus House because it was built by one of the brothers who owned Sells Circus".

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11. Galena, Illinois

About three hours northwest of Chicago, near the Wisconsin and Iowa borders, is a charming little town you will want to know more.

"Galena is a postcard vacation for history buffs and luxury vacation enthusiasts. The historic architecture of the downtown area has been 80% preserved and the rolling landscape along the Mississippi River creates the perfect view" , declares Alex and Geoff Arroyo-Karnish , former Manhattan residents who moved to the Illinois city in 2019 to manage a historic inn and who now own and operate the inn. Galena Bakery .

Start by walking along Main Street, which feels like stepping back in time. Then Alex and Geoff suggest the one hour program tram tour , which takes you through the historic Galena district.

It is said that you should also visit the Home Grant , the 19th century residence of the 18th American president, Ulysses S. Grant . "Grant lived in Galena before the war and worked in his father's leather store. After the war, the entire town gave him a furnished house that you can tour today," they explain.

12. Pacific Grove, California

For an old house experience on the West Coast, take the scenic Pacific Coast Highway to Monterrey. "The seaside town and neighboring Pacific Grove are full of ornate Victorian buildings and detailed Queen Annes. Sit on the porch of a historic inn while you watch seals swim in and out of the ocean!" said Cristiana Pena , responsible for social networks for CIRCA Old Houses .

Pacific Grove was founded in 1875 “as a seaside Methodist Christian retreat,” according to the Pacific Grove Heritage Society . At the time, "sections of the town were subdivided into 30 foot by 60 foot lots for use as tent sites for seasonal (summer) visitors." Over the years many were converted into fully walled houses, suitable for year-round use, as you can see today.

Lindsay Horton , social media specialist and founder of Monterey Social , notes that Pacific Grove alone has more than 1,350 historic structures and says the ideal way to learn about some of them is on foot. "The Heritage Society of Pacific Grove has a free tour featuring 350 historic homes in 11 of Pacific Grove's oldest neighborhoods.

For a unique stay, That of John Steinbeck the old chalet is available for rental (for 30 nights minimum) on Airbnb, shared by a local resident and author R. M. Thornton . It was built in the 1920s in the traditional tent style and Steinbeck lived there in the 1940s.

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13. Concord, Massachusetts

Looking for a literary angle for your old house excursion? Look no further than Concord, Massachusetts, where you can visit museums related to famous authors, according to Keri Baugh , founder of the family travel blog Have a good trip with the children .

In the same street you will find the Orchard House , Or Louisa May Alcott written and implemented Little woman , THE old house by the transcendentalist writer Ralph Waldo Emerson , And The edge of the path , which sometimes housed Nathaniel Hawthorne , Louisa May Alcott and Harriett Lothrop (pen name Margaret Sidney), who wrote the children's book series Five small peppers .

"Nearby is another house, The old mansion , where Hawthorne lived and wrote the collection of stories Moss from an old mansion ," adds Elizabeth Bornstein , creator of the literary-inspired travel blog A suitcase full of books . Ralph Waldo Emerson also lived here for a time and "wrote his influential essay Nature in an office upstairs", according to Reserve administrators . Moreover, when Hawthirbe married on the property, Henry David Thoreau planted a vegetable garden for the occasion.

Extend your trip by visiting the nearby town of Lexington. "It's the site where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired, so it's very significant," says Baugh. “Many of the city's historic homes have a plaque indicating who that home once belonged to, a person who undoubtedly had a significant impact on American history.”