Whether it's an uber-luxury hotel or a stunning Airbnb, America has little shortage of places to stay. But there's nothing quite like the homely feel of an old-school bed and breakfast – especially when the property has a tale to tell. From Gold Rush-era inns to 19th-century mansions, we reveal the most historic B&Bs in every state. (If you're planning a trip, be sure to check state travel advisories and up-to-date property information before you go.)
Dating right back to 1836, Fort Condé Inn occupies the second-oldest home in Mobile, also known as the Hall-Ford House. The house, which blends Greek Revival and Creole-cottage-style architecture, was built for wealthy individuals in the cotton trade, but was abandoned and left to ruin for a portion of the 20th century. Having been carefully restored to its original grandeur, the property opened its doors as the Fort Condé Inn in 2011 – it comes complete with Victorian and French country-style rooms and a complimentary chef-prepared breakfast for guests each day.
Once considered the "most elegant house in the Alaska Territory", this Fairbanks property was built for young lovers Lucille McCarthy and wealthy restaurateur Arthur Williams in 1916. But their happiness was short-lived as a devastating fire ripped through Arthur's restaurant in 1919, and he died in the same year. The property was sold to the writer Mary Lee Davis, who lived here for around five years. It then changed hands multiple times throughout the 20th century. Now the significant home is a B&B with eight rooms, each reminiscent of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Tipped as Arizona's oldest continually occupied building, this ranch's earliest structure was built around 1720 by Jesuit missionaries in a village occupied by the indigenous American Tohono O’odham peoples. It served as a mission outpost and inn during this time. Then, in the late 1800s, the site was acquired by cattle baron Colonel William Sturgis, who constructed the impressive hacienda seen today. Rancho de la Osa is now a retreat complete with a pool, outdoor games and tastefully decorated rooms, and it has welcomed guests from Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell to actor John Wayne over the years.
The hosts at The Empress of Little Rock, a sumptuous bed and breakfast in Arkansas' capital, are dedicated to bringing "a romantic Downton Abbey era" back to life. The property was finished in 1888 and remains a fine example of Victorian-era architecture, with its corner tower and octagonal rooms. In its long history it has been a private residence and has also acted as the Arkansas Women’s College and as a rooming house for women during the Second World War. Today, its suites are full of Victorian features, from carved wood to patterned upholstery, plus modern amenities like hot tubs and cable TV.
Thought to be among the oldest bed and breakfasts in California, this inn was built during the Gold Rush in 1854. As well as serving as a private residence for Seth Shaw, who founded the town of Ferndale with his brother Stephen, the property also acted as a post office and even a courthouse in its long life. Now the frontier home contains seven plush rooms and suites and, come morning, guests can typically enjoy a buffet breakfast filled with local and organic produce – check here for current availability.
Constructed in the late 1800s, this building began life as Cripple Creek High School. Some 16 other school buildings once had their home in this area, which was an important mining district at the time – but today only two remain standing. Notable alumni at the Cripple Creek school included Ralph Lawrence Carr, a former Colorado governor – but enrolments dwindled and the school was eventually closed in 1977. The building was converted into a humble hotel in the 1980s and today it's a well-loved inn offering a range of rooms and suites, a grand ballroom and guided history tours. See here for availability.
A property with more than 240 years of history, Griswold Inn has long been a resting place for weary travellers and seafarers who find themselves in the shipbuilding town of Essex. Still today, the Griswold Inn holds a fascinating store of marine artefacts that offer glimpses into the past. It was also the site of temperance protests prior to the Prohibition era, and it survived the Great Depression despite how surrounding businesses suffered. The inn now wears its history proudly on its sleeve, with eclectic lodgings, a tap room and the belly-busting "Sunday Hunt" breakfast, a tradition since the 1800s.
This Greek Revival-style mansion dates right back to 1763, when it was built for local landowner Levin Crapper. It's named for Governor Peter F. Causey, who owned the house in the mid-19th century and gave it the appearance it retains today, with its square pillars and ornate window caps. The striking yellow-brick build has changed hands many times over the years but was first used as a B&B in 1986. Now rooms boast modern comforts as well as period features, and the property also includes leafy grounds and preserved slave quarters.
This bed and breakfast truly deserves its spot on the National Register of Historic Places – it's billed as the oldest inn in St Augustine, which, in turn, is held up as the oldest city in the States. Dating back to 1791 (the Second Spanish Period) the building's design, with its secretive entryway and courtyard, is thought to be due to the threat of invasion during this time. Modern visitors can now typically enjoy the inn's swimming pool, spacious balcony and cosy rooms and suites, some of which have fireplaces, porch access and even a whirlpool tub.
The name of this historic Macon property is a dead giveaway. The Greek Revival house was built in 1842 for John Gresham, a cotton merchant and one-time mayor of Macon. At the turn of the century, it was acquired by the wealthy B. F. Adams family, who added the elegant columns that remain the property's distinguishing feature today. Nineteen guest rooms, many named after notable figures in American history, are now tucked away in the property, alongside opulent "public parlours" for dining.
Now a sleek bed and breakfast lodge on Hawaii's Big Island, Kilauea began life in 1938 as a YMCA camp. Then, between 1942 and 1945, during the Second World War, the property was used as headquarters for secretarial pools of the US military. It wasn't until the 1980s that, under the ownership of the Jeytes family, the venue would become the Kilauea Lodge. The accommodations celebrate Hawaii with local plants and artworks, tropical grounds and easy access to the island's many natural attractions.
Now with more than a century of practice looking after guests, the Riverside Hot Springs Inn was founded in 1914 and enjoys a sought-after location beside the Portneuf River. The location was selected by proprietor William Richard "Billy" Godfrey for its proximity to the river's mineral-rich waters, which Godfrey used in the inn's thermal baths. Such were the water's healing properties, that even doctors set up office in the hotel and the building later served as a hospital. Today the inn comprises 18 elegantly designed guest rooms, plus complimentary breakfast and use of the hot springs.
A favourite bed and breakfast option in the Windy City, Welcome Inn Manor was constructed in 1893 and is an elegant Queen Anne-style home. The property is almost like a living museum of the era, with antique ornaments, chintzy patterned rugs and furnishings and dark wooden tables and fireplaces. Modern travellers will enjoy the proximity to Chicago's top attractions, while a "budget traveller package" includes all meals (breakfast is always complimentary), plus transportation.
Occupying a deserving spot on the National Register of Historic Places, the Azalea Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn also goes by the name "Crawford-Whitehead-Ross House", which pays homage to several of the home's past proprietors. The oldest part of the Federal-style house dates to 1833 and was built for Samuel Crawford. And, though the home has seen renovations over the years, many original features remain including the doors and windows. Antique furnishings and classic books and records also pay tribute to the past, and breakfast can be enjoyed in the elegant dining room or on the veranda.
The Elkader Jail House Inn insists it would be "criminal" not to give these lodgings a try if you're in town. The building began life in the 1870s as a jail and home to the local sheriff, but today it contains a series of comfortable suites. An old cell block has also been converted into a cosy space for a game of shuffleboard or a glass of wine and a movie. Expect amenities such as queen beds, soaker tubs and, of course, a full breakfast.
The Historic Elgin Hotel was completed in 1886 to improve the economic prospects of Marion and its heyday continued right up until the 1950s. However, in 1967, when then-owner Richard A. “Dick” Lundgren was offered work opportunities elsewhere, the hotel closed its doors, fell into disrepair and faced demolition. It wasn't until 2006 that faithful renovations of this historic property began, and a bed and breakfast opened on the second floor. Modern guests can now expect plush rooms with oodles of period features and breakfast options including biscuits and gravy and homemade cinnamon rolls.
This Bardstown B&B, situated in the "Bourbon capital of the world" is dripping in history, comprising a Federal-style house and a Greek Revival manor. During the Civil War years, the cupola of that manor was used as a lookout tower and, after the bloody Battle of Perryville, the manor was converted into a field hospital for wounded troops. Now, more than 150 years later, Bourbon Manor is a charming B&B with a day spa and a bourbon bar in the old tobacco barn.
Houmas House, a Classical Revival-style mansion with a 240-year-old history, once belonged to wealthy sugar barons. Over the years, the plantation property changed hands numerous times with successive owners growing the home into the impressive pile seen today. A stay at The Inn at Houmas House, a string of cottages based on historic structures once situated in the lush grounds, includes breakfast and typically a guided tour of the mansion itself.
The York Harbor Inn dates right back to an economic boom in York Harbor in the 1870s, during which time the property was known as the Hillcroft Inn. It functioned as a resting place for travellers and boasted a dining area, tavern and a string of guest rooms. The buzzy lounge, then nicknamed "the Cellar", remains today as the Ship's Cellar Pub, now with a stylish nautical theme. Over more recent years, the inn has seen numerous additions and renovations, but it still retains its historic character and its welcoming, down-to-earth vibe.
The site this stunning mansion sits on once played host to an old stone house dating to the 1700s, when Taneytown was first established. It wasn't until 1844 that the land was acquired by Major Andrew G. Ege, and this glorious residence, with its large veranda and cupola, was built. The mansion's name comes from the county of Antrim in Northern Ireland, the place where early Taneytown settler Joseph McKaleb hailed from. Antrim 1844 has served as a B&B since the 1980s, and today guests enjoy luxuries such as hot tubs, wood-burning fireplaces and a generous country-style breakfast.
This Massachusetts inn started out in 1678 as a humble inn and tavern, where minutemen would meet during the Revolutionary War. However, over the years, the inn fell into disrepair and a fire eventually ravaged this original building. In an effort to save a slice of history, the inn was remodelled into a small boutique hotel that combines historic charm with luxurious modern amenities and offers a full complimentary breakfast to all guests.
This Mackinac Island inn embraces its history, with 1830, the year the inn was established, stamped proudly above its door. The home is built in the Greek Revival style and was once owned by Colonel Preston, an officer at Fort Mackinac and the island's first mayor. Today beautifully restored, the property has been in the Haan family since 1980. The decor is faithful to the past with patterned wallpaper and carved wood, while the shady porch is a peaceful place to relax.
The tale of Brechet Inn Bed & Breakfast is ultimately a love story. New Yorker Joseph J. Brechet was a successful young businessman who settled in the town of Glencoe in the 1870s. When he fell in love with fellow New Yorker Jennie C. Frankenstein in 1889, he promised to build his new sweetheart a castle if she would marry him. The pair were married two weeks later, and the "castle" was finished in 1899. Now the property boasts four grand suites, each named after the couple and their children.
The Duff Green Mansion has worn many different hats over the years. An impressive Palladian mansion, it was built in 1856 for local cotton broker Duff Green and his bride. However, when Civil War struck, Green allowed his home to be used as a hospital for both Confederate and Union troops. In the 20th century, the mansion also served as an orphanage for boys and a headquarters for the Salvation Army. Now it's an opulent B&B, and each guest is treated to a sit-down, three-course breakfast in the property's dining room.
Garth Woodside Mansion, dating to the 19th century, was owned by John and Helen Kercheval Garth, who were close friends of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name: Mark Twain. The pair entertained Twain at their residence numerous times over the years, and letters mentioning these visits still remain. It's even thought that John Garth could have inspired the character of Tom Sawyer. Now late-19th-century antiques fill the guest rooms and cottages and a home-cooked breakfast greets visitors in the morning.
The historic Fairweather Inn has presented many different faces over the years. It was deeded in 1863, then serving as a no-frills restaurant or "eating house". Over the years, it also became a butcher's shop, a hotel and saloon, and then a dormitory. Named for legendary miner Bill Fairweather, the inn was revamped and reopened in the 1940s, and again in 2016, though a sense of the past has been carefully protected. Details like steel bed frames and kitsch patterned wallpaper are a nod to the inn's varied history.
Guests at this quaint Cambridge spot get bed, breakfast and a history tour all in one. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the B&B was constructed from 1907–1910 and was built in the Neo-Classical style. It belonged to entrepreneur and farming man William H. Faling and his family, who were revered for their contributions to the local community. Visitors can learn about the Falings and rural Nebraskan life on a "Living History" tour around the property, then sleep over in one of four guestrooms finished with antique furniture.
In 1875, the Virginia City Great Fire burned down much of the Nevada town. It was then that local tobacconist Herman J. Harris bought the empty lots where Cobb Mansion Bed and Breakfast now stands and built a glittering mansion. The private residence changed hands numerous times over the years (proprietors included namesake William Cobb), and it eventually became a B&B in the 2000s. History and architecture buffs will appreciate features such as the original wainscot panelling in the family parlour and the grand Victorian fireplace in the formal parlour.
The words "circa 1789" are proudly emblazoned on the sign for The Hancock Inn, which is dubbed as the oldest continuously operating inn in New Hampshire. The property, established less than a decade after the end of the Revolutionary War, dates right back to 1789, and from its earliest beginnings served as a welcoming spot for travellers to eat and sleep. The bed and breakfast is still a cornerstone of the community with the current innkeepers' golden retriever, Potter, having become something of a local celebrity. Guests will find well-finished rooms, some with whirlpool tubs or fireplaces, plus comforting New England cuisine at the onsite Fox Tavern.
The Mason Cottage has been a guesthouse for "weary travellers" since the 1940s, though its history begins before that. The property dates to 1869, when construction began for wealthy Edward Warne and his wife Elizabeth. An interesting architectural feature is the pair of striking stairwells, which were built to split the house into two – half for the Warnes and half for their son and his wife. However, family conflicts led the Warnes to abandon the house, allowing it to eventually become the quaint B&B found here today.
Rancho Nambe is a perfect base for a historical vacation in the area, situated just a short drive north of Santa Fe, with glorious views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The property is an adobe hacienda thought to be more than 300 years old and is also within easy reach of historic sites such as the Bandelier National Monument, with its pueblo structures and cliff dwellings. Beyond the history, guests can usually enjoy the tranquil swimming pool, tennis courts and delicious breakfasts too. Note that Rancho Nambe is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 – check here for updates.
This New York property bills itself as "probably the oldest house in New York state that you can actually sleep in". The land the house sits on is thought to have been continuously occupied since 2000 BC and the house itself, an example of Dutch-style architecture, dates to the 1700s. Now a B&B, the stone house, built by early Dutch settlers, is characterised by its large beams, sloping roof and attractive fieldstone walls.
Thought to be one of the earliest structures in the area, the main part of the Arrowhead Inn Bed and Breakfast dates back to around 1775. The plantation home, set within six acres of peaceful grounds, has changed hands numerous times over the years: it's sometimes dubbed the Lipscomb House, after a man, thought to be an affluent planter, who once owned the mansion. Today the property is filled with fine rooms and suites, including the Lipscomb Room, in the home's original master bedroom.
A real taste of the Old West, this inn is named after the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, led by Theodore Roosevelt and nicknamed the Rough Riders. For a true dose of history, guests can request one of the venue's most historic rooms, from which, legend has it, President Roosevelt once gave a speech on the balcony. The theme is continued with books chronicling the life of Roosevelt, and Theodore's Dining Room with its dark wood and tin-tiled ceiling.
The Barn Inn is set on what was once a 90-acre farm in the heart of Ohio's Amish country and was owned by Swiss-born Fred Gehrig and his wife Mary Bigler Gehrig in the early 1900s. The couple ran the Honey Run Dairy Company, and though the original barn was mostly destroyed in a storm, the 1919 rebuilding was faithful to the original. From 1996, extensive renovations transformed the barn into the comfortable inn stood here today – vats once used for cheese are still preserved beneath the farmhouse.
This Tulsa B&B holds a whole lot of history. Dating back to the 1890s, the home was built and owned by Tecumseh Perryman, an indigenous American man who was a member of the Creek Nation and also part of the family that founded Tulsa. Tulsa native Sandi Dittmann eventually bought the house and spent more than six years on painstaking renovations, before opening the home as a B&B. Today visitors can still see Perryman's historic living room and enjoy one of the beautiful suites finished with native woods and large, pillowy beds.
Built in 1861, during the Gold Rush era, this inn is named for the historic town it's situated in: Jacksonville, which was established in the 1850s after miners struck gold in the creeks nearby. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property has remained an institution ever since, hosting US presidents and retaining 19th-century-era decor that pays homage to its Gold Rush roots. Guests can stay in the main inn or one of the luxurious cottages and enjoy breakfast at the property's celebrated restaurant.
Prepare for chills with our round-up of America's eeriest ghost towns
Herr Ridge's story starts in 1815, when it was established as a tavern – it was also an important stop along the Underground Railroad, the network that helped enslaved peoples to escape at this time. During the Civil War era, the tavern's function changed. The Battle of Gettysburg took place in fields a stone's throw from the tavern and the property ultimately served as a Confederate hospital. A string of comfy guest rooms and suites now complete The Inn at Herr Ridge, with complimentary afternoon tea on offer as well as breakfast.
Made up of a string of charming historic buildings, this inn can be found on 127-acre Mount Hope Farm, a leafy swathe of land in the seaport town of Bristol. The Georgian-style Governor Bradford House is particularly interesting: dating back to 1745, the home and its grounds served as an encampment for the 2nd Rhode Island Continental regiment during the Revolutionary War. Now it's a guesthouse filled with antiques, and five rooms named after past owners of the historic property.
This head-turning Charleston inn was built in 1763 for John Rutledge, the chairman of the committee who drafted the US constitution. Within these walls, and specifically in the second-floor drawing room, Rutledge wrote several versions of the constitution, before signing it alongside the Founding Fathers. The landmark building survived a great fire and a direct attack from Union troops during the Civil War, and today it welcomes guests to its 19 rooms and suites. Breakfast can be taken in the courtyard, the ballroom or in the comfort of your own room.
The ghost of yesteryear is said to walk among the halls of the Historic Bullock Hotel. Situated in downtown Deadwood, the property was built in 1895 and gets its name from Seth Bullock, Lawrence County's first sheriff. The hotel was renovated in 1990, but according to local lore, the ghost of Seth Bullock haunts the property, which retains original features such as skylights and staircases. Guests might want to keep one eye open as they overnight in one of the 28 guest rooms and fill up on breakfast at Bully’s restaurant.
Time warp travel: the world's eeriest abandoned hotels and airports
The Commodore Hotel building once stared the wrecking ball in the face, before it was saved by Michael and Kathy Dumont, who lovingly restored it to its former glory. The hotel was originally built in 1939 and, during its redevelopment, the proprietors salvaged as many 20th-century features as they could, from the oak flooring to the Art-Deco doorknobs. Save from mod cons like HD TVs and free Wi-Fi, stepping into the Commodore is like stepping into the 1930s.
Guests are whisked back in time at the quaint Woldert-Spence Manor, which dates to the 1800s. It's the oldest B&B in town and it's been painstakingly restored to its 19th-century glory, which was the vision of the Wolderts, a wealthy merchant family. Fast-forward to today and the manor is filled with seven charming guest rooms and retains period features like stained glass and intricate woodwork.
As the name suggests, this Park City property began life as a schoolhouse in the 19th century and was named for the founding father and first president George Washington. The façade just about survived the ravaging fire Park City suffered in 1898, but the building ceased to be a schoolhouse by the 1930s. It was used instead as a social events space for the Veterans of Foreign Wars organisation. Its life as a B&B began in 1984 and today it remains a stunning accommodation option in Park City, complete with vintage furniture, abstract artwork, a heated pool and spa, and luxurious communal areas.
Proudly touting its status as Vermont's oldest continuously operating inn, The Dorset Inn dates back to 1796, when it served as a resting place for those travellers on their way to bustling market towns like Boston. The inn remained in favour throughout the decades, and in 1918 owner Amy Ann Lapham expanded the property, heightening its popularity even further. Now, centuries on and having been lovingly restored, the B&B retains period detailing such as the pine floors and 19th-century furnishings.
A truly significant build, the Red Fox Inn & Tavern was established in 1728 in Middleburg, a historic town in the heart of Virginia's "Horse and Hunt Country". The property, once a favoured stop-off for colonists passing through, survived both the Revolutionary and the Civil War. Over the years, it has also welcomed distinguished guests from John F Kennedy to Elizabeth Taylor. Today it's protected on the National Register of Historic Places and offers elegant guest rooms and breakfast in The Tavern.
The history of this site begins in the 1860s when a man named Jacob Kibler homesteaded the land and built up a farm, eventually constructing the farmhouse and other buildings between 1903 and 1907. Though the Kibler family remained here for most of the 20th century, over the years much of the farmstead fell into disrepair. However, following major restorations beginning in 1986, the impressive site we see today was born: the farm's "Summer Kitchen", chicken coop and more were turned into cottages, and the Abeja winery is housed in a barn once used for horses.
The story of this Charles Town property has its roots in the 1700s, when a young George Washington arrived on this land as a surveyor for Lord Fairfax. Impressed, Washington decided to invest his own money into the land, and the 550 acres he purchased includes those now belonging to Hillbrook Inn. Washington eventually acquired more and more land, including the oldest part of the Hillbrook Inn property, which dates to circa 1700. In the 1920s Brigadier General Frank E. Bamford built the country inn we can recognise today as a private residence – now it's a luxury B&B with a spa.
This impressive mansion, with its gabled roof, towers and turrets, was modelled on a fairy-tale Austrian castle. Built in 1879, it was originally the private summer residence of a pair of brothers – the siblings were affluent wagon builders from Chicago who hosted distinguished visitors, including author Mark Twain, at their home. The property became the Pine Terrace Resort in the 1920s and extensive renovation work in the 1980s restored the inn to its current opulent state, complete with Bradbury and Bradbury wallpaper and a salt-water swimming pool.
As the name suggests, this hotel was built for William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the legendary hunter and entertainer who has become a symbol of America's Wild West. In the 1890s, Buffalo Bill helped found Cody, the town in which this atmospheric property is set. Then, in 1902, he went about building "just the sweetest hotel that ever was", the Irma Hotel, named for his daughter. Now the renovated rooms, including Buffalo Bill's private suite, capture the essence of the Old West, while contemporary amenities ensure the comfort of modern guests.
Love this? Now check out America's most historic and beautiful downtowns