Historical B&B

Best Historical B&B

By Readers' Choice On 7/18/24 at 12:00 PM EDT

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A bed and breakfast makes a great getaway or a cozy alternative to a hotel, and these historic B&Bs offer that same escape and personal touch with the added bonus of a window into history. Boasting the charm and grandeur of years past, the historic venues on our list range from colonial houses in Pennsylvania and pre–Civil War Southern estates to a 19th-century West Coast lighthouse.

These 10 historical B&Bs were selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best. Congratulations to our 2024 winners; you can now visit our 2025 Best Historical B&B contest.

Cartier Mansion

1. Cartier Mansion Bed and Breakfast—Ludington, MI

Built by the lumber baron Cartier family in 1905, the Cartier Mansion now serves as an adults-only bed and breakfast run by the Simpler family. A beautiful example of neoclassical architecture, the inn comprises both the Mansion, with its historically rich guest rooms, and the Carriage House, which has been converted into four unique guest suites with dog-friendly accommodations, including one ADA accessible room.

Houmas House

2. The Inn at Houmas House—Darrow, LA

The Inn at Houmas House offers a stay on an antebellum sugarcane plantation just a short walk from the Mississippi River. Comprising a series of historically styled cottages, the inn features Old World furnishings as well as modern amenities to ensure your comfort. Breakfast for two is included, and you can obtain tickets for a guided tour of the estate and make reservations to dine at one of its restaurants.

Laurium Inn

3. Laurium Manor Inn—Laurium, MI

When mining magnate Thomas Hoatson Jr. built Laurium Manor for his wife, Cornelia, in 1908, the four-story residence stood as the largest, most splendid on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. The 45-room mansion became a bed and breakfast in 1989, retaining many of its unique features, such as the silver-leaf domed parlor ceiling, elephant leather wall coverings and hand-carved oak triple staircase. It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

Kane Manor Inn

4. Kane Manor Inn—Kane, PA

This beautiful B&B offers accommodations atop the Allegheny Plateau with outstanding views of the national forest and countryside. Originally built in 1896 by the family of Civil War General Thomas Kane, this Georgian Revival mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It now houses 16 guest accommodations that include a fresh, hot breakfast.

Bourbon Manor

5. Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast—Bardstown, KY

The world's first bourbon-themed B&B can be found housed in two pre–Civil War plantation houses in the heart of Kentucky's Bourbon Country. The Federal House Cottage dates back to around 1810, and the Greek Revival Oaklawn Plantation dates back to around 1823. The inn offers a total of 10 luxurious rooms that blend antiques with modern amenities, a "country gourmet" breakfast with bourbon-infused pastries, and a spa.

Historic Smithton Inn

6. Historic Smithton Inn—Ephrata, PA

A beautiful colonial house built in 1763, the Historic Smithton Inn is now home to a bed and breakfast in the heart of Lancaster County's Amish Country. Its charming accommodations offer historic elegance without skimping on modern amenities like WiFi, EV charging and whirlpool tubs. Take a turn around the lovely garden before indulging in a delicious home-cooked breakfast each morning.

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7. Captain Farris House—South Yarmouth, MA

A beautiful bed and breakfast located on Cape Cod, the Captain Ferris House was built by a sea captain in 1845. The inn retains much of the original Greek Revival architecture while introducing modern amenities in its four suites and six guest rooms. Enjoy a two-course homemade breakfast for two before strolling along the Bass River or lounging in the B&B's picturesque gardens.

Capitol Hill

8. Capitol Hill Mansion Bed and Breakfast Inn—Denver, CO

Dating back to 1891, this ruby sandstone mansion sits on Millionaire's Row, early Denver's upscale neighborhood, just a block from the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown's home. The inn features eight distinctive rooms and suites named for Colorado wildflowers. Historic accents and details are paired with modern amenities for a comfortable stay. After breakfast, guests can explore the historic houses and museums around the Capitol Hill Mansion.

Dunleith

9. Dunleith Historic Inn—Natchez, MS

A National Landmark, the Dunleith Historic Inn offers a luxurious experience in its Greek Revival, pre–Civil War mansion. The inn comprises three historic buildings: the Main House, Courtyard and Dairy Barn, which have all been converted into a total of 22 elegant guest rooms. Overnight guests enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast and, for supper, can dine at the Castle Restaurant, housed in the converted carriage house and stables.

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10. Thomas Bond House Bed and Breakfast—Philadelphia, PA

Located in the heart of Philadelphia's historic district, the Thomas Bond House, a beautifully restored example of Georgian Revival architecture, places guests in easy proximity to this city's old-town attractions. Built in 1769 by a colonial physician, this four-story home now features a dozen guests rooms outfitted with furnishings from the Federalist period.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Panel of Experts

Amy Piper

Amy Piper is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer and author specializing in luxury and multigenerational travel. She is a native Michigander who travels through the lens of a food lover and has been to 45 states and 41 countries around the world. From getting chased by bomb-sniffing dogs in the middle of the night in Bogotá to being boarding on her plane from Buenos Aires to Paraguay due to the wrong visa, Amy always has an exciting adventure to tell her readers and community of travel enthusiasts. Learn more at followthepiper.com.

Pamela Baker

Pamela Baker is a freelance food, wine and travel writer living in Northern California. She has been published in regional, national and international publications, including WineTraveler, Best Wineries, Rovology, Wander with Wonder, LuxeBeat, Porthole Cruise, Northwest Travel and Life, and Washington Tasting Room. Pam is the former editor of Sacramento Lifestyle Magazine and writes a wine column for Food Wine Travel Magazine. Follow her adventures at pamandgarybaker.com.

Robin Smith headshot

Robin O'Neal Smith is a freelance writer covering food, travel, wine and lifestyle topics. A "foodie," she enjoys savoring the food and wine wherever her travels take her and finding the hidden gems in destinations to share with her readers. She resides in Pennsylvania, and her work has appeared in Potomac Lifestyle, Travel Awaits, She Buys Travel, Extended Weekend Getaways and many others. Robin has appeared on various podcasts as an expert on travel topics. She is a TravMedia member and serves on the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association board.
Follow her adventures at robinonealsmith.com.

Susan Lanier-Graham

Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.