Grayson West
If you’ve ever strolled past an old mansion and wondered what life was like behind those tall windows, you’re not alone. Historic home tours let you step inside America’s architectural legacy that once housed tycoons, statesmen, and visionaries. So, let’s take a closer look at 20 U.S. cities that offer some of the best experiences around.
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is famous for its collection of Gilded Age mansions, each more extravagant than the last. The Breakers, Marble House, and Rosecliff showcase European-inspired architecture and sweeping coastal views. Guided tours reveal stories of American tycoons who summered in these palatial estates during the 19th century.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco’s Victorian mansions are iconic, particularly the Painted Ladies near Alamo Square. These colorful homes represent the city’s post-Gold Rush boom. Tours of the Haas-Lilienthal House provide a deeper understanding of San Francisco’s transformation into a beacon of West Coast affluence.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah has a historic district full of well-preserved mansions. Mercer-Williams House and Owens-Thomas House are the top attractions, as they feature stunning Federal and Regency architecture. Spanish moss-draped streets and hidden gardens make the city feel like an open-air museum of 18th- and 19th-century Southern elegance.
Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is home to an extraordinary number of antebellum mansions that survived the Civil War. Twice a year, during the Spring and Fall Pilgrimage, several of these private homes open to the public. Visitors can see Greek Revival mansions like Longwood and Stanton Hall, which are rich with Southern history and architecture.
Charleston, South Carolina
Nathaniel Russell House and the Aiken-Rhett House are historic mansions in Charleston that exemplify Southern architectural charm. These homes are immaculately restored and open for public tours. Set against cobblestone streets and gaslit pathways, Charleston takes you on a journey through time with each preserved antebellum residence.
New Orleans, Louisiana
In New Orleans, the Garden District is renowned for its grand mansions, all shaded by ancient oak trees. Visitors can admire Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian styles. Homes like the Buckner Mansion are featured in film and television. Guided walking tours here reveal the history behind this stylish and storied neighborhood.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood and Back Bay area feature elegant brownstones and townhouses. Among them is the Gibson House Museum, considered a remarkably well-preserved example of a Victorian-era rowhouse. Combined with Boston’s colonial roots, these tours show multiple chapters of American history through the lens of architectural evolution.
Washington, D.C.
The capital city offers mansion tours that reveal its diplomatic and social past. Anderson House and Dumbarton Oaks are standouts, showcasing rich interiors and manicured grounds. These homes were once gathering places for political and cultural meetings, and today, they preserve the elegance of Washington’s historical elite.
Louisville, Kentucky
Old Louisville claims the largest contiguous collection of Victorian mansions in the United States. Walking tours wind through tree-lined streets and restored beauties like the Conrad-Caldwell House. This area blends Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, and Romanesque styles—making it a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
Asheville, North Carolina
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is the largest privately owned home in the U.S. Built by art collector George Vanderbilt, the 250-room chateau is surrounded by manicured gardens and forest trails. Touring the house and grounds, you glimpse the grandeur of the American aristocracy during the Gilded Age.
Providence, Rhode Island
Have you ever heard Providence’s Benefit Street referred to as the “Mile of History”? There’s a good reason for that. This charming stretch is home to over 100 colonial-era houses, many of which are open for you to explore. The Governor Stephen Hopkins House and the John Brown House Museum offer a fascinating glimpse into life during the Revolutionary War era.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Among Philadelphia’s historic homes are the Powel House and Hill-Physick House. They are the best showcase of the city’s colonial and Federal past. These mansions once hosted figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. You get to see preserved buildings during a walk through Society Hill’s cobblestone streets.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis’ Central West End is a treasure trove of mansions from the past era. Many of these homes were built by brewing and railroad magnates. The Magic Chef Mansion and Cupples House make guided tours available, showing ornate interiors and the lavish lifestyles of the industrial age in the Midwest.
Sarasota, Florida
The Ca’ d’Zan Mansion, once home to circus magnate John Ringling, reflects Venetian Gothic grandeur. Overlooking Sarasota Bay, this palatial home is filled with European antiques and art. The estate’s lush gardens and waterfront views make it one of Florida’s most unique and luxurious historic attractions.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s Gold Coast and Prairie Avenue Historic District boast impressive 19th-century mansions. For a deep dive into Gilded Age design, check out the Richard H. Driehaus Museum. Meanwhile, guided tours along Astor Street let you access architecturally significant homes built by the city’s industrial elite during its economic heyday.
Danville, Virginia
Danville’s Millionaires’ Row showcases grand Victorian and Edwardian homes built by tobacco tycoons. The Langhorne House and Sutherlin Mansion reflect wealth and historical significance. Many homes let you take self-guided or seasonal tours, providing a look into the life and architecture of Virginia’s once-booming industrial elite.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Heritage Hills in Oklahoma City is filled with stately early-20th-century homes, including the beautifully preserved Overholser Mansion. This historic district was built according to Prairie, Colonial Revival, and Neoclassical architecture. The mansion tells the city’s growth story through oil wealth and urban development during the early statehood era.
Michigan City, Indiana
Barker Mansion was built by a prominent railcar manufacturer. This Gilded Age gem in Michigan City boasts carved wood interiors and period furnishings that transport visitors back to a time of industry and elegance. Public tours explore the family’s legacy and the mansion’s role in the city’s history.
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem’s House of the Seven Gables is one of America’s most famous literary landmarks. It’s actually the American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ancestral home. Inside is a glimpse of colonial and maritime life. Tour-goers explore secret staircases and centuries-old rooms while learning about the town’s storied past beyond the witch trials.
Poughkeepsie, New York
Locust Grove Estate in Poughkeepsie was once the home of telegraph inventor Samuel Morse. This Italianate villa features original furnishings and scenic Hudson River views. This tour is for those fascinated with 19th-century innovation and the leisurely lifestyle of New York’s upper class during the Victorian era.