Step Back In Time When You Stay In These Beautiful And Historic Inns Across The U.S.
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Sarah McCosham
Author
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
There’s something inherently compelling about an old inn, whether it’s a historic tavern that once hosted America’s founding fathers or a legendary establishment found in one of our country’s haunting ghost towns. These old accommodations come with impressive historical resumes and clout, offering guests the unique opportunity to step back in time in the most captivating and charming of settings. Here are the most beautiful and historic inns across the U.S. perfect for history lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Timberline Lodge, 27500 E Timberline Road, Government Camp, OR 97028, USA
Built in 1937, Oregon's Timberline Lodge has long been a grand getaway for visitors wanting to experience the magnificence of Mt. Hood. If you’re a movie buff, you'll recognize Timberline Lodge as the same hotel where Jack Nicholson’s character in "The Shining" met his demise -- but make no mistake about it, the only thing "haunting" about this inn is how hauntingly beautiful it is.
Inn Service Road, Inn Service Rd, Sun Valley, ID 83353, USA
Home to the country's first ski resort, Sun Valley's eponymous Inn is the very definition of cozy. While the resort is a marvelous mountain escape in the winter, the inn is a charming treasure that's not to be overlooked. The Sun Valley Inn opened its doors in 1937 and while the exterior of this historic structure is reminiscent of an Austrian ski chalet, its interior (including 97 guest rooms) has been redesigned, restored, and in some cases, fully remodeled.
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Napa River Inn, 500 Main St, Napa, CA 94559, USA
A historic inn nestled in the heart of California Wine Country, Napa River Inn harkens back to the 1880s and is steeped in Golden State history. Built in 1884 by Captain Albert Hatt, the inn is part of the eponymous mill, both of which are the sole vestiges of the once-booming Napa City. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Napa River Inn has been lovingly refurbished in a way that respects its historic roots; guests can expect fine dining, in-room fireplaces, and riverfront views -- all just a stone's throw from the ever-glorious Napa Valley.
La Fonda on the Plaza, 100 E San Francisco St, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
With wood beams, latilla ceilings, and ornate woodwork, La Fonda bears the iconic, Pueblo-style architecture for which Santa Fe is well known. While the hotel as we know it today opened in 1922, the property on which it's located harkens back to the 1600s when Santa Fe was first discovered by the Spanish. Today, La Fonda on the Plaza's 180 Southwest-inspired guest rooms and lobby adorned with local artwork make it a must for an authentic New Mexico experience -- with perhaps a spirit or two, as the inn is rumored to be haunted.
El Tovar Hotel, 9 Village Loop Drive, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023, USA
Arizona's iconic El Tovar Hotel, located directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon, first opened its doors in 1905. The hotel was designed by Charles Whittlesey, Chief Architect for the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway, who envisioned it as a cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian Villa. The hotel was built from local limestone and Oregon pine, and upon opening in 1905, many considered the El Tovar the grandest hotel in the American West. Nearly 125 years later, El Tovar is as enchanting as ever, offering guests unparalleled views of the Grand Canyon -- without stepping foot outdoors.
Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301, USA
Located in charming and historic Durango, the Strater Hotel is an Old West-style hotel that is comprised of 376,000 native red bricks and hand-carved sandstone. The Colorado icon opened in 1887, and in addition to its iconic exterior, the Strater also boasts an equally memorable interior with authentic turn-of-the-century decor and the world's largest collection of American Victorian Antiques. Over 90 guest suites offer visitors a comfortable place to rest their feet, and the hotel's Diamond Belle Saloon is a literal taste of the Wild, Wild West!
Totten Trail Inn, 4 Historic Sq , Fort Totten, ND 58335, St Michael, ND 58370, USA
Harkening back to 1867, the Totten Trail Inn is a historic North Dakota gem that was originally an officer's home. Today, it's equally commanding in its current incarnation as an inn, retaining period details such as a grand staircase and stamped-tin walls. The Inn is actually one of several historic buildings on the grounds of Fort Totten State Historic Site, and potential guests should be aware that the inn has long been the topic of ghost stories and rumored hauntings.
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Crescent Hotel and Spa, 75 Prospect Ave, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, USA
A place of regal opulence in the heart of the Natural State, there's no inn in the country quite like the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa. Part of the the lineup of hundreds of Victorian buildings that make up Eureka Springs, Arkansas (the entire town of which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places), the 1886 Crescent Hotel is a vision. Historical significance aside, the Crescent's sprawling verandas and stunning mountain scenery make this Arkansas resort one of the most marvelous accommodations in the country, period.
Jekyll Island Club Resort, 371 Riverview Dr, Jekyll Island, GA 31527, USA
A real life kingdom in the Peach State, a stay at Jekyll Island Club Resort will have you feeling like American royalty. Built in in 1886 as a hunting retreat for America’s wealthy elite including J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, Joseph Pulitzer, as well as the Vanderbilts, Goulds and Astors, this Queen Anne-style hotel was restored in 1986 and is now a National Historic Landmark and a member of Historic Hotels of America. Its historical resume includes, among other noteworthy events, being the site of the first Transatlantic phone call in 1915.
The Golden Lamb Restaurant & Hotel, 27 S Broadway St, Lebanon, OH 45036, USA
The oldest continuously operating business in Ohio, The Golden Lamb harkens back to 1803, the year the Buckeye State was established. This grand building has long been a fixture on Broadway in Lebanon and has been prosperous for many reasons; most notably, its prime location halfway between Cincinnati and the National Road (now U.S. Route 40). Speaking to Ohio's presidential history, the restaurant and inn has hosted 12 U.S. Presidents, from John Quincy Adams to George W. Bush. Today, the Golden Lamb offers visitors a step back in time in its 17 historic rooms, some of which are said to be haunted.
Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn, 6387 Mill St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, USA
Established in 1766, New York's The Beekman Arms and Delamater Inn is a treasure rife with historic significance. This stately white inn has quite the historic resume, too: its tavern was once a watering hole for George Washington; its front steps were where Franklin Roosevelt launched all four campaigns; and, most recently, its 73 guest rooms housed those in town for the wedding of First Daughter Chelsea Clinton. Add in the incomparably beautiful natural beauty of the Hudson Valley, and you've the makings of a very memorable getaway in the Empire State.
The Middlebury Inn, 16 Court Square, Middlebury, VT 05753, USA
Hailing from 1827, the Middlebury Inn is a treasure of a place in a treasure of a town. With a glorious waterfall (in the heart of town, no less), a beautiful college campus, and classic covered bridges, Middlebury is peak New England charm, and this inn fits right in. What began as the Vermont Hotel, one of several brick houses that once dotted New England, is today the Middlebury Inn, a 71-room hotel which boasts numerous historic details including the hefty front desk where you'll check in upon arrival.
History is all around us here in the U.S., and these historic inns invite guests to experience the past in a wholly unique and wonderful way!
Instagram Inspiration
Looking for more swoon-worthy accommodations for your bucket list? Head to charming Helen, Georgia, and check into The Castle Inn, a cozy Bavarian Inn within walking distance to the town’s top attractions. For more travel inspiration and to discover unique destinations across the USA, follow OnlyInYourState on Instagram and Facebook.
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