Top 10 Most Famous Historic Homes in America (2024)

1: The White House, Washington, D.C.

The White House is built with Croatian limestone and took quite a while to be fully built. So long, in fact, that the first president never saw it completed.

Located on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., the White House is where every President of the United States has lived since John Adams.

Since then, every President leaves a special mark on the house, changing the interior and exterior ever so slightly. Tours are available throughout the year.

2: The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina

If you plan on visiting North Carolina, you should head to the Biltmore Estate, a beautiful Victorian castle that has 250 rooms.

The estate was constructed in the late 1800s and opened during Christmas in 1895 by George Vanderbilt. You can take a self-guided tour of the house, and you are also welcome to walk through a gorgeous garden.

There is also the Antler Hill Village where you can shop, dine, and enjoy special events. For wine lovers, be sure to check out the complimentary tastings.

3: 1892 Bishop’s Palace, Galveston, Texas

Previously known as Gresham House, the Bishop’s Palace was created in 1892 and, according to the Galveston Historical Society, is one of the most significant Victorian residences throughout the US.

Owned by Colonel Walter Gresham, a Texas legislator and railroad builder designed this home out of some of the finest materials, such as steel and stone, of that era that it hasn’t weathered at all over a century. Check it out.

4: Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee

5: Hearst Castle, San Simeon, California

The Hearst Castle looks like a fairy tale destination in California. Owned by William Randolph Hearst, who started the San Francisco Examiner newspaper commissioned the castle.

In the present day, the Hearst Castle is an epicenter for art, artifacts, and collectibles from around the world that took over 28 years to finish and has 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, and over 90,000 square feet space.

6: Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia

In the past, the Third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, lived at the Monticello, a plantation in Virginia.

The reason Monticello is the most visited house in America is that it has become known as a “home of firsts.” The Monticello was the first home in the United States to have indoor toilets, a domed ceiling, and even the predecessor of a Murphy Bed, which is raised and lowered into the wall. The grounds are also preserved and quite beautiful.

7: George Washington’s House, Mount Vernon, Virginia

There are many reasons to visit George Washington’s plantation. Not only do you get a glimpse of what life was like for the first President of the United States. The entire house is decorated in furnishings from when Washington was still alive—and it’s quite fascinating to stand where he once stood.

Visitors can enjoy a museum and a working gristmill. You can even go to Pioneer Farm for a hands-on experience of colonial life. Virtual tours are also available online!

8: The Breakers, Newport, Rhode Island

One of the most stunning houses along the East Coast would be the Breakers, a mansion from the gilded age that was constructed for Cornelius Vanderbilt II.

The Breakers has 65,000 square feet of space shared between 70 rooms, and the actual footprint of the building covers one acre out of the 13 that make up the entire estate. It’s a stunning architectural marvel both inside and out.

9: The Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia, Philadelphia

In the City of Brotherly Love, you can see where the woman who made the first American flag lived. The colonial style house built in 1740 is open to the public throughout the week and is next to a small garden.

The most distinctive feature about the Betsy Ross House is the circle of 13 stars on the flag out front. Afterwards, go check out the Liberty Bell and other remnants from the colonial ages.

10: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Miami, Florida

The Vizcaya is the epitome of Floridian elegance. The mansion was built between the years 1914 and 1922 to become the home of James Deering. On the outside, the Vizcaya looks like an Italian palazzo, along with beautiful bridges, grottos, and gardens.

There are also French elements throughout the grounds that blend together for a picturesque environment. A special feature about the Vizcaya would be that, unlike many other mansions that have been converted into museums, this building has kept all the original furnishings, which are now over 100 years old.