Degas House
Authentic 19th-century decor is just one of the reasons you should plan a trip to the Degas House, a New Orleans bed-and-breakfast. It isn't well known that French Impressionist Edgar Degas had relatives in America—but he did, and to drive home this point, the walls are bedecked with reproductions of the artwork he created during the year he lived in this family home.
Duncan House
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of America's most famous architects, and there are a growing number of his homes that you can rent—among them the Duncan House. The residence was relocated from Illinois to Pennsylvania, not far from Fallingwater, and is on a campus with three other homes—also available for rent—designed by Wright protégés.
Seth Peterson Cottage
Another Frank Lloyd Wright home you can rent is the Seth Peterson Cottage. More secluded and smaller than the Duncan House, this one-bedroom cottage sits on Mirror Lake, outside Lake Delton, Wisconsin. When local citizens saw the home was in need of restoration, they formed a conservancy to make sure the midcentury masterpiece didn't fall into disrepair.
Wilton House
Use your weekend to step away from your surroundings—and into a whole different era. The Wilton House is a meticulously preserved Colonial home, right down to its 18th-century woodwork. The house has been thoughtfully modernized, so although you'll feel as if you've traveled back in time, you'll be able to do so in comfort.
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Sinatra House
If rustic isn't your thing, there are more glamorous options on our list. Get a taste of Old Hollywood at Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs estate. Ol' Blue Eyes commissioned the home after he made his first million and bolstered the Hollywood trend of weekends away in this desert resort city.
Russell House
Palm Springs's popularity in the 1950s made it a hotbed for innovative midcentury modern architecture. Russell House, a modernist gem designed by seminal architect Albert Frey, is perched on a mountainside overlooking the Coachella Valley. This retreat offers all the amenities a pleasure-seeker could ask for: an infinity pool, spa, incredible views, and a natural waterfall that empties into a koi pond.
Orson Welles Estate
If you're traveling west, there are plenty of Hollywood legacy homes to book for your next vacation. Orson Welles's Hollywood Hills estate is available—and, as you can imagine, it perfectly embodies Old Hollywood glamour. With a spa, pool, and views overlooking the valley, the home will make you feel as if Los Angeles is sprawled at your feet.
Vermejo Park Ranch
If you aren't looking for glitz and glamour on your getaway, Vermejo Park Ranch might be more your speed. Retreat to this whopping 591,000-acre ranch, but skip the lodges and opt for Casa Grande, Ted Turner's former eight-bedroom home. Here you can fish, hunt, or just enjoy the mountain view in solitude.
Vineyard Retreat
For a unique experience in a classic destination, visit the Vineyard Retreat on Martha's Vineyard. The building, initially a 19th-century Methodist church, has been carefully restored to preserve such original details as the tin ceilings and flooring, while updating the property into a stunning and comfortable vacation home.
Naulakha House
Naulakha House, a National Historic Landmark, was once home to famed author Rudyard Kipling—in fact, it's where he wrote The Jungle Book. Right outside the front door you'll find plenty of hiking, as well as skiing in the winter and music festivals in the summer. You can even play a game of tennis on Vermont's first-ever tennis court, which is part of the property.
For More...
For more cool and unique houses, check out:
Bob Vila's Architecture Bucket List: 10 Must-See Wonders
Home Alone: 10 Beautiful Homes in the Middle of Nowhere
On the Waterfront: 10 Tiny Lake Houses
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