Geography Geography 6 min read

AMERICA’S BEST MANSIONS AND ESTATES

Luxury living: 10 impressive historic homes worth visiting

Image: Ramith Bhasuka

You don't have to travel all the way up to Europe to enjoy grand estates and castles. The United States is full of historic mansions that tell stories of times past, from the Gilded Age to the Roaring 20s. Today, many of these architectural marvels have been carefully restored and are available for public tours. Read on to discover 10 breathtaking mansions where the country's wealthiest and most distinguished American families used to live.

1
Vanderbilt Mansion

Image: Michael Denning

The Vanderbilt Mansion was one of several homes owned by Frederick William Vanderbilt and his wife Louise Holmes Anthony. Built between 1896 and 1899, this 54-room marvel is an excellent example of the Beaux-Arts architectural style , characterized by its grandeur and ornate detailing. In addition, the mansion's interiors are representative of the American Renaissance.

Historically known as Hyde Park, the estate includes 211 acres and is built on a hilltop overlooking the Hudson River. It includes well-groomed flowerbeds, formal gardens, woodlands, and ancillary buildings. In 1940 the Vanderbilt Mansion was designated a National Historic Landmark. Today it’s a historic house museum operated by the National Park Service.

2
Hildene Mansion

Image: sarahlawrence603

Hildene Mansion was built in 1905 by Robert Todd Lincoln, eldest son of President Abraham Lincoln. This Georgian Revival-style mansion is set on a 200-foot promontory, which offers a panoramic view of the Battenkill Valley. The name "Hildene" comes from Old English words meaning "hill" and "valley with stream".

Hildene Mansion remained in the possession of the Lincoln family until 1975. Then, in 1978, the property was acquired by a non-profit organization that restored it, preserving its historic integrity. Today this former summer home is one of Vermont's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can wander around the large estate and contemplate its opulence: from the grand entry staircase to the original furnishings.

3
Swan House

Image: Michael Starkie

Swan House, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a historic mansion built in 1928 by Edward and Emily Inman, heirs to a cotton fortune. The mansion's eclectic design combines neo-Renaissance styles with a classical approach. The 28-acre estate features terraced gardens and a cascading fountain on the hillside. Carved or painted swans are a recurring motif throughout the house and gardens.

In 1966, the Atlanta Historical Society acquired the house and grounds. Today, Swan House is part of the Atlanta History Center and operates as a museum documenting 1920s American history. Many of the Inmans' original furniture pieces are still on display, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

4
Hearst Castle

Image: Mike Hsieh

On the west coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, there’s a magnificent mansion, a combination of a medieval castle , a Spanish cathedral , and a Roman temple. Hearst Castle is the result of the feverish dreams of one of the greatest tycoons of the 20th century: William Randolph Hearst.

Facing the Pacific Ocean, this four-building palace has 175 rooms, 40 bathrooms, and gigantic extensions of gardens. An immense semicircular outdoor swimming pool, a private zoo, tennis courts, a huge Gothic-style library, a movie theater, and an airfield are also part of this estate that took almost thirty years to build. Once visited by the most prominent Hollywood stars and politicians of the time, today Hearst Castle is registered as a National Historic Landmark and functions as a museum.

5
Ca d’Zan

Image: Tessa Edmiston

This estate located on the shores of Sarasota Bay was once the exquisite winter residence of American circus magnate John Ringling and his wife Mable. The majestic Ca' d'Zan —Venetian for "John's House"— is an incredible Mediterranean-style architectural beauty built in 1926 to resemble a palace on the Grand Canal in Venice.

The extravagant 5-story building is adorned with stained glass, stucco, and terra cotta details. It features 56 rooms, an 82-foot observation tower, and an impressive marble terrace overlooking the ocean. This residence, an icon of the Florida Boom Years of the 1920s, was restored by the state and opened to the public in 2002.

6
Old Westbury Gardens

Image: Jialin Hu

Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located in Nassau County on New York's Long Island peninsula. The 23-room estate was once the home of businessman John S. Phipps, his wife Margarita Grace, and their four children.

Completed in 1906 by English designer George A. Crawley, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion is set amid 160 acres of formal gardens, woodlands, ponds, and lakes. This former private estate is now a museum that can be visited from April through October. It is also regularly used for cultural events, private parties, and as a film set for Hollywood productions.

7
Oheka Castle

Image: Peter Oswald

Believed to have inspired "The Great Gatsby," Oheka Castle is the largest private home in New York and the third largest in the United States. Although now it’s a hotel, this estate was once the country home of financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn and his family. In fact, the name "Oheka" is an abbreviation derived from the first letters of his name.

The mansion, located on the North Shore of Long Island in West Hills, New York, was built between 1914 and 1919. In recent years Oheka Castle has gained popularity as a wedding venue for socialites and celebrities and was used for photo shoots , films , and television series. The castle also houses a bar and a restaurant and offers guided tours for regular visitors.

8
Lyndhurst Mansion

Image: Pixabay

Designed in 1838 by the famous American architect Alexander Jackson Davis, Lyndhurst Mansion is a remarkable example of Gothic Revival architecture. This country house is located in Tarrytown, New York, along the Hudson River, and was owned by New York Mayor William Paulding Jr, merchant George Merritt, and railroad magnate Jay Gould.

In 1961, Gould's daughter, Anna Gould, donated it to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 1966, Lyndhurst was recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a testament to its historical and architectural significance. Today, the house is open to the public, allowing visitors to explore its unique features and learn about its rich history.

9
Villa Vizcaya

Image: Zoshua Colah

Between 1914 and 1923 philanthropist and conservationist James Deering built this sumptuous mansion as his winter home. Born in South Paris, Maine, Deering suffered from anemia, so his doctors recommended that he seek refuge in a sunny, warm climate. South Florida was the perfect place to recuperate. He lived in Miami until his death in 1925.

In the mid-20th century, the county took possession of the complex and its extensive Italian Renaissance gardens and began operating as a museum. Over the years Villa Vizcaya has hosted countless historic events, such as the meeting between Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II, and the first Summit of the Americas. In 1994 it was designated a National Historic Landmark and today is open to the public for tours.

10
The Biltmore Estate

Image: Stephanie Klepacki

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina stands a true architectural marvel: the Biltmore Estate. At more than 178,926 square feet, this legendary residence with 250 rooms, 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces is the largest privately owned house in the country . Biltmore Estate is also a monument that reflects the grandeur and luxury of the American Gilded Age.

Inspired by the landscape, George Washington Vanderbilt, grandson of industrial titan Cornelius Vanderbilt, set out to build an estate that would combine European elegance with American nature. Designed in the Châteauesque style, the mansion —which reportedly cost $5 million (equivalent to about $183 million today)— was finally inaugurated on Christmas Eve of 1895. Today, the Biltmore Estate attracts millions of visitors every year who are amazed by its architectural splendor and history.

History History 4 min read

Young bright minds

Did you know these 11 things were children's ideas?

Image: Pexels

Do you remember how you spent your free time at age 12? As it turns out, some young creative minds were running around inventing things like popsicles, trampolines, and earmuffs. Sure, most kids come up with new stuff all the time, but today we’re looking at inventions that adults actually paid attention to—and they worked!

1
Swim fins

Image: NEOM

If you don’t know who invented swim fins, this one might startle you! Before he was flying kites in thunderstorms, Benjamin Franklin was just an 11-year-old boy who loved to swim.

He invented early swim fins, but not the kind we wear on our feet. He designed wooden paddles with thumb holes that could be held in the hands to help propel a swimmer through the water faster. He also tried strapping fins to his feet, but found them less effective and even painful.

2
Popsicles

Image: Jill Wellington

The brand Popsicle tells the legendary story: eleven-year-old Frank Epperson left his soda drink with a stirring stick on the porch overnight. When he returned the next morning, he discovered a brilliant idea— frozen juice on a stick !

Originally named the "Epsicle" (after himself), the invention was patented in the 1920s. His children called them "Pop’s ’sicles," and the name Popsicle stuck.

3
Earmuffs

Image: Ellen Kerbey

Chester Greenwood couldn’t endure Maine winters. At 15 years old, his ears got cold, and he didn’t like the feeling of wool hats on his skin. So he devised a creative solution: his grandmother sewed beaver fur onto a wire headband that he shaped into circular ear loops.

That invention was later patented in the 1870s, becoming the world’s first earmuffs, according to historical records.

4
Toy trucks

Image: Allison Astorga

Using bottle caps, cardboard, and ingenuity, Robert W. Patch created a toy truck that could transform into multiple styles: a dump truck, flatbed, or box truck. And he was only 5 years old.

The modular vehicle concept was so compelling that his father, who happened to be a patent attorney, filed for official recognition. By the time Patch turned six, he had been granted a U.S. patent, making him one of the youngest inventors in history.

5
Superman

Image: Esteban López

Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster were both high school students when they came up with the idea for the Man of Steel in 1933.

They created Superman as the ultimate underdog: an alien orphan who fights for justice. The character was sold to Action Comics in 1938, launching the entire superhero genre.

6
Hot seat

Image: Erik Mclean

A heartbreaking story of a baby dying after being left inside a hot car reached Bishop Curry V when he was 10 years old.

This inspired him to design a device he called Oasis (often referred to in the media as the "Hot Seat"). His invention detects rising temperatures in a car, blows cool air, and alerts parents and emergency services.

7
Water skis

Image: Wyatt Harrom

Ralph Samuelson was a teenager when he had an idea: if people could ski on snow, why not on water? In the early 1920s, he took two pine staves , curved the tips using boiling water , and hit the lake with his brother, towing him behind a motorboat.

After many belly flops, he figured out the proper posture and became the first water skier in history. Although he never patented his creation, he spent years performing and became known as the "Father of Water Skiing."

8
Trampolines

Image: Jasper Garratt

Who knew? George Nissen was just 16 when he devised the bouncy fun. In the early 1930s, he watched circus trapeze artists drop and land into safety nets and realized: what if you could bounce back ?

Working out of his parents’ garage, he stretched canvas across a frame and added springs. Initially, trampolines were used for gymnastics training, but even NASA later adopted them to train astronauts.

9
Makin’ Bacon

Image: Polina Tankilevitch

Michigan native Abbey Fleck did not invent bacon itself, but at 8 years old, she had grown tired of soggy bacon and paper towels. She brainstormed a simpler solution: hang the bacon while it cooked, allowing grease to drip away cleanly.

Together with her dad, she built a prototype in the 1990s and earned a U.S. patent for the microwavable "Makin’ Bacon" tray. It became a retail hit .

10
Wristies

Image: Valeriy Borzov

Cold, wet sleeves are a winter misery. 10-year-old Kathryn Gregory grew frustrated with snow slipping between her mittens and coat sleeves, so she sewed together a pair of warm fleece tubes to cover the gap between glove and sleeve .

She called them Wristies. Her invention was such a hit with friends and family that her Girl Scout troop encouraged her to patent it—and she did! Kathryn became one of the youngest inventors to receive a U.S. patent.

11
Crayon holders

Image: AlexanderStein

Ever struggled to hold a crayon that’s worn down to a stub? So did 11-year-old Cassidy Goldstein. She noticed how frustrating tiny crayons could be, especially for kids just learning to grip.

She came up with a simple solution: a plastic cylinder that could hold broken or short crayons , making them easier to use. Patenting the design earned Cassidy the Youth Inventor of the Year Award.

Culture Culture 2 min read

Wild words

Hold your horses! 10 phrases born on the American frontier

Image: Documerica

The American frontier shaped more than just maps—it shaped the way people talked. From cattle trails to mining camps, settlers coined many blunt and vivid expressions that have stuck. These everyday phrases still carry the grit of survival, the humor of hardship, and the improvisation of a world built fast. Here are 10 common sayings whose roots run straight into frontier soil.

1
Circle the wagons

Image: Dana Davis

Pioneer wagon trains literally circled their wagons at night for protection.

Creating a closed ring helped shield families, livestock, and supplies from raids, wild animals, and harsh weather—and the formation later evolved into a metaphor for any type of unified, defensive action.

2
Hold your horses

Image: Cemrecan Yurtman

Frontier riders needed to keep horses steady at all times, but particularly in chaotic and potentially dangerous settings like stage stops and river crossings.

By the mid-1800s, the phrase became a common command, later evolving into a figurative call for patience.

3
On the warpath

Image: Andrew James

This term originated as an English rendering of a Native American expression for wartime mobilization—specifically the route or course taken toward an impending conflict.

Euro-American settlers later adopted the phrase, and by the late 19th, century newspapers were using it metaphorically to describe anyone behaving aggressively or angrily.

4
Branding iron

Image: Jonny Gios

Ever wonder where the term "brand name" comes from? Frontier ranchers used heated irons to mark ownership on their cattle.

The idea of a distinctive identifying mark later moved into the commercial world, where "brand name" came to signify a recognizable product or company identity.

5
Come hell or high water

Image: Furkan Elveren

Ranchers driving cattle across rough terrain used this phrase to signal determination despite floods, storms, conflict, and whatever else the wild frontier could throw at them.

The earliest known printed use appears in an 1882 issue of The Burlington Weekly Hawk Eye, an Iowa newspaper. Railroads later adopted it in contracts requiring delivery despite natural obstacles.

6
Riding shotgun

Image: Paul Einerhand

In Wyatt Earp’s era, the seat beside a stagecoach driver was reserved for an armed guard carrying a shotgun to deter bandits.

By the early 20th century, the job had vanished, but the expression endured as a casual claim for the front passenger seat.

7
Belly up to the bar

Image: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Saloon bars on the frontier often lacked stools, so patrons had to stand and lean their bellies directly against the counter.

The phrase soon came to mean approaching something boldly, whether at a bar or any other challenge.

8
Kick the bucket

Image: Lucas van Oort

Rural butchers often suspended animals from a beam called a "bucket," and they sometimes kicked during slaughter.

The phrase was popular on farms and frontier towns, eventually becoming a euphemism for dying.

9
Dead ringer

Image: Annie Spratt

Frontier horse racers engaged in plenty of shady practices—and one of the most common was substituting a horse with a look-alike, a "ringer," to scam bets.

When the substitute was an exceptionally close match, it was called a "dead ringer," emphasizing its perfect likeness.

10
High noon

Image: CHUTTERSNAP

Before standardized clocks or reliable rail schedules, "high noon" was an easy way to tell time by noting the sun at its highest point.

It also became associated with showdowns and other events because midday offered the clearest visibility.

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