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14 Best Historic Inns in New England

New England is full of charming destinations with quaint inns and bed and breakfasts listed on the prestigious Select Registry, which holds historic establishments to the highest standards. Gourmet breakfast, plush rooms with modernized amenities, in tact age-old architecture and seamless food options are part of an unparalleled experience at these amazing escapes along the upper east coast. If you’re looking to enrich a vacation, consider staying in one of these accommodations in New England that tie deeply into the nation’s past.

Pilgrim’s Inn - Deer Isle, Maine Pilgrim’s Inn
Credit: Pilgrim’s Inn by pilgrimsinn.com

Pilgrim’s Inn - Deer Isle, Maine

Pilgrim’s Inn might be one of the most special establishments on our list, as the post and beam structure was crafted in 1793, making it nearly as old as America itself. Original wood remains exposed in various rooms, which all are completely unique, with one nook being especially noteworthy thanks to a stargazing window. Each room has its own restroom facilities, along with eco-friendly toiletries and other pleasant touches. The grounds are stunning and accented by a pond and gardens from which ingredients for expertly prepared meals are sourced. Breakfast features homemade granola, fruits, muffins, gluten-free options, and hot entrees like poached eggs with cream topped with a chive flower. Dinner menus often feature traditional lobster, beer-steamed local clams and quirky ice cream selections. Located remotely on lesser-visited Deer Island, it’s nothing short of a breath of fresh air.

Key Amenities:

  • Original wood in unique rooms

  • Meals featuring garden vegetables

  • Located on lesser-visited Deer Island

Camden Maine Stay Inn - Camden, Maine Camden Maine Stay Inn
Credit: Camden Maine Stay Inn by Camdenmainestay.com

Camden Maine Stay Inn - Camden, Maine

Original wide-plank wood floors from the early 1800s and individually decorated rooms give Camden Maine Stay Inn undeniable charm. Its location in Camden is one of the most picturesque destinations in Maine, known for its home-like coastal flare and enriched small-town feel. A lush garden circles around the property and is easily accessible via clean-cut, Instaworthy walkways. Breakfast is provided and cultivated with local ingredients.

Key Amenities:

  • Breakfast provided

  • Lush garden on property

  • Concierge services

Castle Hill Inn - Newport, Rhode Island Castle Inn
Credit: Castle Inn by Castlehillinn.com

Castle Hill Inn - Newport, Rhode Island

Located within the Crane Estate, Castle Hill Inn is right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. With an old-style veranda, afternoons can be spent soaking in the land and marshes which have been tirelessly conserved. Breakfast is truly a treat with flaky pastries, fruit, and the house-made granola is out of this world.

Key Amenities:

  • Breakfast of pastries, fruit and granola

  • Located on Atlantic Ocean

  • Old-style veranda

The Inn at Bay Ledge - Bar Harbor, Maine The Inn at Bay Ledge - Bar Harbor,
Credit: The Inn at Bay Ledge - Bar Harbor, by innatbayledge.com

The Inn at Bay Ledge - Bar Harbor, Maine

The Inn at Bay Ledge disconnects from the bustle of downtown and draws guests to its country-style digs on a dramatic cliff right on the Maine coast. A steep staircase weaves down the rock to a secluded pebble beach—a perfect spot to experience the sunset. The wooden dining area peers toward the ocean waters, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy the complimentary breakfast each morning. While you still have your seclusion, Acadia National Park, Downtown Bar Harbor, and all the other wonderful things Mount desert island has to offer are all at your fingertips.

Key Amenities:

  • Access to secluded pebble beach

  • Complimentary breakfast provided

  • Oceanfront wooden dining area

Inn at Ellis River - Jackson, New Hampshire Inn at Ellis River
Credit: Inn at Ellis River by Innatellisriver.com

Inn at Ellis River - Jackson, New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s Inn at Ellis River is situated in Jackson Village within Mount Washington Valley, right beside a precious little stream. Rooms are appropriately accented with antique furniture, and the home-like feel continues to breakfast, which features freshly baked bread and a choice of sweet or savory hot entrees. Apple cinnamon pancakes with signature sausage links anyone? Nearby, guests can hike, ski, snowshoe, mountain climb—whatever the current climate permits. The outdoor pool is a welcomed treat in the summer, as is the indoor hot tub!

Key Amenities:

  • Located near stream

  • Outdoor pool and indoor hot tub

  • Breakfast served daily

Ullikana - Bar Harbor, Maine Ullikana
Credit: Ullikana by Ullikana.com

Ullikana - Bar Harbor, Maine

Ullikana is another Bar Harbor gem, exuding Tudor-style architecture and timeless cottage appeal. Renovations have modernized the place, adding convenience without dismantling the rich historic charm. All the major attractions are within walking distance, so this is the perfect spot for a Bar Harbor experience. One of the best things to do in Bar Harbor, admiring Frenchman’s Bay, is easy from the back of the Inn. Watch lobster boats chug in while munching on lemon soufflé pancakes with warm berry sauce in the morning.

Key Amenities:

  • Walking distance to Bar Harbor attractions

  • Tudor-style architecture

  • Views of lobster boats in Frenchman’s Bay

Silas W Robbins House - Wethersfield, Connecticut Sila W Robbins
Credit: Sila W Robbins by Silaswrobbins.com

Silas W Robbins House - Wethersfield, Connecticut

The Silas W Robbins House in Old Wethersfield has been standing since 1873 and has been meticulously restored to hold true to its French and Victorian flair. Traditional yet luxurious, it’s a lavish place to rest your head when visiting this part of Connecticut. Details inside are elegantly ornate, while the outside towers have old-school mansion vibes. Colorful gardens sweep over the two-acre property, adding to the breathtaking beauty of this historic treasure.

Key Amenities:

  • Outside towers with mansion vibes

  • Two-acre garden property

  • Historic restored property with high-tech technology

Inn at Round Barn Farm - Waitsfield, Vermont Inn at Round Barn Farm
Credit: Inn at Round Barn Farm by theroundbarn.com

Inn at Round Barn Farm - Waitsfield, Vermont

Sink into Vermont’s stunning countryside at the Inn at Round Barn Farm, which sits in the Mad River Valley. Nature is abundant via ponds, meadows and spanning clusters of flowers, and it compliments the Inn wonderfully. Rooms hold tight to antique wood accents, but there have been some major upgrades like Tempurpedic bedding, so your rest will be deeply sound. Smell pancakes cooking in the morning, and when you make your way to the table, drench the fluffy goodness in local Vermont syrup.

Key Amenities:

  • Antique wood accents and Tempurpedic bedding

  • Ponds, meadows and flowers on property

  • Breakfast served daily

The Inn at Stockbridge - Stockbridge, Massachusetts The Inn at Stockbridge
Credit: The Inn at Stockbridge by stockbridgeinn.com

The Inn at Stockbridge - Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Located in the picturesque town of Stockbridge, a top spot for fall leaf peeping as well as being home to the Norman Rockwell Museum, The Inn at Stockbridge offers an idyllic getaway in the Berkshires. Set on a 12-acre wooded property in a 1906 Georgian-style mansion, it’s overflowing with historic character. You’ll enjoy a peaceful, secluded location with beautifully manicured grounds, a large garden, a fitness center, and an outdoor heated pool while still being close to the attractions in town. Guests enjoy a complimentary home-cooked breakfast every morning and an evening wine and cheese happy hour, while accommodation includes suites with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs

Key Amenities:

  • Outdoor heated pool

  • Fitness center

  • Daily complimentary home-cooked breakfast and evening wine & cheese happy hour

Inn on Putney Road Bed and Breakfast - Brattleboro, Vermont Inn on Putney Road Bed and Breakfast
Credit: Inn on Putney Road Bed and Breakfast by vermontbandbinn.com

Inn on Putney Road Bed and Breakfast - Brattleboro, Vermont

One of the most popular bed-and-breakfast inns in Brattleboro, the Inn on Putney Road has a rather interesting history as it was formerly part of the Vermont Asylum for the insane. Not surprisingly, there have been numerous reports of unexplained happenings like the stereo suddenly shutting off and refusing to turn on again, candles lit on their own, and lights flickering on and off. While some stay for the potential paranormal experience, most guests choose it as an ideal base for enjoying the area’s many outdoor activities, with something in every season, from kayaking, hiking, and biking to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. A free gourmet breakfast is served every morning to help you fuel up, and afterward, you can soothe sore muscles in the indoor hot tub. The half-dozen rooms include flat-screen TVs and minifridges with complimentary drinks, while some have fireplaces and four-poster beds.

Key Amenities:

  • Indoor hot tub

  • Billiard table

  • Free gourmet breakfast

Made INN Vermont, an Urban-Chic Boutique Bed and Breakfast - Burlington, Vermont Made INN Vermont, an Urban-Chic Boutique Bed and Breakfast
Credit: Made INN Vermont, an Urban-Chic Boutique Bed and Breakfast by Made INN Vermont, an Urban-Chic Boutique Bed and Breakfast

Made INN Vermont, an Urban-Chic Boutique Bed and Breakfast - Burlington, Vermont

Located in the historic Hill district of Burlington, the chic Made INN Vermont is housed in a stunning Queen Anne-style Victorian. It boasts Italianate features that include an enclosed Belvedere or “widow’s watch,” as mariners’ wives’ would look out at Lake Champlain during stormy weather waiting for the ships to return safely to the harbor. Sadly, many did not, as there are said to be more than 300 historic shipwrecks lying at the bottom of the lake. Today, the home has a more joyful atmosphere that includes a shared outdoor six-person hot tub and a free daily hot breakfast. There are only four guest rooms, and all come with flatscreen TVs, DVD players, minibars, plush bathrobes, and record players with vinyl collections.

Key Amenities:

  • Shared outdoor hot tub

  • Art library with books and games

  • Free daily hot breakfast

The Merchant - Salem, Massachusetts The Merchant
Credit: The Merchant by The Merchant

The Merchant - Salem, Massachusetts

The Merchant sits in a federal-style building constructed in 1784, although it has connections to the 17th-century Salem Witch Trials as it sits on a property once owned by the infamous Sheriff George Corwin who signed arrest warrants for those convicted of witchcraft. It has also had some rather famous figures as guests, including President George Washington who stayed in 1789. While there have been a number of renovations, the original craftsmanship and woodwork remain. Today, it hosts 11 stylish king and queen rooms – you can even sleep in the same room as the late president by booking the George Washington King Deluxe Suite. All come with impressive amenities like gas fireplaces, flat-screen TVs with Apple TV, and heated bathroom floors.

Key Amenities:

  • Personalized concierge services

  • Complimentary daily breakfast

  • Exclusive discounts to area restaurants

Mill Street Inn - Newport, Rhode Island Mill Street Inn, Newport, Rhode Island
Credit: Mill Street Inn, Newport, Rhode Island by Mill Street Inn

Mill Street Inn - Newport, Rhode Island

The Mill Street Inn is a National Historic Landmark Building that was originally used as a large woodworking shop to support the gilded age building industry, constructed by the same Newport builder who built many of the famous mansions on Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue. Located in Newport’s historic Hill neighborhood, it offers accommodation in studio, deluxe, and townhouse suites with private balconies offering spectacular views of downtown Newport and the harbor. All include upscale amenities like down feather beds, minifridges, plush robes, and luxurious marble bathrooms. In the summer, complimentary breakfasts are served on the rooftop patio, and throughout the year, the Mill Street Inn Spa offers relaxing massages and soothing body rituals that combine aromatherapy, rich botanicals, and holistic techniques.

Key Amenities:

  • Rooftop patio

  • Complimentary daily breakfast

  • Spa offering massages and body rituals

Glynn House Inn - Ashland, New Hampshire Glynn House Inn
Credit: Glynn House Inn by Glynn House Inn

Glynn House Inn - Ashland, New Hampshire

Glynn House is a historic Victorian inn dating to 1896. Nestled in New Hampshire’s spectacular Lakes region near the White Mountains, it provides an ideal base for everything from exploring historic sites and antique shopping to hiking, boating, sleigh rides, and snowmobiling. A free breakfast is served every morning in the elegant dining room, and when you return you can relax on the wrap-around veranda and enjoy complimentary afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres. There are six rooms, five of which are dog-friendly, with amenities like luxurious bathrobes, fireplaces, TVs with satellite channels and DVD players, while the six suites also have double whirlpool baths. A high-end self-catering apartment is available too.

Key Amenities:

  • Free daily breakfast

  • Complimentary afternoon wine and hors d’oeuvres

  • Wrap-around veranda

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