The Mount

History aside, this is an absolute must if you're in the area—a gorgeous home with immaculately manicured gardens. Definitely pay the $2 extra for the guided tour. For literary buffs, it becomes even more special. What I loved about Edith Wharton's estate most was the tasteful restoration, and how they allowed her literature to guide the design. Instead of adhering to typical historical renovations (adding only what was there before, using exact paint colors, etc.), the designers took the artistic liberty to design the rooms as they would have looked if she lived there today. Nothing was outlandish, and furniture was chosen to evoke that early 20th-century mood. But to keep her "essence," (rather than historical accuracy) they used her book, The Decoration of Houses, to guide their design—at times, incorporating modern touches.