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Philip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut
flickr.com via Helder Mira
Ideal for gatherings that are simply too interesting to keep hidden behind traditional walls, the glass perimeter of this see-through abode affords panoramic views of bucolic New Canaan. But plan to pay a pretty penny to rent these digs that, together with his nearby Brick House, served as the weekend retreat of American architect Philip Johnson for 58 years: A night at the Glass House costs $30,000, which includes dinner for 10 and lodging for up to 2 people.
Related: 12 Incredible Homes That Were Built by Their Owners
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Palmer House in Ann Arbor, Michigan
If you’re angling for an unconventional accommodation in Ann Arbor, consider making a stop at this multilevel red cypress and brick sanctuary whose equilateral triangular construction is entirely free of right angles. Its unusual architecture aside, the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian home boasts original Wright-designed furnishings and three bedrooms that comfortably sleep six guests. Situated on two wooded acres, the house rents for $425 per night with a two- to three-night minimum.
Related: America’s 50 Most Famous Houses
Frank Sinatra's Midcentury Modern House in Palm Springs, California
Few can aspire to the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by Frank Sinatra, but his four-bedroom former estate in The Movie Colony neighborhood of Palm Springs can offer a tantalizing taste of the good life. A night at the midcentury home that once hosted Hollywood elites like Ava Gardner will run you $2,600 per night, a price that die-hard Sinatra fans may consider worth their while for a peek at the crooner’s recording studio and memorabilia.
Related: What 11 Ordinary People Paid to Live in Your Favorite Movie Homes
La Pitchoune in Châteauneuf-Grasse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
The domestic delights of La Pitchoune, from the well-manicured garden to the rustic, pot-lined kitchen, are no surprise given its former owner: renowned chef Julia Child. But lovers of French cuisine the world over may be as enamored of the $670-per-night cottage’s three cozy bedrooms and saltwater pool as they are of its colorful kitchen.
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John Steinbeck's Cottage in Pacific Grove, California
While Steinbeck modestly described his California home as “a small house and garden in Pacific Grove” in a letter written to a friend in the 1940s, a weekend getaway today at the one-bedroom cottage would rank as a luxury for many literature lovers. Available to rent for $230 per night, the artful structure with tent cathedral ceilings, blue Moroccan bathroom tiles, and an engraved fireplace is a worthy destination for avid travelers and bookworms alike.
“Field of Dreams” Movie House in Dyersville, Iowa
Fans of the sports fantasy film “Field of Dreams” can make their own dreams come true by renting the property where the fictional Ray Kinsella overcame obstacles to build a baseball diamond on a cornfield. Guests who stay at the iconic house will receive a DVD of the film, an inspiring novel by the actor who plays Ray’s father in the film, and all the makings of a romantic picnic like the one Ray shared with his wife, Annie.
Related: 7 Fictional Towns You Can Visit in Real Life
“A Christmas Story” Movie House in Cleveland, Ohio
Wikimedia Commons via Famartin
Why wait for the classic Christmas flick “A Christmas Story” to air on TV to relive the antics of Ralphie’s wacky winter holiday? You can rent Ralphie’s family home, starting at $395 per night, and enjoy a tour of the nostalgic residence, exclusive use of the private third-floor loft, and a chance to sleep in Ralphie and Randy’s old twin beds.
Related: The 19 Most Photographed Homes in America
Charlie Chaplin's Cabin in Los Angeles, California
Classic film lovers can spend a day walking in Charlie Chaplin’s footsteps when they rent his former digs (rentals start at $165 per night and require a six-night minimum). The one-bedroom Craftsman cabin in L.A. is filled with old-world charm—for instance, hand-cut stable doors, stained-glass windows, and a medieval-style staircase—and a quirky panache reminiscent of The Little Tramp himself.
“Twilight: Breaking Dawn” House in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Available for $2,217 per night, this six-bedroom retreat near Rio, replete with banana trees, sun-soaked skylights, and a shady veranda, is—appropriately—out of this world. The surreal setting made it the ideal filming location for the honeymoon of the immortal Edward Cullen and his wife, Bella, in the second chapter of the “Twilight: Breaking Dawn” movie saga.
Related: Island Living: 20 Tropical B&Bs That Are Only an Airplane Away
Orson Welles's House in Hollywood, California
For $924 per night, you can live like Hollywood royalty in the former digs of theater, radio, and film icon Orson Welles. A fitting homage to the larger-than-life figure, the 3,000-square-foot estate encompasses four bedrooms, a lagoon pool, and an oversize deck overlooking the star-studded streets of Hollywood.
Harry Houdini's Estate in Hollywood Hills, California
Although Houdini was famed for his disappearing acts, his legacy stands right before our eyes in the form of his Hollywood Hills estate. The opulent 3,000-square-foot abode has a jaw-dropping three-story waterfall, century-old palm trees, and a koi pond. It’s no trick of the eye, although it does evoke an air of magic and mystery, much like Houdini himself.
Related: The Secret Histories of 15 Grand Old American Mansions
Lizzie Borden's House in Fall River, Massachusetts
Wikimedia Commons via DkEgy
The grisly murder of Andrew and Abby Borden in 1892 (for which their daughter, Lizzie, was tried but later acquitted) occurred at this unassuming house on quiet Second Street in Fall River. Guests who aren’t afraid of its lurid past can rent a room, a floor, or the whole house to satisfy their curiosity about the crime. Many hope to spot the ghosts rumored to linger at the property.
Related: America’s 50 Most Infamous Homes
Leonardo DiCaprio’s House in Palm Springs, California
Designed by Donald Wexler in 1964, this midcentury desert oasis captures the majesty and seclusion of its surroundings through floor-to-ceiling windows that afford up-close views of nearby palm trees and mountain vistas. Many of Hollywood’s rich and famous have called the palatial six-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bathroom pad their home, from Marilyn Monroe to Leonardo DiCaprio. Rental prices start at $3,750 per night.
Related: Living Remotely: 12 Stunning Homes in the Middle of Nowhere
Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana
Built in 1839 by sugar planter and businessman Jacques Roman, this Greek Revival plantation now hosts guests from around the country in one of several century-old cottages or new deluxe cottages. When you’re not resting and relaxing indoors, stroll beneath the “allée” (French for “canopied path”) after which the property was named. Or head to the levee to watch the rushing waters of the Mississippi River.
Related: 13 Homes from the Original Colonies That Still Stand Today
Still Bend, Bernard Schwartz's House in Two Rivers, Wisconsin
This four-bedroom home in a historic fishing town brings to life a design that Frank Lloyd Wright conceived for Life Magazine’s “Dream House” feature. Today, the radiant red residence with a 53-foot-long living room, clerestory windows, and a spacious dock perfect for crane spotting can be yours for a weekend at the rate of $450 per night.
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