Fodor's Expert Review Benjamin Ellis House

The new owners of this impressive 1850 Greek revival inn (it lodged Yankee soldiers during the Civil War), formerly known as Harmony House, have spruced things up with attractive paintings and a decor scheme heavy on antiques but light on clutter. The licensed commercial kitchen produces terrific breakfasts and private dinners, and serves as a comfortable setting for occasional cooking classes.

This historic 8,000-square-foot home has a curious past—at one point, two brothers sawed the house in half to install a large Queen Anne staircase, making the house 9 feet wider and creating a neat double hallway upstairs, adding to the communal space.