The Mid-Atlantic’s Most Surprising Stays

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If you think a place to stay is just a place to sleep, think again. From beautifully restored historic inns and charming farm stays to boutique hotels tucked inside unexpected buildings and one-of-a-kind rentals, your stay can be just as memorable as the destination itself.

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MARYLAND

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Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (MD)
Severn Grove Hospitality Group offers four beautifully restored historic properties, each blending Annapolis’ architectural heritage with subtle, modern luxury — ideal for travelers seeking character with comfort. The Historic Inns of Annapolis provide another exceptional option, with three landmark buildings that immerse guests in centuries of history while accommodating small to mid size groups and individual travelers. In South County, Honey’s Farmhouse adds a completely different experience rooted in wellness, farm to table living, and art forward “agritourism.” Together, these properties exemplify the region’s unique lodging — restored inns, boutique stays, and distinctive farm retreats that create memorable, place-based travel.
Visit Annapolis

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Calvert County (MD)
Discover a stay steeped in maritime history at the Cove Point Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage in Lusby, Maryland which is available for vacation rentals. Established in 1828, Maryland’s oldest continuously operating lighthouse overlooks a scenic stretch of the Chesapeake Bay and features historic structures, including its original tower and expanded keeper’s duplex. The restored cottage sleeps up to 16 guests, offering a unique coastal getaway. Summer visitors can also tour the grounds, view Calvert Cliffs, and explore the tower’s base while learning about this enduring beacon’s legacy.
Visit Calvert

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Wicomico County (MD)
The historic Whitehaven Hotel is located along the Wicomico River waterfront in Maryland’s Wicomico County. The hotel opened in 1877, serving steamship passengers who traveled among the region’s farming communities. Next to the port for the three-car Whitehaven Ferry, which dates back to 1685 and is the oldest publicly operated ferry in the country, the property now operates as an eight-room bed and breakfast, decorated by local Jefferson Boyer, who created an atmosphere faithful to the building’s history. Two kayaks are available and an on-site gift shop offering handmade Eastern Shore crafts is open Wednesday through Sunday.
Maryland’s Wicomico County

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PENNSYLVANIA

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Bradford County (PA)
Combine a visit to an award-winning winery with a farm stay at a property that is home to a private zoo, tasting room, picnic area and surrounded by four seasons of beautiful scenery in Bradford County, PA, and you’ve got a great getaway when you visit Grovedale Winery. Nestled within the picturesque Grovedale Farm, guests can relish access to the winery and its scenic surroundings. Revel in modern comforts, including a heated towel bar, inviting hot tub, and a warm fireplace. Experience a perfect retreat in the heart of idyllic countryside bliss, within minutes of area trails and recreational resources.
Visit Bradford County

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Butler County (PA)
Known for charming small towns, Butler County, PA, is home to a delightful selection of B&Bs. Downtown Butler features several unique stays. The Lasky House is a Victorian-era Airbnb filled with antiques and a grand piano, just minutes from Main Street. Nearby is Suite Thyme, a 1890s home renovated to include modern amenities. Find a luxury stay at Urban Nest, a chic loft-style space. Beyond the city of Butler is Slippery Rock’s Applebutter Inn, Harmony’s Guest House, and Hay’s Haven in Saxonburg. Whether looking for a romantic weekend getaway, a nature retreat, or a small town stay, find somewhere here.
Experience Butler County

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Erie (PA)
Lake Erie Treehouses-Experience a serene retreat in luxurious treehouses, nestled in the woods, but conveniently located near Erie’s popular shops and restaurants. Offering the perfect blend of nature and comfort, each treehouse is uniquely designed and equipped with modern amenities. The treehouses feature their own hot tub, indoor gas fireplace, hammock, and kitchenette/kitchen, allowing you to unwind and cozy up in style. Experience the joy of elevated living.
Visit Erie

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Endless Mountains (PA)
Built in 1887, the Eagles Mere Inn is the only original hotel still operating in the historic resort town of Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania. With 16 beautifully restored rooms and an on-site restaurant and bar, this hotel encompasses the luxury and charm of “the town that time forgot.” Each room has a locally inspired theme, complete with historic photos and artifacts. Guests receive free daily breakfast and exclusive access to the private lake and the nearby country club. Located about 45 minutes from Williamsport, the Inn provides a tranquil getaway in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains.
Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau

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Happy Valley (PA)
Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, offers distinctive stays that blend character and comfort. The Gamble Mill Inn in Bellefonte welcomes guests to a restored 19th-century mill overlooking Spring Creek, pairing boutique rooms with a walkable historic setting. Riffles & Runs B&B delivers timeless charm in a gracious Bellefonte home, complete with elegant spaces and home-cooked breakfast. At Nittany Meadow Farm in Boalsburg, guests can unwind in private cottages and experience an authentic farm stay with resident goats. In Downtown State College, the newly renovated Hotel State College provides contemporary style steps from dining, nightlife, and campus energy.
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau

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Huntingdon County (PA)
From glamping domes at Airydale Retreat and cozy yurts at Lake Raystown Resort to charming historic bed and breakfasts like the Inn at Solvang and the Gage Mansion, unforgettable stays await. Spacious Airbnbs perched high above Raystown Lake at Eagle’s height offer breathtaking views from sunrise to starlight. Visitors can choose rustic, refined or somewhere in between, all surrounded by the natural beauty of the region.
Raystown Lake Region

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Juniata River Valley (PA)
River Golf Lodge is a riverfront retreat designed for making memories together. Set right along the water, the lodge features a sprawling patio that stretches beside the river—complete with outdoor fireplaces, plush seating, and your own outdoor kitchen, making it the ultimate place to relax from morning coffee to evening fireside conversations.

Spend your days kayaking the Juniata River with on-site rentals, or step into the backyard where a golf course awaits for an easy round with friends. Inside, each room offers a nostalgic feel, filled with vintage details that add character and charm while still feeling comfortable and welcoming.
Mifflin Juniata Counties (PA)

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Lancaster County (PA)
The Nautical- or Victorian-themed guest rooms and property décor of the Fulton Steamboat Inn make for a relaxing and one-of-a-kind stay in Lancaster County. Combined with an indoor pool, outdoor koi pond & walking path, onsite restaurant & tavern, and personalized guest service, it’s like stepping into a vintage riverboat experience.
Discover Lancaster

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Laurel Highlands (PA)
Seeking a divine stay? The Chateau Connellsville is a boutique hotel that opened in 2025 featuring 10 fully updated suites inside a historic former convent in Connellsville. The Stairway to Heaven Suite nods to that heritage with mosaic ceilings, stained-glass windows, and striking architectural details, balanced by modern comforts – a plush king bed, smart TV sitting area, and en-suite bath with rainfall shower and marble tub.

Convenient to Fallingwater, Ohiopyle, and the Great Allegheny Passage, the Chateau offers distinctive themes ranging from the Medieval Royal Chamber and Mid-Century Modern suites to the playful That 70s Suite.
GO Laurel Highlands

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Potter / Tioga (PA)
Heading to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon or to see the spectacular Dark skies at Cherry Springs State Park this year? Check out Allegheny Campground’s cabins where you can book a stay in a caboose! This fantastic “Caboose” cabin is fully modernized with electricity, water, full bathroom, heat and air conditioning, a refrigerator, outside charcoal grill, fire ring, and picnic table. The campground along the Allegheny features a swimming pool, splash pad, dog park, wagon rides, and more. Themed events and weekends like the annual “Cardboard Regatta” make it a great destination for a fun family getaway along Pennsylvania’s scenic northern tier.
Visit Potter/Tioga

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Susquehanna River Valley (PA)
Rusty Rail Brewing Company Suites in Mifflinburg, PA is a wonderfully unexpected Mid‑Atlantic stay — think luxury lodging above Pennsylvania’s largest brewpub. Housed in a historic 1911 industrial building, the suites combine rustic charm with modern comforts like free Wi‑Fi, kitchenettes, TVs, and spacious living areas. Guests can enjoy craft beer, bold food, live music, and games downstairs while sleeping just steps away in stylish, comfortable suites. It’s an immersive “beercation” experience that turns a simple overnight into a memorable destination stay off the beaten path.
Susquehanna River Valley

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York County (PA)
York County, Pennsylvania offers stays as memorable as the destination itself. Spend the night inside the iconic Haines Shoe House, a whimsical, shoe-shaped stay straight out of a nursery rhyme. In downtown York, Grace Manor Bed & Breakfast blends Beaux Arts elegance with globally inspired suites, while Jackson House Bed & Breakfast offers a cozy, historic retreat along the Heritage Rail Trail. For timeless sophistication, the restored Yorktowne Hotel delivers 1920s grandeur with modern comforts—proving every stay here tells its own story.
Explore York

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VIRGINIA

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Danville and Pittsylvania County (VA)
Experience the charm of Moses Mill Farm Bed & Breakfast, a newly opened 1872 farmhouse offering scenic views, farm‑fresh treats, and warm hospitality. Unwind, tour the grounds, and even try a goat‑milking session during your stay. The farm sits near great dining, outdoor adventures, and local favorites like Historic Chatham Main Street, The Homeplace Vineyard, Callands Coffee, and Funky Fleece Farm.
Visit SoSi

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Hampton (VA)
A black-owned bed & breakfast! Magnolia House Inn, a five-star property, in the downtown urban waterfront village of Hampton, Virginia. This historic Queen Anne Victorian offers three spacious, sophisticated guestrooms, and its unique location, centrally located on the southeastern tip of the VA peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay, is a central Tidewater location for business travelers, honeymooners, and tourists, specializing in small, intimate weddings with an onsite Wedding Chapel. Close to restaurants, breweries/wineries, shopping, etc. During your stay, experience American history firsthand by living in a home that was constructed in the 1880s. It’s a jewel of comfort and hospitality!
Visit Hampton

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Loudoun County (VA)
Loudoun native Donnie Walker started fixing and remodeling historic homes with his father when he was 7 years old. Forty years later Walker is co-owner of Waterford Reservations – a slate of unique and unusual properties with stunning designs, all in spectacular settings. The latest is Hummingbird Treehouse Cottage, a soaring two-bedroom one-bath duplex suspended in a grove of trees. The cottage – all timber floors, sturdy reclaimed wood beams and soaring windows – hosts up to six guests and has stunning views of the Catoctin River Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains.
Visit Loudon

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Richmond Region (VA)
For a stay that’s anything but typical, visit the Richmond Region of Virginia, where you’ll find accommodations with plenty of history, charm, and character. Sleep where travelers rested centuries ago at the New Kent Ordinary, a restored 18th-century stagecoach stop turned boutique inn. In Ashland, the Henry Clay Inn offers classic Southern hospitality with front porch views of a charming railroad town. And in downtown Richmond, Linden Row Inn lets you unwind in a Greek Revival townhouse setting where Edgar Allan Poe once played. From countryside escapes to city gems, these one-of-a-kind stays make your Mid-Atlantic getaway unforgettable.
Visit Richmond

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Waynesboro (VA)
The Atelier is a charming third-floor walk-up apartment tucked above the bustle of Main Street. A true hidden gem in the heart of downtown, it’s surprisingly quiet, private, and filled with natural light. The beautifully restored historic building recently underwent a major renovation to become the Shenandoah Valley Art Center’s second location, (studios and galleries located just downstairs from the apartment) preserving its original character while introducing modern touches. Thoughtful decor and beautiful art create a warm, welcoming feel. Enjoy sweeping views of the Shenandoah Valley from the windows or balcony.
Visit Waynesboro

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About the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance
The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) is a collaborative network of tourism partners across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The alliance is dedicated to supporting travel journalists by providing resources that transcend geographic boundaries, much like travelers themselves. By identifying common themes and regional highlights, MATPRA offers a wealth of story ideas for journalists interested in showcasing the diverse destinations of the Mid-Atlantic region as a unified whole. For more information, visit matpra.org.

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