Homes away from home: Visit these historic abodes within driving distance of Chattanooga

Travelers interested in visiting architecturally significant homes within driving distance of Chattanooga are spoiled for choice, with options ranging from celebrity residences such as Elvis Presley’s Graceland to the grand mansions of American industrialists to the plantation homes of former U.S. presidents. Here are a few of the best historic homes and house museums located a few hours away from the Scenic City.

Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina

Drive time: 4 hours

Architectural style: French Renaissance

With 250 rooms, industrialist George Vanderbilt’s massive chateau is the largest private residence in America. Construction began in 1889 and took six years to complete. The 8,000-acre estate features gardens by Frederick Law Olmstead, the landscape designer behind New York City’s Central Park. Furnishings include art by Renoir, 16th-century tapestries and a 10,000-volume library. The home boasts rare amenities for its time, such as an indoor bowling alley and heated indoor swimming pool.

Now owned by descendants of Vanderbilt, the estate was opened to the public in the 1930s, and over the years, it has seen the addition of tourist attractions that include an inn, six restaurants, a winery and retail shops. Book a guided rooftop tour to see design and construction elements of the home from a different perspective, along with stunning views of the estate from balconies and rooftops that are otherwise off-limits to visitors.

(READ MORE: Why you should visit Asheville’s new ‘urban campground’)

Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee

Drive time: 5.5 hours

Architectural style: Colonial Revival

A trip to Elvis Presley’s Graceland is an essential American pilgrimage, making it a deserving addition to the National Register of Historic Places when it became the first site on the register related to rock ‘n’ roll in 1991. The home was also designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2006, and it’s worth a visit to see the King’s famous Jungle Room, the musical legend’s grave site and the “Lisa Marie,” his private jet with gold-plated seat belts. Mega-fans can even rent a room in the mansion, which was Presley’s residence from 1957 until his death in 1977.

In addition to the home, where visitors can take a self-guided iPad tour hosted by actor John Stamos (known for his Elvis obsession on the TV show “Full House”), Graceland also includes a 200,000-square-foot entertainment complex with restaurants, shops and displays featuring the King’s bejeweled jumpsuits and other memorabilia.

Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia

Drive time: 7 hours

Architectural style: Neoclassical/Jeffersonian

Third U.S. president Thomas Jefferson was a real trailblazer when it came to his home, Monticello, which was the first residence to include indoor toilets or a domed ceiling. He designed the home in the Neoclassical style with unique architectural features, such as an octagonal room, that give Monticello a Jeffersonian spin on the style. Visitors can view the Founding Father’s impressive map collection and other artifacts demonstrating his wide-ranging interests. A National Historic Landmark and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage site, Monticello also offers popular specialty tours of the home’s garden and grounds and slaves’ quarters, which should be reserved ahead of arrival, as they tend to sell out.

Mercer Williams House in Savannah, Georgia

Drive time: 5.5 hours

Architectural style: Italianate

Designed by architect John S. Norris for General Hugh W. Mercer in Savannah’s historic Monterey Square, the Mercer Williams House (originally the Mercer House) was never occupied by Mercer. Construction began in 1860 but wasn’t completed until eight years later for a new owner, due to the interruption of the Civil War.

In 1969, after many years of neglect, prominent preservationist John Williams — who restored more than 50 historic homes in the city — purchased the house, where his assistant and lover Danny Hansford was later murdered. Williams was charged and tried four times for the crime but was eventually acquitted, and the murder remains unsolved. The story is the basis of the 1994 book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and the 1995 film by the same name. Williams’ sister now owns the home and his elaborate collection of antiques and artifacts, and the first floor is open to the public for tours.