Ready for a vacation? The Landscape Library has compiled a list of the 12 most dream-worthy, getaway homes perfect for landscape enthusiasts.
Spend a weekend in luxurious outdoor spaces designed by famous architects and designers to see how textures, scale, and color affect the feeling of a space.
This article may contain affiliate links and The Landscape Library may earn commission on select products.
01. Venice, California, USA
Venice is a vibrant beach town, with residential and commercial pockets. Venice is also home to Abbot Kinney Boulevard which features fashionable boutique shop and great restaurant scene with intermixed modernist homes.
While Venice is a favorite tourist destination in Los Angeles, it’s also a cultural center and a favorite of artists and poets, including the famous Beat Generation. Whether you’re looking for a fun day in the sun or an elegant evening filled with art and music, Venice is worth a visit.
02. Quartier Lorient, St. Barthelemy, Windward
The landscape on Saint Barthelemy is spectacular. This French overseas territory has a wide variety of vegetation and has a temperate climate. You can spend your days at the beach or take part in water sports such as snorkeling or diving.
The island’s main port is a thriving hub of activity, with shops, galleries, businesses, and restaurants. Tourists can wander the streets at their own pace and admire the yachts in the harbor. Christmas and New Year’s Eve are the peak holiday seasons and many travelers choose to book their stay during these times. However, spring and fall are the shoulder seasons and are less crowded.
YETI Crossroads® 22L Backpack - Black
Bags - Backpacks Crossroads® 22L Backpack Black
03. Kent County, Maryland, USA
Chestertown located in Kent County is rich in history and was named one of the 2007 America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The town is home to a thriving arts scene, including the Chestertown River Arts Center. It hosts classes and workshops in all forms of art for all ages. The center also hosts regular cultural lectures and art discussions.
Chestertown is also home to the historic Prince Theatre. The theatre opened to the public in 1909 as a motion picture house. Major motion picture releases were screened here. The theater closed in August 1993, but the Prince Theatre Foundation rebuilt the theater and turned it into a community theater. The theater has professional-level musical and theatrical productions. There are more than a dozen arts organizations in Chestertown each year.
04. Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Canada
Muskoka is a sprawling lake region located two hours north of Toronto. It is considered Canada’s answer to the Hamptons. While Muskoka is known for its scenic lakefront, locals prefer to call it a cottage. In fact, many celebrities have multimillion dollar cottages in the area.
Despite its small size, Muskoka is a popular vacation destination in Canada. Among visitors are outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, and families. Even celebrities have made Muskoka their vacation homes. Some celebrities own Muskoka properties, including Tom Hanks, Goldie Hawn, and Cindy Crawford.
05. Allegan County, Michigan, USA
There are a lot of things to love about Saugatuck in Allegan County, Michigan. It is a small, picturesque city nestled on Lake Michigan’s shores. Its streets are lined with century-old stores and locally owned boutiques, and the area is rich in art and culture. The city is home to many art galleries and world-class dining. The area also has lush forests and farmland that complement its beautiful sandy shores.
During the summer, temperatures in Saugatuck are warm and sunny with temperatures in the mid-seventies. Evenings are a little cooler, with lows in the 60s and 70s. The waterside beaches are perfect for watching sunsets. The surrounding dunes are also beautiful, making for a memorable experience.
YETI Tundra® 65 Hard Cooler - Tan
YETI Tundra 65 cooler is plenty roomy, holding 39 cans, a keeper redfish or a small quartered deer.
06. Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA
Kiawah Island is a barrier island located off the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. Located 25 miles south of Charleston, this island is home to world-renowned golf courses, as well as several oceanfront estates. While the island is primarily a golf resort, it is also home to various beaches, villas, and activities for families and couples.
The island also features a wide variety of retail and dining options. Visitors can visit several boutiques and shops on the island, and even enjoy fishing charters. It also offers fantastic golfing opportunities at one of the island’s five world-class courses. Kiawah’s Ocean Course, designed by Pete Dye, is one of the best courses in the country. Other courses on the island include Oak Point, Cassique, and the River Course.
07. St. George, Utah, USA
Located in southwestern Utah, St. George of Washington County offers visitors a variety of attractions. The city features Snow Canyon State Park, complete with dunes, trails, and red sandstone cliffs.
While the surrounding areas of the state tend to be dry and hot, the climate in St. George is warmer than the rest of the state. The area is also more community-oriented, and it has many attractions. The city is a popular retirement destination. Its central location and unique high desert scenery make it a unique place to visit.
08. Mid Island, Fort Myers Beach, Florida, USA
Fort Myers Beach is a wide, white-sand beach with great areas to go fishing, kayaking, or parasailing. The downtown area is filled with fun shopping, theaters, and art galleries to keep busy as a tourist. With a comfortable climate, great beaches, and many cultural attractions, this community is a great choice for retirees.
With sunny skies more than two-thirds of the time, winter lows hover around the mid-60s while summer highs can reach up to mid-90s. Although the area does see rain at times, it’s short and quick. Fort Myers Beach is ranked the second best place to retire in the United States.
09. Mooresville, North Carolina, USA
Mooresville is also known as Race City USA, and is home to more than 60 NASCAR teams. It is also home to two automotive museums, including the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame and the Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automotive Museum. These two museums highlight the history and heritage of NASCAR racing and feature the renowned championship-winning 1992 Ford and Curtis Turner’s legendary 1956 Ford.
Mooresville offers a variety of food and attractions. The town is home to several breweries. Jolly Roger Brewery is a veteran-owned brewery that is known for its deep flavors. King Canary, meanwhile, serves up American comfort food and an impressive cocktail list. And Big Tiny’s BBQ, located downtown, serves up some great Texas barbecue with a small-town touch.
YETI Rambler 20 oz Travel Mug With Stronghold Lid - Alpine Yellow
Rambler 20 oz Travel Mug With Stronghold Lid Alpine Yellow
10. San Miguel County, Colorado, USA
Located in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride in San Miguel County is home to some of Colorado’s highest mountain peaks. Its quaint downtown is most scenic during the fall and spring seasons. Telluride receives more than 300 inches of snow each year, making it an ideal location for avid skiers.
During your visit, be sure to take advantage of the town’s free public transportation system, the Telluride gondola. The gondola links the historic town of Telluride to the resort town of Mountain Village. The gondola operates seven days a week during the season, but is closed for six weeks each off-season.
11. Knox County, Tennessee, USA
If you’re looking for fun things to do with your family, consider exploring Knoxville, a city on the Tennessee River in eastern Tennessee. Visit its historic Market Square district with 19th-century buildings, or the Museum of East Tennessee History to learn about Civil War history and regional art.
Nearby attractions include the Great Smoky Mountains, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
12. Emerald Bay, California, USA
In addition to its beautiful coastline, Emerald Bay is also home to the first Maritime Heritage Trail in the U.S., which allows visitors to explore the watery graves of early 20th century vessels. The watery graves are easy to explore using snorkeling or scuba gear, and the trail features waterproof cards that provide information about the sunken watercraft.
Scuba diving is another popular attraction in the area, with some of the best sites found at Emerald Bay. Visitors can explore the underwater ruins of the old Emerald Bay Resort as well as ancient artifacts used in the construction of Vikingsholm. This underwater state park was designated in 1994. The state park also operates a drive-in campground at Eagle Point, which has 100 campsites and access to some of the dive sites.
