4. Old Westbury Gardens
Nestled among 200 acres of a formal garden, woodlands, lakes, and ponds, Old Westbury Gardens was the estate of esteemed lawyer Hohn Shaffer Phipps. Construction on the estate began in 1903 when Phipps promised his British fiancée he would build her a home in the United States similar to her family estate in Battle Abbey. After Phipps’ death in 1958, the estate became a non-profit organization and the well-preserved gardens and estate were open to the public. It is also used for wedding photography and ceremonies.
Today, Old Westbury Gardens is possibly the most well-preserved of the Gold Coast mansions and hosts historical tours, educational programs and lectures about nature, and even outdoor concerts and festivals. Moreover, Old Westbury Gardens has been the sight of numerous movie filmings, including scenes in North by Northwest and Cruel Intentions.