South Jersey is home to some impressive historic properties and one of them is getting national attention. A new ranking by SIXT ranked the most romantic historic estates across the U.S., and Smithville Mansion in Eastampton earned a spot in the Top 10!
With Valentine’s Day just a week away, the search demand for “Wuthering Heights vacation” increased by 260 percent over the past week, according to the ranking. SIXT listed the top 20 most romantic estates in the U.S. using Google and TikTok search volume, then looked at each estate’s official website to determine the number of activities available, as well as whether each estate is available as a wedding venue. The data was accurate as of December 22, 2025.
Smithville Mansion in Eastampton ranks as the No. 10 most romantic estate in the U.S. It was built in the early 19th century for industrialist Hezekiah Smith, and was a prime spot for the area’s iron industry because it is located along the river. It has incredible Federal-style architecture with symmetrical façades, tall chimneys, classic brickwork, grand fireplaces, and beautifully preserved interiors. The landscaping has a British field, with beautiful views of the Rancocas Creek.
Its history dates back 350 years. After several changes in property ownership from 1676, Samuel and Jonathan Shreve bought the property in order to build a calico printing factory in 1831. They built the mansion in 1840 in the Greek Revival style, among the factory and village. Known as Shreveville, it was purchased by Hezekiah B. Smith in 1858 after the brothers died. Smith renamed the area Smithville, and his relatives lived in the mansion until 1962, when Louis and Grace Thomas bought it, and then the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders took over in 1975.
Smithville Mansion is now on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
The mansion is closed through March, and tours will begin on Sunday, April 19, and Sunday, April 26, before opening for the season on Fridays and Sundays from May 1 to October 30. Upcoming events include a Mother’s Day Tea on May 9. The mansion also partners with Smithville’s Victorian Christmas every year.
It also serves as a celebration venue for birthdays, baby and bridal showers, weddings and other events, both inside the mansion and in the courtyard of the estate.
These are the 20 Most Romantic Estates in the U.S., according to SIXT:
- Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina
- The Breakers, Newport, Rhode Island
- Marble House, Newport, Rhode Island
- Iolani Palace, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Gleensheen Mansion, Duluth, Minnesota
- Fonthill Castle, Doylestown, Pennsylvania
- Willowbrook Manor, Sedro-Woolley, Washington
- Cranbrook House and Gardens, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
- Miramont Castle, Manitou Springs, Colorado
- Smithville Mansion, Eastampton, New Jersey
- Bishops Palace, Galveston, Texas
- Ventford Hall, Lenox, Massachusetts
- Wilson Castle, Proctor, Vermont
- The Johnston House, Mars, Pennsylvania
- Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda, Maryland
- The Sayre Mansion, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- The Barker Mansion, Michigan County, Indiana
- Nagle Warren Mansion, Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Evergrove Estates, Rossville, Tennessee
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