French Country Inn, Lake Geneva

On first glance, it’s hard to imagine that the charming French Country Inn was once a haunt for such notorious gangsters as Bugs Moran and Baby Face Nelson. But the century-old bed and breakfast, which sits unassumingly on a quiet street on the banks of Lake Como, served as a discreet getaway for gangsters during the height of Prohibition.

After walking into the main building, you immediately get a sense of the inn's rich history. Parquet flooring leads to an intricately carved staircase made of solid oak imported from Denmark. In the other buildings, period furnishings and hues of warm crimson lend the accommodations a homey feel.

In keeping with this hospitable spirit, the innkeepers lay out a complimentary breakfast spread each morning. As the day winds on, guests can venture out to nearby downtown Lake Geneva to browse its antiques stores, art galleries, and curio shops.