Visiting the Mansions of Newport: The Breakers & More! (2024)

The mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, are the exact opposite of stealth wealth. That doesn’t make it less true that these New England palaces were considered summer cottages of the wealthiest folks in the Gilded Age.

You read that right.

These fancy-pants individuals typically only lived in these opulent homes for a few months each summer, partying their fancy pants right off at all of their fêtes.

That’s just what I imagine happened.

Read on for more on making visits to the best Newport mansions happen on your next Rhode Island trip. May your visits be just as exciting as those parties!

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How many mansions are in Newport?

There are 12 mansions in Newport that are open to the general public at least seasonally.Many of them are run by The Preservation Society of Newport County, a Newport historical society that works to preserve and maintain the historic structures. They’re at 424 Bellvue Avenue if you’d like to pop in and chat with their knowledgeable staff.

There are also a few exceptions run by private entities throughout the city.

The list of Newport mansions includes:

• The Breakers
• Marble House
• The Elms
• Rosecliff
• Chateau-sur-Mer
• Kingscote
• Isaac Bell House
• Chepstow
• Hunter House
• Belcourt of Newport
• Ochre Court
• Rough Point

Note: The Green Animals Topiary Garden is often included on lists of Newport mansion tours, but it’s actually in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. I’ll mention it here as a worthwhile stop as the oldest topiary garden in the United States, but you’ll have a short 20-minute drive to get there from Newport.

There are many more Newport mansions and mansions in Rhode Island that are privately owned and likely full of secrets outside of the list I just shared with you. You’ll just need to make friends with some rich people to get in on some of those.

Mansions of Newport History

The mansions of Newport are a collection of opulent Gilded Era estates built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These grand residences were constructed as summer homes for the wealthiest social elites of that time.

Yep. These were their summer “cottages.” Many of these rich folks were from nearby New York City and Philadelphia, so it made sense that they’d want ocean views with their summertime escapes. They’d visit in the summer months for socializing and whatever else they did with all that money and then return to penthouses and other estates elsewhere.

The Vanderbilts, the Morgans, and the Astors were three of the most well-known families who had mansions in Newport, and they hired the most prominent architects of the day to design their residences. Architectural styles varied, but you’ll see examples of Italian Renaissance, Gothic Revival, and Beaux-Artsrepresented here.

Today, these historic mansions serve as a glimpse into the lavishness of America’s high society during this era.

Which is the best of the Newport mansions?

The Breakers is considered by many as the best of the Newport mansions. It’s easily the most popular mansion in Newport. The design from Richard Morris Hunt, one of the premier architects of his time, is enormous, over-the-top, and likely where most start on tours of the Newport mansions.

As it’s where we started on our own tour of these Newport Gilded Age mansions, I’ll kick the list off with The Breakers here. You simply can’t miss this one if you only have a day or two to explore what are essentially Newport castles.

Interested in a mansions of Newport map? I’ll include addresses here, but follow the Google link below for a visual:

GIMME MY MAP OF NEWPORT MANSIONS!

Always check the last tour times online before you head out. These historic homes close down for private events and times can vary by season. The more popular mansions are open daily, but expect more limited hours during the winter months.

The Breakers

Address: 44 Ochre Point Avenue

If you’re here to discover Newport and its mansions, you likely know all about The Breakers. The Vanderbilt family’s Italian Renaissance-style estate is the most obvious symbol of the Gilded Age here in Newport.

A self-guided tour gets you inside the house and onto the grounds. Don’t sleep on the exterior, though. If you’re visiting on a sunny day, the enormous lawn is a perfect place to lounge a bit and think about your life choices.

Up until recently, members of the Vanderbilt family still occupied an apartment at the mansion, but it has since been deemed unfit for residential use.

Newport mansions tickets for this one are pricey, but you save a little money if you choose more than one mansion tour to see in one day. Visiting The Breakers will take a few hours, but if you start early, you should be able to fit in at least another mansion tour with lunch.

Marble House

See Also

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Address: 596 Bellevue Aveue

This was our second mansion tour of the day, and while it wasn’t as overwhelming as The Breakers, the vibes on this one were still all kinds of opulent. There’s just something about a summer home made out of stone.

The Marble House is another Vanderbilt special. The owners were Alva and William Kissam Vanderbilt, the grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. Alva became the face of this house over the years. You’ll hear all about it on your audio tour.

Don’t miss the Chinese Tea House on the property while you’re there. It may feel a little odd considering who owned the place, but apparently, it was the site of numerous women’s rights rallies. Alva was a bigtime suffragette.

Note: If you’re doing the Newport Cliff Walk before your Marble House tour, don’t use Apple maps to get you there from the trail. It won’t happen!We did quite a bit of wandering before having to return from whence we came, nearly missing our timed entry. Access this house from the road.

The Marble House was also a filming location for HBO’s The Gilded Age. Creator Julian Fellowes called Newport “a village of palaces,” and that definitely tracks.

Check the website before you visit if this one tops your list. The mansion shuts down to tourists during filming times. If you visit in the summer months, you may be treated to the annual Newport Flower Show held there, too.

The Elms

Address: 367 Bellevue Avenue

The Elms rounds out the Big 3 when it comes to the most popular mansions to visit in Newport. This was the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind, a pair that made their fortune in coal.

The French château d’Asnières served as the inspiration for this one, so it’s well worth prioritizing on your visit if you love all the France vibes.

One of the more popular tours at The Elms is the Servant Life Tour. Twice a day, the mansion’s former servants travel back in time to give you a history lesson of The Elms from their perspective.

The Elms was also used as a filming site for The Gilded Age. HBO does what it wants, so just double-check on tour times if you’re interested.

Rosecliff

Address: 548 Bellevue Avenue

If Rosecliff looks familiar, that’s because it was modeled after another well-photographed French mansion: the Grand Trianon, a château in Versailles that served as a garden retreat for Louis XIV.

Fun fact: It may also look familiar from films like The Great Gatsby and 27 Dresses, a real modern classic. Both filmed scenes at the Rosecliff.

The Newport version was commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899. Completed by 1902, the mansion became a hot spot around town for extravagant dinner parties. One of those parties reportedly featured the magician Harry Houdini.

Rosecliff is generally open daily, with special exhibits common on the second floor. Any special exhibitions are included with your regular admission.

Chateau-sur-Mer

Address: 474 Bellevue Avenue

Chateau-sur-Mer was the grandest of them all until the Vanderbilts came onto the scene with their New York Central Railroad money and construction of The Breakers. The Italian-style villa was built for William Shepard Wetmore, a successful trade merchant who specialized in Chinese imports.

Tours here are more like visiting a museum than some of the other Gilded Age mansions. Many of the pieces Wetmore brought back from his travels are still at the chateau to this day.

Fun fact: Wetmore’s son, George Peabody Wetmore, served as both a governor of Rhode Island and as a U.S. Senator. Politics and money intersect again!

Kingscote

Address: 253 Bellevue Avenue

This Gothic Revival-style beauty was one of the original summer houses built in Newport, setting off the “cottage” boom that would turn this part of the country into a mansion lover’s paradise.

Constructed in 1839, the original owner was George Noble Jones, a Southern planter who I’m sure got all of his money using very noble means. (I’m being sarcastic here, and really just wanted to insert some wordplay.)

This one tends to have more limited hours than some of the other mansions run by The Preservation Society of Newport County, so make sure to check the website for Kingscote if this one sounds up your alley.

Isaac Bell House

Address:70 Perry Street

Also known as Edna Villa depending on who you ask, the Isaac Bell House is one of the best examples of shingle-style architecture in the United States. It was built in 1883 for Bell, a cotton broker and investor who made lots and lots of money in cotton and investing.

Hours are typically more limited at this one, but if you time things right, you may be in for a treat. This mansion often hosts art exhibitions on the property as part of your admission.

Chepstow

Address: 120 Narragansett Avenue

Chepstow is an Italianate-style villa that was built in 1860 for businessmanEdmund Schermerhorn. I imagine Schermerhorn was like, “Build me an Italian-like villa here in Newport so that I can have my apertivo with the appropriate ambiance.” Guided tours are available at certain times throughout the year.

Hunter House

Address:54 Washington Street

The Hunter House is a Georgian Colonial that has seen quite a bit of expansion over the years. The original north half of the mansion was constructed in 1748 by Jonathon Nichols, Jr., a merchant and colonial deputy.

If you’re thinking about what they paid colonial deputies back in the day, same.

After the rich deputy’s death in 1756, the next owners added a south wing that dramatically expanded the mansion’s footprint. It was this house that U.S. Senator William Hunter lived in after the American Revolutionary War. Hours are limited at the Hunter House throughout the year, and advanced tickets are required even when it’s open for visitors.

Belcourt of Newport

Address:657 Bellevue Avenue

The Belcourt of Newport was built over the course of several years starting in 1891 for Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont. This rich person was a banker and politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Guided tours are typically available only on weekends, but the Belcourt is also home to The Museum of Life and Culture.

This one is the result of years of restoration efforts led by Carolyn Rafaelian, a local entrepreneur and businesswoman.

Ochre Court

Address: 100 Ochre Point Avenue

This Newport mansion is special for a few different reasons. It’s the second largest mansion in Newport —The Breakers is the first, duh —and it’s owned by Salve Regina University. (Who else is singing that one Sister Act song in their heads right now? Saaaaalve Reginaaaaa!)

If there’s something else that feels familiar about this one, the exterior was used in the opening sequence of the Jamie Lee Curtis and Arnold Schwarzenegger jam True Lies. You see it now, right?

Originally, it was the home of Ogden Goelet, a very rich banker and investor, and his dynastic family. The design should reflect the architecture of France’s Loire Valley with its stained glass and majestic turrets.

You can visit the main floor when it’s open. If you’d like a guided tour, you’ll have to time your visit for the summer months. It is an administrative building these days, after all.

Rough Point Museum

Address:680 Bellevue Avenue

The Rough Point Museum was once the home of Doris Duke, an heiress and collector. Today, the English manor-style mansion is a museum that features a variety of exhibits of decorative arts, fashion, textiles, and portraits of rich people.

Since this one is a museum, expect museum hours. You’ll get access to the grounds and gardens as part of your ticket.

Newport Mansion Tours: Logistics

To see Newport’s best mansions, you’ll need to get to Newport, first.We were on an epic New England road trip during our visit.

If that doesn’t describe you, the easiest way to do that is to fly into Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airportin Warwick, about six miles from Providence, and drive the 40 minutes or so to Newport. If you’re hunting for airfare deals, you’re more likely to find them out of Boston Logan International Airport.

From there, you’re about an hour and 45 minutes from Newport to start ticking off these beauties on your Newport mansions list.

In my mind, if I have to drive 40 minutes I can tack an hour onto that if it means big savings, but it likely depends on how much time you have for Newport in your New England travels. Newport is a popular day trip from Boston, too.

You will need to drive to Newport, by the way. The Amtrak won’t get you there. If you enjoy traveling by sea, a seasonal ferry is the only other option.

Rent a car from whatever airport you’re targeting for the breeziest arrival. I usually use aggregators like Hotwire or Priceline, as I don’t feel any loyalty to car rental agencies.

Once you’re in Newport, it’s easy enough to book your own tours for a couple of Newport mansions on your visit to the city. There are also guided experiences available in Newport if you want someone else to do the heavy lifting.

Here are a few highly-rated options:

More Things to Do in Newport

I know you’re here for those Newport mansions, but there’s more to do in this opulent town than wonder why you weren’t born into old money. If you’re reading this, you probably weren’t born into new money, either. I relate.

If you’re able, take the time to walk the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk,an easy if long-ish trek for panoramas of the ocean and the mansions that get to enjoy views of those crashing waves on the regular.

It wasn’t too crowded on a balmy autumn day, but I imagine summertime gets busy on this stroll, especially near Easton’s Beach.

Interested in a scenic drive, instead? It doesn’t get much better than Ocean Drive.

I’m not done! There are lots more top tourist attractions in Newport for an extended visit:

• Thames Street: Stroll along Newport’s oldest street for the local shopping and dining scene. If you’re looking for fun things to do with a side of history, visit the White Horse Tavern. Most say it’s the oldest pub in the country.
• Newport Vineyards: Visit this tasty winery in nearby Middletown —yes, I know the name is confusing —for award-winning wine and farm-to-table eats. Not interested in wine? Head to Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co., instead.
• Fort Adams State Park: This National Historic Landmark was once known as “The Rock on Which the Storm Shall Beat” and was set here to protect Narragansett Bay. It’s also home to the annual Newport Folk Festival.
• International Tennis Hall of Fame: This complex is more than a museum offering fun facts on the biggest names in tennis. It also includes an indoor and outdoor tennis facility and theatre.
• Castle Hill Lighthouse: Newport has no shortage of scenic places for you to explore,but if you’re already cruising down Ocean Drive, check out the views from this Narragansett Bay lighthouse while you’re there.

• Brenton Point State Park: This park was once owned by the family of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. A few more owners and then years of neglect led to its demolition in the 1960s. Visit the Portuguese Discovery Monument while you’re there.
• Naval War College Museum: Visit one of the 10 museums under the U.S. Navy and learn about naval activities in the region dating back to colonial times. If you don’t have connections on base, make reservations a week in advance.
• Touro Synagogue: This house of worship and National Historic Site is the oldest synagogue still standing in the United States. It dates back to 1763 as the only synagogue with roots back to colonial times.
• Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge: Visit this refuge along the Rhode Island Sound for 242 acres of salt marsh and beach habitats. If you’re a birder, try to spot one of the over 150 bird species that call this peninsula home.
• Block Island: If you’re visiting in the summer months, you can take the Block Island Ferry from the Newport terminal for your own episode of Below Deck. Block Island is known for its beaches,so it’s appropriate for family fun in the sun.

Can you overnight at Newport mansions?

You can stay overnight at several Newport mansions that have been converted into hotels. The Chanler, Castle Hill Inn, and The Cliffside Inn are all popular options that offer a luxe experience.

Assume that any of the biggest Newport mansions open to the general public for tours aren’t suitable for overnight accommodations. You have lots of alternative options for where to stay in Newport when touring Newport, Rhode Island, mansions.

We were coming from Providence, so any recommendations here will come from wanting to do what’s most efficient for you. If you DO want to stay in Providence for a more budget-friendly stay, I have a guide for you on the city and its accommodations.

Otherwise, here are my top picks for accommodations in Newport proper from my preferred booking site, Booking.com:

• Artful Lodger: Enjoy lovely views of Newport and a yummy daily breakfast at this highly-rated property. You’ll be just a four-minute walk from the Elms mansion at this one.
• Attwater Hotel: This is a great option for the summer months as it’s a short drive from Easton’s Beach. That said, those crashing waves in the fall are also pretty atmospheric, even if they’re not great for water sports.
• Inn on Bellevue: If you love a property big on historical touches, this inn goes to town on Victorian decor with easy access to the best of central Newport.

Interested in something a little different? Below are some options fromVrbo, my preferred Airbnb alternative:

• Walk to The Breakers from this charming one-bedroom. Guests love the easy access to the Cliff Walk and host recommendations for dining and entertainment.
• This historic one-bedroom is about a 20-minute walk to the most popular Newport houses. Guests love the historical preservation efforts with this one and its central location.
• If you’re traveling with your pooch, this two-bedroom is pet-friendly. They don’t charge a pet fee either, which is something you rarely see with short-term rentals.

Newport, RI, Mansions: FAQs

Are Newport mansions worth visiting?

The Newport mansions are worth visiting, even if you only have a passing interest in the Gilded Age. These opulent summer homes boast quite a bit of historical significance on top of beautiful landscapes, unique design, and impressive architecture.

I’d love to come back and see a few more of these historic sites on a return visit, and I’ll certainly be back to overnight in one if the budget ever allows!

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Planning more travel in the Northeast? Check out these guides:

• A Fall Guide for Salem, Massachusetts
• Plan a Trip to Puppy Haven Dog Mountain
• Eat Your Way Through CT’s Best Pizza
• A Whimsical Guide to Stowe, Vermont
• Stroll the Harbor of Mystic, Connecticut