How to Visit the Best Mansions in Newport, Rhode Island

Visiting the best mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, is one of those things that might make you feel a little inadequate, as it’s the exact opposite of stealth wealth.

What’s worse is that these New England palaces were considered summer cottages of the wealthy in the Gilded Age. These fancy-pants folks 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.

Brian and I have lived in France, and we were still impressed by what we saw there. This guide digs into how to make the most out of touring the mansions of Newport so that your visit is just as exciting as those parties. (I mean, it won’t be, but we can dream.)

How many mansions are there 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.

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 nearby 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 also a few exceptions run by private entities throughout the city. You may need to make friends with some rich people to get in on some of those.

A Brief History of Newport’s Mansions

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 the rich folks were from New York City and Philadelphia, so it made sense that they’d want ocean views along the Rhode Island coast 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.

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-Arts represented here.

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

They’re free for Newport residents, but timed tickets are still required for select mansion tours. For everyone else, paid tour tickets are available as package deals if you’d like to see more than one mansion on your Newport visit.

The Best Mansions in Newport

Most say The Breakers is the best of the Newport mansions. It’s the biggest and 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 mansions in town.

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

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.

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

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 what I’ll call “the Big Three” 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 guided 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.

Fun fact: 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.

More Newport Mansions

Unless you’re in Newport for a full week or REALLY into mansions, you’ll likely be limited to a handful of them on trips here. If you’re a repeat customer or into luxury home photography, you may want to explore more of your options.

Here are the rest that remain on our list for future trips to Newport:

• Rosecliff: If Rosecliff looks familiar, that’s because it was modeled after another well-photographed French mansion. That’s the Grand Trianon, a château in Versailles that served as a garden retreat for Louis XIV. 
• Chateau-sur-Mer: Chateau-sur-Mer was the grandest until the Vanderbilts came onto the scene with their New York Central Railroad money. The Italian-style villa was built for William Shepard Wetmore, a successful trade merchant.
• Kingscote: This Gothic Revival-style beauty was one of the original summer houses built in Newport. This set off the “cottage” boom that would turn this part of the country into a mansion lover’s paradise.
• Isaac Bell House: 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.
• Chepstow: Chepstow is an Italianate villa that was built in 1860 for businessman Edmund Schermerhorn. I imagine Schermerhorn was all, “Build me an Italian-like villa so that I can have my apertivo with the appropriate ambiance.”
• Hunter House: 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.
• Belcourt of Newport: 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.
• Ochre Court: Ochre Court is the second largest mansion in Newport, and it’s owned by Salve Regina University. The exterior was used in the opening sequence of the Jamie Lee Curtis and Arnold Schwarzenegger flick True Lies.
• Rough Point Museum: 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 and portraits of rich people.

How to See the Mansions in Newport

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, fly into Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport for proximity or Boston Logan International Airport for better deals on flights. From there, you’re about an hour and 45 minutes from Newport.

READ MORE: Newport is an easy Boston day trip, but it’s not the only one. Check out my guide!

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

Once you’re in Newport, it’s easy enough to book your own tours for a couple of mansion visits. 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. It’s 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.

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

I’m not done! There are quite a few more 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.” It was set here to protect Narragansett Bay. It’s also home to the annual Newport Folk Festival.
• Castle Hill Lighthouse: Newport has no shortage of scenic places for you to explore. 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. Years of neglect led to its demolition in the 1960s. Visit the Portuguese Discovery Monument while you’re there.

READ MORE: I shared the day trips with you, but Boston’s a great base for weekends away, too.

Sleeping Over at the 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 after you’re done with your tours, though.

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, use the map below for where to stay in Newport:

Newport’s mansions are worth a look.

The Newport mansions, especially The Breakers, 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, especially if the budget allows for an overnight stay in one of these beauties!

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

Travel guides to more fancy destinations:

• How to Spend the Perfect Day in Monaco
• A Guide to Cannes From Nice, France
• Spend the Day Wine Tasting on Cayuga Lake
• Napa or Sonoma? A Guide to Choosing the One
• Fancy Dining Is Defined by the French Laundry