04/2018 The Newport Mansions in Rhode Island are magnificent pieces of history that are an absolute Must-see! I toured several of these amazing mansions during my first trip to Rhode Island. The architecture & furnishings are opulent & so beautiful. The self-guided audio tours, filled with history, personal stories & tragedies of these mansions & the Gilded Age, allow for meandering at your own pace. The Bellevue Avenue area feels safe & clean. Of the spots I visited, parking is easy & free. Staff members were very nice. You can purchase individual mansion tickets or I'd suggest a package as they are unique & worth seeing. Currently, I'd say my favorite is the Marble House. I highly recommend the Newport Mansions tours & look forward to exploring more on future trips and taking the Cliff Walk, weather providing! read more

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Stunning & majestic grandeur at 360 degrees for these historic mansions. Amazed and grateful that these have been restored for us to view this piece of lavish history. We joined the Historic society for the well worth is discount and toured 3 homes in a day, which is just the right amount. A must in the self guided audio tour via the mansions phone app. It really adds to the history of the mansion and gives great insight to the families and their world. Please explore these fabulous gems when in the area. Can't wait to see the rest! read more

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Visited the Newport Mansions for the first time during the holidays to see all the beautiful lights and decorations!!! I visited The Breakers and The Marble House (third mansion is The Elms). Each house was lit up with Christmas lights, as well as a Christmas tree in each room. Also bought tickets to see "The Sparkling Lights" outside on the lawn. The mansions are absolutely grand, elegant, and filled with history!! They all cost money to enter, but there is a free audio tour for each one (bring a headset). I loved learning about each one! Short and sweet summaries of each room as you walk through the houses, with the option to listen to extended versions (for you history lovers). Each mansion has parking close-by (although the website claims you can easily walk from one mansion to the next, they are quite far, especially in the winter). I stopped in for a simple day trip, but lots to see and eat in Newport if you have more time! Another tip would be if you're there to see the Sparkling Lights, earliest admission is 4:30 pm, make sure you're in line by 4:15 pm (it gets long FAST)! read more

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We recently enjoyed the Sparkling Lights at the Breakers, and thoroughly enjoyed walking through the home when it was decorated for the holidays. Each room was decorated differently and had a Christmas tree and theme of its own. We also enjoyed the Christmas lights arranged outside in the property, with refreshments and bathrooms available. read more

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Post Thanksgiving stroll on the Cliff Walk. The sea view was lovely! Although the Path is a bit narrow it's the dog walkers who refuse to clean up after their pets that spoil the area. Nearly all home owners have fence's erected or hedges established to maintain their privacy. Street views are impressive, but local drivers are impatient honking if you pause a second too long at stops or lights. read more

The mansion duo tour ticket is the way to go for viewing these stunning structures. The Breakers mansion view alone is worth the self-guided tour. Staff are throughout the tour to answer any questions. Huge rooms and beautifully decorated and kept. read more

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It took a full year from the time that I learned of these homes before I was able to visit. On a visit with family, we decided to do the 1.5 hour drive to see the mansions decked out for the Christmas holidays. We got there mid-afternoon and only had time to see 3 of the mansions, The Elm, The Breakers, and Mable House, summer homes of the Berwinds, (Cornelius) Vanderbilts, and (William) Vanderbilts, respectively. In each home, you have the opportunity to take a self-guided tour. All of the homes were opulently decorated for the holidays. There were beautiful Christmas trees in many of the rooms, carefully-arranged poinsettia plants, and other twinkling lights-enhanced décor. I was struck by the large number of receiving rooms where guests were entertained; the unexpectedly smaller guest bedrooms, and rather austere bathroom suites. My sister-in-law and I were surprised by the paintings of violent warfare in some of the rooms. I was enchanted by the craftsmanship of each of the homes, especially the ceilings. You'll see a number of photos that show breathtaking plasterwork (medallions, dentil work), impressive ceiling murals, and extraordinary stained glass. And I imagined how people in the early twentieth century lived. Outdoors, the grounds were immaculately kept. Despite the cold weather, we roamed the gardens and took numerous family photos with the house as an amazing backdrop. It was definitely a pleasant way to spend time with family. Note that parking is available within the grounds or in the immediate vicinity. read more

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Since Newport, RI is only less than 2-hour drive away from Boston, my friend and I got a rental car and spent approximately 6 hours (11 AM to 5 PM) to explore four mansions and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Tickets: $29 per adult for two house admission (The Breakers + one other property of your choice excluding Hunter House) or $35 per adult for five house admission (The Breakers + one other property of your choice excluding Hunter House). You don't really need to purchase online tickets in advance if you are only doing regular house tours. Not only that, admission tickets are undated which means you can spread your visits out over multiple days. Each mansion has its own free parking lot. Planning: Give yourself about 45 minutes to 60 minutes to tour each mansion (all mansions are self guided audio tours) - so you will probably have to spend approximately 4.5~5 hours to tour five mansions (with a car and excluding lunch time). There are no cafes and you will have to drive / walk / use ride-sharing apps to downtown Newport in order to find places to eat. If you don't have a car, please also keep in mind that some mansions are about a mile apart from each other. Properties: The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Chateau-sur-Mer, Kingscote, Green Animals Topiary Garden, Isaac Bell House, and Chepstow. The four most popular mansions are the Breakers, Marble House, the Elms, and Rosecliff. The fifth most popular mansion is either Chateau-sur-Mer or Kingscote. Each mansion has its own seasonal operating schedule (with the exception of the Breakers and Marble House which open 365 days except holidays), so check the Newport Mansions website for more info. *** Four mansions I visited *** The Breaker (gift shop is available; 60-minute audio tour): This is the most popular Newport Mansion (basically the grandest of them all). It was owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt II (grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt) and completed in 1895. Rosecliff (no gift shop; 30-minute audio tour): The 1974 film the Great Gatsby was filmed here. It was owned by Theresa Fair ("Tessie") Oelrichs and completed in 1902. Currently there is an ongoing exhibit located on the 2nd floor (Bohemian Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement and Oscar Wilde's Newport - from March 2018 to November 2018). Marble House (gift shop is available; 40-minute audio tour): Don't miss out the Chinese Tea House - it is located behind the mansion (the design was inspired by the Chinese paintings from the Ming Dynasty [1368 to 1644]). It was owned by William K. Vanderbilt (grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt) and completed in 1892. The Elms (gift shop is available; vending machine is located at the exit of gift shop; 45-minutes audio tour): It was owned by Edward Julius Berwind and completed in 1901. It was definitely surprise to see a Mahjong set (with a manual) while touring the mansion. One of the rooms was even decorated with Chinese-infused elements. *** Going through these mansions really felt like re-living the Gilded Age (from the 1870s to about 1900) and touring Newport Mansions is definitely one of the must-do activities in Rhode Island. It was a great mansion hopping experience and the five house admission is a really good deal considering an admission to just one mansion like Hearst Castle (California) and Biltmore Estate (North Carolina) cost more than $25. P.S. - Don't forget to do the Newport Cliff Walk to get the best water view behind the mansions. read more

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A stunning journey through history, architecture, and culture. The art, atmosphere and attention to detail are exceptional and exquisite. Alongside a beautiful coastal landscape with refreshing sea breeze sparkling with mist. You won't soon forget this! read more

Brought my family to check out some of the mansions and I will say it was a pretty cool experience. It's wild to see how very wealthy people even way back then we're living. Only negative is the inconsistency of the worker that stand around to ensure no one is damaging anything. I literally see a guy let people touch things they clearly shouldn't touch and he didn't say anything. I legit touch a door and the guy got upset. It was a door. I didn't try to open it or anything I brushed up against it. He said it with attitude which I didn't appreciate nevertheless the mansions were awesome and it's something everyone should check out. read more

It's like walking into a time machine!!! If you are in the area or if you're looking for an excellent place to visit, then the Newport Mansions should be high on your list. We drove from Holyoke, MA to Providence, RI and had limited time to see as many mansions as we could. Through the locals suggestions, we went to see The Breakers and Marble House. It was impressive the detailed work on both the inside and outside of these 'summer' houses. I can only imagine the splendor when they were alive with the homeowners, families, guests, and staff hustling and bustling about the house and grounds. The two houses we went to see had audio tours that give excellent information and history about the houses, grounds, each room, and owners. I didn't know these houses existed, but I'm sure happy that I had a chance to visit them. I'm happy to pay the entry fee as I'm sure the upkeep is expensive. You should definitely leave several hours to tour each house and grounds. These historical landmarks are a definite must see!!! Xie Xie!!!!! read more

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Don't let the ticket price deter you! This will be an extremely worthwhile 33 dollars :). All the houses are incredibly beautiful and well kept. We did the self guided tour for the breakers and a tour for the marble house. It was worth doing the self guided tour because then you can spend as much time as you want looking at the different rooms. The tour of the marble house was nice but you have no control of the timing because they want to continue through the house together. The tickets are good for the season so we got the 5 pass and have 2 houses left to see on our next visit! Newport is beautiful so it's worth visiting :) read more

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Wow!! Loved walking through history in the mansions! As I was walking through the mansion, I was imagining living back in that time period and how easy life was just partying and being waited on night and day! The opulent design and amazing details on every room! Spectacular! Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area!! read more

We did the mansion duo (these are price and if you plan to do more than one worth it). We started off in the Elms. Amazing house. Ridiculously over the top. Not very crowded and the brochure was perfect for us (vice the audio app). Then we did the Vanderbilt "cottage" (aka the Breakers). o PACKED! Opulence is just stunning (and to be honest, sad). Looks like a European palace with tapestries, marble, artwork, huuuuuge rooms, amazing ocean view... Impressive to say the least. This was labor day 2021 and was a little too crowded for our comfort. read more

Pull up a seat my dear, let me tell you about the Mansions tour in Newport, Rhode Island and why you have to go! You have to experience the opulence of these estates and dip into the pleasures of their "summer living." The pure grandeur of it all, the fantastic architecture, the immaculate grounds, a world of interior design.... it's unlike anything else you will see in the US. It leaves your creative juices flowing and it is all so inspiring no matter your style. They have audio tours that date back to people who lived and worked at these homes that give you an insight to what life must have been like back then (over 250 years ago). Most of the homes are all very close to one another and so it's easy to find them. You can't visit all of the homes in one day by tour but possibly in two. Have fun! Pinkies up! read more

Holy Moly was we in for one treat. I made it a point to not read the reviews before heading out to see the mansions. Sometimes when the reviews are so glowing, my expectations are so high that I end up disappointed. Let me tell you this much, and believe you me, words could not have described the grandeur of these "summer cottages"... pictures could never do them justice, either. Reality, this time, left me speechless. And when I say it's better than fiction, perhaps in a sense it's better than its own non-fiction account, because you just have to go in person to understand. It was all so surreal ... We only had time to hit three of the homes: The Breakers, Marble House, and Rosecliff. All so splendid and soooooo very different. And when I'm talking about these people being loaded, it's not just that fancy car being shown off in front of their expensive real estate. It's every square inch - top to bottom, inside out, and as far as your eyes could see into the ocean - amazeballs. Of the mansions we saw, all had self-guided audio tours. Not all of them have that, but I highly recommend the mansions that do. The Elms also had audio, but not enough time:( Newport is one of those places that I thought we would be okay with just going on a day trip. ERROR. This town has so much to offer, I'm thinking a two day minimum should be a requirement, if not three. These mansions should be on your list of to-do's if when in New England, unless of course you already own one. So exsqueeze me if that is the case. And by the way, if so, wanna be besties? We can hangout all summer;). But jokes aside, if you're just an ordinary girl like me, this was one of the most spectacular day trips that left me daydreaming of what life would have been like if I had been a Vanderbilt (or Astor, or Monroe...) All the parties, dresses, and sun-drenched scandalous summers on the beach - I'm left breathless just from imagining. While at Marble House, I started daydreaming as I wandered the rooms...and let myself feel as if I really was part of that society. That is, until I caught a reflection of myself in the mirror all disheveled from the heat and crazy - extremely crazy - looking from too much walking on a humid day. With my useless Canon hanging from my neck because no pictures were allowed inside, I screamed tourist. But as I kept staring back at my reflection, it was an odd juxtaposition of past and present at once. This image forever part of my mental 35 mm film, never forgotten ... and perhaps only in my memory will it remain always just as magical... So yes - it's haunting, it's larger than life, it's everything old money should be and more. You know you wanna just go already. Oh and by the way, if you don't know what Conspicious Consumption means exactly - no amount of Google-ing will answer that question quite as well as a trip to Newport will do... read more

Newport Mansions - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

This is the reason we came back to Newport, Rhode Island. During our first visit, we did not have time to tour any of the mansions. This visit, we made sure to make the time to see a few of the homes. We drove here from Boston and arrived in Newport before noon. After having lunch, we went to purchase the tour tickets. We chose to purchase the Newport Mansions Experience. This package includes visiting 5 different mansions with the exception of the Hunter House. Unfortunately, we only got to see 3 mansions. We went to the Marble House, Rosecliff, and the Breakers. Yeah, we should have been here earlier. All the mansions were impressive. Of the three, the Breakers was the most impressive to me. Touring the Newport Mansions is a "Must do" when visiting the area. If you purchase the same package that we did, then make sure to come earlier so you can see the mansions without feeling rushed. read more

This tour was amazing. I had heard about these tours from several friends and looked on Yelp. After I saw all the high scores, we decided to check it out. We were staying in the Boston, MA area and it took about an hour to drive to Newport, RI from there. We paid for the package where you can see 5 of the 11 properties, any 5 which you choose. With the tickets, you don't have to see them all on one day, but we were only in town for the day so we picked the ones we wanted to see most, which were near to each other so we didn't waste a lot of time driving. Each one we went to had its own parking lot so we didn't have to walk from one to the next. We visited the three most popular: Marble House, The Breakers and the Elms. That's all we had time for. Those three have recorded audio tours in various languages which take about an hour or more each. They are also handicap accessible. The mansions we visited were breathtaking. Absolutely beautiful. Sadly, you can't take photos indoors, but you can outside. I believe you cannot take strollers, and we didn't see any small children on the tours, as there was a lot of walking involved. In addition to the beautiful architecture, you learn about the famous families who built these homes and their histories and impact upon American society. read more

Newport Mansions - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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Get ready to have your breath taken away! These mansions are so awesome that I really want to go back and take in the splendor that they exude. My group went through two of the mansions, the breakers and the rosecliff. We had a military two-for-one deal, so if you are military make sure to ask about it! We walked through the mansions guided by the audio tour - these are really well done, allowing you to go at your own pace. If you want to take longer, or go on additional tour sections throughout the main tour, it gives you the option to do so. It's hard to really take in all of the detail that really is apart of these mansions. The stories behind them are so extravagant, reflecting the character of the buildings themselves. It's amazing to walk through them and imagine what life must have been like living in one of these castles of the guilded age - the amount of money involved is just so crazy its hard to comprehend. I like to have my mind blown, and this is one sure way to do it! The roseclif is the mansion used on the set of the great gatsby (original film), so it's like being warped into the movie. These mansions are truly the Titanics of homes, and you won't want to miss them if you come to Newport. Afterwards take a walk on the cliff walk outside. Great views!!! read more

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Walking through the mansions is like taking a trip back in time. It is definitely worth taking a trip to Newport if you are visiting Providence or Boston. I recommend limiting yourself to two a day (mansion fatigue can set in with more than that!). The most 'impressive' are the large ones that are setup for audio tours (Breakers, Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff). They were all built between 1892 and 1902, so they all have a very similar feel. You can get the most out of your trip by touring one of those and then one of the older, smaller mansions where you go on a personal docent-led tour. Although there is a lot of great info on the audio tours (including interviews with people who grew up in the houses) there is something to be said for the group interaction and the ability to ask a real person questions. Also, the ones without audio tours are all older and have a very different feel (more carved wood, less marble, crystal, and gold leaf). Don't forget to spend some time in the gardens of all of the mansions you visit. They are beautiful and park-like with scattered imported trees that are huge and majestic. Even on the weekends there is ample parking, and the snacks and "lunch" at the Elms Carriage house and Marble House tea house, while not amazing, are adequate to get you through a mansion-viewing day. read more

Newport Mansions - A European weeping birch outside of Chateau-sur-mer.. the gardens of the mansions are as amazing as the houses themselves - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Newport, Rhode Island

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I've taken the tour a few times. These Mansions are utterly amazing and so exquisite visually. I would recommend taking some time and seeing them all. My biggest regret is that I didn't take any pictures to post. The Mansions themselves are works of art. Marble house is my favorite but honestly they are all stunning. I just love the architecture and the winding staircase of Marble House. It is impossible to go through these magnificent Mansions and not be affected. Besides the beauty they contain, there is the history involved. It makes for a fascinating time and if in Newport, it's a must see. read more

The Newport Mansions tour has a little bit for just about everybody: the truly excessive lifestyle, history, and aesthetic views. I always felt that these kind of tours weren't my thing, but I actually really enjoyed it and would consider visiting some more mansions the next time I find myself back in the area. I visited The Breakers and The Elms. Both were magnificent and really out of this world. The history and lifestyles of the families who lived there, the intricate designs, and just the realization of the appliances they used will make you realize all the things in today's life that are so easily taken for granted. The scenery from the house to the ocean as well as the gardens are just as magnificent. Although not necessary, they offer audio tours, and I strongly recommend you take advantage of it. Another tip: take your time! Don't feel like you have to rush from one room to the next. No matter who you are and what kind of lifestyle you live, being surrounded by so much wealth all at once is just breathtaking. read more

Such a lovely experience. Between friendly and accommodating staff to beautifully preserved artifacts. They ensured everyone was following COVID guidelines which made our small party feel safe. Perfectly Splendid. read more

If you plan to just visit the garden, don't even waste your money to pay in advance.. you can just walk towards the back of the buildings or pay at the door. Parking is free. A guard will direct you where you can park. Although it was a very luxury and spacious garden, it wasn't worth 18$ to walk through their garden without exploring their indoor musem. Thats an extra 24$ upgrade. I didnt go inside. I was hoping to see green animal topiary garden as advertise.. I saw beautiful garden and fountain sculptures but there wasnt any animal art. Im kinda bummed but its still can take great pictures with your family and friends! read more

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These are beautiful to visit! My personal fave was the Breakers, it's on the water. It's really nice to come around Christmas time too when they are all decorated. Parking can be challenging though. Also if it's nice out you should def walk along the 3 mile loop behind the mansions, it's right on the water. read more

The mansions are treasures of a by gone time. I have toured the Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms. Each visit has been wonderful and insightful. I have felt as if I have gotten my value out of each home and grounds. My only complaint comes down to the Preservation Society's guides. I've come across my fair share of haughty persons who to be honest, are quite rude in their demeanor. One easily senses a feeling of superiority and disdain. If I show respect to you, I expect the same from you. The mansions should be pretentious, not the person wearing the plastic name tag! read more

The experience of visiting these mansions, learning their history, and discovering every small detail they all hold for yourself is beyond worth the trip and admission costs. These mansions are absolutely stunning, and will complete captivate you before you even step through the doors to any of them. read more

It's really impressive how these estates were preserved over the year. My mom and I weren't quite sure what these were at first exactly, and the tour of the mansion wasn't really that exciting, but for historians, these works of art are a wonder to behold. read more

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Bad experience every time. The staff is literally as rude as can be, there are 2 times out of the 20+ times i have been to the mansions i have encountered kind staff. They are ageist, they look you up and down and if you're not above the age of 35 you have absolutely no respect. I happen to be a student who enjoys the mansions and every single time i go if i'm not given a hard time at the door about why i have a membership and if it's my parents and not mine, i am followed throughout the entire exhibit and can not even enjoy it. i don't know if they think a teen can not enjoy the mansions without causing trouble? i don't know why every single time i go i do not get an ounce of respect when i have a 200$ membership. no matter the mansion, no matter the staff they're always rude and ageist, and extremely judgmental. get kinder staff that treat everyone with respect no matter their age or what they look like. I will be canceling my membership. after the 10th time i have had this experience and realized it is not a coincidence. read more

So I finally was able to make it out to the mansions on the clear Chris beautiful day. I was not disappointed I ended up choosing the five Mansion Tour but only saw three of them and was not disappointed. The society that maintains these beautiful homes are doing a great job showing millions of people interest the history of how the least used to live back in the day. If you are ever out in this part of the state I recommend coming here you don't really need all day to see all the Mansions at all really depends on your time but I did it in half a day and it was perfect. read more

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Beautiful mansion and tour. However, they will not show the servant's quarters. This is also a very important part of history. It would also be helpful if there was a little more history about the family. Without the seeing the servant's quarters, it is difficult to respect the integrity of the preservation society. read more

Wow. Just wow. I can't put it into words. The very fact that someone could have this built in the time period that it was with the opulence the artistry etc. is truly amazing. I could not even imagine living in it. This is a must see-it's worth your time ,the money etc. Really. read more

I would definitely recommend not buying the ticket option for two houses. I prepaid in advance for May tickets. It was early in the season and not all the homes were open, which we knew. After buying combo tickets to Marble House and the Breakers, we found out that Marble House was closed for filming. Never did the Newport Preservation Society, who sells the tickets, inform us of the closure or offer an alternative house to tour. If the money hadn't gone to a nonprofit, I would have requested a refund. read more

You'd be insane to go to Newport and miss The Mansions. Insane. These 'cottages' are the essence of The Gilded Age - excessive, beautiful, rich and ornate. I cannot believe these were summer homes - the interiors are so opulent and heavy with decor that they seem anything but light! But, all you have to do is peak out a window or walk out onto a terrace, and there you have the ocean, fresh air, and those fabulous views of Newport. I love coming to the Mansions. Everything is so well thought-out, meticulously designed to efficiently move the traffic the crowds create so every single person can have a memorable experience. Even the gift ships are staggered through the belly of the buildings so as not to overwhelm the guests. My favorite part? The Breakers, of course, I just can't resist the platinum-leaf walls of Alice Claypoole Gwynne Vanderbilt's morning sitting room - they're a thing to see, I tell you. The views of the back terrace of this place are unbelievable - I can just imagine sitting under the vast mosaic roof of the patio, sipping something delicate and refreshing, watching the waves without a care in the world. Heaven. The architecture is phenomenal, and it's a wonder some of these magnificent structures were built so quickly. Imported marble for Marble House, the aforementioned platinum leaf for walls (walls!), and heavy steel gates that must have cost a fortune to get here are truly stunning and impressive.. which was the point, I suppose. To impress, to stun, to create a buzz and most importantly, to have the most spectacular house in Newport. I love the Preservation Society and all they have done to maintain these houses. Right down to the furnishings, everything is era-appropriate, and usually has a story behind it. I love that they include the audio tour as part of the ticket, because there is so much to be told about these homes in addition to seeing them. Don't miss these museums - they're amazing, and reveal a way of life and a world that most of us could never imagine. read more

If you are even thinking about taking a trip to beautiful Newport, then you need to visit these insanely opulent mansions. Built by legendary richie riches like the Vanderbilts and other famous steel, gold, and silver magnates, the mansions are dotted along the picturesque coast of Rhode Island. They offer tour packages for 3 or 5 mansions. I would suggest sticking to three as it is time consuming to get through each mansion, and it is a lot of walking. The consensus is that the four best mansions to tour are The Breakers, The Marble House, The Elms, and Rosecliff. They have EXCELLENT audio tours that give you a lot of information about each mansion's eccentricities. One drawback is that you are not allowed to take pictures inside the mansions. It was fascinating to learn that some of these were only used for 2 or three summers despite there prohibitive cost and grandeur. TIP - Make sure you get a picture on the veranda of The Breakers. It is one of the best ocean views I have ever seen. read more

We went just after Christmas and visited The Breakers, The Marble House and The Elms. All were decorated for Christmas and incredibly stunning. The self-guided audio tour through each of the houses was fantastic!! It took us all day (we took a break for food in between) to tour just the three houses and everyone in our party really enjoyed it. This is not something you want to miss if you are visiting New England. WARNING: You are NOT allowed to bring a stroller into any of the houses. My husband and I took turns carrying our 12 month old (he's not quite walking yet) and although he was well behaved, it was hard at times. read more

My husband and I visited Newport for a day and I really wished we stayed much longer. I had no idea what we were going to visit when we came to town, it was a spur of the moment trip. We drove over to Breakers and parked, free parking btw. We got a ticket to see 2 houses. We really had no idea what we were doing when we bought it so we bought the cheapest ticket and were told we could upgrade if we wanted. Breakers was amazing! This is a self guided audio tour. Now normally I don't like the idea of audio tours but this is worth it. So much great info, and the commentary at times was amusing. The tour probably took about an hour, I didn't really pay attention but it was so entertaining it was worth it. The house was breathtaking. I highly recommend for anyone, kids maybe would have no interest but my husband and I both love it and we are 30. We also visited the Chateau del Mer and it was equally awesome. This tour was guided by an awesome lady named Karen. We had a great time of this too. I would say the tour was probably about 1 hour as well. So much history in these old homes, its truly remarkable. I wished we could have visited me but we were on a road trip. Save your tickets if you go, you can upgrade them later. Amazing homes, amazing tours!!! read more

In order of awesomeness- The Breakers, The Marble House, The Rosecliff, The Elms. Will update as I visit more of the mansions. Holiday Evenings here are a must. Amazing Christmas decorations, carolers, good drinks and pastries. If you do the dual holiday evening at two of the mansions you can take the trolley between the two. Had a really good time at this event at 3 mansions read more

One of my favorite vacations! I went in the fall, when the leaves were turning. It made for an enjoyable and pretty vacation to visit the homes during fall. Christmas time is really great. You can envision what it could be like living there during the Holidays. A few of the bigger homes are given by audio tour guide vs. a live-person. The headset is worn while you roam about the houses. It makes it better for the larger homes, like the Breakers, because it gives you plenty of time to listen and observe what you want, with extra add-ons (such as the paintings that hang on the walls, the furniture, etc.) Most of the homes are wheelchair accessible (elevator access). I would try to visit two homes a day: one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I have my favorites, but if you here for at least 4 days, I would visit all the homes. You can purchase 1 ticket to get you admission for multilple homes, however, 1 or 2 have their own entrance fee and ticket. Check the newport mansions. org website for more information. read more

Great great way to spend a nice summer day. The mansion walk is relaxing as well as a sight to be seen. It's also one of the main attractions in Newport. Walked for what seemed like miles on the cliffs that oversaw the ocean as well as some of the oldest Mansions in Newport. There are areas for you to take pictures of the sights, benches to sit down and relax along the way and you can even walk across some of the properties which go on for acres. There are also areas where you can walk down to the rocks in the ocean and jump in for a swim. The walk is full of people of all ages as well as people bringing their pets along for the walk. There's also a restaurant at the beginning of the cliff walk that has an amazing view of the ocean and the wider town. Didn't dine there, but seems like a great place to take in the sights over a meal. This a great sunday activity. Very relaxing, but you also get a bit of exercise as the walk goes on for a very long time. Well worth it though. read more