Exploring the Newport Mansions
Dressed to the Nines!
The Newport Mansions are a must visit destination in Newport and these gorgeous homes look even more beautiful all decked out for the holiday season. Each year from mid-November until the first of January, the rooms of the mansions are filled with incredible Christmas trees, garlands, poinsettias, wreaths, and more!
This year’s decorated mansions included The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House. You can opt to purchase tickets to tour one, two, or all three properties! Tickets can be purchased in person at any of the three properties or in advance online.
Tips for your visit:
I recommend purchasing tickets online in advance.
Download the Newport Mansions App to enjoy a self-guided audio tour of each of the mansions. And remember to bring your headphones.
Free parking is available at all three houses.
The Breakers
The Breakers is often described as the grandest estate in America and the flagship of the Newport Mansions. It was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife Alice, who built the home in 1895 to replace a smaller home that was lost in a fire. The Vanderbilts aimed to reduce the risk of fire to the new property by using steel, brick, and limestone in the build. The home was designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt with an Italian Renaissance style.
The Elms
The Elms was built in 1901 as a summer residence for Edward Julius Berwind and his wife, who made their fortune from the coal industry. They modeled The Elms after the 18th-century French chateau d’Asnieres, which is located outside of Paris. The two were avid collectors of French and Venetian paintings. Today, you will find a large collection of artwork here as you explore the home.
Marble House
Marble House was built in 1892 by Wiliam Vanderbilt as a gift for his wife Ava on her 39th birthday. The home’s design was inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles and includes 500,000 cubic feet of marble. There is also a Chinese Tea House located in the back of Marble House property. Ava had it built along the seaside cliff and hosted rallies here for women’s right to vote.
For more information on the Newport Mansions and latest events be sure to check out the Newport Mansions Preservation Society.
