A symbol of the Vanderbilt family's status in turn-of-the-century America, The Breakers is one of the most luxurious of Newport County's summer mansions. Exploring the ornate interiors typically takes about two hours, which you can do at your own pace with a downloadable audio guide. Don’t miss the stunning sea views from the colonnaded terrace. Afterward, stroll along the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, which boasts spectacular views of the coastline. For more opulence, you can also tour the other lavish villas in the surrounding Bellevue Avenue district. – TripadvisorSee more..
The Elms was the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind of Philadelphia and New York. Mr. Berwind made his fortune in the coal industry. In 1898, as the Gilded Age was nearing its end, the Berwinds engaged Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer to design a Newport house modeled after the mid-18th century French chateau d'Asnieres (c. 1750) outside Paris. Construction of The Elms was completed in 1901 at a cost reported at approximately $1.4 million. The interiors and furnishings were designed by Allard and Sons of Paris and were the setting for the Berwinds' collection of Renaissance ceramics, 18th-century French and Venetian paintings, and Oriental jades. In 1962, The Elms was saved by The Preservation Society of Newport County from almost certain demolition. A National Historic Landmark, The Elms is a fine example of the taste and style of the late Gilded Age. Several scenes from HBO's hit series "The Gilded Age" were filmed in The Elms.See more..
Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. It was a summer house, or "cottage," as Newporters called them, but also a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport's transformation from a quiet summer colony to a legendary resort of the Gilded Age. Mr. Vanderbilt was the grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who established the family's fortune in steamships and the New York Central Railroad. His wife, Alva, was a leading hostess in Newport society during the Gilded Age, and envisioned Marble House as her "temple to the arts" in America. The house was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, one of the premier architects of the Gilded Age, who found inspiration in the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The cost was reported in contemporary press accounts to be $11 million, of which $7 million was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Several scenes from HBO's hit series "The Gilded Age" were filmed in Marble House.See more..
4.5Newport Mansions(1.615 reviews) - Three Mansions in Newport Speciality Museums • Architectural Buildings
Get a glimpse into the lavish lives of New England's elite through this unique collection of historic house museums. There are 11 properties that date back to the mid-18th century to the Gilded Age, including The Breakers—one of the most famous mansions in Newport—Marble House, The Elms, and Rosecliff. Book a guided tour that will take you through the various mansions or make a stop there on a trolley tour of Newport. A few of the mansions are also bordered by the popular Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile path along the coast where you can hike to get fantastic views of Narragansett Bay. – TripadvisorSee more..
4.5Rosecliff(1.043 reviews) - Great Gatsby Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Speciality Museums
Commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899, toward the end of the GIlded Age, architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles. The house was completed in 1902, at a reported cost of $2.5 million. Its elegant ballroom is the largest in Newport, and Mrs. Oelrichs hosted fabulous entertainments there, including a fairy tale dinner and a party featuring famed magician Harry Houdini. The facade of Rosecliff recently was shown during HBO's hit series "The Gilded Age."See more..
4.5International Tennis Hall of Fame(595 reviews) - Fun to see, even if you don't play Tennis Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks
With more than 2,000 unique objects on display, from racquets, to attire, to trophies, as well as a variety of interactive exhibits, there is something for everyone inside the walls of the International Tennis Hall of Fame museum.See more..
4.5Rough Point Museum(594 reviews) - I Loved Being Here and Can't Praise It Enough Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
Rough Point is a mansion and a museum with an extensive collection of fine and decorative arts and a sprawling historic landscape with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The property is experienced today largely as it was lived in during the lifetime of its most famous owner, the heiress Doris Duke.See more..
4.5Green Animals Topiary Garden(235 reviews) - Must see Topiary Garden Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Gardens
Green Animals is the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States. This small country estate in Portsmouth was purchased in 1872 by Thomas E. Brayton, Treasurer of the Union Cotton Manufacturing Company in Fall River, Massachusetts. It consisted of seven acres of land, a white clapboard summer residence, farm outbuildings, a pasture and a vegetable garden. Gardener Joseph Carreiro, superintendent of the property from 1905 to 1945, and his son-in-law, George Mendonca, superintendent until 1985, were responsible for creating the topiaries. There are more than 80 pieces of topiary throughout the gardens, including animals and birds, geometric figures and ornamental designs, sculpted from California privet, yew, and English boxwood. Today, Green Animals remains as a rare example of a self-sufficient estate combining formal topiaries, vegetable and herb gardens, orchards and a Victorian house overlooking Narragansett Bay.See more..
4.5Audrain Automobile Museum(235 reviews) - Absolutely worth a visit Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums
“More of an Art Museum than a Car Museum,” we celebrate the Machine Age, when art and automobiles came together. With access to more than 200 of the most remarkable and rare vehicles ever made, the Museum takes pride in its ability to display automobiles from 1899 to modern day. Vehicles are chosen specifically and showcased based on ever-changing exhibition themes. By displaying 15-20 cars at a time, the Museum gives patrons and enthusiasts of all ages a completely unique experience with each visit. "Preserving Newport's History One Car At A Time."See more..
5.0Newport Car Museum(185 reviews) - if you like old great cars this is a place you must go. Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums
7 MILES FROM NEWPORT w/ ample FREE PARKING! Since 2017, the Newport Car Museum has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors from around the world. Located in a converted 3-acre building that once served as a missile manufacturing facility, the Newport Car Museum presents 90 cars as art, displaying them in six galleries (and a Pop-Up Porsche Exhibit) that use theatrical lighting, specially commissioned large-format artwork and award-winning videos to tell the story of Ford/Shelby, Corvettes, World Cars, Fin Cars, Mopars and American Muscle Cars. Meticulously kept cars are displayed on low-rise platforms and turntables, with no barrier ropes, allowing for unobstructed 360-degree inspection, especially appreciated on “Hoods Up” Weekends held the second weekend of every month. Rounding out the experience are friendly, knowledgeable docents; a collection of Mid-Century modern furniture; and a cool gift shop with hundreds of eclectic items for all ages.See more..
4.5Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark(137 reviews) - A worthwhile visit, even if it's closed. Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Architectural Buildings
Check our website before your visit for the most accurate information! A key site within Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, Slater Mill is the first industrial building in America and a visitor contact station for the National Park. The grounds are open 24 hours/day. See our website for visitor tour and special event information. In 1793 the firm of Almy, Brown and Slater replaced their experimental workshop with a new mill. Known as the Slater Mill, it was the first water powered textile mill in America. The original mill was six windows wide and two and ½ stories tall. It makes up the core of the building you see today. Slater Mill was expanded six times in the 1800s.The building remained a cotton spinning mill until 1895.See more..
Landmark which was once the center of the Sentintellist movement with frescoes modeled after the Sistine Chapel.See more..
4.5Herreshoff Marine Museum(103 reviews) - Great for a rainy day during our time in Newport! Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums
We are CLOSED for the Season! See you in April! THE HERRESHOFF MARINE MUSEUM / AMERICA'S CUP HALL OF FAME is dedicated to the education and inspiration of the public through presentations of the history and innovative work of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and the America's Cup competition. The Museum, bordering beautiful Narragansett Bay, in Bristol, Rhode Island, is one of the nation's most important historic maritime treasures. We regularly host classic yacht regattas, sponsor symposia on classic yacht design and restoration, and operate an outstanding sailing school for youth and adults. We celebrate excellence in design, innovation, education, and technology. Immerse yourself in exhibits about the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, the America’s Cup, and the fabulous people and yachts that gained fame around the world. Participate in our extraordinary events and expand your horizons. Visit, join, and be part of a great tradition.See more..
4.5Newport Art Museum(97 reviews) - Wonderful Changing Exhibits Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums
This is a great museum that is the right size. They have ongoing and special exhibitions, all very different/exclusive. It is small enough to experience all the exhibits but still experience lots of Newport. Small free parking lot. Just a couple of blocks up from the touristy waterfront.See more..
5.0Clouds Hill Museum(26 reviews) - Museum quality surrounds and amazes you Speciality Museums
This family summer retreat high on a hill overlooking Greenwich Bay is a gem of Victorian architecture and wondrous items from around the world. It is still a work in documentation progress and restoration. Wayne, our docent, made us welcome. He had a wealth of knowledge about each item and Rhode Island's history of the affluent, industrial class. A word to the wise: this is not a place to bring children unless they have patience and maturity. Too many breakables. The grounds need some TLC but as at most places, money is a factor. Call ahead. They are very accommodating.See more..
4.0The Met(16 reviews) - Great concert! Saturday: Speciality Museums
Till the last moment I had no idea where am I going on that Friday evening. It happened to be a surprise from my friend. Not only he took me to amazing Marian Hill show. That concert took place in great local! MET is absolutely great for that type of event, nice people, good atmosphere and acoustic. I'm looking forward to next events that they will organize. Thanks once again for amazing night See more..
5.0Musee Patamecanique(11 reviews) - Nothing else like it - in this reality or any other Speciality Museums
My girlfriend and I went for our two-year anniversary - she had no idea what I was surprising her with, and to be honest, I hardly had a better one. But as soon as it began, we knew we were in for a night we would never forget. The problem with Musée Patamécanique is that you can not describe what makes it so awe inspiring without giving away the element of surprise and mystery, which is a large part of what makes it so special. Suffice it to say, it may very well be the closest you will ever come to experiencing real magic in your lifetime.See more..
The Hearthside House is a well kept historical house. They have docents dresses in the period, in every room, to tell you stories about the room, or history of the house. They also, have a small gift shop, at the end of your visit. There is always something going on at The Hearthside! Enjoy!See more..
5.0Veterans Memorial Museum(6 reviews) - History buffs will love this museum! Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Military Museums • Speciality Museums • History Museums
This museum packs a lot of artifacts in a small space and it all works great. Military artifacts from the revolutionary war up to the current day are proudly displayed in this location. A must see for history enthusiasts.See more..
4.0Cape Verdean Museum(6 reviews) - Lovely place to learn on a rainy fall afternooon Speciality Museums
The Cape Verdean Museum has a unique collection of artifacts, photographs, maps and crafts the tell the story of the islands and their people. It has also a great deal of information on Cape Verdean Americans and their history. There are exhibits on slavery, whaling, Cape Cod cranberry picking, the immigration packets, the longshoremen, the Independence movement among other topics. The museum has one of the largest collections of English-language books on the people and a special selection of films and maps.See more..
Visited this diamond in the rough on a Tuesday afternoon with my partner. We were given a personal tour of the 55+ pinball (or like) machines - old and new - and some of the back-stories on artwork and the history of notable machines. Then we played a variety of PB machines, and other video games. It was a great experience. Highly recommend a visit and experience. And the $10 price to play all we wanted was awesome! Highly recommend!See more..
4.5Bristol Art Museum(3 reviews) - A little gem in the heart of Bristol - Bristol Art Museum! Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries • Speciality Museums • Art Museums
The Bristol Art Museum is a non-profit organization founded in 1963 serving the local East Bay community and Rhode Island from its main location and galleries at the historic Linden Place in downtown Bristol, RI. Our mission is to enrich the cultural life of the community and the people of our region through diverse and contemporary art exhibits.See more..
