Exploring Newport

Newport Mansions

Step back in time to the gilded ages of Newport. At The Newport Mansions you can experience the lives of the people who lived and worked in the grand mansions through self-guided with state-of-the-art digital audio players at The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Rosecliff at your own pace.

The Family Audio Tour at The Breakers Mansion puts a fun and informative spin on what it was like to grow up in the house from members of the family, servants and their children. While you stroll through the mansion you will learn about what daily life as like for the family, sculptures even the furnishings! The tour also incorporates a fun scavenger hunt. The mansion is truly brought to life through this tour.

The Grand Staircase

The ornate details on the ceilings throughout the mansions were a favorite of mine.

Wages were low, the work was tedious and the hours were long for the massive staff of the mansions.

The second stop on my tour was The Marble House. The ornate details of this “Summer Cottage” were breathtaking. Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. The cost of the house was reported in press accounts to be $11 million, of which $7 million was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Upon its completion, Mr. Vanderbilt gave the house to his wife as a 39th birthday present! But Alva divorced him 4 years after the project was finished. She got the house, which she soon closed after marrying William’s friend and neighbor, Oliver H.P. Belmont. When Oliver died, Alva discovered the cause of female suffrage and reopened Marble House in 1913 to hold a benefit for the campaign for women’s right to vote.

Smaller but by no means less extravagant, Marble House resembles the White House situated sea side. The house was only lived in by the family about 6 weeks out of the year.

Walls, décor and furniture throughout the home are gilded in gold and platinum.

Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom.

The Preservation Society of Newport County has a year-round operating schedule. However, some houses are open only seasonally. The schedule is a rolling calendar, which is updated regularly. All properties are closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For more info and to plan your visit, CLICK HERE.

IYRS: International Yacht Restoration School

Through the 20-month program at IYRS (International Yacht Restoration School) students learn the art of handcrafting boats, restoration and design. Visitors are welcome to step inside the school’s massive workshop on a self guided tour and watch students build and repair their vessels.

Student working on her boat.

Boats awaiting restoration.

Nearing completion.

The tour was wonderful, the students and instructors were friendly and more than happy to answer questions and show us their work!

Learn more about IYRS HERE.

Midtown Oyster Bar

A great spot for lunch in downtown Newport is the Midtown Oyster Bar. Midtown Oyster Bar offers the areas largest working raw bar as well as the freshest seafood around. The two-story building offer 2 bar areas, the first floor tavern and the second floor Burgee Bar. Three dining rooms and two outside decks allow for plenty of dining space as well as the availability for private parties.