Newport is the height of culture in America, once the playground for the "Who's Who" of society. Manions built by the Vanderbilts, Belmonts, Astors and other Gilded Age-millionaires dot the (well-manicured) landscape.

Mansions

  • The Breakers
    424 Bellevue Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 847-1000

    Built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, the Chairman and President of the New York City Railroad system, in 1893, the Breakers is easily Newport's finest mansion. Modeled in the style of Italian castles at Genoa and Turin, the "cottage," as the Vanderbilts reffered to it, features 70 rooms and is open to tours year round.

  • Marble House
    Bellevue Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 847-1000

    Another Vanderbilt "cottage," the Marble House was inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles and built at a cost of $11 million dollars -- today equivalent to nearly $244 million dollars! $5 million alone was spent on the vast quantities of marble for which the house derives its name. One of the finest mansions in Newport, be sure not to miss it.

  • The Elms
    367 Bellevue Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 847-1000

    Modeled after the 18th century French chateau d'Asnieres, the Elms is one of the three most popular of Newport mansions along with Marble House and the Breakers. Containing Renaissance-era ceramics, 18th-century French and Venetian paintings, and Oriental jades and boasting a recently-restored luscious garden, the Elms is sure to delight any visitor.

  • Rosecliff
    Bellevue Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 847-1000
    While the Marble House was inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles, Rosecliff was modeled after the Grand Trianon, the King's garden retreat. Built by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899, Harry Houdini once performed here. Some Schwarzenegger fans may recognize Rosecliff as the site of one of the mansions in True Lies.

  • Green Animals
    380 Corys Lane
    Portsmouth, RI 02871
    (401) 683-1267

    Named after the profusion of sculpted animals spanning the seven acres of gardens, Green Animals is the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States.

  • Chateau-sur-Mer
    474 Bellevue Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 847-1000

    One of the older mansions in Newport, the Chateau-sur-Mer was built in 1852 and modeled in the 'Second Empire' style, of which the Old Executive Building in Washington, DC and the Louvre are based on as well. It served as home to George Peabody Wetmore, Governor of Rhode Island and United States Senator.

  • Chepstow
    Narragansett Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 847-1000

    Another one of the older houses, Chepstow was built in in 1860 for Edward Schermerhorn. Advance reservations required for tours. Call (401) 847-1000 ext. 165 for information and reservations.

  • Isaac Bell House
    Bellevue Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 847-1000

    Built in 1883 for wealthy cotton broker Isaac Bell, the House is billed as one of the best surviving examples of shingle-style architecture in the country. It blends European, American and even Japanese influences. While not as impressive as the other mansions, the quiet beauty of the Isaac Bell House is sure to charm.

  • Kingscote
    Bellevue Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 847-1000

    One of the original mansion homes in Newport, Kingscote was built in 1839 for southern planter George Nobel Jones, and is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the United States. It was one of the first homes along Bellevue Road and paved the way for the subsequent mansion boom on that road.

  • Hunter House
    54 Washington Street
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 847-1000

    The Hunter House is the oldest of the Newport mansions and is a lovely example of Georgian Colonial architecture. If you want to see how Newport was like during the Revolutionary War era, be sure to make Hunter House a stop on your tour.

Sporting

  • New York Yacht Club
    5 Halidon Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 845-9633

    One of the nations first yacht clubs, the NYYC (so named because it was originally established on the banks of the Hudson) is one of the world's premiere private yachting clubs. It hosts the annual New York Yacht Club Cruise in July or August, which is not to be missed, as well as annual regattas.

  • Newport Country Club
    280 Harrison Avenue,
    Newport, RI 02840

    Home of the first U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open, the private country club has the distinguished pedigree of founding by the Astors and Vanderbilts and one of the five original golf clubs in the United States. It will host the U.S. Women's Open from June 26 - July 2. A schedule of play is available here.

  • International Tennis Hall of Fame
    194 Bellevue Avenue
    Newport, RI 02840
    (401) 849-3990
    newport@tennisfame.com

    The International Tennis Hall of Fame was founded in 1954 and is the largest tennis museum in the world. It features tennis memorabilia and exhibits on the history of the sport.