Newport
Rhode Island
Our visits: So far 2 Besuch im Oktober 2010 und Oktober 2013
Marble House
Description: Marble House is one of the Vanderbilt estates in Newport. It was designed by architect Richard Morris for the family of William K. Vanderbilt as a summer home. The house has 50 rooms, all of which were furnished with exclusive materials. For example, the marble for the facade was imported from France and Italy.
The house can be visited, but no pictures can be taken inside. The house belongs to the Newport Manisons Preservation Society. This society manages all houses that can be visited in Newport. On the official homepage you can find everything you need to know about a visit. Opening hours vary. The entrance fees depend on how many of the houses you want to see. 1 house costs 18$/person, 2 houses cost 32$/person, 5 houses cost 38$/person. The great thing is that all the tours are self-guided. You get an audio guide, which is even available in German, and then you can walk through the houses at your own pace.
Our rating: We visited Marble House in October 2013. Since the weather was memorably bad, it was a great day for indoor activities. It was interesting to see what some people call a summer residence. The huge house was very impressive and we thoroughly enjoyed looking at everything.
Entrance fees and opening hours
- From $18/person/house
- Open daily from 10 am - 4 pm.
For the GPS: 596 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840
The Breakers
Description: The Breakers, the largest private home in Newport, also belonged to the Vanderbilt family. It was built from 1893-1895 at a cost of nearly $7 million, for Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Again, the architect was Morris Hunt. The three-story house has 70 rooms.
The house can be visited, but no photos can be taken inside. The house belongs to the Newport Manisons Preservation Society, which manages all the houses that can be visited. On the official homepage you can find everything you need to know about a visit. Opening hours vary. The entrance fees depend on how many of the houses you want to see. 1 house costs 18$/person, 2 houses cost 32$/person, 5 houses cost 38$/person. The great thing is that all the tours are self-guided. You get an audio guide, which is even available in German, and then you can walk through the houses at your own pace.
Our rating: The Breakers is also a very impressive house. However, you should be aware that this is one of the most popular houses and therefore it can get really crowded. To be honest, that was also what bothered us a bit during our visit. Even if you don't hear much of the noise around you because of the headphones, there is always someone in the way. The house itself is certainly worth a visit.
Entrance fees and opening hours
- From $18/person/house
- Open daily from 9 am - 4 pm.
For the GPS: 44 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840
Cliff Walk
Description: Starting at Bailey Beach on Bellevue Ave in the west, the Cliff Walk runs 3.5mi along the coast to Memorial Blvd in the north. You walk past 64 estates, some of them stately, and get a glimpse of the homes of the truly rich and famous.
Our rating: We walked the Cliff Walk from The Breakers to the northern end. That was a lot of fun, because in contrast to the rather crowded houses, you are much more to yourself here. If the weather had been better, the experience would have been even more beautiful.
Newport Harbor
Description: From King Park in Newport Harbor, you have a very nice view of Newport and at the huge Claiborne Pell Bridge. Because of its sheltered location, this side of town is also home to many of the sailboats of the city's rich and famous.
Our rating: We liked the stop here at King Park to stretch our legs and enjoy the view.
Fort Adams State Park
Description: Fort Adams was commissioned in 1841 and served as a coastal fortification at the entrance to Newport Harbor. Today it serves as a museum and can be visited. Everything you need to know about a visit can be found on the official homepage. The Eisenhower House is another nice feature that is now part of the state park. Dwight Eisenhower used the house as a summer residence during his presidency. Today, anyone can rent it for private parties, etc.
Our rating: We visited the state park in October 2010. Since we didn't really have much time, we just looked at everything from the outside.
Entrance fees and opening hours
- From $15/person
- Open daily from 10 am - 4 pm.
For the GPS: 80 Fort Adams Dr, Newport, RI 02840
Ocean Drive
Description: Ocean Drive leads from Fort Adams, along the coast to the west and offers great views of the ocean and the many mansions that stand here in the dunes and on the coast.
Our rating: We can recommend this drive to anyone traveling around Newport. The coast is great and offers plenty of opportunities to stop and take a look at the ocean. If the weather hadn't been so unfriendly, we would have certainly put our feet in the Atlantic Ocean.
