If you’re looking for things to do in Newport, Rhode Island, you’ve come to the right place. This picturesque New England city was once home to the America’s Cup and is known for its Gilded Age mansions on Bellevue Avenue. Many of these are now museums. Be sure to check out the Breakers, an 1895 mansion modeled after a Renaissance palace.

Rough Point Mansion

You can do many things at Rough Point Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, including tours of the mansion and art galleries. This historic home was designed by Peabody & Stearns and was built for Frederick W. Vanderbilt in the late 19th century. This estate was also home to Doris Duke, a wealthy heiress and philanthropist who donated much of her estate to charity. Her personal art collection was vast and included everything from 18th century portraiture to Chinese ceramics. You can also take a tour of her bedroom.

After exploring the interiors of the mansion, you can head outside to enjoy the spectacular views of Newport. You can also visit the Red Maple Pond and Nelson Pond, where you can see swans and mallards. The grounds of Rough Point also feature an International Tennis Hall of Fame. This hall celebrates the history of the sport and has numerous artifacts related to the sport.

You can choose between self-guided tours and guided tours of the mansion. The guided tours last about 75 minutes. There are also self-guided tours available on Saturdays from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Depending on your interests and the number of people in your group, you can choose a tour that is convenient for you.

You can take a guided tour of the mansion by using the mansion’s website. Tickets for guided tours can be purchased in advance. The tours are free for children 12 years old and under.

Cliff Walk

If you are planning a day trip to Newport, you might want to take a walk on the Cliff Walk, an elevated walkway that straddles the edge of the cliff. This scenic walk offers stunning views of the deep blue ocean and a number of opulent mansions built during the Gilded Age. While you’re on the walk, you can listen to an audio tour or a tour guide who can share fascinating stories about the city’s history.

Newport’s Cliff Walk is 3.5 miles long and runs from Memorial Boulevard to Bailey’s Beach. On your way, you’ll see some of the city’s most famous mansions, including the Marble House, Rosecliff, and Ochre Court. You can also see the Forty Steps, which are located near Narragansett Avenue.

The path is mostly paved, but there are places for people to sit and rest. There are also a number of wildflowers and trees along the path. The trail is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Be aware that inclement weather may make the path slippery. Taking this into consideration, you may want to bring some waterproof shoes or other protective gear.

The Cliff Walk in Newport is a great option for families. At its southern tip, you can enjoy beautiful views of the ocean. You can also take your dog along with you for a stroll. The path is open to dogs, as long as they stay on a leash. However, you should be sure to clean up after your pet.

The Cliff Walk is a popular spot for visitors to Newport, and is open all year round. The walk is 3.5 miles long and is free. Despite the fact that it’s an active part of the city, the 3.5-mile path is a peaceful, scenic walk.

Seeing The Elms

One of the best ways to get a sense of the size and scope of The Elms is to watch a man change a lightbulb. You might think that it’s a dreary task, but the man doing it at The Elms is actually partially caffeinated, letting you know he’s working on changing the bulb in a large light above the main foyer. It’s just one example of the massive amount of lights that have been installed in The Elms.

The Elms was originally built as a summer residence for the Berwind family. It was designed after the Chateau d’Asnieres outside of Paris and cost its owners $1.4 million. The Berwind family lived there until 1961, when it was purchased by the Preservation Society of Newport County and opened to the public. Since then, it has become a popular attraction for tourists who want to see the house.

Located on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, The Elms is easily accessible and offers free parking in its own parking lot. It’s also close to the Tennis Hall of Fame, which makes it a convenient place to visit. You can find a parking space at 367 Bellevue Avenue, so you won’t have any trouble finding a spot to park.

The Berwind family’s summer cottage became a popular venue for social gatherings for the elite. When Mrs. Berwind passed away, her brother Edward invited his sister Julia to take over as hostess of The Elms. Miss Julia lived in the house until 1961, when she passed away. In 1962, the Preservation Society of Newport purchased The Elms and saved it from demolition. The house is now open to the public and is a perfect location to watch the seasons and get an insider’s view of Newport’s history.

Exploring Newport’s Gilded Age mansions

If you’re interested in exploring Newport’s historic mansions, there are many options available to you. Some are managed by Preservation Society of Rhode Island, while others are owned by private owners. The Gilded Age spanned from 1870 to 1900 and was a time of rapid economic growth, especially in the northeast U.S. During this time, the wealth of many Americans was unprecedented. Many families became extremely wealthy and “old money” families competed with “new money” people to make their fortunes. Newport, Rhode Island was one of the centers of this competition. Many of the Newport mansions were built by wealthy families and used as summer retreats for their families.

You can explore the mansions on your own, or you can choose to tour them with a guide. There are audio tours and personalized tours available, as well as seasonal presentations at several of the mansions. When planning your vacation, be sure to book your accommodations in advance as many of the historic mansions can sell out fast. If you’re visiting the Gilded Age mansions on your own, you may want to book a room in a hotel in Newport. Inn on Belleview and Artful Lodger are a couple of excellent Newport hotels that are close to the mansions.

While exploring Newport’s mansions, don’t overlook the beautiful Marble House, which was a favorite of the Queens of the Gilded Age. It has a spectacular interior with 22-karat gold leaf decor in the Grand Salon and is a National Historic Landmark. Another mansion of the Gilded Age, the Elms, was originally intended to be a modest summer home for Edward Julius Berwind. Its design is inspired by the mid-18th century French Chateau d’Asnieres near Paris. It hosts a popular flower show in the spring.

Visiting Fort Adams State Park

If you’re in the area, visit Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. This public recreation area and historic site is the site of a huge coastal fortification that was active from 1841 to the first half of the 20th century. Today, visitors can enjoy its scenic shoreline and a number of historical attractions.

The Fort’s historic significance and modern day amenities make it a popular recreational area. It is also home to the Newport Yachting Museum. Visitors can tour the fort’s 19th-century stone barracks and explore its defensive walls, tunnels, and officers’ quarters.

If you’d like to learn more about the history of Newport, you can take a walking tour around the grounds. There are several trails, including one that circles the fort. This trail provides stunning views of Castle Hill Lighthouse, Beavertail Lighthouse, and Rose Island Lighthouse. Alternatively, you can rent a golf cart and tour the park. Visiting Fort Adams State Park in Newport is a great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Newport, Rhode Island.

Fort Adams is a good place to take your family, as it’s located just a couple of miles southwest of downtown Newport. There are several parking lots and restrooms here, as well as a gift shop. Guided tours cost $12 each and are available daily between mid-May and October. The guided tours are held every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and you can also take them on the weekends.