There is perhaps no place more beautiful to celebrate the Christmas season than the Newport Mansions. At this time of year, these historic mansions are fully decked out in sparkling lights with festive trees covered in ornaments and offer a joyous mix of holiday music, tours, and spectacular decorations. It’s one of the most memorable ways to spend a crisp winter’s day touring these impressive structures from the days of yore.
Newport, Rhode Island, a picturesque coastal city known as the “City by the Sea,” gained fame in the late 1800s to the early 1900s as a favored destination for the affluent and celebrities seeking summer retreats. During this time, the mansions of the Gilded Age were constructed, serving as a testament to the grandeur and sophistication of the era. These magnificent homes, frozen in time, reflect the wealth and elegance of that period. The Newport Mansions Preservation Society has played a crucial role in preserving these architectural marvels.
Newport, Rhode Island, is about an hour from our bed and breakfast in Mystic– a little further if you choose to take the scenic route along the water, which we recommend. It’s an easy day trip from here. In no time at all, you’ll be reveling in the magic of the Newport Mansions at Christmas. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the best of the Christmas season, all while enjoying the quiet, romantic accommodations offered by our bed and breakfast in Mystic. Book your lodging today!
Tour the Newport Mansions this Holiday Season
The Newport Mansions are always worth the trip – the opportunity to revel in these Gilded Age masterpieces is never a disappointment. However, some might argue that when these stunning examples are all dressed up for the holiday season, it’s an even more unforgettable addition to your trip.
These impressive Gilded Age mansions are adorned with stunning Christmas displays, which are open to visitors. You can expect to see around 30 beautifully decorated Christmas trees, each complementing the theme and décor of the room they are in.
For example, Mr. Vanderbilt’s tree in The Breakers is adorned with trains and top hats. Additionally, you’ll find an array of decorations, including hundreds of poinsettias, garlands, wreaths, and fresh floral arrangements that add warmth and color to the surroundings. Don’t miss the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the Great Hall of The Breakers, which comprises 150 poinsettia plants and provides a perfect holiday photo opportunity.
There are three main mansions to tour during the holiday season, putting on a festive display:
- The Breakers: Owned by the famed Vanderbilt Family, the Breakers mansion is the most visited landmark in Rhode Island. The garden grounds are peppered with many imported tree varieties, creating an exotic surrounding for the imposing stone building. This mansion has one of the most impressive holiday displays during the holidays.
- The Elms: This Newport Mansion was designed by architect Horace Trumbauer. He modeled the home after the mid-18th-century French Chateau D’Asnieres. It was the summer home of the coal baron Edward Julius Berwind.
- The Marble House: Built between 1888 and 1892 as a lavish birthday gift from William Vanderbilt to his wife, Alva. Designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt, it became a pivotal example of Gilded Age luxury and helped transform Newport into a resort for the elite. Alva Vanderbilt later used the mansion for social gatherings and women’s suffrage events.
Book our Bed and Breakfast in Stonington, CT
There’s a reason so many people have made our luxury Bed and Breakfast in CT their home away from home over the years, and it has everything to do with our comfortable accommodations, quiet and restful ambiance, and welcoming hospitality. Here, you’ll find ten different guest rooms to choose from, including the historic guest rooms in our 1807 House and the more spacious and luxurious guest rooms in our Yellow Barn.
As a member of the exclusive Select Registry group of properties around the country, you’ll rest well knowing that our lodging property is held to a higher standard than some other hotels in the area. We have a long list of luxurious amenities, including a gourmet homemade breakfast each morning, air-conditioning, upscale bath products, fluffy robes, and luscious linens.
This winter is the perfect time to relax, unwind, and share cozy, intimate moments at our bed and breakfast in Mystic, CT. While you’re here, explore downtown Mystic, visit the Newport Mansions, and enjoy your time away. If you’re here for the first snowfall, you’ll truly see the beauty of our historic estate cloaked in white. Start planning your winter getaway and book your lodging at our bed and breakfast today!
