Newport, Rhode Island is known as the “City by the Sea” and in the late 1800s to the early 1900s this area was discovered by the rich and famous for summertime retreats. Now stand the Newport Mansions of the Gilded Age, where opulence and elegance are frozen in time. Thanks to the Newport Mansions Preservation Society, a host of these behemoth homes have been kept in pristine condition to maintain history.
Many of the Newport Mansions are open for tours, as well as the Green Animals Topiary Gardens in Portsmouth, RI, which is definitely worth the visit. These houses and grounds are museums of interesting notable family history and intrigue, all of which you’ll learn on the available self-guided audio tours. One of the most well-known of the Newport Mansions is “The Breakers,” the 70-room summer home of the Vanderbilt Family.
On your stay at our Connecticut Bed and Breakfast, you’ll be in a great location to take a day trip out to view the Newport Mansions. It’s about an hours drive through the gorgeous New England countryside to Rhode Island. This is an amazing way to really get a lay of the land and explore. As a guest here, history will be all around you in our 1807 House which is listed on the National Registry of Historic places. Start planning and book your stay today!
Add a Trip Out to the Newport Mansions to Your Itinerary
Visiting the Newport Mansions is a lovely addition to any day trip out to Rhode Island from Connecticut. The history behind the architecture and the people that owned and built these giant houses is fascinating. Any person even slightly interested in the history of the era or time period will be floored by a tour of these Newport Mansions.
Here are 8 of the most notable Newport mansions that are a must visit:
- The Marble House: This Gilded age mansion was perhaps one of the first to spark the trend from wooden coastal-style houses to stone palaces. Built between the years of 1888-1892 as a summer home for members of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, this 50-room house is a glimpse of that time period.
- The Breakers: Also a Newport mansion within the Vanderbilt Family, the Breakers is the most visited landmark in Rhode Island. The garden grounds are peppered many imported tree varieties, creating an exotic surrounding for the imposing stone building.
- The Elms: This Newport Mansion was designed by architect Horace Trumbauer, who modeled the home after the mid-18th century French Chateau D’Asnieres. It was the summer home for the coal baron Edward Julius Berwind.
- Chateau-Sur-Mer: This mansion is a museum of high Victorian architecture, including all the interior from wallpaper, furniture, and stenciling. It was the largest of the homes in Rhode Island until the Vanderbilt houses were built at the end of the 1800s.
- Rosecliff: Built by a silver heiress of Nevada, Rosecliff was designed to mirror that of the Grand Trianon of Versailles. This grand mansion was the backdrop for a few episodes of Antiques Roadshow in 2017 and other films.
- Kingscote: This Newport mansion stands out due to its Gothic Revival-style. It’s also known as one of the first “cottages” build for summer homes to the wealthy folks of the era.
- Blithewood Mansion: With sweeping views of Narragansett Bay, this 33-acre estate offers a 45-room mansion set on gorgeously maintained garden grounds.
- Rough Point: This mansion features the collection of Doris Duke, including fine art, furniture, and decor. The grounds offer panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and is a lovely spot to tour on your trip out to Rhode Island.
Add a Stop to the Green Animals Topiary Gardens on Your Day Trip
- This living sculpture garden has more than 80 topiaries in the shape of birds, animals, and geometric designs. Springtime brings an astounding array of bulbs and flowers, while any time of year is worth a visit to these beautifully maintained gardens. Green Animals is the oldest and most northern topiary gardens in the states, and remains a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
Beautiful Architecture at our Mystic Bed and Breakfast
While our Connecticut Bed and Breakfast may not have the opulence of the 50-room stone palaces of Newport, our Inn still reflects a special time in history and gives guests a sense of warmth and relaxation. Our Inn is the perfect place to cozy up by the fire with your loved ones. The garden grounds offer acres for secluded picnics or leisurely walks in the afternoon sun.
Join us in the dining room for breakfast each morning for freshly prepared dishes with seasonal ingredients. Pair that with a cup of coffee and you’ll be ready to enjoy your vacation to Connecticut to the fullest. Check our availability today and book your next adventure with us at the Stonecroft Country Inn!
