Submitted by bonvoyagepussy t3_yck6zh in RhodeIsland
Hi guys! I got a ticket to tour 3 of the gorgeous Newport Mansions. Since this will be my first visit, I was wondering which ones people suggested. The only house not included is Hunter House.
Comments
Unique-Public-8594 t1_itmqpfb wrote
Breakers is most famous.
Rose Cliff is my favorite. It’s not as large as Breakers but all the white marble makes it lighter/brighter/prettier. True Lies was filmed there. Fun to watch the movie first, then go.
Sleuthiestofsleuths t1_itn9i1g wrote
Breakers for sure, as most have said. It's the most over-the-top. Rosecliff is my favorite, and the one I would live in, given the choice. If you can get in to Rough Point, Doris Duke's mansion, it's a must-see! If not, go with Marble House, if for no other reason than it was built for Alva Vanderbilt as her 35th birthday present. It's good to set a high standard 😂
degggendorf t1_itpsda4 wrote
> If you can get in to Rough Point, Doris Duke's mansion, it's a must-see!
Have you been recently? What's the status of their construction? Last time I was there just about a year ago they were working on seemingly the entire exterior, so the whole thing was covered in scaffolding and dust control fabric.
Sleuthiestofsleuths t1_itpymla wrote
I know they're doing maintenance and roofing work, but it's all exterior. The house and grounds are still open for tours. Some of the restoration work is as fascinating as the house itself, in terms of the lengths they have to go to to ensure historical accuracy. Plus, Doris Duke's clothing is on display and you can see how she really lived in the house. It's definitely one of my favorites!
I_Like_Knitting_TBH t1_itmydcc wrote
Breakers is my favorite for the outside, Marble House is my favorite for the inside. After those two, Rosecliff is pretty cool but I think The Elms has a topiary garden included that’s worth seeing.
Fetacheesed t1_itr8oh9 wrote
I think I'd second everything here. Marble House is probably the most underrated imo.
MommaGuy t1_itngf8h wrote
Check to see which ones are open. HBO is filming at one, The Elms I think. One was closed for maintenance.
safe-word t1_itnh93w wrote
Chateau-sur-Mer
saucyB52 t1_itollra wrote
isn there some fabulouse garden type super ritchy place in newport anywhere
like these oligarcs made their mansions, is there are fantastic garden somewhere
oh yea oligarcs were 200 years ago
or am i mistakin
degggendorf t1_itpsxbs wrote
We generally don't use the term "oligarch" to refer to americans, even when the definition does fit. It's usually applied to the super-wealthy shadow-ruling class in eastern Europe.
Most of the mansions were built in the gilded age - 1870-1900ish range - so closer to 100 than 200 years ago. But they were built to mimic historical styles so they seem older than they actually are.
All of them are competently landscaped, but it sounds like you might be thinking of the Green Animals Topiary Garden which is delightfully over the top, but is also now closed for the season.
laterbacon t1_itmw8sj wrote
Rosecliff, The Elms, & The Breakers would be my suggestion if you've never been. Save the Breakers for last since it's the biggest and most famous.