newport rhode island mansion tours christmas

Holidays at the Newport Mansions

Surround yourself with the magic of the Newport Mansions during the holiday season! See The Breakers, Marble House and The Elms in all their festive finery – a beloved Newport tradition.

These great Gilded Age houses will welcome visitors with spectacular holiday displays. Nearly 30 Christmas trees are exquisitely decorated to complement the décor and theme of each room, like Mr. Vanderbilt’s tree in The Breakers, ornamented with trains and top hats! Hundreds of poinsettias, garlands, wreaths and fresh floral arrangements add color, warmth and life. As always, the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree in the Great Hall of The Breakers – made up of 150 poinsettia plants – provides a perfect holiday photo opportunity.

Make your plans now to visit the Newport Mansions for the holidays – and prepare to be dazzled!

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See the Newport Mansions Operating Schedule for opening days and hours for each house.

What you need to know

November 17 – december 30, sparkling lights at the breakers, november 17 – december 30, 2023 admission at 4 pm, 4:30 pm, 5 pm, 5:30 pm and 6 pm. gates close at 6:30 pm. house & grounds close at 8 pm.

This outdoor spectacle of holiday lights will dazzle and delight you! The 13-acre landscape of The Breakers turns into a wonderland of color and light. Includes tour of the lavish decorated rooms inside the house. Open on select evenings through the season. Includes The Breakers interior tour during the same visit.

Fourth-grade Trim-a-Tree at The Breakers

Local fourth-graders will add their own festive touch to the holiday decorations at The Breakers! The Trim-a-Tree program, a longtime partnership between the Preservation Society and Pell Elementary School in Newport, returns this year with 160 fourth-graders creating ornaments along the theme of “Taking Flight.” The kids’ ornaments will be displayed on seven lighted trees in the kitchen of The Breakers for the duration of Holidays at the Newport Mansions. Please stop by and admire their creativity!

Hold your holiday private or corporate event at The Elms!

This holiday season, we’re making one of our most elegant and beloved mansions available for private events. The Elms is available for the month of December for receptions up to 200 people. The mansion will be decorated for the season with ornamental evergreens, Christmas trees, wreaths, flowers and more. Just add your guests, food and drink, and it’s an event they will never forget! Please email Megan Kenney Pharo for pricing, options and availability: [email protected]

Holiday Tea at the Chinese Tea House

Located on the back lawn of Marble House and overlooking the ocean, the Chinese Tea House is an unmatched setting for a three-course holiday brunch by Stoneacre Brasserie. The menu includes a three-tier tea tower, an entree selection and assorted desserts. Complimentary tea service is included. Specialty cocktails and wines are available for purchase. Exclusive to Preservation Society members and Newport Mansions tour ticket holders. For available dates and to make reservations, go to Stoneacre's Resy page. Questions? Email [email protected] .

More Tours, Events & Exhibitions

Beneath the breakers tour, daily 10:30 am.

Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.

Gilded Age Newport in Color

March 15 – june 30, 2024 10:00am – 3:00pm.

This exhibition explores a largely unknown but important chapter in American history: the experience of a thriving African heritage community in Newport.

Annual Plant Sale at Green Animals Topiary Garden

May 10 – 12, 2024 8 am -10 am.

Get your garden going or find nice springtime and Mother's Day gifts for friends and family! A variety of flowers, vegetables and specialty plants are available while supplies last.

Servant Life Tour

Daily starting may 11, 10:30 am and 3:30 pm*.

See and hear how the other half lived. This tour will highlight the stories of some of the men and women who worked to service the social whirl of Newport during the Gilded Age. *June 1-Aug. 31, 10:30 am, 2 pm & 3:30 pm. Sept. 1-Oct. 14, 10:30 & 3:30. Oct. 15-Jan. 1, 2025, 10:30 & 2:30.

Am I Not a Man and a Woman: The Rise of African Heritage Political Identity in Gilded Age Rhode Island

May 16, 2024 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

Rhode Island Black Heritage Society scholars will interpret the evolution of Black Civil Rights movements in Newport from the beginnings of the 18th-century Free African Societies to the formation of Colored Women Clubs during the Gilded Age.

Inside “The Gilded Age” Tour

May 17 – june 28, 2024.

Fans of HBO’s "The Gilded Age" will love this guide-led tour of locations in four of the Newport Mansions where the show was filmed. Tuesdays and Fridays only, May 17 through June 28. Tickets now available.

Eclectic and Independent: Black Self-Advocacy Strategies, 1870 to 1930

June 6, 2024 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

Black Newporters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had idiosyncratic, localized approaches to politics that differed from the conventional narrative of the time. Dr. Myra Armstead of Bard College will explain how these African Americans gave their own meaning to what collectively may be called independent politics.

Hospitality Employees & Newport County Days 2024

June 8 – 10, 2024 10:00am – 5:00pm.

Newport County residents and employees of the hospitality industry are invited to visit the Newport Mansions as our guests!

The Newport Flower Show: “At Home”

June 21 – 23, 2024.

The 28th annual edition of New England’s premier flower show explores the theme "At Home," celebrating the beauty and inspiration that flowers and plants bring to the spaces in which we live. Tickets now available.

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

September 20 – 22, 2024.

Save the dates for the 19th annual festival, featuring the Vintner Dinner, Sunday Brunch and tasty yet educational seminar experiences.

Get the Newport Mansions app

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Additional Visitor Info

Map & parking info.

Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.

Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Mansions & Gardens

Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.

Partners in Preservation

Christmas at the Mansions

About This Tour

Come away with us by tour bus to dazzling Newport and experience the wonder of Christmas in total splendor! On this magical outing you will tour Newport’s two most celebrated mansions, Marble House and Breakers, both lavishly decorated for Christmas. In addition to the stunning beauty you will see in these homes, you will learn the intriguing story of the family who built these grand estates at the height of the American Gilded Age. In the middle of the day you will have free time for lunch and Christmas shopping in old town Newport. As the sun sets, the grounds of Breakers will become a Christmas wonderland as holiday music fills the air, and its landscape is awash in hundreds of thousands of lights. There is nothing like Christmas at the Mansions!

Tour Highlights

Brick Market Place for lunch and Christmas shopping

Marble House

The Breakers

What's Included

admission to all mansions

At a Glance

Available december, 10:30am - 6:00pm, tour reviews, more rhode island experiences.

Autumn in New England

Rhode Island in a Day

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4 Best Mansions To Visit During Christmas In Newport, Rhode Island

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Christmas is a wonderful time of year when magical seasonal decorations add joy to our everyday life. Over-the-top, ornate Christmas decorations are key to ringing in the holiday season at 4 Newport mansions. Beginning November 20, you can stroll through gorgeous, expertly decorated rooms at three of Newport, RI’s wealthiest “summer cottages.” The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms. Additionally, nearby Blithewold offers a garden viewing beginning November 26th. A visit to the Newport mansions when they are dressed to impress in their finest show-stopping seasonal decor is a wonderful way to bring on the Christmas wonderment.

Decking the halls takes on an entirely new meaning when you are gilding and frosting miles of mantels, dozens of Christmas trees, and acres of gardens. If you have never visited the mansions during the holidays, now is the time. You will definitely find a decor that can be scaled down and applied in your own castle.

The Newport Mansions

Holidays at the Newport Mansions is a wonderful time to explore the life and style of the rich and famous. At Christmas, the rooms sparkle with glittering objects that adorn every room visitors enter. Under the direction of Jim Donahue, Curator of Historic Landscapes & Horticulture for The Preservation Society of Newport County, each room receives a thoroughly planned, room specific, seasonal trapping. A Christmas tree, adorned with room-inspired bobbles, graces every room on the tour. The properties will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Preservation Society of Newport County manages the collection of Newport mansions, ensuring they are preserved for future generations to experience.

Pro Tip: download the Newport mansions tour app before you arrive. It is easily identified with a dark green and white pineapple icon. Explore the app and tours before you arrive. It will impart a sense of what the mansions are all about and how their families influenced Newport society and the world. The app not only takes you room by room through The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms, it also adds tidbits of historic information. Armed with a thorough background, your in-person visit will be sensational as you can sit back and take in all the opulence framed with a rich understanding of the houses you tour.

1. The Breakers

The largest and most prestigious of all the Newport mansions is The Breakers , a Gilded Age château from 1895, built for the Cornelius Vanderbilt family. The great hall with its massive archways, soaring ceilings, and rich draperies is the perfect setting for the mansion’s traditional 15-foot poinsettia tree. As the focal point in the great hall, the poinsettia tree sets the opulent tone for the rest of the festive decor.

Every room on the mansion tour is decorated with gorgeous ornaments, lights, wreaths, and boughs. Every free nook is embellished with gorgeous seasonal arrangements. Many of the arrangements, mantel swags, and wreaths are constructed with plants and flowers grown in the mansion’s greenhouse.

Twin Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the dining room set the stage for a spectacular glittery show-stopping culinary experience. Gold leaf gleams with reflected light as you discover unique decorations that enhance the room’s architectural beauty.

The morning room dazzles with original platinum panels that offer a reflective shine that only serves to enhance the room’s beauty. Imagine enjoying a sumptuous breakfast while immersed in the festive decor.

Be sure to visit Mr. Vanderbilt’s bedroom, it will give you a peek into the day-to-day life of the lord of the manor. Decorated with toy trains and top hats, reflective of Vanderbilt’s railroad empire and love of entertaining, you can envision the luxurious lifestyle of the mansion’s owners.

Sparkling Lights At The Breakers: An Outdoor Magical Wonderland Returns! 

After its spectacular debut in 2020, the festive Sparkling Lights at The Breakers is back. Twice the size of last year, the dazzling evening event begins November 20, 2021, and runs through January 9, 2022. The light show delights guests as they traverse the serpentine paths. The display covers approximately half of The Breakers’ 13 acres, affording guests gorgeous views. Each turn is illuminated with surprising tableaus, enchanting characters, musical interludes, and beautiful lighting displays.

As you approach the mansion, the lit globes along the drive and the exterior decorations bring an anticipatory smile and an expectation of wonderment. You will be enchanted.

A special ticket, on sale beginning October 1, is required to enjoy the sparkling lights at The Breakers. It includes an interior house tour. The outdoor pathways are accessible and the interior is partially accessible, with an elevator available to view the second floor.

In addition to the lights, The Breakers is open for house tours Mondays through Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Note: Sparkling lights at The Breakers will be closed Thanksgiving Day; Saturday, December 18; Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

2. Marble House

As you would expect, the Marble House is a spectacular ode to the gleaming marble that covers every surface of the foyer. Completed in 1892 for William K. and Alva Vanderbilt, brother to Cornelius, the Marble House is the epitome of opulence and excess.

The library, with its warm wood paneling and tufted furnishings, is in complete contrast to the cold marble of the main hallway. The rooms off the foyer and hall area soften in feel as you step from hard, sparse surfaces into warm and opulent rooms. The juxtaposition is striking and sets the stage for a variety of wonderful seasonal decor opportunities.

The scale of the Christmas decorations in the grand hall takes the room from cold and imposing to warm and inviting. Poinsettias soften the hard edges while Christmas trees and vignettes set the stage for a trip through an enchanting Christmas wonderland.

As you climb the spectacular marble staircase to the second floor, you are immersed in the wonder of the season. Allow the decorations to envelop you in the wonder of the shiny baubles reflecting off the polished marble and highlighted by the glittering lights.

On December 18, Marble House will be open for a holiday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The mansion is transformed into a seasonal wonderland where visitors feel like guests at a swanky Newport holiday party.

3. The Elms

Rich marble columns and gleaming polished floors anchored by framed artwork lining the walls are the stand-out entryway features at The Elms . The marble framed grand staircase and massive marble columns set a tone for the Gilded Age mansion the minute you enter. Built as a summer retreat for Edward Julius Berwind in 1901, The Elms hosted many elaborate parties under the direction of Berwind’s wife, Herminie.

If it is possible to imagine, the opulent and somewhat austere decor takes on a warm and cozy feel when draped in Christmas hues. The elaborately decorated Christmas trees stand out and compliment the glittery decor. The solarium decorated with rich greens, ornate statues, and housing its magnificent fountain offers the perfect backdrop for a Christmas extravaganza.

On December 18, The Elms will be open for a holiday evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The mansion takes on a different look and feel during an evening visit. The lights glint brightly against the evening shadows, affording guests a warm and intimate experience.

The Elms Servant Life Tour is a peek into the hectic and on-demand life of the “downstairs” residents at the Newport mansions. The immense staff required to keep these massive homes running smoothly is astonishing. Many mansions required several dozen to keep the home, kitchen, and gardens running smoothly.

4. Blithewold Mansion

In neighboring Bristol, the Blithewold is a lovely experience at the country estate of Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle. The spectacular 33-acre grounds are home to a large collection of unusual plants, specimen trees, ponds, a greenhouse, and other beautiful garden features.

This year the Christmas festivities will enchant guests with the Night Lights – An Illuminating Experience showcases the beautiful gardens at the Blithewold. Running from Friday, November 26, 2021, to Friday, January 7, 2022, visitors can enjoy the beautifully lit pathways and gardens from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

General operating hours, when Blithewold Mansion and Gardens are open to guests, begin June 1 through October 17. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. with the garden additionally open until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Holidays are special times throughout the world:

• The Best Christmas Light Displays To Enjoy Around The World
• Why You Should Visit York, England During Christmas
• Christmas Traditions From 17 Countries Around The World

Sandi loves writing about culture, cuisine, adult beverages, cruising, golf, skiing, road trips, hiking, New England, and photography. Traveling solo, with hubby Chris, or the entire Barrett clan there is always a story waiting to be told.

Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Experience the magic of Christmas at the Newport Mansions with festive tours of The Elms, The Marble House, and The Breakers.

By Amy Traverso

Dec 01 2021

The grand poinsettia tree in The Great Hall at The Breakers.

There’s much to be said for a cozy country Christmas, for simple pleasures and silent nights. But on a recent gray day, I was craving a concentrated dose of over-the-top holiday wonder. I headed down to Newport to take a tour of three of its most famous mansions: The Elms , The Marble House , and The Breakers , which are open and decorated for the holidays from late November through early January, making them a perfect destination for the entire holiday season. I saw jaw-dropping settings that glimmered and sparkled and learned about the people who built these monuments of wealth. So before the holidays are over, come join me on a tour of a Gilded Age Christmas.

The Magic of Christmas at the Newport Mansions

I began my visit at The Elms, which was built as a summer retreat for coal baron Edward Julius Berwind and his wife, Herminie and completed in 1901. Designed by architect Horace Trumbauer to resemble the French chateau d’Asnieres, the 60,000-square-foot house remained in the family until 1961. The Preservation Society of Newport County has owned the house and opened it to the public since 1962.

Like the rest of the houses on the tour, The Elms was never actually used at Christmastime. The Berwinds were based in New York and would have celebrated Christmas there or elsewhere on their travels. But Jim Donahue, horticulturist for the Preservation Society, dresses the mansions up like giant jewel boxes, not sticking to strict period authenticity, but letting the rooms inspire color schemes and motifs. Over five weeks leading up to the holiday season, Donahue and his team decorate 40 rooms in three houses with fresh flowers, (artificial) trees, garlands, even real gingerbread houses (more on that later). “We don’t follow any period style, we follow our fancy,” he laughs. But he does look at historic photographs and existing collections for inspiration. In fact, the Elms’s library displays turn-of-the-century toys that were donated by the Berwind family.

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One of the challenges of Donahue’s job is creating decorations that stand out against the mansions’ ornate interiors. “You have to compete with the existing decorations,” he says. “In order to make an impact, you have to use a lot. We don’t remove anything from the rooms during the holidays. We leave it all and have to work around it.

Every room in each house has at least a holiday mantelpiece arrangement that’s coordinated to match the color scheme or echo some architectural element or some facet of the personality of the person who once lived there.

The Marble House

We moved on to The Marble House, which was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt (William was the brother of Cornelius, who built The Breakers nearby) and ushered in the era of opulent palaces and grand society galas. Prior to this, Newport had been a quieter summer colony where wealthy families built more modest wood cottages. The Vanderbilts divorced in 1895, but because the estate had been a gift from Mr. Vanderbilt to his wife Alva for her 39th birthday, she kept it.

The Marble House is modeled after the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s private pleasure palace on the grounds of Versailles. It has 50 rooms and cost $11 million dollars to build, of which $7 million was spent on the 500,000 cubic feet of marble that give the mansion its name. It was here that Alva invited Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough to court her daughter, Consuelo. The two were married, against Consuelo’s wishes, in 1895. But this marriage of wealthy American heiress to titled but cash-poor British noble, became a common arrangement during the Gilded Age (and was depicted in the popular PBS series Downton Abbey ).

Alva called The Marble House her “temple to the arts” in America. To that end, she had architect Richard Morris Hunt design a room around a collection of more than 300 Medieval and Renaissance art objects that she collected in Europe. Much of that collection is now on display at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, FL, but the remaining pieces and stained glass windows inspired the massive tree in this room.

In her later years, Alva repented of Consuel’s forced marriage and became an ardent supporter of women’s rights, hosting suffrage rallies on the grounds of The Marble House. When Alva died in 1933, at age 80, her funeral was conducted entirely by women.

The Breakers

The last mansion on our tour is the grandest: The Breakers was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, who made his fortune in shipping and railroads. Like his brother, William, Cornelius hired Richard Morris Hunt to design his estate, but his was grander, with 70 rooms and a style inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture.

To get a sense of the wealth behind these palaces, consider this: The panels pictured here in the Gothic Room were lined entirely in platinum. They have luster unlike anything you’ve seen before.

In order to speed construction of The Breakers, the Music and Morning rooms were designed and built by Richard Bouwens Van der Boyen at his salon in Paris, then, dismantled and then shipped back to Newport. This allowed the most ornate rooms to be constructed simultaneously while Hunt prepared the frame of the house on-site.

One of the most charming stops on The Breakers tour is in the kitchen, where the Preservation Society displays gingerbread replicas of the mansions made by local pastry chefs, but the highlight of The Breakers is the massive 15-foot tree constructed of 150 live poinsettias. The plants must be watered weekly and replaced three times during the six-week holiday season.

Curious about who supplies all these fresh flowers, I asked my guide, Andrea Carneiro, to show me the Society’s greenhouses, and was lucky enough to get a behind-the-scenes tour. Inside, we found hundreds of poinsettias and grand floral arrangements waiting to be moved up to the houses. We also met Jeffrey Curtis, director of gardens and grounds, who manages not only the holiday decorations, but the expansive lawns and elaborate gardens at each of the mansions.

The society hosts frequent events , including a Holiday Dinner Dance, meaning Newport will be merry and bright for many days to come.

Have you ever experienced Christmas at the Newport Mansions?

The Newport Mansions and The Preservation Society of Newport County . 401-847-1000;  newportmansions.org

SEE MORE: Best Christmas Celebrations in New England Best Historic Christmas Celebrations in New England Best of Newport, Rhode Island | Editors’ Choice Awards

Amy Traverso

Amy Traverso is the senior food editor at Yankee magazine and co-host of the public television series Weekends with Yankee, a coproduction with WGBH. Previously, she was food editor at Boston magazine and an associate food editor at Sunset magazine. Her work has also been published in The Boston Globe, Saveur, and Travel & Leisure, and she has appeared on Hallmark Home & Family, The Martha Stewart Show, Throwdown with Bobby Flay, and Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. Amy is the author of The Apple Lover’s Cookbook, which was a finalist for the Julia Child Award for best first-time author and won an IACP Cookbook Award in the “American” category.

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Christmas In Newport, RI With 3 Homes

Amid its sandy beaches & amazing coastlines that offer unimaginable panoramic views, Newport, RI boasts an array of historic vacation retreats of the turn-of-the-century American aristocracy that are simply spectacular when dressed in Christmas finery & glowing with candlelight. Why not celebrate the lifestyles of the rich & famous with the Newport Mansions aglow during the Holiday season.

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Package Includes:

2 Nights' Lodging at the Newport Beach Hotel and Suites, 2 Breakfasts, 2 Dinners, Guided Driving Tour of Newport, Free Time in Downtown Newport, Tour of The Elms Mansion, Tour of the Breakers Mansion and Sparkling Lights at The Breakers, Tour of the Marble House Mansion, Baggage Handling and Transportation

***ALL WOLF'S TOURS - TIMES AND ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE***

The famous Newport mansions are elaborately decorated in their Yuletide finery and ready to welcome visitors for the Holiday Season. Following meal and rest stops enroute, you arrive in Newport, Rhode Island late afternoon at the Newport Beach Hotel and Suites (401-848-7128). Situated along the sandy beach, and with its meticulously restored gambrel-style historic hotel building and contemporary shingle addition, the seaside resort combines Newport's historic charm with contemporary sophistication. The hotel rooms feature complimentary wireless internet, in-room gourmet coffee and teas, refrigerator, microwave, iron/ironing board, hair dryer, and a DVD player with complimentary use of their in-house DVD library. The hotel amenities include an indoor pool and hot tub elevated over Newport Pond, fitness center, and business center. To the north, overlook the serene waters and natural habitat. To the south, take in the crashing of the waves and the Cliff Walk lined with mansions. Dinner this evening is included at a local restaurant followed by return to the hotel for the night.

Breakfast is included at the hotel this morning before you depart with your local guide to lead you on a narrated driving tour of Newport featuring Bellevue Avenue, which was the backbone of Newport's Golden Age. Here, the Vanderbilts and the top 400 of U.S. society and wealth congregated during the summer months. During the tour, you will stop at the Marble House where admission is included to explore the summer home of Mr. & Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. Reportedly costing $11 million to build, it was considered the most lavish house in America in 1892. The walls of the bathroom are gilded with 22 carat gold and the floors are marble. During the holidays, its rooms are decked out with countless poinsettias, stunning evergreens, trees, wreaths, fresh flowers and period ornaments to turn the house into a Christmas wonderland. Next, you have time for lunch on your own and time to browse Newport's downtown shops. Afterwards, you depart for a self-guided tour of the Breakers Mansion. Home of President and Chairman of New York Central Railroad Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a 70-room, Italian Renaissance-style palazzo boasts a display of rich marbles, exquisite mosaic tile floors and ceilings, and topped off by panoramic ocean views. The focal point of The Breakers is The Great Hall. Stroll across the floor and gaze at the elaborate details from floor to ceiling. Lush greenery, vibrant poinsettias and meticulously decorated trees surround the room and accent the second floor balcony. Witness Sparkling Lights at The Breakers, a spectacular outdoor lights display that contains more than 40,000 twinkling lights that dress up the façade of the home and part of the serpentine walkway on the property. Your night concludes with dinner included at an area restaurant and return to the hotel to relax and unwind after a busy day of touring.

Following breakfast included at the hotel, you check out and finish your look back at the Christmas traditions of the rich and famed with a tour of The Elms. Each mansion has its own charm and pizzazz throughout the year, and holiday decorations heighten the experience. The Elms is an elegant French-style chateau built in 1901 by Philadelphia coal tycoon Edward J. Berwind. Among its elaborate holiday decorations, the Elms is most well-known for its poinsettia tree. Located in the ballroom, the white poinsettia tree contains 150-200 plants. The Elms was the first fully electrified house in Newport. Don't miss the opportunity to see how the "well-to-do" celebrated the Holidays. You may even wish to purchase a replica ornament to take home with you from the gift shops in memory of the fabulous holiday experience in Newport. You depart for home following the tour with meal and rest stops along the way.

**ALL WOLF'S TOURS - TIMES AND ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

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Christmas Mansions in Newport by Lenzner Tours

The "From Only" and "From Price" reflects the Double Occupancy rate for this tour. “Christmas in Newport” began as a two-week festival that celebrated the noncommercial traditions of the holiday season. Photo Courtesy of Discover Newport.

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• Standard Brochure Per Person Rates:

       $1,299.00 double occupancy     $1,213.00 triple occupancy

       $1,155.00 quad occupancy       $1,599.00 single occupancy

Newport, RI

Christmas in Newport

Driving Tour of Newport

      Ten-Mile Ocean Drive and

      Mansions along Bellevue Avenue

Marble House Mansion

Re-Creation of a Newport Cotillion

Elms Mansion

Newport Playhouse Holiday Show

Breakers Mansion

The Sailing Museum

Please Note: Days of Touring and/or order of attractions subject to change

       Substitution of equal value if necessary

Click HERE for Tour Flyer

Welcome to Newport, RI, America’s first resort town in the “Ocean State”. Founded in 1971, “Christmas in Newport” began as a two-week festival that celebrated the noncommercial traditions of the holiday season. Only clear bulbs illuminate the scenic harbor and wharves and the Victorian splendor of Bellevue Avenue. The lights are meant to simulate candlelight and recapture the candlelit holidays of bygone days. Overnight in Connecticut.

Upon arrival in Newport, enjoy free time for lunch (on own) and shopping on the historic downtown waterfront filled with cobblestone shopping wharves lined with antique stores, art galleries, specialty shops and restaurants. Meet your local guide at the Newport Transportation Center. Meet Mrs. Caroline Astor, the Grande Dame of Newport, and New York Society in the Gilded Age of the late 1800’s. Enjoy the charm of Newport’s historic buildings and restored homes on this narrated tour covering over 150 points of interest. Take in the rugged beauty of Ten-Mile Ocean Drive and the fabulous mansions along tree-lined Bellevue Avenue. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Breakers Mansion. The Breakers is the grandest of Newport’s summer “cottages” and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. Dinner is included this evening at your hotel. Following dinner enjoy a re-creation of a Newport Cotillion. Music will be provided by a local musician as you enjoy dancing a waltz and then learn easy-to-follow steps for a contra dance.

The Elms and Marble House --two National Historic Landmarks and icons of the Gilded Age in America--are filled with thousands of poinsettias, fresh flowers, evergreens, and wreaths. A total of 28 decorated Christmas trees reflecting individual room decor anchor many of the magnificent spaces. Dining tables set with period silver and china complete the elegant setting. The windows of each mansion are lit with individual white candles, in keeping with the colonial tradition. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Marble House. Built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. It was a summer house, or "cottage", as “Newporters” called them in remembrance of the modest houses of the early 19th century. But Marble House was much more; it was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport's subsequent transformation from a quiet summer colony of wooden houses to the legendary resort of opulent stone palaces. Fireplace mantels on the second floor of Marble House will be decorated by regional garden clubs in a friendly competition. Arrive at the Newport Playhouse in time for included buffet lunch and show (TBD). Following the performance Company Members will continue to entertain with a Holiday Cabaret, a vaudeville style review filled with songs and laughter. Free time downtown for Holiday Shopping.

Board the coach for the Sailing Museum. The Sailing Capital of the World – Newport has a longstanding sailing history that is evident everywhere in the “City-by-the-Sea” from the many colonial sea captains’ homes that line the streets of Newport’s downtown, to the busy Newport Harbor that is a destination and home port, to some of the most renowned sailing and motor yachts in the world. Newport even has a busy downtown street, America’s Cup Avenue, dedicated to the most famous sailing race! The Sailing Museum is situated in the historic Armory building on the waterfront in downtown Newport, The Sailing Museum features interactive exhibits, displays chronicling the history of the sport, and galleries honoring inductees into the National Sailing Hall of Fame and the America’s Cup Hall of Fame. Next is a self-guided tour of the Elms Mansion. The Elms was the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind of Philadelphia and New York. Mr. Berwind made his fortune in the coal industry. The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour The Elms magnificent mansion decked out in Yuletide finery. Thousands of poinsettias, spectacular evergreens, fragrant trees, decorated wreaths, fresh flowers, and 19th century style ornaments turn The Elms and its grounds into a Christmas wonderland. Travel and overnight in Connecticut.

Return home with the glittering and dazzling memories of a Gilded Age Christmas.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Includes: Transportation, lodging, four breakfasts, two lunches, dinner, three mansion tours, touring and admissions per itinerary, baggage handling, and taxes.

Deposit: $100.00 per person

Balance due: October 4, 2024; Please call for availability after balance due date.

Cancellation Policy: Prior to 60 days - No Charge; 59 days or less - NO REFUND

Written notice of cancellation is required before monies refunded.

Depart: 6:00 am - Sewickley

            6:30 am - Pittsburgh

            7:00 am - Monroeville

            7:15 am - Irwin

            7:30 am - New Stanton

Return: Approximately between 7:00-8:00 pm

Walking Code: 4 - This tour requires a heavy amount of walking. To truly experience the program and destination, you need to be able to participate in physical activities such as long walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and periods of standing. Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities occurring later in the evening.

Insurance: Travel Insurance is optional. To be eligible for the waiver of pre-existing medical condition exclusion, the protection plan must be purchased within 15 days from the time you make your initial trip deposit and for the prepaid non-refundable payments or deposits. If purchased, the insurance premium is refundable during the 15 day review period, unless you have filed a claim or departed on your trip. The insurance premium is non-refundable after the 15 day review period. To view/download the Policy, go to: http://policy.travelexinsurance.com/312A-1217.

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The Magic of Christmas comes alive in Newport, RI. See both the Breakers and Marble House Mansions!

Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Thursdays December 5th or 12th, 2024 and Saturdays Nov 30th or December 7th, 2024. Additional Group Dates Available Upon Request.

Newport, RI

ONLY $139 pp. – Includes Motorcoach Transportation (from Most Boston/Worcester Pick-up Locations), Admission to both Mansions, Touring as described & Best of Times Travel Tour Director, Tour Director Gratuity.

There is something magical in the air at Christmas time in Newport.

Our Day INCLUDES: Come and see two of Newport’s most elegant mansions decorated and on display during this wonderful time of the year. Our Best of Times Tour Director will provide commentary and background on the history of Newport and point out interesting sights and historical landmarks during the driving portion of our Newport tour. Visits to The Breakers, the grandest of Newport’s summer “cottages”, and showcased will be The Marble House decked out in yuletide finery, with thousands of poinsettia plants, evergreens, wreaths, and fresh flowers highlight our day. Lunch today will be on our own at the famous Bowen’s Wharf area of Newport.  

Touring Locations Include: The Breakers Mansion, Marble House Mansion, and downtown Newport, RI.

Lunch today will be on our own at the famous Bowen’s Wharf area of Newport.

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Photos of the Sparkling Breakers Mansion in Newport at Christmas

cWe’ve learned from experience that some places on Earth just know how to show up for Christmas and winter holiday season. Like New York City. London. Paris. And Newport, Rhode Island. We visited recently to see the historic Gilded Age mansions decorated in their holiday best. If you can’t make it there yourself, have a virtual Christmas holiday tour with our best photos of the Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island while decorated with lights and trees, inside and out. It’s a simple, traditional and beautiful way to experience the holidays this year.

Majestic mansions are part of the lure of Newport, Rhode Island

There are many good reasons to escape to Newport for a long weekend – the charming town, the beaches, the sailing, the food and drink. Even the shopping is better than you might expect. But for some, it’s all about the mansions.

Newport is renowned for its numerous 19th and early 20th century summer “cottages,” which were built by many of the country’s wealthiest families, and represent some of the finest examples of residential architecture of the era.

It’s amusing (or maybe infuriating?) that these grand homes weren’t even the primary residences of their owners. Most were occupied only for the summer, after which the families would return to palatial residences in New York or Boston.

Still, if you can put your opinions about capitalism, class and privilege aside for an hour or so, there’s a lot of fun to be had visiting these majestic homes. Imagining the parties, the frocks, the flowers and the swanky cocktails is a lovely daydream. Architecture aficionados will find lots to see and learn about. And the people-watching is first rate.

Are you in? Then come along, dear reader.

if you tour one Newport mansion, make it The Breakers

If you can only visit one of these historic and iconic mansions when you’re in town, make it The Breakers.

The entrance to the Breakers mansion in Newport a the Christmas holiday season. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

a christmas visit to a marvelous mansion

It’s a spectacular experience any time of year, and even more so at the Christmas holiday season. The grandeur and beauty of the house alight with holiday lights will provide a visceral sense of life during the Gilded Age that would be hard to achieve any other way.

The Christmas holiday poinsettia tree at the Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

The Breakers is a four-story mansion built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife Alice as a summer home. Located on 14 acres on Ochre Point Avenue, the cliff-side site provides a stunning view of the coastline. Because of its rich history and architectural importance, the house is designated a National Historic Landmark.

Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

The Breakers in Newport decorated for the Christmas holidays. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

Chairman and President of the New York Central Railroad system, Cornelius Vanderbilt II was the grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who built the family’s fortune first in steamships and later in the railroad business.

A Christmas holiday tour with our best photos of the Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island decorated with lights and trees inside and out. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

the most opulent of the gilded age mansions of newport

The Breakers is by far the most opulent of Newport’s mansions, intentionally designed to stand as a marker of the Vanderbilt family’s superior social and financial status.

Historians note that Vanderbilt’s younger brother William and his wife Alva built Marble House on nearby Bellevue Avenue – it reigned supreme as the best home in Newport until the Breakers was built .  Nothing like sibling rivalry to get a good real estate competition going.

Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.`

In 1893, Richard Morris Hunt won the commission to build a new villa on the site of a mansion that was destroyed by fire in the previous year. It’s worth noting that just as this project began, Vanderbilt II was finishing an expansion of his Fifth Avenue mansion, which made it the largest private home in New York City’s history.

Photos of the Luxurious Breakers Mansion in Newport

The exterior.

The imposing façade of The Breakers is made of brick faced with Indiana limestone. Because of the effort of 2,000 workers who toiled in both day and night shifts, the 70-room, 125,000 square foot Italian Renaissance- style palazzo took only 2 years to complete.

For the nighttime “Sparkling Lights” display, the façade is awash in a rainbow of festive colors. Santa is – of course – stationed squarely in front of the portico, happily taking photos with the guests.

The Public Rooms

The Breakers mansion is modeled after the 16th-century palaces and villas of Genoa and the surrounding region. Those homes celebrated the architecture of ancient Rome, and that spirit permeates the Breakers, too.

Inside, you’ll find period furnishings, gold filigree, carved wood, marble, platinum walls, a bubbling fountain and numerous paintings. The net effect is like being teleported to Italy – never a bad thing, if you ask us.

The Great Hall

The opulence and grandeur of life among the wealthy in the Gilded Age is on full display in the Great Hall, the first area that visitors see as they enter the villa.

The Breakers, Newport, Rhode Island, at Christmas holiday. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

There are loggias on the first and second floors, defined by marble arches. The public rooms are symmetrically arrayed around the Great Hall.

Because the Breakers is open to the public year-round, concerts are held in the spectacular Great Hall during the annual summer Newport Music Festival and during the holiday season.

The Breakfast Room, Dining Room, Billiards Room and the Music Room

Wander through the rooms adjacent to the Great Hall on the first floor, and you’ll get a sense of the social events the Vanderbilt family hosted during the Roaring 20’s and beyond.

The Breakfast Room at the Breakers in Newport. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

The Dining Room at the Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

The home’s first floor also houses an extensive library and a billiards room.

The Billiards Room at the Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

The Music Room completes the circuit of the Great Hall and the public entertaining spaces at the mansion.

The Music Room at the Breakers mansion in Newport decorated for the Christmas holiday. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

The Music Room. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

There’s a magnificent outdoor terrace on the first floor with a spectacular view of the ocean below the cliffs.

The view from the terrace of the Breakers in Newport. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

The Family Quarters

Famed Boston architect and designer Ogden Codman, Jr. decorated the family quarters on the second and third floors of the villa. Each bedroom on the second floor features a unique Christmas tree, with whimsical ornaments that communicate the spirit of the various occupants.

the Countess’s bedroom

The first room on the tour is a dreamy child’s room, with a tree filled with ribbons and gingerbread figures. And of course, stockings for Santa on the mantle.

The Countess’s bedroom at the Breakers mansion. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

Ornament on the tree in the Countess’s bedroom at the Breakers mansion. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

Mr. Vanderbilt’s bedroom

The bedroom occupied by Cornelius Vanderbilt is decked out for the Christmas holiday with a tree that could only belong here. It’s topped by a top hat. And features trains as a nod to one of the sources of Vanderbilt’s wealth.

Vanderbilt’s bedroom at the Breakers mansion. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

A pink paradise

In an adjacent room, the vibe is feminine and refined, with floral brocade linens and wallpaper. The tree is electric pink, adorned with ornaments made of feathers and other sparkly things.

Ornament in a bedroom at the Breakers. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

the guest bedroom

The designated bedroom for visitors is hushed and serene. The tree in this room nods to the forest and the verdant landscape surrounding the mansion.

Ornament in the guest bedroom at the Breakers. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

Mrs. Vanderbilt’s room

If you ask us, Mrs. V definitely claimed the loveliest and most gracious space for herself.

Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom at the Breakers in Newport decorated for the Christmas holiday. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

We like to imagine her peeping over the railing to see who’s arrived for the splashy event in the Great Hall.

The upper floors of the mansion are closed to the public. Interestingly, until 2018, the great-grandchildren of the original owners of The Breakers lived on the third floor.

The Kitchen and Butler’s Pantry

Having lost the previous house on the property to fire, Vanderbilt and his architect took numerous precautions to guard against a repeat of that outcome.

For example, they decided to build the kitchen in a separate space with a bit of distance from the main house. If you love copper pots (and we do), this is a space in which to linger and marvel.

The kitchen at the Breakers decorated for the holidays. Photo Credit: Dandelion Chandelier.

Note the surfing starfish on one of the trees in the kitchen. Elementary school-age children were invited to decorate each tree with a maritime theme. Surf’s up!!!

The Gardens and Grounds

After touring the mansion itself, lots of people explore the surrounding gardens and the expansive front lawn.

The Historic Preservation Society is currently in the midst of a 5-year restoration project of the original elements of the grounds at the Breakers. But there’s still plenty of lovely green space to explore.

That’s our virtual tour with photos of the luxurious Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, including the house and gardens. What do you think? Ready for a visit back in time to the Gilded Age?

The Breakers is open daily at 10 a.m., with last admission at 4 p.m. The house and grounds close at 5 p.m. except on nights when the Sparkling Lights exhibit is on display.

Pamela Thomas-Graham

Pamela Thomas-Graham is the Founder & CEO of Dandelion Chandelier. She serves on the boards of several tech companies, and was previously a senior executive in finance, media and fashion, and a partner at McKinsey & Co.

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Weekend Getaway Guide to Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Christmas at the Newport Mansions is a spectacular celebration of the holiday season that takes place in Newport, Rhode Island, at the impressive, Gilded Age mansions of the area. From November 20 through January 9, these ornately constructed mansions are adorned with lights, trees, and festive decorations galore, creating an over-the-top experience of great holiday wonder.

Read on to learn more about the must-see mansions, where to stay in Newport, Rhode Island during your getaway, and how to make the most of your stay in this vibrant, coastal city.

                                                 More Rhode Island Getaways

Must-see Mansions

The three must-see mansions include The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House as they transform into grand celebrations of Christmases past, with rooms filled with themed decor, carefully matched to the period furnishings.

The Breakers

Built by Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt — who made his fortune in shipping and railroads — this mansion was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, consists of 70 rooms, and boasts an apparent affinity to Italian Renaissance architecture.

During The Breakers tour, one of the most popular stops is in the kitchen, where the Preservation Society displays gingerbread replicas of the mansions made by local pastry chefs. Another notable and possibly favorite display of The Breakers is the massive 15-foot tree constructed of 150 live poinsettias. This incredible arrangement requires the plants to be watered weekly and replaced three times during the six-week holiday season. A bit high maintenance, though, we’d argue, completely worth it for the perfect holiday photo opportunity!

The Elms, built by coal magnate Edward Julius Berwind in 1901, is crafted in the fashion of a mid-18th century French chateau, with stunning classical sculpture gardens and ornate interiors. Originally constructed as a summer home for Edward and his wife Herminie, the home was never used at Christmas time until The Preservation Society of Newport County came to own it and open it to the public in 1962.

The horticulturist for the Preservation Society, Jim Donahue, dresses the mansion up like a giant jewel box, decorating the rooms with fresh flowers, (artificial) trees, garlands, even real gingerbread houses.

Marble House

Built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt, this home was constructed as a “summer cottage” for the family. The Marble House is modeled after the Petit Trianon — Marie Antoinette’s private pleasure palace on the grounds of Versailles — and holds 50 rooms and has been built from over 500,000 cubic feet of marble.

A favorite recurring event that takes place at the Marble House mansion during this six-week long holiday celebration is the Holiday Brunch at The Chinese Tea House. From 10 am - 3 pm on weekends November 27 - December 19, AND Christmas week, December 27-31, visitors can enjoy a three-course holiday brunch curated by Stoneacre Brasserie while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcomed. 

Learn more about Christmas at the Newport Mansions and accompanying special events here .

Where to Stay in Newport

New England Inns and Resorts offers  14 high-quality, luxury accommodations  within 15 miles of Newport. From the lively The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection to the new and luxurious Brenton Hotel to the waterfront Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina there’s an accommodation option to suit everyone’s preference. 

If you’re hunting for a deal this holiday season, be sure to check out these Newport hotels and their weekend getaway packages:

• Hotel Viking, Celebrate the Good Times Package – Package includes: Overnight accommodations, complimentary bottle of Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine from New Mexico upon arrival, two bottles of Aqua Panna Still Water, and $25 Credit to Hill Market.

Offer valid Oct 8, 2020 - Dec 31, 2022

• The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Stay More-Save More-15% Off Package – Package includes: 15% off our Best Available Rate when you book any 3-night or 4-night stay

Offer valid Mar 16, 2021 - Dec 29, 2021

About New England Inns and Resorts

The New England Inns & Resorts Association has proudly represented over 300 New England resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and motor inns since 1907. From the grandest luxury resort to the coziest country inn, what ties us together is our commitment to gracious hospitality! 

Let us help you plan your holiday getaway this season and remember to look to us any time of year to help you find the perfect accommodations for your New England trips.

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Air Holiday

• 8 Meals: 4 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
• Free roundtrip airport transfers
• Spend four nights in beautiful downtown Newport, RI and take the ten-mile long along Ocean Dr
• Attend the Newport Playhouse live production and an afternoon of food and live cabaret
• Take the Holiday Lantern Tour with a local guide through downtown Newport
• Tour Blithewold Mansion and see its dazzling display of elaborate decorations
• Visit Linden Place Mansion featuring a towering Christmas tree framed by a four-story spiral staircase
• Ride The Polar Express train in Blackstone Valley for a jolly excursion which includes storytelling, sing-a-longs and visit from old Saint Nick himself
• Tour the Vanderbilt family’s Breakers Mansion, decked out in Yuletide finery
• Tour Marble House Mansion, an American Gilded Age icon filled with Christmas decorations
• Enjoy a farewell dinner aboard the Grand Bellevue Dinner Train for an evening of music, laughter and food

15 Fun & Festive Things to Do: Christmas in Newport RI 🎄 2023

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If you’re looking for festive things to do for Christmas in Newport RI, you’ve come to the right place!

During the holiday season, Newport really goes heavy on the charm with Christmas boat parades, cozy inns to stay in, festive, colored lights, outdoor ice skating, and so much more!

Newport at Christmas is the place to go if you’re looking for Christmas fun in Rhode Island that has elegance, charm, history, and oh so many gorgeously decorated places to go and fun, festive Christmas in Newport activities to do!

Table of Contents

Christmas in Newport RI: Things to Do for Festive Fun

See newport nutcracker at rosecliff.

One of Newport’s beloved Gilded Age mansions, Rosecliff, is host to a traditional Nutcracker performance with a unique spin: The first act has the audience following the performers from room to beautifully decorated room, and the second act sees the audience seated in the ballroom.

The Nutcracker at Rosecliff is an immersive journey through both Newport’s Gilded Age history and the beloved Christmas tale of the Nutcracker, and an absolute must-see if you time your Newport getaway right!

The Nutcracker at Rosecliff 2023 Schedule

Wednesday, November 22

Friday, November 24 – Sunday, November 26

Tuesday, November 28 – Friday, December 1

Matinee and Evening Performances each day

Tour Christmas at the Newport Mansions

Oh, the Newport Mansions! Absolutely beautiful and very worth touring all year-round , but their Christmas at the Newport Mansions takes the cake when it comes to magnificence in decoration and festivities. Tour the decadent decorations both indoors and out, as they hearken back to the glamour, luxury, and prestige of a Gilded Age Christmas.

Visiting these opulent mansions invite visitors to experience a taste of what Christmas past at the Newport Mansions might’ve been like. As you approach the grand staircases in these opulent historical gems, you will feel like you are a bit of early American “royalty,” too!

2023 Christmas at the Newport Mansions

November 18, 2023 – January 1, 2024

All houses closed Thanksgiving Day, November 23, and Christmas Day, December 25, and close at 2pm on December 24.

Rosecliff is open daily December 2 – January 1 but is not decorated for the holidays.

PS if you’re looking for a local restaurant recommendation that’s a quick drive from the Newport Mansions, I love Mamma Luisa ! The ambiance is warm and intimate, and it is absolutely delicious. It’s a fantastic option for a holiday dinner with the one you love.

Go on a Newport Christmas Cruise

With two different Newport Christmas Cruise options, Coastal Queen Cruises offers a Holiday Cocktail Cruise for the adults to enjoy, with holiday music and a tour of some of Newport’s finest seaside sights with a glass of champagne, of course. This would make a cute Christmas in Newport date night activity!

There’s also a Meet & Greet with Santa Cruise for the kiddos, with hot cocoa, candy canes, and of course, Santa. Book your tickets quickly , these sell out fast.

2023 Newport Christmas Cruise Dates

Holiday Cocktail Cruise – December 10, 16

Meet & Greet Cruise with Santa – December 17

Holiday Bubbly Cruise – December 17

Cozy Up at Castle Hill Inn

Newport is full of fantastic hotels , but if the Christmas spirit for you includes comfort, pampering, and exemplary service, Castle Hill Inn is the luxury hotel in Newport for you! With fine dining onsite, spa services, and seriously stellar coastal views, Castle Hill Inn is the perfect spot to cozy up for your Christmas getaway to Newport.

Their gourmet holiday feasts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are hard to beat, too! Grab your loved one and cozy up next to the roaring fire with a couple of hot toddies as the snow comes down outside… doesn’t that sound like the most romantic Christmas in Newport RI?

Click Here to Check Prices & Book!

Watch Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade

One of the most beloved holiday traditions of Newport is the Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade . This coastal city is very proud of its rich nautical history, and the Christmas homage of the boats as they cross the harbor, decorated to the nines with twinkling lights, is a lovely show of respect to its nautical traditions.

Festive Christmas music provides the perfect soundtrack as this dressed-up boat parade illuminates the harbor to the delight of all on the shore!

Newport, Rhode Island Illuminated Boat Parade 2023

November 24th (November 25th Weather Date)

Book a Spot at the Igloo Village

The Reef’s Igloo Village is one of the top places to eat during Christmastime in Newport RI, both because its offerings are delicious and also because these heated igloos are absolutely gorgeous all styled for the season!

Heated, of course, they are the perfect place to meet up with friends, family, or even just that one special someone for a lovely night out in Newport at Christmas.

Partake in Christmas in Newport Festivities

The entire month of December is full of Christmas in Newport festivities ! In addition to the bigger events like the Newport Harbor Illuminated Boat Parade and the Christmas at Newport Mansions tours, you will also find a myriad of different activities occurring over the course of December, including Christmas concerts, decorating contests, craft fairs,  candlelit historic home tours, and more.

The city of Newport began Christmas in Newport as a two-week event 50+ years ago, and it has grown over the years into the month-long holiday celebration that it is today. If you have kids, don’t miss the Breakfast with Santa hosted by the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina on December 10.

Oh, and the very elegant, luxurious Chanler at Cliff Walk hosts a Hot Chocolate Bar that is open to the public on weekends November 25 – December 24 from 1pm – 4pm. They offer artisanal hot chocolate… sounds delish!

Take a Holiday Lantern Tour with Newport History Museum

Every year during the holiday season, Newport History Museum leads holiday lantern walking tours that leave from the museum in the early evening and lead around the historic community, describing how and where Newport Christmas has been celebrated over the years. Whether you’re a hardcore history buff or not, this holiday lantern walking tour is a great way to learn more about the history of the holidays in Newport.

2023 Holiday Lantern Tour 

Fridays & Saturdays, November 17 – December 30

Glide on the Ice at Newport Harbor Island Resort

Formerly known as Gurney’s, the Newport Harbor Island Resort offers one of the more unique Christmas in Newport activities of outdoor ice skating on Narragansett Bay !

Located on gorgeous Goat Island, there’s something so fantastically festive about seaside ice skating in Rhode Island. This would be a great Christmas activity in Newport for families or a great holiday date idea for couples visiting Newport RI at Christmas, especially if you decide to book a room at this lovely resort.

(Heads up, there is an awful lot of construction happening in the resort as of November 2023!)

Attend the Annual Bowen’s Wharf Tree Lighting Ceremony

This annual event at historic Bowen’s Wharf is a lovely kick-off to Newport’s Christmas festivities! There are live musicians, unique, one-of-a-kind holiday shopping opportunities, a Christmas carol sing-a-long, and in fitting tradition for a coastal community, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive to join in by boat!

The main event is the lighting of the spectacular Bowen’s Wharf tree, a Newport Christmas event that has to be seen in person to be truly appreciated!

Bowen’s Wharf Christmas Tree Lighting 2023

Saturday, December 2

Have a Cozy Dinner at The Dining Room at the Vanderbilt

It’s likely no surprise that Newport has an incredible selection of wonderful places to eat, but if you’re looking for cozy fireside dining during the holiday season, there’s no better option than The Dining Room at the Vanderbilt .

They call it “elevated pub food,” but the best description would be absolutely delicious! You’ve got plenty of options for where to go to grab a bite in Newport, but if you’re looking for cozy and intimate dining during your Christmas Newport trip, this is it.

For a three-course, family style Christmas Eve supper specially curated by the expert culinary team at the Vanderbilt, book dinner December 22 – 25!

Finish Up your Christmas Shopping in Newport

There are plenty of great places to go Christmas shopping in Newport RI, but if you’re looking for some fun, holiday gifts in a very Christmassy store, look no further than A Christmas to Remember on Thames St.

Of course there are great Christmas decor items, but also tons of locally made Newport style gifts like pillows, pictures, candles, and so much more. Not only can you pick up some great holiday gifts for others, but you can also find the perfect souvenir of your Christmas in Newport!

Head Up the Road to Bristol’s Grand Illumination

Nearby Bristol is a charming little community that has plenty of sweet small-town things to do , and their Christmas tree lighting ceremony, Bristol’s Grand Illumination , is a fantastic event that features local music, family fun, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and of course, the lighting of the gorgeous evergreen!

Bristol is just a quick drive from Newport and well worth adding to your Newport Christmas itinerary!

Give Yourself the Gift of a Spacation

Newport has plenty of options for luxury hotels, but my husband and I are Team Hotel Viking ! Our stay at this historic hotel was so lovely, and the onsite Spa Fjor was the perfect antidote for those winter winds in New England.

You’ve got onsite dining, room service, and full service spa treatments. We opted for a couples massage that incorporated Balinese ritual. To say we were blissed out is an understatement! This would be the perfect Christmas gift for you and your favorite person.

Enjoy Sparkling Lights at the Breakers

Sparkling Lights at the Breakers is an illuminated, immersive holiday light experience that consists of hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights, Christmas decorations, and holiday figures along about a half-mile trail.

Along the way you’ll find several fire pits to warm yourself by and a great selection of holiday treats for both adults and kiddos, including hot cocoa, apple cider with bourbon, s’mores kits, and more. This is one of those Newport Christmas things to do that would be a blast with the entire family or as a fun holiday date night activity.

Newport Sparkling Lights at the Breakers 2023

November 17 – December 30, Admission at 4 pm, 4:30 pm, 5 pm, 5:30 pm and 6 pm. Gates close at 6:30 pm, and the house & grounds will close at 8 pm.

Newport RI 2023 Christmas Events

Here are a few more Christmas events in Newport, Rhode Island to look forward to!

Holiday Extravaganza – Ugly holiday sweater contest, writing letters to Santa, hot cocoa bar, holiday cookies, and live music at the Newport Vineyards, December 1

Christmas by the Sea – Local holiday shopping at the Newport Harbor Marina & Resort, December 2

Christmas at Whitehall – Celebrate a Colonial Christmas with Wassail, refreshment, and music, December 3

Where to Stay in Newport RI for Christmas

Hotel Viking : I know I already said it, but Hotel Viking is a lovely property. I’m a big fan of comfy, cozy vibes, and you definitely get that and more when staying at this beautiful, historic hotel! They also host fun seasonal events, like their Christmas Cookie Decorating Class (December 2), Nutcracker Tea (December 3), and their Breakfast with Santa (December 17).

Newport Harbor Island Resort : With outdoor ice skating and the always charming Goat Island Lighthouse all dressed up for Christmas, this is definitely a great choice for Christmas lodgings in Newport.

Christmas in Newport RI Wrap-Up

A Christmas in Newport RI is full of so many fun and festive things to do; wherever you go and whatever you do, enjoy your holiday!

Read these next:

• 6 Trip Ideas for a Lovely Winter in Rhode Island
• 25+ New England Gifts: Locally-Sourced & Regionally-Inspired
• 10 Merriest Memory Making Christmas Celebrations in New England
• 9 of the Coziest and Best Winter Getaways in New England

18 Things To Do In Newport: Complete Guide To The Timeless Charm Of The Seaside City

N ewport is one of the most beautiful places in all of Rhode Island to visit. Located in Narragansett Bay, this city is situated on Aquidneck Island. Visitors will enjoy the warm sunshine and the beautiful coastal walkways of this city, which is known for its 18th-century architecture, its long maritime history, its art scene, and its many eclectic boutiques. Founded all the way back in 1639, this city was originally created by followers of the Puritan religious reformer Anne Hutchinson. In the 18th century, the city became an important center for maritime trade. Many of the 18th-century buildings remain in the city, which travelers to this area should definitely keep a sharp eye out for! The city was also the site of the famed Battle of Rhode Island in the Revolutionary War.

To this day, Newport remains a center for the US Navy, with the United States Naval War College and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center located there. Not only is the history of this area naval, but it’s also presidential, as well. Both John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower enjoyed summers there during their administrations.

UPDATE: 2023/06/24 17:06 EST BY NOAH STAATS

We're Back With Even More Things To Do In Newport, Rhode Island!

This article has been refreshed with new locations to check out while in Newport, Rhode Island, as well as helpful tips for a successful vacation. Whether visitors want to explore a Gatsby-era mansion, tour a lighthouse, or even witness a fun holiday parade, Newport is the place to be.

Related: Hike Rhode Island: 10 Of The Best Trails For Scenic Coastal Hiking

Things To Do

With its almost 400-year history, Newport has accumulated plenty of cool things to do. Travelers will be able to explore the many beaches, the gorgeous historical locations, and the natural environment of this coastal island city.

Stop By The Gatsby-Era Mansion: Rosecliff

One of the first things to see while in Newport, Rhode Island, is to stop by the famous Rosecliff Mansion . Located on the prestigious Bellevue Avenue, this Gatsy-inspired mansion is open to the public and works as a museum/time capsule of the area's rich past.

Notably, Rosecliff has also been known as the Hermann Oelrichs House or the J. Edgar Monroe House, so keep an eye out for those alternative names as well. Furthermore, Rosecliff was modeled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles but smaller and reduced to a basic "H" shape.

Many visitors to the site mention it feeling rather magical, so this is certainly a place to absorb history while also living lavishly for a couple of hours.

One of the more intriguing parts of the Northeast United States is the extravagant architecture, often leaving onlookers speechless. Again, this also doubles as a museum, which is a great way to escape the heat during warmer months in the city.

Address : 548 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840

Hours : Open daily, September 1 - December 31

The Rosecliff Mansion is also partially wheelchair accessible via elevator, so that is something to keep in mind when venturing over here. Getting into the property is straightforward; however, those with physical disabilities may not be able to tour the grounds.

Related: Why The Historic Pittock Mansion In Portland Is Worth Visiting

View The Famous Castle Hill Lighthouse

Something to do while in Newport, Rhode Island, is going to the Castle Hill Lighthouse, located t the end of the historic Ocean Drive. Here, people can witness the structure, which had first been lit in 1890, becoming a staple of the city.

The Castle Hill Lighthouse hosts various tours for people wanting to learn more about it.

Structurally, this lighthouse was built into the nearby rocks, giving it a very historic, charming appearance. This has become a top spot for photography in Newport, with brides, grooms, graduates, and happy families and couples flocking here at sunrise and sunset.

It's a good idea to arrive early or in the afternoon at the lighthouse to beat the crowds. Like any popular spot, the Castle Hill Lighthouse is no stranger to overcrowding on weekends, holidays, and seasonal events.

• Address : 800-870 Ocean Ave, Newport, RI 02840
• Hours : Open 24 hours, seven days a week
• Admission : Free

The Castle Hill Lighthouse is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days per week. This is a nice, free attraction in Rhode Island to experience, although it can become crowded on weekends and in prime seasons for photographs.

Check Out The International Tennis Hall Of Fame

One unique thing to do in Newport is to visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame . This complex is not only historic but is home to an incredible museum and still hosts tournaments every summer.

This is a very prestigious tennis center in the city, bringing legends of the sport each year. On top of that, the International Tennis Hall of Fame hosts regular events for lovers of the sport.

Like much of Newport, this hall of fame was constructed many decades ago, in 1880, and has withstood the test of time up until now.

• Address : 194 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840
• Hours : Open 7 days a week 10:00am - 5:00pm
• Admission : General Admission (adult): $20, Kids 12 and under: Free, Seniors (62+), Students, USTA members: $17

Enjoy The Newport Winter Festival

One of the most festive things to do in Newport during the holidays is to stop by the Newport Winter Festival. This typically runs from late November until Christmas and is filled with joy, community, and plenty of lights.

Oddly enough, Newport is known to be an incredibly holiday-friendly city, with the entire city lighting up during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season. It's also worth mentioning that this winter festival is in collaboration with local charities, businesses, and donors, all of whom love both the holidays and Newport.

"Christmas by the Sea" is one of the festivals during the month-long winter festivities in the city, so that's one to keep an eye out for when traveling through. The Rhode Island Christmas Festival also occurs in Newport around the same time, bringing even more cheer to the town.

Christmas here is certainly recommended.

• Address : 28 Pelham St, Newport, RI 02840
• Admission : Free (snacks and gifts cost money)

Take The Newport Cliff Walk

Walking the Newport Cliff Walk is a great thing to do for tourists who want to catch a stunning view of the ocean. Visitors will get to see some of Newport’s local wildlife, including wildflowers, birds, and possibly aquatic life. With the length of this trail only 3.5 miles, visitors can enjoy the trail at their own pace.

Listed frequently as one of the best free activities to do in Newport, Rhode Island, it is one of Newport's most beloved activities. Trek past the Gilded Age mansions on Ocean Drive and enjoy the opulence of Newport's best scenery; stop to look for seashells on one of the beach shores or wade in the chilly bay waters.

• Hours: All day, every day
• Address: 117 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI 02840
• Admission: Free
• What to do here: Walk the recreational trail, enjoy local wildlife, see gorgeous views of the ocean
• Length: 3.5 miles

This recreational trail also has public bathrooms that are open in warm seasons during daylight hours!

Explore The Newport Historic District

The Historic District of Newport is probably the best place in the United States to see 18th-century buildings. Due to these numerous 18th-century buildings, the entire 250-acre area has been designated as a National Historical Landmark.

Visitors will feel like they’ve stepped back in time as they walk down the street. This location has even been used as a film set for Steven Spielberg’s 1997 movie Amistad, which is set in the 19th century.

• Hours: 24 hours, all-day
• Address: Eisenhower Park, 32 Touro St, Newport, RI 02840
• What to do here: See the beautiful colonial buildings of Newport, learn about 18th-century history, and stop at the many boutiques in this area

For a free thing to do in Newport, the Historic Downtown area can provide something for the entire group and typically takes 1–2 hours to navigate. There are quaint shops, restaurants, and even hotels along this stretch, making it the perfect day or nighttime event/attraction.

Shop And Stroll Down Historic Thames Street

Chock full of restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment, this is the buzzing epicenter of downtown Newport. Since the 18th century, this popular main drag has sported nostalgic bars and eateries offering up anything from oysters, old school arcades, and more.

A delight for the family to stroll on foot down the cobblestones of history, Thames Street is a great starting point for all visitors to Newport. Parking can be difficult, so plan to park further out of town and walk.

Related: Rhode Island Charms: 10 Small Towns To Visit In The Smallest U.S. State

Take In The Redwood Library And Athenaeum

The Redwood Library and Athenaeum is one of Newport’s most stunning attractions. With a collection of over 200,000 items, this library is one of the best places in Newport for tourists to stop at on a rainy day.

Visitors will fall in love with the Neoclassical architecture of the building, which was completed in 1750. Not only does this library also boast a collection of amazing historical artifacts, but they also feature different community events—like piano concerts, literary readings, and seminars—throughout the year.

• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm, closed Monday
• Address: 50 Bellevue Avenue Newport, Rhode Island 02840
• What to do here: peruse the library, read good books, enjoy community events, learn about history, see historical artifacts

Visit The Breakers Mansion

The Breakers Mansion is one of the most famous mansions in Newport . Visitors to this mansion will be stunned by the rich décor, the Renaissance Revival architectural style, and the stunning gardens at The Breakers.

The Vanderbilt mansion, The Elms, Marble House, Beechwood - these are all examples of the spectacular opulence of the Gilded Age of mansions in Newport. Everyone who was anyone from The Vanderbilts to the Astors (remember John Jacob Astor from the Titanic?) bought property here.

The Breakers may be the number one visited and most famous of these mansions, but it is no doubt for good reason. The house drips in flapper-era elegance from the chandeliers, gold features, and ornate patterns to the impressive wrought iron staircase in the main hall.

Built for the famous Vanderbilt family in the 1890s, the mansion is one of the best places to tour in Newport. Visitors here can see the stunning interiors and can peruse the rare tree collection that the sprawling garden boasts.

After seeing this mansion, visitors will know why they called the 1890s “The Gilded Age!”

• Hours: 10am-4pm daily
• Address: 44 Ochre Point Ave Newport, RI 02840
• Admission: $29.00, Children $10.00
• What to do here: See the many rooms of the mansion, enjoy the historic artwork inside, walk through the beautiful gardens, see the rare tree collection, learn about life during the Gilded Age

Explore Fort Adams

Military history buffs cannot leave Newport without spending at least one afternoon at Fort Adams . This 200-year-old fort is a great place to learn about US military history, with a collection of historical artifacts that includes seven original cannons from the 19th century.

The Fort is a former United States Army post that was established in 1799 and named after President John Adams, who held office at the time of its construction. At Fort Adams State Park, take a guided or self-guided tour of the fort (ranging from $5-$50 depending on youth, adult, or family package tickets) and visit the quarters of the military who served there the ramparts with views of Newport Harbor, and more.

Youth groups and scouts can even spend the night in tents or in the barracks for a truly up close and personal historic visit.

One popular draw for Fort Adams is the annual Newport Folk Festival. Lovers of Bob Dylan will still remember the story of when Pete Seeger unplugged his very nouveau sound at the Newport Folk Festival many moons ago.

Originally started in 1959, this festival is still happening today. Every summer in late July, The Newport Folk Festival takes place at Fort Adams State Park and features four stages of musicians along with food and vendors.

The fortress is located in the beautiful Fort Adams State Park, which overlooks the ocean.

• Hours: 8am-4pm Daily, tours are only available on weekends at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm
• Address: Fort Adams Trust 90 Fort Adams Drive, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI 02840
• Admission: Guided tour: Adult $20, Youths aged 6-17 $10, children 5 and under are free; Self-guided tour: Adult $10, Youth $5, children free
• What to do here: See the 19th-century naval fortress, see seven 19th century cannons, learn about US military history, enjoy the ocean views of the Fort Adams State Park

Soak Up The Sun At Easton’s Beach

As one of New England’s top beaches , Easton’s Beach is a hidden gem of Newport. Visitors here can enjoy the sunshine, the sparkling blue water, and the salty smell of the ocean wind.

Children can enjoy the snack bar and carousel.

• Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, Weekends 8am-9pm
• Address: Easton's Beach 175 Memorial Blvd. Newport, RI 02840
• What to do here: enjoy the ocean, snack bar, carousel

Related: Find Tranquility At These Underrated New England Beaches

Learn About Sea Life At Save The Bay Aquarium

Travelers to Newport with children will have a blast at the Save the Bay Aquarium . Located right next to Easton’s Beach, this is the perfect place for families to spend the day.

This aquarium has plenty of exhibits, including three touch tanks and exhibits on rescue animals.

• Hours: Friday-Sunday 10am-4pm
• Address: 175 Memorial Blvd. Newport, R.I. 02840
• Admission: Adults and Children over 3 $9, seniors and college students $8
• What to do here: Learn about the oceanic life of the Northeast Atlantic, interact with touch tanks, see rescue animals

Take A Scenic Bay Cruise

Take a scenic bay cruise of Narragansett Bay on the Coastal Queen Cruise boat . Choose from scenic tours of the local lighthouses, mimosa cruises or evening cocktail cruises. There's something for everyone to get out on the water.

Take A Tour Of Touro Synagogue

For those interested in history, taking a tour of the Touro Synagogue is a great way to spend the day. As the oldest synagogue in the United States, this is a great place to learn about Jewish history in the US.

Historically, Rhode Island was one of the safest places for Jewish immigrants to settle in the United States. Built in 1763, the synagogue has beautiful colonial architecture for visitors to enjoy. They can also learn about local history, as well!

• Hours: 12am-12am daily
• Address: 85 Touro Street Newport, RI 02840
• Admission: Adults $12, seniors $10, students $8, military $8, children 12 and under are free
• What to do here: Learn about Jewish history, enjoy beautiful colonial architecture, learn about local history

See History In Action At Newport Art Museum

For those who are interested in breaking into the art scene of Newport, the Newport Art Museum is a great place to start. With 2,900 works of art, this museum features art from all across American History. The museum has a special focus on 18th-century American art.

The museum also has a robust 20th-century art collection, as well as a contemporary art exhibit.

• Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm, closed on Mondays
• Address: 76 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840
• Admission: Adults $15, Seniors $10, Children 17 and under are free, college students and military $8
• What to do here: see art from American history, enjoy local contemporary art, enjoy rotating exhibits

Drive Along Ocean Drive

A ten-mile stretch of road, "The Newport Loop," passes all the best sites that Newport has to offer. From the Vanderbilts to Jay Leno, Ocean Drive is where the money lives. Take a scenic drive and pass countless mansions of the rich and famous.

This is known to be one of the best ways to spend time in Newport, even on a rainy afternoon! Whether just passing through or staying the night, a drive along Ocean Drive will satisfy seeing many of the sites from the road.

The Castle Hill Lighthouse is also located at the end of Newport's famed Ocean Drive, so this might be a two-in-one type of outing for travelers.

Go To A Winery or Brewery

Newport Vineyards and Greenvale Vineyards are two of the top vineyards to visit in the area. Offering tastings and opportunities to sip in the sun by the vines, these two wineries are sure to whet any oenophile's appetite for a relaxing wine-filled day. Check out their websites for upcoming events.

With over a dozen breweries and cider houses, Newport's sampling scene isn't exclusively for wine drinkers. Find beer flights at places like Newport Craft Brewing, Taproot Brewing , Sowams Cider Works, and Pivotal Brewing Company.

Take A Day Trip To Narragansett

Just across the Jamestown bridge is a quaint seaside haven in itself, waiting for visitors to come to enjoy clam cakes, lobster, scenic lighthouse vistas, and fishing trips. From Newport, it takes about 20-25 minutes by car to reach the quiet town of Narragansett .

This is a great option for those who want to step aside from the mansions and regal setting of Newport for a more laid-back beach vibe. Narragansett Town Beach and Scarborough Beach are excellent places to base a beach day with the family before heading back to Newport in the afternoon.

Related: Fall In Rhode Island: 10 Scenic Towns Perfect For Fall

The Best Time To See Newport

Any time of the year is good to visit Newport. With fall foliage trips , Christmas and holiday happenings , festivals for sailing and wine enthusiasts, and countless summer activities, there's enough to see and do no matter what the weather is.

Located on the Northeast Coast of the United States, Newport has a humid continental climate. This means that this area is prone to warm summers but cold winters. Newport’s weather is highly impacted by its location next to the Atlantic Ocean, which has a cooling effect on the area.

Summer has to be the best time to go to Newport. Located on an island, this area is often less hot than other areas in the region. The Atlantic Ocean keeps summer temperatures from getting as hot as other East Coast cities, like New York or Boston. Summer temperatures are typically in the 70s.

Newport is also a great destination in springtime for those who enjoy the natural environment . Springtime temperatures are usually in the 40s and 50s.

Due to Newport being on the Atlantic, the winter months can get quite chilly, with average lows in the 20s during January and February. However, despite the low temperatures and the snow, winter in Rhode Island is very charming, with lots of things to do during the winter .

The best months to go to Newport are June and July.

• Months: June and July
• Temperatures: mid-upper 70s

Best Ways To Get Around Newport

Newport, Rhode Island, is one of the most walkable cities in the United States! With many historical sites to see, this is a great place to walk. Visitors who walk around Newport should keep a lookout for the many unique local shops on Thames Street!

Newport is a great place for cyclists! Not only is the city bike-friendly, but it has a long history of cycling. In the late 19th century, Newport was the place where the first American bicycling organization was founded.

• Renting a bike typically costs around $50 per day.

Public Transportation

Since finding parking in the city can be difficult, a great option for travelers is public transportation.

• Fares are usually $2 per ride.

Public Transportation in Rhode Island no longer takes paper currency. They require visitors to have either the app or exact change.

Taking a rideshare or an Uber is a great way to get around the city for those who want to enjoy walking around most of the time but want a ride on a rainy day.

• A typical trip across the city usually costs $16-22, depending on time and location.

Renting a car is a great idea for those who are traveling with children or who are traveling on business.

• Renting a car usually costs around $23-$50 per day.

Related: These Swimming Holes In Rhode Island Are Perfect For Summer

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The Gilded Age, a period of rapid economic growth and extreme wealth, swept across America from the late 19th to the early 20th century. During this era, Rhode Island emerged as a pivotal player. The state turned into a magnet for the wealthy elite, experiencing an unprecedented transformation.

The state became the summer haven for rich tycoons, successful entrepreneurs, and industrial magnates. Spectacular mansions and luxurious summer homes bloomed across its landscape, showcasing the excessive wealth typical of the Gilded Age.

The Gilded Age was not only an era of physical opulence. It also signaled a great societal and cultural shift. Providence, Rhode Island's vibrant city, grew into an industrial and commercial powerhouse. Its architectural and cultural landscapes adapted, mirroring the era's rising affluence.

Today, the remnants of Rhode Island's Gilded Age offer a window into a significant chapter of American history. Whether you're a history buff, architecture connoisseur or an inquisitive traveler, the opportunity to explore the history, opulence, and cultural richness of this epoch in Rhode Island awaits.

Newport Mansions: Echoes of the Gilded Age's Affluence

Newport, Rhode Island, with the Atlantic Ocean as its backdrop, was the Gilded Age's arena for the wealthy. Notable families like the Vanderbilts and the Astors built grand mansions, masquerading as “summer cottages”. These architectural marvels still radiate the era's prosperity and grandeur.  Take a tour of these extraordinary properties at your own pace. All are truly unique, and grand and have incredibly rich family histories Once you you see one you will want to see them all

The Breakers: The Vanderbilt Dynasty's Masterpiece

The Breakers , the Vanderbilt family's crown jewel, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Its 70 rooms, adorned with imported Italian marble and detailed gold leafwork, reflect the Vanderbilt's penchant for grandeur. A walk through the French-inspired Great Hall or the opulent Music Room transports visitors back to an era of unparalleled wealth and extravagance.

Marble House: An Epitome of Luxury

William Kissam Vanderbilt gifted Marble House to his wife, Alva, on her birthday. Constructed from 500,000 cubic feet of marble, this mansion combines European architecture with American audacity. Alva Vanderbilt, a women's rights advocate, hosted "Votes for Women" rallies here, intertwining the mansion's history with the suffragette movement. This property also boasts a true Chinese Tea House where you can make reservations for tea time at certain times of the year - you will feel like you stepped right into the Vanderbilt family. It has beautiful ocean views and later you can take a stroll along the Cliff Walk. 

Rosecliff: Glamour and Romance Personified

Silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs' mansion, Rosecliff , personifies glamour and romance. Modeled after Versailles' Grand Trianon, its heart-shaped staircase and grand ballroom have hosted extravagant parties. Rosecliff's beauty even made it to Hollywood, serving as the setting for the film, The Great Gatsby. Each Summer and Fall this mansion hosts two exciting events the Newport Flower Show  and the Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival .

Belcourt: A Unique Blend of Architectural Styles

Belcourt , another Newport Mansion, reflects the eclectic taste of Oliver Belmont. He mixed Gothic, Renaissance, and country house aesthetics, straying from the popular Italian Renaissance and French chateau styles. The mansion's large carriage room, a nod to Belmont's love for horse carriages, is its standout feature. A fun fact is that this property was the original site of the Newport Jazz Festival.

The Newport mansions each tell a unique story. They provide a glimpse into the Gilded Age's opulence and extravagance. Visiting these mansions offers a chance to experience the dazzling affluence of this transformative American era.

Providence's Industrial Transformation

Providence, Rhode Island's vibrant capital, witnessed a significant shift during the Gilded Age. The once tranquil colonial town metamorphosed into an industrial and commercial powerhouse, with factories, warehouses and trade centers altering the cityscape and trade ships thronging its waterfronts.

Rhode Island State House: A Beacon of Growth

The Rhode Island State House symbolizes Providence's growth. Constructed in the 20th century, its grand neoclassical architecture and one of the world's largest self-supporting marble domes dominate the city skyline. More than a governance hub, the State House embodies the prosperity of the Gilded Age.

Benefit Street's Evolution: A Tale Told on a Street

Benefit Street, among the city's oldest, mirrors the architectural transformation of the era. Once a residential area for Providence's elite, it changed as the wealthy moved to newer neighborhoods and their colonial homes were repurposed into shops, offices and boarding houses. The preserved structures offer a snapshot of Providence's rich past.

Industrial Trust Building: A Testament to Prosperity

The Industrial Trust Building, or the 'Superman Building', is a symbol of Providence's industrial surge. Finished in 1927, it remained the tallest building in New England until 1964. This skyscraper's rise reflected the city's advancement and the financial industry's growing influence in Providence.

Landmarks of Providence's Industrial Transformation

Providence's industrial transformation is not limited to these structures. Other landmarks also stand testament to the city's growth during the Gilded Age, such as:

• The Arcade , the country's first indoor shopping center
• The Lonsdale Company Mill complex, reflecting Providence's stronghold in textile manufacturing
• The Corliss Steam Engine Company, where the era's most advanced steam engines were built

The changes of the Gilded Age still echo in Providence's architectural and cultural scenes. These landmarks remind us of a time when the city was evolving into the dynamic city we see now.

Rhode Island's Cultural and Intellectual Hubs

Rhode Island's Gilded Age left a lasting impact on its cultural environment, with the state's affluence fostering the growth of various cultural institutions. This era of prosperity shaped Rhode Island into a hub for arts, culture, and intellectual exchange.

Providence Athenæum: A Sanctuary for Intellectual Exchange

The Providence Athenæum, a member-supported library established in 1836, played a pivotal role during the Gilded Age. Amidst the state's industrial growth, it provided a sanctuary for intellectual discourse and enlightenment. The city's intellectuals found a place to exchange ideas, read, and engage in meaningful conversations within its walls. Thus, the Athenæum stands as a testament to the intellectual enthusiasm of the Gilded Age.

Newport Art Museum: A Platform for Artistic Expression

The Newport Art Museum , founded in 1912, holds a significant position in visual arts. This institution championed the promotion of arts and culture during an era of prosperity. It provided a platform for artists to express their vibrant works, attracting both locals and tourists. The Newport Art Museum enriched Rhode Island's cultural fabric and continues to inspire art enthusiasts.

Artists and Intellectuals: Shaping a Creative Community

The Gilded Age saw a dynamic fusion of artists and intellectuals in Rhode Island. Inspired by the era's opulence and societal changes, they expressed their perspectives uniquely. The state's cultural institutions nurtured these talents, facilitating their artistic and intellectual growth. These creative footprints provide a deep insight into the cultural abundance of the Gilded Age.

Elite Recreation and Leisure in the Gilded Age

The Gilded Age marked not only industrial growth and architectural wonders but also exclusive recreation for the wealthy. Rhode Island's elite class reveled in a lavish lifestyle, engaging in numerous entertainment activities.

Newport Casino: The Epicenter of High Society Sports

Built in 1880, the Newport Casino served as the social hub for the affluent, despite its misleading name. This social complex, designed by the distinguished architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, became a favorite venue for the rich and famous. It was here that lawn tennis debuted in the United States, making the Casino the cradle of American tournament tennis. In 1881, it hosted the first U.S. The championship for national men's singles is currently recognized as the U.S. Open, drawing both wealthy patrons and sports enthusiasts. Currently, this historic site is home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, preserving the sport's legacy.

The Newport Polo Club: The Glamour of Polo

With the establishment of the Newport Polo Club in 1876, polo, the sport of kings, found a home in Newport. This made it America's first polo club. Polo matches soon became glamorous events, attracting the city's elite with exciting sportsmanship and the opportunity to display the latest fashion trends. The Newport Polo Club continues to draw crowds, hosting public matches throughout the summer and keeping the tradition of the Gilded Age alive.

The extravagant leisure activities of Rhode Island's elite during the Gilded Age offer a captivating glimpse into the period's opulence. Visiting these historical sites provides a unique chance to experience and appreciate the recreation of the affluent society of that era.

Visit the Gilded Age

Step into a unique experience of Rhode Island's historical landmarks from the Gilded Age. Amid grand mansions , bustling industries, and cultural hubs, whispers of the past subtly enchant and educate you. Travel to Rhode Island for this immersive American history lesson.

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Founded in 1971, Christmas in Newport began as a two-week festival that celebrated the non-commercial traditions of the holiday season. Now in its 54th year, the annual program boasts multiple activities for nearly each day of the December calendar.

In a community collaboration among residents, businesses and the City of Newport, clear sparkling lights illuminate downtown, our scenic harbor and wharves, the restored colonials of the Point and Historic Hill sections, and the Victorian splendor of Bellevue Avenue.

The lights are meant to simulate candlelight and are the brainchild of Christmas in Newport founder Ruth Myers, who wished to recapture the candlelit holidays of bygone days. With a volunteer base numbering 1500, the non-profit organization, Christmas in Newport, raises thousands of dollars for charity each year. In keeping with the true spirit of the season, any event listed in the annual program must be free of charge or must benefit a non-profit institution or charity.

The calendar of holiday events is listed below . Browse all events or filter by day, week, weekend or month.

TO SUBMIT AN EVENT FOR THE CHRISTMAS IN NEWPORT CALENDAR, CLICK HERE . TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEARS HOLIDAY DOORWAY COMPETITION, CLICK HERE . OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS IN NEWPORT LOGO AND ARTWORK AVAILABLE HERE .

For more information about Christmas in Newport, email [email protected] .

At the Gilded Age’s favorite summer resort, they do the holidays to the nines. Yankee Magazine, 2019

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