Q:How long does it take to tour each house?

A: We generally advise allowing between one and one-and-a-half hours for each property, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the tour, explore the grounds, and visit the Newport Mansions Stores.   The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House and Rosecliff are all self-guided audio tours, using a lightweight, state-of-the-art and easy-to-use handheld player.  These allow you to experience each house at your own pace.  (During winter season from January thru March, either guided tours or audio tours may be available at these four houses). 
All other houses are guided tours.  At Green Animals Topiary Garden, you will be given a map of the garden to help you tour the grounds on your own, while a guided tour of the Brayton estate house is offered several times a day. 

Q:  When are the houses open?

A:  The operating schedule for each house varies seasonally.  Please check our operating schedule for details.

Q:  Is parking available?

A: Free off-street parking is available at all Preservation Society properties with the exception of Hunter House, where parking is generally available on the street or for a fee at the nearby Newport Visitors Center.

Q:  Is there transportation between the houses?

A:  Most of the houses are within walking distance of one another in the Bellevue Avenue-Ochre Point neighborhood.  Public transportation is provided by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, which operates natural-gas powered trolleys from the Newport Visitors Center on America's Cup Boulevard.  RIPTA trolleys leave the Newport Visitors Center every 20 minutes from 8 am to 8 pm, providing service to the mansions, Cliff Walk and more.

Q:  What are the addresses of the mansions?

A: Except for Green Animals Topiary Garden (located in Portsmouth) and Hunter House (downtown), most of the Newport Mansions are located within a short distance of one another on or near Bellevue Avenue in Newport.  Here are their addresses:

The Breakers
44 Ochre Point Avenue
Newport

Chateau-sur-Mer
474 Bellevue Avenue
Newport

Chepstow
120 Narragansett Avenue
Newport

The Elms
367 Bellevue Avenue
Newport

Green Animals Topiary Garden
380 Cory's Lane
Portsmouth

Hunter House
54 Washington Street
Newport

Isaac Bell House
70 Perry Street
Newport

Kingscote
253 Bellevue Avenue
Newport

Marble House
596 Bellevue Avenue
Newport

Rosecliff
548 Bellevue Avenue
Newport

For directions to Green Animals and to Bellevue Avenue, click here.

Q:  Do I need advance reservations to take a tour?

A:  Advance reservations are neither required nor accepted for most  tours of the mansions.  Exceptions are Chepstow and the Rooftop and Behind-the-Scenes Tour at The Elms.  

Chepstow tours are offered several times a day in season, by reservation.  Check the operating schedule for more information.

Because of space limitations, reservations are required for the Rooftop and Behind the Scenes Tour at The Elms.  Space availability on a specific date and time cannot be guaranteed without an advance reservation.   Please make your reservation at any Newport Mansions ticket booth as early in the day as possible on the day you would like to take your tour.  Please note, the Rooftop and Behind the Scenes Tour at The Elms is not offered during the winter months, from January through March.

Q:  Do I have to purchase my tickets in advance?

A:  Tickets are available for advance purchase online, or by phone at (401) 847-1000, ext. 102.  However, it is not necessary to purchase tickets in advance.  Tickets can be purchased on site at any of the houses.

Q:  If I purchase a multi-house ticket, do I have to see all five houses in one day?

A:  No.  Our tickets are undated, and tours do not all have to take place on the same day. If you purchase a multi-house ticket, you may see those houses in whatever order you like, and spread your visits out over as many days as you like.  Please check the operating schedule to see which houses are open during your visit.

Q:  Are strollers allowed in the mansions?

A:   While young children are always welcome at the Newport Mansions, we regret that we can no longer allow strollers or carriages inside any of the properties.  This policy has been adopted because of the significant damage that such vehicles have caused to historic surfaces and furnishings.  Please leave strollers and carriages in your car prior to entering the property.  These vehicles can not be left unattended on the property during your tour.  We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Q:  Are the mansions wheelchair accessible?

A:  The Breakers and Rosecliff are fully wheelchair accessible.  Marble House and The Elms are partially wheelchair accessible.  For detailed information about access for visitors with special needs, please call (401) 847-1000.

Q:  What type of shoes should I wear?

A:  Many of the Preservation Society's houses are quite large, requiring a great deal of walking and climbing of stairs.  They also include more than 80 acres of gardens and grounds. For your comfort and safety, we recommend that you wear sturdy walking shoes or sneakers.

Q:  Are tours available in languages other than English?

A:  International visitors are always welcome.  Audio tours of The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House are available in English, French, German and Spanish.  The audio tour of Rosecliff is currently available in English only.  Printed tour scripts of The Breakers,  Marble House, Rosecliff and The Elms are available in several other languages.  These may be requested as you enter the house.  

 

Q:  Can I take pictures in the mansions?

A:  No vacation is complete without photos, a way to remember your trip and to share it with family and friends.  Visitors to the Newport Mansions are welcome to photograph or videotape the exterior of the houses and their grounds for their own personal use.  But for the protection of the collections, and to avoid disturbing other visitors, interior photography or videography are not allowed, and no commercial use of any photographs taken on the grounds is permitted without advance written permission from the Preservation Society.

Q:  Can you recommend a place to stay while my family is in Newport?

A:  Newport has hotels, motels, inns, and bed and breakfasts of every type and price range.  You can find a partial listing on our Lodgings page, with links to their individual web sites.  Additional information about places to stay and other activities is available from the Newport Visitors Bureau, www.gonewport.com.