Nobody knew how to do extravagant and opulent like Newport, R.I., during the turn of the 20th century. The tiny town attracted America’s wealthiest during the Gilded Age, from the Vanderbilts to the Astors. All five of these “cottages” are on the National Register of Historic Places. A great way to see them all and experience the grandeur of Newport is to take the Cliff Walk.
Marble House
William Vanderbilt’s summer cottage is one of America’s great lasting tributes to the Industrial Revolution and the incredible disparity of wealth it produced. True to its name, Marble House contains 500,000 square feet of marble. It cost $11 million to build in the late 1880s.
Rosecliff
Silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs is the power behind this opulent throne. Rosecliff hosted some of the early 1900s most outrageous parties, at which Harry Houdini famously performed. Rosecliff has been used as the setting for various films, including — appropriately — The Great Gatsby.
The Breakers
Because one super-mansion summer house per family isn’t enough, William’s brother, Cornelius II, built the Marble House down the street. The 70-room mansion is palatial, designed in an Italian Renaissance-style palazzo.
The Elms
Coal baron Edward Julius Berwind wanted his mansion designed after the French chateau d’Asnieres. About $1.4 million dollars later, wish granted. Just as impressive as the building is Berwind’s collection of ceramics, paintings, jades and Classical Revival gardens.
Chateau-sur-Mer
One of the original Newport mansions, Chateau-sur-Mer pre-dates the Vanderbilts’ arrival by nearly 40 years. It is built in a High Victorian style with matching furnishings, which were redone in an Empire French style during the second half of the 19th century.
Read This Next
New England Wedding: Historic Slater Mill
Wedding
Feb 25, 2015#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
May 16, 2024Turn Stress into Adventure and Joy in Puerto Rico
Wash away your stress, anxiety and burnout and prioritize self-care at Casa Alternavida. Nestled between the turquoise ocean and El Yunque National Rainforest, this hotel offers a sanctuary where problems melt away.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Surveys
May 16, 2024Airports with the Friendliest Staff
Where can you find the friendliest airport staff? According to Upgraded Points, at Portland International Airport. The travel company’s study focused on the 50 busiest airports, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Upgraded Points then analyzed Google and Yelp reviews for each airport, noting mentions of “friendly” or “rude” staff or TSA. Mentions were compared to the total number of reviews to calculate a ratio of positive to negative interactions, with each airport scored on a scale of 0 to 5 based on the ratio of positive mentions for a possible score of 50.
Hotel
May 15, 20244 Hotels with Summer Camp-Inspired Experiences for Adults
Do you long for the excitement of going away to summer camp? Nostalgic travelers interested in creating new summer camp memories have the opportunity to do so at these four luxury resorts around the world.
Sponsored Content
Your Home Away from Home in Dallas
Open spaces, open thinking and open expression thrive at Aloft Dallas Downtown.
Destinations / North America
May 15, 2024Take a Crash Course in Cowboying in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with This New Pass
Home to the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, Cheyenne, Wyoming, invites everyone to try their hand at cowboying this summer with the first-of-its-kind Saddle Up Pass. Curated by Visit Cheyenne, this pass compiles top cowboy-inspired experiences and local retailers for a transformative immersion into Western culture.
ShareThis