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    The Elms

    4.5 (94 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Elms Photos

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    Carriage House

    This was an outstanding mansion tour in Newport, RI. The Elms itself was easy & very interesting, but, surprisingly, the grounds were even more stunning, and at the end of it all sat the newly-opened "Carriage House", a real treat which offered just delicious food & wine in an incredibly calming ambience. The prices were fabulous and the food was even better. The gluten-free clam chowder might've been the best I've ever had visiting New England. Absolutely recommend this stop on the opposite, overlooked side of Bellevue (mansion) Avenue!

    The Critical J.

    PROS: beautiful home with a nice staff and good proportioned back yard. They had the typical field in the backyard, followed by a weeping willow, then a garden/fountain area. CONS: this place closes early and is not as elegant, large, or luxurious as the other mansions. Also doesn't have a good view of anything OVERALL: this is a good house to see, the lot is on their property so that's convenient. However, it is not as good as marble or breaker house

    J M D.

    In my humble opinion, the most interesting and understated of all the Newport Mansions! The stairwell for the servants says alot about how they were treated here versus some of the other homes! Fans of The Guilded Age will immediately recognize Bertha Russel's kitchen!

    Spare bedroom in The Elms
    Heather A.

    Just beautiful! This mansion brings such historical elegance and is the perfect place to step back in time. I hadn't visited since I was young and it was a pleasure to be back here to reminisce childhood memories while also really being able to take in it's beauty and rich history- pun intended. The grounds are beautifully decorated with art and pristine greenery. A must when visiting Newport. The self guided tours are a wonderful addition to the mansions, making it super easy to go at your own pace and be able to appreciate every ounce of the properties.

    Walk way
    Katie A.

    Beautiful mansion. Horrible to think it was going to be torn down for a parking lot. So amazing to see the rich peoples "summer home" in all its glory. You can download a free audio tour to help as you walk through. There is a written brochure if you do not have the ability to download.

    Rear of property
    Suzanne A.

    I was so excited to visit the "cottages" in Newport! Only 3 of the houses are currently open due to Covid and staff shortages. The Elms is one of the smaller mansions and not as opulent as the Vanderbilt mansions although it's still a luxurious home. The 1st and 2nd floor were open but lots of rope barriers. The main rooms were beautifully decorated for Christmas! The bedrooms were also decorated. Seeing the rooms and period furniture really let you see life in the Gilded Age. The kitchen where the staff prepared meals was also open for viewing. Although the staff were treated well, it was a quite different life! The grounds are large and beautiful. In the back is a tree that is actually 4 trees growing together. It was my favorite part of the property! The house has a self guided tour. An audio tour is available for no extra charge. It took us about an hour to see the house and grounds. The elevator wasn't working when we were there.

    Marzena D.

    One of two mansions opened during pandemic in July. We have visited it during our stay in Newport after previously seeing the Breakers therefore we had a comparison. The space is huge! They managed to keep the area accessible and safe to all visitors who wanted to see it. Some rooms were closed because of limited space but you could still admire the opulence of the house. Personally I would put sights with names outside of each room because the guide got me a bit confused. Definitely worth a visit. If visiting during the pandemic be prepared to wear a mask.

    The rear garden
    Holly W.

    Newport's Gilded age glory... Whats not to be intrigued by?! If you love history, tours and architecture you will definitely enjoy the Elms. Honestly there hasn't been a Newport mansion I haven't enjoyed. I was lucky enough to be taken by my job on Wednesday morning this week. It was a great time! Very quiet and no traffic. WIN! The tour has an audio guide. It's on a lanyard that goes around your neck and I was amazed at how light they are- I think they are apples! The self guided tour really allowed you to travel at your own pace. It walked you through each of the rooms with opportunities to hear extra stories about the Berwind family or about the specific pieces in the room or the architecture. It was really easy to figure out and maneuver through the house! The gift shop employee was super helpful and a dapper dresser! I have to say I loved walking the grounds. Unfortunately with our rough Spring, the flowers were not blooming yet. There was a lot of greenery and you are allotted ample time to spend on the property investigating or enjoying! No fountains were running. Not sure if they only run in the summer or not at all. But either way it's fun to picture what Newport was like in the gilded age and how people lived!

    Water fountain
    Marta T.

    Do the servants tour!!! It's a really look in the life of the staff when the house was used as a summer cottage. The tour is about an hour and definitely worth the $15. Enjoy

    John J.

    There is something magical about the Mansions. Yesterday we visited the Elms for the first time. The paintings will leave you standing in amazement and forgetting to move to the next room. The rooms are breath taking and one gets the feeling the family will be back any minute. It is an audio tour and don't be afraid to turn down the volume. Get lost in history to the silence and imagine how life was in this glorious Mansion. Triple A members receive 10 percent off tickets.

    Near the sunken gardens
    Angela S.

    The senior staff was very welcoming and educated and wonderfully informative. Sadly, many of the rooms were roped off and it was impossible to even see into the rooms (signs with photos were propped in the doorways). This may be because of lingering Covid restrictions, but if so prices should have been adjusted or at the very least guests should have been made aware before booking. Like the Breakers, somewhat disappointing was that several younger staff seemed disinterested and uneducated, down to unprofessional dress which seemed odd and out of place in a pricey and formal setting. (Casual dress is fine for touring.) A gorgeous and informative tour but our enjoyment was limited by the restrictions and the few uninformed staff. The outside grounds are amazing, and the available free app download/audio tour is very well done.

    Cool flower light fixture
    Stephanie G.

    The Elms is a great tour and I'd say a must see if you are doing the 5 house tour. It's one of the grander houses, and that's what you are paying to see. It's an audio tour and the family is the Berwind, who made money in coal. I had not heard of the Berwinds, so there was some interesting information about a self-made man and his sister who was wearing her Victorian undergarments well into the 20s. This place has the largest collection of Venetian paintings outside Venice. Lots of cool paintings and furnishings to see. There is also a servants tour here that I did not have time for, but if you are into grand Gilded Age houses, this is a great one to hit (good variety of rooms from public first floor ones to bedrooms to some kitchen/prep areas). The light was kind of low though and on a cloudy day, I didn't get many good photos because of no flash policy.

    I loved the piping work here
    Alı B.

    Its a beautiful castle and totally worth visiting. They have done a nice job to convert it musem and run it during difficult COVID days.

    The Elms

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    The Elms was one of our favorite mansions to tour. It has a lot of interesting history and is beautiful.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Elms

    Review Highlights - The Elms

    Although they never had children, their nieces and nephews spent time at the mansion and its grounds.

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    Newport Mansions - Sparkling Lights at The Breakers

    Newport Mansions

    4.6(99 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Stunning & majestic grandeur at 360 degrees for these historic mansions. Amazed and grateful that…read morethese have been restored for us to view this piece of lavish history. We joined the Historic society for the well worth is discount and toured 3 homes in a day, which is just the right amount. A must in the self guided audio tour via the mansions phone app. It really adds to the history of the mansion and gives great insight to the families and their world. Please explore these fabulous gems when in the area. Can't wait to see the rest!

    Visited the Newport Mansions for the first time during the holidays to see all the beautiful lights…read moreand decorations!!! I visited The Breakers and The Marble House (third mansion is The Elms). Each house was lit up with Christmas lights, as well as a Christmas tree in each room. Also bought tickets to see "The Sparkling Lights" outside on the lawn. The mansions are absolutely grand, elegant, and filled with history!! They all cost money to enter, but there is a free audio tour for each one (bring a headset). I loved learning about each one! Short and sweet summaries of each room as you walk through the houses, with the option to listen to extended versions (for you history lovers). Each mansion has parking close-by (although the website claims you can easily walk from one mansion to the next, they are quite far, especially in the winter). I stopped in for a simple day trip, but lots to see and eat in Newport if you have more time! Another tip would be if you're there to see the Sparkling Lights, earliest admission is 4:30 pm, make sure you're in line by 4:15 pm (it gets long FAST)!

    Photos
    Newport Mansions - Marble house

    Marble house

    Newport Mansions - Sparkling Lights at The Breakers

    Sparkling Lights at The Breakers

    Newport Mansions

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    Newport City Hall

    Newport City Hall

    3.3(4 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    Ahh, the City by the Sea…read more Did you know that Newport now contains among the highest number of surviving colonial buildings of any city in the United States? Me either but it's true. Did you know that Newport is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War College, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and a major United States Navy training center? Now you do. Did you know the Tennis Hall of Fame is located in Newport? How about that the Newport Country Club hosted the first US Open and the first US Amateur? Or that Newport is known as the sailing capitol of the United States? Or that John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in St. Mary's Church in Newport? Or that the movie "The Great Gatsby" (1974 edition) was filmed in Newport? Or that on Bellevue Avenue is home to some of the most opulent, amazing mansions in the world? Or that The Whitehorse Tavern, the oldest pub in continuous service in the United States, can be found here? All of this and I have not even begun to mention the beaches, the great restaurants, the Newport Jazz Festival, the fun - and there is a lot of fun to be had in Newport. A great place to visit if you get a chance.

    Everyone that I have encountered at this City Hall has been decent. While they aren't personable or…read morefriendly, they do complete their job in a timely manner. My major gripe with this city hall is that they have a misleading sign that points to a a wheelchair accessible entrance under the grand staircase outside. The lift you are lead to is the oldest, scariest, and SMALLEST elevator I have ever seen. There is absolutely 100% no way a wheelchair could fit inside it. Truly despicable! Government buildings need to be accessible to all individuals.

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    Newport City Hall
    Newport City Hall
    Newport City Hall

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    The Preservation Society of Newport County - outside lights at The Breakers

    The Preservation Society of Newport County

    4.6(369 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    The Preservation Society of Newport County is a non-profit organization based in Newport, Rhode…read moreIsland and its top priority is the preservation and conservation of its historic houses and their collections. This work includes restoration of roofs and windows, conservation of fragile textiles, cleaning and restoration of valuable paintings and much more. At any given time, dozens of projects are underway. A visit to the Newport Mansions is a donation to The Preservation Society of Newport County. During the holiday season, The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms welcome visitors with spectacular holiday displays so it was a great opportunity to visit. In addition to the house holiday display, there is an outdoor holiday display called Sparkling Lights at The Breakers from November 22 to December 29, 2024 on select evenings. Admission is only at 4 pm, 4:30 pm, 5 pm, 5:30 pm and 6 pm. Gates close at 6:30 pm and the house and grounds close at 8 pm. Timed admissions tickets can be purchased online at https://www.newportmansions.org/. Tickets include access to the lavishly decorated rooms inside the house during the same visit. About a week prior, I bought 2 tickets for December 20, 2024 at 6:00PM ($40.00 each) and I was really looking forward to it. However, there was a winter advisory and it was snowing on the day of. Driving conditions were unsafe. I was worried I was going to lose my money since the website indicated tickets may not be resold, non-transferrable, non-refundable, and cannot be used for a different date. I tried calling the Preservation Society of Newport County, but there were just prompts and I couldn't talk to a live person. I sent a direct message to @newport.mansions through Instagram and they responded promptly that I could receive a refund by emailing info@newportmansions.org. Gary Ruff, Associate Communications Manager, responded and instructed me with what information he needed to provide the refund. I was so appreciative. Thankfully, the snow cleared and temperature warmed up a bit so I bought 2 tickets for December 29, 2024 at 4:00PM ($40.00 each). All the decorated Christmas trees, the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree, poinsettias, garlands, wreaths and fresh floral in the interior of The Breakers were beautiful and then walking through the lights and illuminated displays of the outdoor 13-acre landscape was just a cherry on the top. The Preservation Society of Newport County also partnered with Stoneacre Brasserie to offer holiday treats and adult beverages. Thank you to The Preservation Society of Newport County for everything you are doing to protect, preserve, and present an exceptional collection of house museums and landscapes.

    The family (wife, 10 y/o son, 2 y/o daughter) were visiting Newport and looking fo some activities…read moreto do. I noticed that the Newport mansions were on every to-do list, with the Breakers being the top choice of many. I looked at their website as well as other reviews and saw that this may not be the best place for younger ones. I saw that no strollers were allowed and I didn't think a tour of an old mansion is something my 10 y/o would be interested in. So I decided to take a solo trip on a nice Friday morning while the rest of the family slept in late at the hotel. The Breakers opens at 10 AM. The visitors parking lot is on the corner of Ochre Point Avenue and Victoria Avenue. There are other lots nearby but read the signs as they are for other buildings...The parking lot had adequate space when I arrived at 10:15 or so, but by the time I was leaving at about 11:45 is was pretty packed with visitors having to park in the rear overflow lot. Once you reach the front gate of the Breakers mansion, there are COVID restriction and general rule signs. As you proceed you can go to the left to buy tickets, use the bathroom or enter their cafe. Tickets are about $26 for adults and $8 for children 6-17 years old. The cafe has a bunch of premade food items, drinks, snacks, premade sandwiches... and few seats with tables. There are some more seats and table just outside of the cafe. Before you enter the mansion, there are signs showing you how to use their self tour audio app. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DOING THIS...AND BRING HEADPHONES. You download the Newport Mansions app from the App Store onto your Apple or Google device, select the mansion you are visiting and begin the tour. The audio tour was excellent and follows you through the tour route of the mansion. I enjoyed listening to all the interesting facts about each room via bluetooth earbuds while my hands were free to take photos with my camera. You only thing you will need to do is to advance (click the play button) the tour to the next room before entering. There are some interesting facts about the mansion as a whole and each individual room. You can also stay around longer in each area for additional facts, essentially lengthening the tour. Without the audio tour, you will have to fread the printed information sheet. You go through the main floor, upper floor and back down into the service area where the kitchen is. You then exit through the gift shop. The gift shop has lots of interesting items, which includes typical magnets, mugs and prints, but they also have some luxury items like platters and wine stoppers as well as a small jewelry section. You finally exit out onto the side of the mansion and are able to walk back around outside to the front where you entered. Before sure to walk through the opened gate to the right of the mansion which takes you through a small garden to the back. Here you can see the Cliff Walk path and the ocean. Overall, I had a great time...It was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. The entire tour took just over an hour without listening to the extra information about each room. (During the tour, there are a few instances where you have to ascend/descend steps - I did NOT see any elevators - so you may want to call ahead to check if you cannot climb steps) Again, I highly recommend downloading the app and listening to the audio tour via headphones. It allows your eyes to focus on the beauty of the mansion instead of reading. Lastly, the mansion is right off of the Cliff Walk path...so be sure to make the short ride (or walk) north to Narragansett Avenue and visit the Forty Steps.

    Photos
    The Preservation Society of Newport County - 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree

    15-foot-tall poinsettia tree

    The Preservation Society of Newport County - Sparkling Lights at The Breakers

    Sparkling Lights at The Breakers

    The Preservation Society of Newport County - Menu of holiday treats and adult beverages

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    Menu of holiday treats and adult beverages

    The Elms - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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