Gilded Age Mansions and So Much More

The Forty Steps are part of the Cliff Walk and are a dramtic stone staircase that drops about 2/3rd off the cliff with an amazing stone like "balcony" The steps down to the balcony aford you an amazing view out to the ocean.

It is said that during Newport's "Golden Age" the steps were a gathering place for the many servants that worked at the many mansions. Here they would have dances during the weekend, enjoyin their traditional Irish songs.

Ferni and I love coming here during our visits as it gives us a sense of peace and serenity, it is also a wonderful place to just gaze out into the ocean.

Beginning at Memorial Boulevard there is a 3.5-mile scenic walkway overlooking the rocky bluffs and the Atlantic Ocean as well as the famous Newport summer mansions. The views are breathtaking as you meandor through some rough trails along the path.

Some of the pathway is paved but you must be very careful as the trail can be dangerous in some locations. There is also only partially wheelchair accessibility because of the rocks and stairs.

The Elms boasts one of the most beautiful grounds of all the mansions. The gardens are quite beautiful with large trees, statues, fountains and formal gardens where the owners must have spent much of their time.

Walking around the grounds is a nice way to spend some time, especially with a loved one.

The Elms, along with Marble House and The Breakers is a grand home and was used as a summer residence of it's rich owner, the Philadelphia philanthropist Julis Berwind and his wife. Mr. Berwind made his fortune in coal and summered in The Elms. His home was designed to resemble that of the French chateau d'Asnieres which is located just outside of Paris.

The interior of the home is quite breathtaking with furnishings designed by a Parisian company which compliments Mr. Berwind's many collections of ceramics and Venitian Art.

The grounds of the home are just as striking with gardens, fountains, terraces, sculptures and a large lawn which all make this one of the most beautiful mansions in Newport.

For operating times and prices check out the oficial Newport Mansion website at : www.newportmansions.org

One of the most lavish of the Newport Mansions is Marble House. Commodore Cornelius Vanderbuilt, who established the family fortune with his steamships gave Marble House to his wife Alva for her 39th birthday.

The house is a work of art and one of the most beautiful here in Newport.

Mansions, mansions, and more mansions. I must admit, what first drew me to Newport isn't the reason why I continued to return. I have a passion for history, architecture and castles (or the equivalent of which would be Mansions in the states). It's a special place where I have felt comfortable, happy and at peace in and where I have rediscovered the pleasures of spending time with someone I love.

I had stayed away from Newport for a few years because I'd been too busy visiting other places in this beautiful world of ours, but when you love a city like I love Newport, you really can't stay away too long and the best part is that Ferni loves Newport just as much as I do. We enjoy visitng during the fall off season and during the Christmas season as well.

Newport has lost some of its small town charm, especially if you visit during the heavy summer season when hotels and crowds are to capacity, but this simple fact won't keep us away from Newport, we just visit during the off season when the crowds are minimal at best.

If you happen to find yourself in this part of the coutry, I would recommend a visit, even for a day. It's a wonderful place to explore winter, spring, summer or fall but our favorite time to visit is either in fall during peak fall foliage or winter when the town is decked out in all its Christmas glory.

The "Grandest" of all the "cottages" in Newport, the Breakers was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, Grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt who had established the family wealth in steamships and then railroad.

Cornelius Vanderbilt II purchased a small cottage called the Breakers and commissed Richard Morris Hunt to design the new Breakers after a fire destroyed the original cottage.

The Breakers is a beautiful 70 room Italianite Villa overlooking the ocean with a wonderful two floor Loggia which is upon during the summer. Photographs are allowed in this area of the Breakers.

Gladys, the youngest daughter of Cornelius inherited the house after her mother's death and an in 1948 to raise funds for the Historical Society opened the Breakers. According to my research, the Preservation Society purchased the house from her heirs in 1972 and is designated a National Historic Landmark.

The Breakers is a beautiful example of the wealth and excess of the time.

There are guided tours and photographs are allowed in certain designated areas. Please check their website for times and schedules of each home as this changes throughout the season.

Christmas is my favorite holiday season (along with Thanksgiving that is) and finding myself in Newport on Christmas day was a very nice treat. The Mansions are decorated in all their holiday splendor and the crowds are few and far apart.

If you visit Newport during the holiday season hoping to get a glimpse of all the mansions you'll be in for a surprise. Only a select few mansions (The Breakers, Marble House and the Elms) are open during this time of year. Many shops and restaurants in Newport are not open on Christmas day so plan your trip accordingly.

Make sure to check the official website for more information on operating days and times.

Plan to spend most of your day wandering around the town, stopping in for some shopping at the many shops or enjoying a nice meal at the many restaurants.

It's Christmas, the happiest time of year!!