The Breakers

Vanderbilt, the grandson of railroad tycoon Commodore Vanderbilt, spared no expense in designing this lavish Gilded Age temple, the grandest of the Newport "summer cottages." He installed a high entrance gate that weighed over 7 tons; used gold leaf and 500,000 cubic feet of marble; and brought in painters from Europe to create mural-size baroque paintings. Inside, all the furnishings on view are original. Outside, open-air terraces give way to breathtaking ocean views. 

The Preservation Society of Newport County purchased the house in 1972, and today it is a National Historic Landmark, part of the Bellevue Avenue Historic District. To visit the Breakers, you must arrange a tour through the Preservation Society of Newport County. Many Breakers tours are available, some departing from as far away as Boston and New Hampshire. Local tours of Newport include city sightseeing with admission to the Breakers and sometimes Marble House as well.

• During the busy summer months, tours do sell out. Purchase a tour ahead of time to avoid disappointment, or ensure your admission as part of a more comprehensive guided Newport tour.

• Flash-free photography is allowed inside the Breakers, but tripods and other equipment are not.

• The Breakers, Marble House, the Elms, and Rosecliff are partially wheelchair accessible; please call ahead for more information.

• Children are welcome at the Breakers, but strollers are not allowed inside the house.

The Breakers is located on Ochre Point Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island. About a half-mile west of the house is the Breakers Stable & Carriage House, which houses an exhibit on the New York Central Railroad.

The Breakers mansion is open year-round for tours and is busiest in the summer, when Newport plays host to vacationers from all over the East Coast and beyond.

The Breakers is a symbol of the Vanderbilt family wealth, but it is also part of a group of historic cottages under the auspices of the Newport Preservation Society. Most of them are within walking distance of one another and include Rosecliff, Marble House, the Elms, Chepstow, Hunter House, the Isaac Bell House, Chateau-sur-Mer, Kingscote, and the Green Animals Topiary Garden. Some excursions include admission and a guide or audio tour of some or all of the houses.

Yes, there are tours of the Breakers—it’s one of the most popular Gilded Age mansions to tour in Newport, and it’s one of only three estates that are open year-round. Typical tours are self-guided, meaning you can spend as much time as you like, though doors close at 5pm.

Most visitors will spend roughly two hours touring the Breakers—more to allow for exploring the grounds. Of course, some visitors can make it through in an hour, while others will spend all day marveling at the 50-foot-high (15-meter-high) ceilings, tile mosaics and Baccarat crystals, and open-air courtyards.

No, you do not need to book the Breakers tickets in advance—unless you want to take a specific guided tour. If you book online, your ticket is valid for whenever you choose to come, provided the estate is open (typically, daily). Otherwise, walk in to buy general, self-guided tours.

It’s best to visit the Breakers midweek (Tuesday–Thursday), as it’s the flagship estate of the Preservation Society of Newport County and the most popular mansion to tour. By visiting midweek, you avoid the largest crowds and can explore at your leisure. You'll also encounter fewer visitors by visiting in winter.

Your tour of the Breakers will likely be self-guided, meaning you can wander through as much of the mansion as you'd like. You can see the Great Hall, mural-lined dining room, mosaic-filled billiards room, music room, even family bedrooms, kitchen, and butler’s pantry. Of course, the grounds are can’t-miss, too.

No, there is no specific dress code for your visit to the Breakers, but many guests take the chance to dress up to match the fabulous Gilded Age scenery. To blend in with the mansions’ finer guests, dress as if you’re going to a nice brunch or a Sunday service.