Marble House - Newport, Rhode Island

Address:Bellevue Ave.
Newport, Rhode Island
Tel: (401) 847-1000

Stroll through a Gilded Age mansion, filled with 500,000 cubic feet of marble! This summer cottage of the Newport elite is an opulent and legendary resort that gives a sneak peak into the lavish life.

Designed by architect Richard Morris Hunt, the Marble House, built by William Vanderbilt, is said to have been inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The house was a social landmark that helped change Newport from a relatively relaxed summer colony of wooden houses to the now legendary resort of opulent stone palaces. When the house was completed, Mr. Vanderbilt gave the house to his wife Alva Erskine Smith as her 39th birthday present, and after their divorce Alva had a Chinese Tea House built on the seaside cliffs, where she hosted rallies for women's right to vote. When visiting, be sure to allow about one hour to tour the entire house, explore the grounds and visit the store; sturdy walking shoes will keep you most comfortable hiking the house's many stairs!

Plan to leave your car and purchase an all day pass to ride RIPTA (RI Public Transit Authority). Park at the Newport Visitors Center for just two dollars and ride the Yellow Line trolley to the historic properties of the Preservation Society, and get ready for an opulent day in Newport!