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Palace · Newport, Rhode Island
The Breakers
The largest of Newport’s summer houses, built in 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II in an Italian Renaissance style, with 70 rooms and a garden facing the sea.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About The Breakers
The Breakers was built between 1893 and 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, grandson of the railroad magnate, on the site of a wooden house that had burned down. Architect Richard Morris Hunt was inspired by the Renaissance palaces of Genoa and Turin. The house has about 70 rooms and was named for the waves that break on the rocks below the garden.
The grand central hall rises two and a half stories, with marble columns and a painted sky ceiling. The dining room has crystal chandeliers and alabaster columns, and the music room and library were assembled in France and brought over in pieces. Materials came from Europe and Africa.
The house remained in the family for generations and is run by the local preservation society, which opened it to the public in 1948. It is a National Historic Landmark and Newport’s most visited mansion. The visit is done with an audio guide in multiple languages; special tours show servants’ areas, basements and the third floor.
The garden slopes down over lawns to the Cliff Walk and the sea. The former children’s playhouse on the grounds can also be visited during part of the year.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About one and a half to two hours, with the audio guide and the garden.
Best time
At opening, in the morning, before the tour groups. Summer is the busiest season; December has Christmas decorations. The house is open year-round, with varying hours; confirm before you go.
How to get there
It is on Ochre Point Avenue, about 2.5 km from downtown Newport. City buses run along Bellevue Avenue. There is visitor parking. Admission is charged, with timed entries and combined tickets with other mansions; check the current schedule.
Tip
Buy tickets in advance online, especially in summer. After the visit, walk down through the garden to the Cliff Walk and continue south on foot.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about The Breakers
How long does the visit to The Breakers take?
About an hour and a half to two hours, with the audio guide, the garden and the playhouse when it is open.
Who built The Breakers?
Cornelius Vanderbilt II, grandson of the railroad magnate, with a design by Richard Morris Hunt. The house was completed in 1895.
Does The Breakers open in winter?
Yes, the house is open year-round, with hours that change by season and closures on some holidays. In December it is decorated for Christmas.