We took this tour as an excursion from a cruise ship. We downloaded the app before we got there and it worked flawlessly since it does not depend on wifi when in use. The app presents a great storyline and is perfect as the guide. If you have more time, you can listen to the additional stories on it. We listened to them later and still enjoyed. There is a bit of a line backup going upstairs due to the reduced space but otherwise the flow is great. And they let you take photos unlike the North Carolina property built by a brother of the same family.

An absolute must see. Of the homes that were opened during our visit this was by far the most impressive. She still has the original furnishings and has been intricately restored giving the truest example of how life was lived among the elites of the era. Download the New Port Mansions app for a great listening tour experience. Don't forget your headphones!

Only had time for one mansion so we settled on The Breakers. It was late in the day so we found parking easy and the mansion wasn't overly crowded. We really enjoyed our visit. Highly recommend doing the audio tour. It's easy to use and you learn so much more than touring on your own. Wish we had time to do more mansions.

It’s not cheap to visit but there is a free car park (whilst you are there) and it is definitely worth the cost. This is the most spectacular Gilded Age mansion, it’s so vast and amazing to think someone lived in this opulence. The downstairs rooms are very different to upstairs, which is more reserved as they were designed by a different person. You can either download an audio guide to your phone or use the information cards in each room. Make sure you wander around the gardens, so as not to miss the cottage specially built for the children to play in (you can peek in through the windows). Toilets are located at the café entrance in the same building where you also buy tickets.

Beautifully maintained and a marvel to see. The self-guided tour led to many more questions. So many door...and where do they go? What's on the top floors? If I get a chance to visit again during the season, I would really like to take one of the extended guided tours that tell more of the story of the everyday life of the rich

There are many things to do in Newport RI. However, by far the most popular thing is touring the famous mansions in the city. The Breakers is a Gilded Age mansion built between 1893 and 1895 as a summer residence for Cornelius Vanderbilt II. The 70-room mansion, with a gross area of 138,300 square feet and 62,482 square feet of living area on five floors, was designed by Richard Morris Hunt in the Renaissance Revival style. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994. We love house tours and this had to be one of the best. It helped that it was a nice sunny day with above average temperatures. It also helped that it was not busy. Later that day 30 buses descended on The Breakers from the 2 large cruise ships in port. We purchased the Access Pass which allowed us to tour all of the Preservation Society properties that were open for only $70.00 each (and return as often as we wish for a year). Great deal! The only downside was lunch at the cafe. It was overpriced and only OK. Wished we had chosen to go elsewhere.

This was just so wonderful to see, especially dressed up in all its Christmas finery . We felt like we had stepped back in time to an era of extravagance and wealth beyond anything I’ve ever seen before. Just gorgeous!

Visited to see her decorated for the holidays and she did not disappoint! Parking was difficult - pack your patience- and some folks were driving crazily in the lot. Free admission for you and a guest with membership! Lovely to self tour, so beautiful and festive! Lovely gift shop as well!

We visited The Breakers to attend their holiday light show. It was amazing! The grounds had fabulous light displays and spots for taking photos. The mansion was open for touring. The mansion was decorated for Christmas and just beautiful. The guides that were strategically placed were so informative. I want to go back in the summer to see the grounds and daytime views of the ocean. Definitely recommend the Holiday Light Show.

We had toured this 1895 era mansion many years before, but not decked out for Christmas. It was spectacular on all accounts. The guided tours are gone, replaced by an online narrative, placards and a printed history. The amazing interior opulence was enhanced by period correct decorations, including many Christmas trees. Admission was $25 per adult; free parking across the street. The location on Belleview Avenue is easy to find. Be prepared to climb many stairs to fully see all 140,000 square feet.