The Breakers
Newport, RI
One of the grandest of Newport's Gilded Age summer mansions, an Italian-Renaissance-style palace on the cliffs above the Atlantic. Tour the interiors, then walk the lawns to the sea; buy timed tickets early in peak season.
The Breakers was built between 1893 and 1895 to designs by Richard Morris Hunt for the railroad magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt II. The Italian Renaissance-style villa has 70 rooms and is modeled on 16th-century palaces in Genoa and Turin. Highlights include the 50-foot (15 m) Great Hall, marble, gilded rooms, mosaic floors and terraces with ocean views. Those involved included the sculptor Karl Bitter and the Paris firm Allard and Sons.
Vanderbilt's youngest daughter Gladys inherited the house in 1934 and opened it to visitors in 1948. It has belonged to the Preservation Society of Newport County since 1972 and is a National Historic Landmark. Admission is by timed ticket, and in peak season you should reserve well in advance (as of October 2026). According to the operator, allow about one and a half hours for the tour and a stroll around the grounds.
- Nearest town
- Newport, RI
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 41.4695, -71.2985
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Melville Ponds CampgroundCampsite8 mi from The Breakers
- Long Cove CampgroundCampsite11 mi from The Breakers
- Camp HoffmanCampsite13 mi from The Breakers
- Wawaloam CampgroundMotorhome stopover18 mi from The BreakersMotorhomes
- Frosty Hollow Shelter Camping AreaCampsite23 mi from The BreakersTentsToilets
- Whispering Pines CampgroundMotorhome stopover23 mi from The BreakersMotorhomes
All campsites in Rhode Island · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is The Breakers?
The Breakers is in Newport, RI, at GPS 41.4695, -71.2985. It is about 25 mi from Providence.
Can you camp near The Breakers?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Melville Ponds Campground, about 8 mi away; within 25 mi there are 18 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near The Breakers?
Places worth a stop nearby: Newport Cliff Walk (0 mi), Beavertail State Park (5 mi), Point Judith Lighthouse (12 mi) and Bristol Historic Downtown (14 mi).
When is the best time to visit The Breakers?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)