My husband and I and another couple from Ct bought a year membership on line in July from Newport Preservation Society. We were able to visit in July 2014 and 3 mansions in early Dec. all decorated for the holidays. Beautiful. We will be able to visit those we have not seen this summer. This pass more than pays for itself and helps the Society with it's up care and they do a wonderful job.
We visited the Breakers in February on a beautiful sunny morning. Very much enjoyed the self guided tour of the mansion. interesting to see a lifestyle from years gone by.
I visited the Breakers yesterday with my 9 year old daughter. I had not done the tour since they went to headsets. We did the "family" option which is suited for children but still interesting for adults. We both thoroughly enjoyed the commentary and love the behind the scene stories about the staff. Great outing for the entire family!
Headsets are redistributed to guests immediately after being returned. During summer months they are often wet with sweat and guides are told to tell guests that they have just been sanitized. They are only sanitized at the end of business each day.
You won't be disappointed, especially if you love grandeur, American History (Gilded Age 1870-1900) & ornate antiques! The Vanderbilt's summer home is magnificent & worth every penny of the admission price. Although the tour guide will give a more in-depth experience, if you're pressed for time, the self guided/audio tour will last about an hour if you're in a rush…2 if you prefer a slower pace. We saw The Breakers one day (2/24/15) and returned to The Marble House the next (2/25/15) so we weren't rushed. It was a perfect compliment to our romantic February Cliffside Inn B&B getaway!
We were told if you see a mansion this was the one to see. And they were right. It was very impressive. The mansion is grand and decadent and full of history. There’s a lot to look at, but after we were done it really felt like we didn’t need to see another. They sell tickets that are good for three mansions I'd save your money and just see this one.
This was our second time visiting the Breakers, my husband really just wanted to walk through it again while we still had our membership. Since you are at the pace of everyone else walking and listening to the tour we decided to take the children's tour since we had already done the regular tour. It was so fun. It is told in the perspective of the house. It was a different and interesting way to view the tour.
Truly a delicious treat for the eye. A must see in Newport, RI with room after room of spectacular design in period fabrics, wallpaper and paint. Elaborate furnishings with a breathtaking ocean view. Definitely worth the price of admission. Audio tour available.
When using the recorded tour set, one can meander at preferred pace and even linger in a place of interest. Since tours are not specifically timed and you will not be pushed through, it is possible to let your mind wander back in time for a bit. It is a nice escape.
Beautiful audio tour, really gives a sense of the time period. Very cool to do for all ages. Cliff Walk entrance very nearby.