A weekend in Newport: The Cliff Walk and Gilded Age mansions
Planning your timing
You should book your visits via NewportMansions.org during the peak summer months. This is important because walk-up availability may be limited during this time.
Starting with the Cliff Walk
Begin your trip by navigating the coastal path of the Cliff Walk. The path is positioned directly below The Breakers.
Mansions worth the admission
The Breakers is a primary stop for most visitors. This Italian Renaissance Revival style house has about 70 rooms and covers 138,300 square feet. You will need a timed reservation to enter this property. Be aware that the back terrace is closed for restoration from January through November 2026, although you can still access the gardens and the back lawn.
Marble House is another essential visit. The construction of this house used roughly 500,000 cubic feet of marble. While you are there, you can find a Chinese Tea House located on the seaside lawn.
Houses to skip or save for later
You may want to adjust your plans for The Elms. Starting August 10, the second floor is closed for a project (the first floor and basement remain open), and discounted adult tickets are available for $15. This property will close for several weeks after August 31. If you are interested in architecture, Rosecliff was designed by Stanford White.
Keep in mind that not all estates are run by the same group. Rough Point and Belcourt are not operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Because of this, tickets for these properties are not interchangeable with Society passes.
Choosing your ticket
A single admission ticket for adults costs $32. If you visit a property other than The Breakers, adult tickets are $25 and youth (ages 6 to 12) are $10. For children younger than 6, entry is free. Youth pricing for single admissions varies by source, with one listing ages 6 to 17 at $10 and another listing ages 6 to 12 at $14 for The Breakers.
If you plan to see more than one house, use a multi-property pass. The Five Mansion Pass costs $56 for adults and $18 for youth, providing access to The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, and Château-sur-Mer within seven days. For broader access, the Ultimate Passport costs $85 for adults and $28 for youth (it is valid for one year and covers all 11 Preservation Society properties). Other options include The Breakers + 1 for $45 adults and $16 youth, or The Breakers + 2 for $57 adults and $18 youth.
Active military members and Rhode Island residents with a valid ID receive 10% off standard admission. Seniors ages 62 and older receive a discount of $2 to $5 off most passes.
Specialized tours for deeper access
Self-guided audio tours are included with admission. These tours last between 45 and 60 minutes per mansion and are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, and Portuguese. You must bring your own headphones or earbuds, though you can buy them on site.
For a more detailed experience, you can book specialty tours. The Servant Life Tour at The Breakers costs $50 per person and runs Saturdays at 9 AM to cover basement service areas. At The Elms, the Behind the Scenes Tour costs $49 on select weekdays and includes the boiler room, servants' quarters, and an underground tunnel system.
If you prefer a night visit, evening tours for The Breakers and Marble House run Thursday through Saturday during summer months for $68 per person. For those traveling from outside the city, the Grand Mansion Tour costs $125 and includes round-trip transportation from Providence, lunch at The Chanler at Cliff Walk, and guided visits to three mansions.
Sources
[S1] https://www.newport.com/, https://www.newport.com/ [S2] https://www.newportmansions.org/tickets/, https://www.newportmansions.org/tickets/ [S3] https://www.newport-pleasure.com/, https://www.newport-pleasure.com/ [S4] https://www.visitnewportri.org/the-complete-guide-to-touring-newports-mansions-in-2026/, https://www.visitnewportri.org/the-complete-guide-to-touring-newports-mansions-in-2026/ [S5] https://secure.newportgroup.com/login/participant.aspx, https://secure.newportgroup.com/login/participant.aspx [S6] https://askrhodeisland.com/newport-mansions-tickets-prices, https://askrhodeisland.com/newport-mansions-tickets-prices