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Photo: dchelyadnik@yahoo.com, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Marble House is a Gilded Age mansion located at 596 Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, United States. It was built from 1888 to 1892 as a summer cottage for Alva and William Kissam Vanderbilt and was designed by Richard Morris Hunt in the Beaux Arts style. It was unparalleled in opulence for an American house when it was completed in 1892. Its temple-front portico has been compared to that of the White House.
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Bellevue Av. Built between 1891 and 1894 for Oliver Belmont.
Dedicated in 1975, this 3.5 mi public access walkway is a beautiful walk, and two-thirds of the trail is easy walking for all ages. The cliff walk offers some of the most beautiful views in New England, and wildlife can be seen throughout. Along the way you'll get a peek at several the famous Newport Mansions. Be sure to look out for the Forty Steps; an amazing staircase leading into the ocean below. During Newport's Golden Age, the steps were a gathering place for servants and workers from the nearby mansions. Here they would hold weekend dances and play the Irish songs and music that reminded them of home. The bottom of the steps are also safe for swimmers, runners and walkers alike. To walk the trail, start at Newport's First Beach and follow the coast to Ocean Drive. While walking, watch out for poison ivy. Additionally, some portions of the walk drop off steeply into the water, rocks can be slippery, and the path is not fully paved; so proceed with caution. Most people complete the Cliff Walk in about 2-4 hours. While bikes are not permitted, dogs are as long as they are kept on a leash. There are no refreshments or picnic areas, so plan ahead. The north end is handicapped accessible and baby carriage accessible. There are multiple ways to exit the Cliff Walk, all of which lead back to Bellevue Avenue and the front side of the mansions. Walking back to your car can take a while, so consider the free RIPTA trolley as a viable return option.
Tour philanthropist Doris Duke's eclectic art collection housed in one of Newport's finest "cottages".
Museum at historic Vernon Court houses works by Norman Rockwell, J. C. Leyendecker, N. C, Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, and more.