Christmas at the Newport Mansions: Featuring The Breakers and Marble House

There is something magical in the air at Christmas time in Newport.

Come and see two of Newport’s most elegant mansions decorated and on display during this wonderful time of the year.  Our Best of Times Travel Tour Manager will provide light commentary and background on the history of Newport and point out interesting sights and historical landmarks during our adventure in Newport.  

Visits to The Breakers, the grandest of Newport’s summer “cottages”, and showcased will be The Marble House decked out in yuletide finery, with thousands of poinsettia plants, evergreens, wreaths, and fresh flowers highlight our day.

Lunch today will be on our own at the famous Bowen’s Wharf area of Newport.

Visit The Breakers, the grandest of Newport’s summer “cottages” and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s social and financial pre-eminence in the Gilded Age.  Built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, one of the richest men in America, The Breakers was everything a millionaire of the Gilded Age could want in a summer getaway. A classic Italian palazzo design, the finest American and European craftsmanship, views of the sea, and modern technology combined to make the ideal setting for luxurious living and entertaining.  The Breakers was built from 1893-1895 to replace a smaller, wooden house that had been destroyed by fire. To reduce the risk of another fire, Vanderbilt and his wife, Alice, commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt, a leading architect of the Gilded Age, to design the new structure of steel, brick and limestone.  

The Marble House decked out in yuletide finery, with thousands of poinsettia plants, evergreens, wreaths, and fresh flowers highlight our day.  William Vanderbilt built Marble House in 1892 as a 39th birthday present for his wife Alva Vanderbilt. It was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport’s subsequent transformation from a quiet summer colony of wooden houses to the legendary resort of opulent Gilded Age mansions. 

For guests that are not registering with a group, you will be notified of the closest departure point to where you live by 11/12/2024 or earlier.  If you are not satisfied with, or capable of reaching, the closest departure point for this program we will understand.  You will be cancelled from the event and issued a refund of all charges paid for the trip.    

Purchasing your trip on-line incurs bank service fees that are charged at the time of check-out whether paying by check or credit card.  For the Independent Traveler, Best of Times Travel does not accept mailed in payments for Day Trip Programs. 

No Refunds will be issued for cancellations, regardless of cancellation reason including but not limited to force majeure, health pandemics, or government restrictions after 11/12/2024.  Best of Times reserves the right to issue any refunds due in whole or in part in the form of Future Travel Credit.