Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
The Cliff Walk➤
The Cliff Walk, which passes by The Breakers, is a National Recreation Trail which runs along the shoreline in Newport, Rhode Island. Ocean views abound throughout the 3.5 mile walk. The trail passes by many of Newport’s famous gilded age mansions.
Hurricane Sandy washed away The Cliff Walk in 2012. After $5 million in restorations, Newport reopened the trail in 2014. There are still some unpaved, rough sections.
The Breakers➤
The Breakers is the most famous of Newport’s summer ‘cottages’. Cornelius Vanderbilt II, chairman of the New York Central Railroad, bought The Breakers in 1885.
The original Breakers burned down in 1892. Vanderbilt commissioned a team to replace the home with an elaborate 70-room Italian-style Palazzo.
Vanderbilt’s youngest daughter, Gladys, inherited the house in 1934. She opened it to the public in 1948 as a museum to raise funds for The Preservation Society of Newport County. The Society purchased The Breakers in 1972 and visitors can take self-guided tours of the home and grounds.
When we visited Newport, there was an antique car show taking place there. We also had our dog with us, so we contented ourselves with photos from the perimeter. The video below, courtesy of Pierre Repooc Productions, takes viewers through the interior spaces.
Newport Area Posts➤
- Beavertail State Park
- Beavertail Light
- Cliff Walk
- Easton Beach
- Ochre Court
- The Breakers
- Newport Historic District
- Touro Synagogue
- Old Colony House
- Fort Adams
- Brenton Point
- Marble House
Location: 44 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840
Designation: National Historic Landmark
Date designated/established: October 12, 1994
Date of my visit: October 2, 2021
Love Newport … love the Cliff Walk … love the mansions!
It’s a beautiful area😊
It had hot and cold running salt and fresh water, which really impressed me for some unknown reason.
That is impressive! I wonder how they dealt with corrosion from the salt water…it’s doing a number on the wrought iron fencing around the property
I do not know and wondered about that same thing when I had a tour of the Breakers when I still lived in Middletown (next to Newport) in the late 1960s.
Really like a palace. I can hardly imagine living in a place full of so many servants -no privacy or peace, one would think! Can’t knock the view though.
I agree, but then I guess that was the norm for high society back then.
Looks wonderful!! On my list of places to visit!
Thanks for reading and commenting 😊
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Another place to add to my TOO VISIT list.
It’s a nice weekend escape 😊
Particularly interesting as I’m currently reading Anderson Cooper’s book about the Vanderbilts.
It’s hard to imagine living in a place like this. However I would like to visit sometime.
Oh, I shelved that in my tbr pile. I like him. Are you enjoying it?
So glad this is now in public hands and used as a museum of a different time. Thanks for sharing. Allan
Yes, they don’t make them like that anymore