Things to Do at The Breakers

Complete Guide to The Breakers in Providence

About The Breakers

Admission: 6. Photography is permitted in designated areas only. Audio guides are available in multiple languages.

What to See & Do

The Great Hall

A soaring 45-foot ceiling space that sets the tone for the entire mansion, with limestone pillars and intricate mosaic floors that immediately let you know you're somewhere special

The Dining Room

Arguably the most impressive room, featuring red alabaster columns, crystal chandeliers, and a ceiling painting that took months to complete - this is where the serious entertaining happened

The Music Room

An ornate gold and white salon where the family's grand piano still sits, giving you a glimpse into how the wealthy spent their leisure time

The Ocean Terrace

Step outside to dramatic clifftop views of the Atlantic Ocean - the natural setting is just as impressive as the man-made luxury

The Servant's Quarters

Often overlooked but fascinating - see how the 'other half' lived in what were actually quite decent accommodations for the era

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Generally open daily 9am-5pm, with extended summer hours until 6pm. Winter hours may be reduced, so checking ahead is wise

Tickets & Pricing

Adults around $29, seniors $26, children $10. Audio tours included. You can buy tickets online or at the door, though summer weekends might sell out

Best Time to Visit

Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. Fall and spring offer pleasant weather with fewer tourists than peak summer

Suggested Duration

Plan on 2-3 hours if you're doing the full audio tour and want to explore the grounds properly

Getting There

The Breakers sits on Ochre Point Avenue in Newport, about an hour's drive south of Providence. If you're coming from Boston or Providence, take I-95 south to Route 138 east across the Newport Bridge. Parking is available on-site for $15, though it fills up quickly in summer. You could also take the seasonal trolley that connects Newport's major mansions, which actually adds to the experience and saves you the parking hassle.

Things to Do Nearby

The Elms
Another spectacular Gilded Age mansion with beautiful formal gardens - less crowded than The Breakers but equally impressive

Cliff Walk
A 3.5-mile public walkway along Newport's coastline that passes right by several mansions and offers striking ocean views

Marble House
The Vanderbilt family's other Newport 'cottage,' known for its incredible ballroom and Chinese Tea House on the back lawn

Newport Harbor
The working waterfront where you can grab fresh seafood and watch the sailing yachts - a nice contrast to all the historical grandeur

International Tennis Hall of Fame
Located at the Newport Casino, it's where the US Open was originally held and still hosts professional grass court tournaments

Tips & Advice

Download the mansion's app before you go - it has additional content and photos that enhance the audio tour experience

The mansion can get quite warm in summer since there's no air conditioning, so dress accordingly and bring water

If you're planning to visit multiple mansions, the combination tickets offer decent savings over individual admissions

The gift shop actually has some interesting books about the Gilded Age and Newport's history - worth browsing if you're into that sort of thing