Newport, Rhode Island’s famed Cliff Walk is a must visit (and free) attraction while you are in town. The Cliff Walk is 3.5 miles from end to end. It starts at Memorial Boulevard and runs to Bailey’s Beach. It is open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. The mostly paved trail is wheelchair friendly on the north end until you get to the stairs at Marine Avenue. Good walking shoes are especially recommended as you get further south and have to scramble over rocks.
The Cliff Walk is considered a National Recreation Trail (NRT) and it has almost 1,300 siblings throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. It received the designation in 1975 and was the first NRT in New England. The Cliff Walk is so popular that even major storms cannot change the love for this local treasure. The Cliff Walk has seen repairs after hurricanes in 1938 and 1954, as well as after Hurricane Bob and Superstorm Sandy.
One of the highlights of the Cliff Walk is the ability to catch a glimpse of some of the mansions of Newport. Be sure to look for these five mansions as you enjoy the fresh ocean breezes.
Marble House
Construction on the Marble House was completed in 1892. Reportedly, over half of the cost of the house was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. It was built as a gift for Alva Vanderbilt’s 39th birthday. It served as a summer house for the Vanderbilts and their three children. Alva sometimes described the home as her fourth child. A Chinese Tea House on the property was used to host rallies for women’s right to vote. The National Preservation Society acquired the house in 1963 and it was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2006. The Marble House is open daily for self-guided audio tours.
Rosecliff
Rosecliff was modeled after the Grand Trianon which was the garden retreat of kings in Versailles in France. It was commissioned in 1899 by Theresa Fair Oelrichs, a Nevada silver heiress. Construction was completed in 1902. It is considered one of the smallest Gilded Age mansions in Newport but it still cost $2.5 million to build. Mrs. Oelrichs hosted many fantastic parties at Rosecliff, at least one was attended by Harry Houdini. Highlights of the interior of the home include a heart shape atop the grand staircase and the largest ballroom in town. The mansion was given to the National Preservation Society in 1971. Visitors may recognize Rosecliff from its role in many Hollywood films including The Great Gatsby (1974 version), True Lies, 27 Dresses, and Amistad. The front façade also made an appearance in HBO’s “The Gilden Age.” Rosecliff is currently closed to visitors and will reopen on March 15.
Ochre Court
Ochre Court is the second largest mansion in Newport. It was built by the Goelet Family in 1892 for the hefty price of $4.5 million. It was modeled after chateaus in the Loire Valley of France. The Goelet Family gifted Ochre Court to the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 1947. The Sisters used the mansion to establish Salve Regina University. In the beginning years of the university, the mansion served as housing for 58 students, classrooms, and dining hall for the single building institution. Today, the university has dozens of buildings and Ochre Court serves as the main administration building and houses the Office of Admissions. It certainly makes its presence known to prospective students. Like Rosecliff, this mansion was also featured in True Lies; Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character can be seen escaping from it in the opening sequence. This mansion can be accessed directly from the Cliff Walk if you want a break from your leisurely stroll. Be sure to look up to find the whimsical gargoyles. Concerts, lectures, and other special functions are hosted on the first floor of Ochre Court. Ask about events being held during your Newport getaway.
The Breakers
The Breakers is the largest mansion in Newport. At the time of its construction, Cornelius Vanderbilt II was one of the richest men in the country. After a smaller, wooden home was destroyed by a fire, Cornelius and his wife, Alice, commissioned a home to be built from fire-retardant materials. Renowned architect, Richard Morris Hunt, designed an Italian palazzo-designed home to be constructed out of steel, brick, and limestone. Construction took place from 1893 until 1895. Highlights of the home include 50-foot-high ceilings in the Great Room, chandeliers made from Baccarat crystal in the Dining Room, and a Billiard Room with hand-set tiled mosaics. The footprint of the home spans nearly a full acre which is no surprise when you learn that the home has 27 fireplaces and 70 rooms includes 48 bedrooms. The National Preservation Society started giving tours of the mansion in 1948. The Society then purchased the home in 1972 and it was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1994. Today, thousands of people visit this most iconic of Newport mansions.
Rough Point
Rough Point was built for another member of the Vanderbilt Family. The red sandstone and granite mansion was built for Frederick William Vanderbilt. Construction began in 1887 and was completed in 1892. Perhaps its most famous resident was philanthropist Doris Duke. The residence was bequeathed to Doris when she was only 12-years-old. After her debutante ball at the mansion in 1929, Doris spent many summers at Rough Point. She eventually moved to New York City but returned later in her life to live at the home during the warmer months. Doris was an avid collector and she filled the home with priceless antiques. Doris still owned the estate when she passed away in 1993. In 2000, the mansion opened as a museum and is now owned by the Newport Restoration Foundation. The museum is open from late March until November with the exhibits changing yearly.