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Christmas in Newport, Rhode Island | |
| Imagine Newport's sumptuous Gilded Age mansions filled with Christmas trees, poinsettias, music...even eggnog! A December visit is a must! | ||
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Actually, the mansions are decorated for Christmas and open to visitors starting in mid-November, and stay open until New Year's Day. In the 50-foot-high Great Hall of The Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt's 70-room Italianate palazzo, admire a huge Christmas tree made entirely of poinsettias, and even more of the green-and-red flowers lining the Grand Staircase.
In the sumptuous Music Room, made in France, shipped to Newport and reassembled in The Breakers, Christmas tree lights and crystal chandeliers make all the gold and silver leaf glitter.
When Newport, Rhode Island celebrates, it does it in grand style. It is truly something to see. You may wait in line for an hour in summer just to get into The Breakers for the guided tour. On most December days you can walk right in, and walk all around on your own with an audio tour. Marble House and one other mansion cared for by the Preservation Society of Newport County (perhaps The Elms) are usually open as well, and mansions under the care of others may also be open and have special events. You can buy a Winter Pass at any of the mansions, or at the Tourist Information desk in the Newport Gateway Center. The pass admits you to all of the mansions that are open. It's valid forever, so if you miss a mansion this time, you can come back later and use it.
Hotel, inn, and bed-and-breakfast room rates are much, much lower in winter than in summer, value-for-money package plans are offered, traffic is calm, parking is available... This is Newport the easy way! Even if you've enjoyed Newport during the summer, you MUST come for Christmas, too. Plan to attend at least one musical event at The Breakers so you can enjoy wandering the house at leisure, admiring the spectacular Christmas decorations. Plan to drive along Ocean Drive and, if weather conditions permit, to stroll along the Cliff Walk, and to visit some of Newport's many other sights. Enjoy several of Newport's fine restaurants, which are cozy, welcoming and uncrowded at this time of year. I love Newport in the summer, but a winter visit is so different, so easy, and so enjoyable! The Preservation Society of Newport County
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Above, at Marble House, the Gothic Room's décor & furnishings—including the grand fireplace, are French.... 
Grand Staircase at Marble
House at Christmas, Newport, Rhode Island. |
