Events / Mansions & Gardens /

The Breakers

Built 1895National Historic Landmark

The Breakers is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial pre-eminence in the Gilded Age.

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Plan your visit

44 Ochre Point Ave
Newport, RI 02840

Open today 9:00am – 4:00pm

House & grounds close one hour after last tour admission
As part of your tour, the Children's Cottage will be open daily through July 31

The Breakers is partially accessible with elevator in service.

See Dining Options at The Breakers Café

Things to Do

Self-Guided Tour at The Breakers

The Breakers Audio Tour

Daily opening hours

Based on personal diaries, letters, records and oral histories, The Breakers audio tour offers first-person accounts of life in the house from members of the family, servants and their children. You’ll also learn fascinating facts about The Breakers and how it was built, and see details of the rooms that you might otherwise not notice!

Self-Guided Tour at The Breakers

The Breakers Family Tour

Daily opening hours

A dragon in the dining room and a dolphin under the stairs – this tour will introduce children to this Gilded Age mansion from a unique and fun perspective.

Guide-led Tour at The Breakers

Beneath The Breakers Tour

Daily 10 am & 2 pm

Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.
Starting September 2, offered at 10 am only.

Guide-led Tour at The Breakers

Third Floor Preservation in Progress Tour

Daily 12 pm & 2 pm

For the first time in the 129-year history of The Breakers, the private third-floor family space occupied by generations of Vanderbilts is open for public tours.
Starting November 3, offered at 12 pm only.

Virtual Tour at The Breakers

The Breakers Virtual Tour

Daily virtual

Visit The Breakers from the comfort of your own home

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History

The Breakers was built by America’s pre-eminent architect for one of the richest families in the world.

Learn more about The Breakers

Original Builder

Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II
Architect

Richard Morris Hunt
Construction dates

1893-1895
Materials

Brick faced with Indiana limestone
Ownership transferred to the Preservation Society

1972

Interested in a group tour?

Special rates available for groups of 20 or more adults and 10 or more students.

Learn more about group tours

Audio tours are self-guided using our free audio tour app

Visitors must bring their own smart device with earbuds/headsets and download the free Newport Mansions tour app before your visit. Printed scripts are available at most mansions and staff appreciate your questions.

Learn more about our tours

Download the App

Upcoming Events

Family Programming at The Breakers

Traveling Tuesdays: Kites Take Flight

July 8, 2025 10:30am – 11:30am

Back by popular demand! Create your very own "stained-glass" paper kite, inspired by the stained-glass skylight inside The Breakers! Kids will have a chance to fly their kite on the lawn and learn about the children who once lived there.

Program at The Breakers

Plein Air Watercolor Painting Class

July 23, 2025 9:00am – 4:00pm

Calling all intermediate and above watercolor painters! Join Bill Lane, award-winning local watercolor artist, for a daylong plein air workshop at The Breakers.