the gilded age in Newport, RI

The Gilded Age

 A period of extreme class division, transformative economic and technological change, and the introduction of the "new money" upper class, The Gilded Age was a turning point in American history.  Few places in the US display this new American wealth more than Newport, Rhode Island.  The summer cottages of America's new millionaire were constructed at the height of the Gilded Age and displayed the owners' love of opulence and European aristocracy.  The Preservation Society of Newport County maintains a variety of summer cottages but two of my favorite to tour are Marble House (William K and Alva Vanderbilt) and The Breakers (Cornelius II and Alice Vanderbilt). During my first visit to Newport, we explored the famous Newport Cliff Walk, to first view the homes from their seaside vantage points, and then toured The Breakers, to see how the railroad tycoons spent their summer vacation.  

A Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island

We entered the Cliff Walk at Narragansett Avenue and headed towards the magnificent coastal cottages.  Our trip to RI was in February but the sun was peaking out behind the clouds and the views were incredible from every angle.  The Atlantic Ocean to our left, the Newport mansions to our right, and the rugged coast line in between.  

After our exercise and fresh air, we headed back to Ochre Point Ave for our tour of The Breakers.  Alva and her daughter Consuelo, are my all-time favorite Vanderbilt family members to study, but on this trip, we decided to immerse ourselves in the lives of Alva's sister-in-law, Alice.  The Breakers is one of the most beautiful homes I've ever seen (and is used for various scenes in the HBO show The Gilded Age).  While the grand opulence of the main hall, the ballroom, and the sitting rooms are magnificent, it is the bedrooms that really steal the show.  The pink floral wallpaper, matching print wingback chairs & tufted headboards, detailed picture mouldings, and shiny gold frames are the home decor of my dreams.  Enter the ornate gates below and tour The Breakers with me.

 

 

While the gilded mansions are an important piece of Newport site seeing, there is so much more to see in the downtown city center.  The sun-filled shops and darling local restaurants are sprinkled along the cobblestone streets and across Bowens Wharf.  We enjoyed the beautiful ambiance and fresh seafood at Midtown Oyster Bar.  Our group indulged in birthday cupcakes from Cupcake Charlie's as well as mini donuts from Liberty Donuts.  I loaded up on spices at The Spice & Tea Exchange and hoarded bath soaps at Shore Soap Co.  Sunday Brunch was Instagram perfection at Stoneacre Brasserie.  A caffeine fix was found at Empire Tea & Coffee.  We were fan girls at the flagship Kiel James Patrick shop on Bowen's Wharf.  Lunch on the go was the perfect mix of hearty and healthy from Scratch Kitchen.  I highly recommend a trolley tour of the city.  It is a beautiful way to see the sites and learn the highlights of this historic New England city (Mrs. Astor and the women with the old money ruled this town)!

Oysters & Seafood Soup at Midtown Oyster Bar

 

Sweet Treats at Cupcake Charlie's and Liberty Donuts 

Inventive spice combinations at The Spice & Tea Exchange

The BEST soaps from Shore Soap Co.

#IHaveThisThingWithTile goals at Stoneacre Brasserie

Endless options at Empire Tea and Coffee

Obsessed with the KJP Flagship store

New England adventures are my specialty.  Check out more of the area in Boston, Ogunquit, Nantucket (2), a Fall road trip, Cape Cod, Vermont and Martha's Vineyard.