The Elms

With some of Newport's finest grounds and gardens, The Elms sits comfortably on the National Register of Historic Places. Of course, the interior is exquisite, too—you might’ve seen it featured on HBO’s Gilded Age. Picture marble columns, 18th-century Italian murals, monarchy-era French artifacts, chandeliers galore, and a ballroom that easily fits 400 guests. It’s 60,000 square feet of pure Gilded Age splendor.

The Elms was designed by architect Horace Trumbauer, built for coal baron Edward Julius Berwind, and cost $1.4 million—in 1901. As for the name, fabulous elm trees used to highlight the grounds; they’ve since been replaced with weeping beeches.

• Guided tour tickets should be bought online and in advance; untimed, self-guided tickets can be purchased in person.

• If bought in advance, untimed tickets are good for any day you choose to visit, giving you flexibility in planning.

• Download the free self-guided audio tour beforehand to improve your experience (and bring headphones).

• The Elms is not wheelchair-accessible.

There is free parking onsite at The Elms. That said, many visitors will walk along Bellevue Avenue, pairing any mansion visit—like this one—with a stroll through town and along the nearby Cliff Walk. Another popular way to get around Newport’s Gilded Age wonders is via bus tour; options abound online.

Typically, The Elms opens for daily visitors in April; check the website in advance to guarantee open hours. To avoid the biggest crowds, visit midweek and later in the day (grounds close an hour after the last tour admission). If you have a timed ticket for a specialty tour, arrive 15 minutes before your designated time.

Unbelievably, The Elms was almost demolished about 50 years ago. When Edward Berwind’s younger sister passed in 1961, remaining family members auctioned off much of the estate and sold the property to a developer, who planned on demolishing the entire thing. The Preservation Society of Newport County intervened, saving the property—for a mere $116,000.