Day 316 – Mansion Tour

Today is Vinny’s birthday!! We met up for a nice lunch at one of our favorite beachside restaurants. I decided I wanted to take him to one of the mansions for his birthday for a tour. There are so many mansions here that were owned by the Kennedy’s, Vanderbilt’s and so many other prominent members of the “gilded age”. I guess living here, we just get used to driving by these massive mansions every day but Vinny and I had yet to tour one. I went to the Marble House for an event over the summer and have been on the grounds of Rosecliff and others but have not actually gone on a formal tour. It was actually the perfect time to visit because they just completed putting up all of the mansions Christmas decorations just this past weekend.

So today was the perfect day. We decided to tour The Breakers. This was a summer house for the Vanderbilt’s, major railroad tycoons. To even think of this being a home, much less a “summer home” boggles the mind. Just standing in front of it takes your breath away, not to mention the grand entrance, 70 rooms including rooms with platinum walls, massive chandeliers, fireplaces well over 6 feet tall in most rooms, marble, alabaster fixtures, wrought iron, Tiffany’s fixtures, statues, fountains, bathrooms with solid marble tubs, unique furniture pieces – not to mention the detailed art work on the ceilings, walls and so much more.

When we entered the house we were greeted with headphones and remotes. It is a self-guided tour that takes you into each room and offers information about the architecture, history and family background. Every single room offered its own theme and personality. Unfortunately, they requested no pictures to be taken inside the home. However they did take a picture of Vinny and I in front of the massive Christmas tree in the grand foyer but that’s all that was allowed. All in all, we were there about 2 hours that went by so fast.

Afterwards, we wandered around the grounds, checking out the vast ocean views, gardens and such- and just chatted about what we thought life must have been like living in that age. I love Newport but can only imagine how insanely awesome it was then when all of these mansions were being built by all of America’s highest society, all the parties and events- it must have really been something!

This was an awesome experience and Vinny and I both agreed it was a wonderful intention for his birthday. #Cheers #HappyBirthdayVinny #HGAL