Sunday, August 04, 2013

Newport, Rhode Island

I visited this beautiful city with two friends last week.  Newport was the summer residence of the rich and famous in the Gilded Age, late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Opulent doesn't even begin to describe these places.  They are jaw-dropping, over-the-top.

It was an overcast, shower-y day, but so beautiful.  We went through the Breakers and the Elms, two beautiful "cottages" of the rich and famous back in the late 19th century.
The Elms.

We decided that we'd like a servant to open and close windows and blinds like the owners of these homes.  I decided that, being an introvert, it would be horrifying to have the social calendar that the ladies of the day had.  So many parties, so little time.

We toured the Elms because of its landscaped grounds.  The rare weeping beech trees were astounding.




We ate at the Castle Inn and Resort, overlooking the harbor.




It was my friend's birthday and she ordered lemon cake.

  This is the view from the Breakers' Lower Loggia.  They don't allow inside photography.

We walked a bit on the Cliff Walk.  It's on the eastern shore and passes by the mansions.  Some of it was closed due to damage from Hurricane Sandy.

It's been many years since I've been to Newport and I want to go back and see the rest of the mansions and complete the Cliff Walk.  Fall might be a beautiful time to go back, next time on a sunny day.  it's only two hours away so we really should go more often.

4 comments:

An Urban Cottage said...

I always enjoy visiting the mansions. It's hard to imagine the kind of money that went in to a house that was used two months a year. Actually, it's hard to imagine that kind of money at all!

Durf said...

Yeah, it is. I'm glad I'm usually satisfied with what I have.

Lady Violet said...

Your post was very timely! I've been thinking about Newport for a little getaway during break. I loved the photographs and the gardens...ahh, so lovely.

Durf said...

Ms Au Lait,
By all means, go! We're going back in late October so we can see the gorgeous fall colors and check out a couple more mansions.