The Elms
A magnificent French Chateau-inspired mansion from the Gilded Age, boasting opulent interiors and stunning gardens.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more serene
The Elms
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more serene
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A magnificent French Chateau-inspired mansion from the Gilded Age, boasting opulent interiors and stunning gardens.
"The Elms is truly one of Newport’s shining gems—and my personal favorite mansion."
📸 Non-flash photography allowed
Capture the grandeur! Non-flash photography is permitted inside, so bring your phone or camera.
🎧 Download the audio guide
Enhance your visit with the easy-to-use audio guide, available with your ticket.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
French Chateau Architecture
Exterior
Inspired by the Château d'Asnières near Paris, this mansion is a stunning example of French Rococo and Gilded Age grandeur.
Lavish Drawing Room
Interior
Experience Gilded Age glamour with gilded furniture, marble tables, and 18th-century French art, mimicking Versailles.
Colonial Revival Gardens
Grounds
Explore beautifully maintained gardens with fountains and sculptures, offering a serene escape and picturesque views.
Carriage House Restaurant
Grounds
Enjoy a delightful meal in a stunning setting, offering a taste of European charm and delicious cuisine.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Tickets in Advance
Embrace the Gilded Age Vibe
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Non-flash photography allowed
Capture the grandeur! Non-flash photography is permitted inside, so bring your phone or camera.
🎧 Download the audio guide
Enhance your visit with the easy-to-use audio guide, available with your ticket.
👟 Comfortable shoes are key
You'll be doing a lot of walking on the grounds and inside the mansion.
🍽️ Reserve Carriage House
The Carriage House is popular! Make reservations in advance, especially for lunch.
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Non-flash photography allowed
Capture the grandeur! Non-flash photography is permitted inside, so bring your phone or camera.
🎧 Download the audio guide
Enhance your visit with the easy-to-use audio guide, available with your ticket.
👟 Comfortable shoes are key
You'll be doing a lot of walking on the grounds and inside the mansion.
🍽️ Reserve Carriage House
The Carriage House is popular! Make reservations in advance, especially for lunch.
🚗 Free onsite parking
Convenient free parking is available on the grounds for visitors.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise The Elms for its breathtaking beauty, both inside and out, highlighting its stunning French-inspired architecture and meticulously maintained gardens. Many find the experience deeply inspiring, especially those familiar with 'The Gilded Age,' and rave about the charming Carriage House restaurant on the grounds. While some feel the individual ticket price is a bit high for the duration of the house tour, the overall grandeur and historical significance make it a highly recommended visit.
"Easily one of our favorite mansions. It is gorgeous inside and out but by far has the most beautiful grounds with beautiful gardens and fountains and sculptures. We enjoyed our time here year after year. We also love the cafe out in back which has really delicious food and ambience.
Edit add:
The restaurant at Elms review:
The Carriage House is one of our favorite places in Newport already! It just opened and we already went twice on our last trip to Newport in one week. We absolutely loved the tasty club sandwiches, salads, drinks (I had lemonade and my wife had iced tea). The service is very good. The ambiance and beauty of place is exceptional- how can you go wrong sitting at Elms after all! Highly recommend you make a trip out and make reservation in advance as it can get busy at times. Dine like the royals for a day!"
Akshay Sinha
"Visiting The Elms Mansion was one of the most inspiring and mind-blowing experiences I’ve had in the United States. Having recently started watching The Gilded Age, it felt surreal to walk through the real-life settings and made the visit feel even more personal. The mansion and its gardens are stunning, and everything is beautifully maintained.
I purchased the Newport Historical Society membership ($115, includes entry for a guest and access to all the mansions), and I’m already planning future trips to return and explore the rest. There’s also a new café on site that I’ll try next time. One of the highlights was the audio guide — easy to download with your ticket or membership. I didn’t have headphones, but even at low volume it guided me room by room, explaining what I was seeing, which made the experience interactive and exciting."
Karina Turgut
"The Elms is truly one of Newport’s shining gems—and my personal favorite mansion. It’s absolutely breathtaking and full of old-world charm. From the moment you arrive, you’re transported back to the Gilded Age, surrounded by elegant French-inspired architecture, grand interiors, and gardens that look like they belong in a fairytale. It’s luxurious but never cold—every room and detail feels thoughtfully and lovingly preserved. You can almost picture the lavish parties and quiet moments that once filled these halls. If you’re exploring Newport, The Elms is a must. It’s simply unforgettable. A heartfelt thank you to the Preservation Society for keeping this jewel so beautifully alive."
Rand .Valverde
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Elms is located in Newport, Rhode Island. If driving, there is free parking available on-site. Public transportation options are limited, so many visitors opt for ride-sharing services or taxis from Newport's downtown area.
While the main floors of The Elms are accessible, some areas may have limitations. The grounds and gardens are generally accessible. It's advisable to contact the venue directly for specific accessibility concerns.
Many visitors choose to drive and park at each mansion, or use ride-sharing services. Some also opt for trolley tours that connect the major mansions, offering a convenient way to see multiple sites.
The Elms is located a bit outside the immediate downtown area, so walking might be a longer trek. It's more commonly reached by car, taxi, or trolley.
While there isn't a dedicated shuttle service specifically for The Elms, many Newport tour operators offer packages that include transportation to and between the mansions.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
General admission for The Elms is around $25 if purchased individually. However, purchasing a multi-mansion pass or a Preservation Society membership can offer better value if you plan to visit multiple Newport Mansions.
It's recommended to buy tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist season, to avoid long queues. You can purchase them online through the Preservation Society of Newport County website.
The Elms typically opens around 10 AM and closes at 5 PM, with the last entry at 4 PM. Hours can vary seasonally, so it's best to check the official Preservation Society website for the most up-to-date information.
Yes, the Preservation Society of Newport County offers various passes, including a 'Hearst Castle of the East' pass that covers multiple mansions like The Elms, The Breakers, and Marble House.
Refund policies can vary. It's best to review the terms and conditions at the time of purchase or contact the Preservation Society of Newport County directly for their specific refund policy.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Explore the opulent interiors of the mansion, including the drawing room, dining room, and kitchens. +2 Wander through the beautifully landscaped Colonial Revival gardens and enjoy the serene atmosphere.
Yes, an audio guide is available for download with your ticket, providing room-by-room explanations and historical context. You can also join scheduled group tours if available.
Non-flash photography is permitted inside The Elms, allowing you to capture the stunning architecture and decor. However, tripods and professional photography sessions may require special permits.
A self-guided tour of the mansion itself can take about 15-30 minutes without the audio guide. With the audio guide and time spent exploring the extensive grounds and gardens, you could easily spend 1-2 hours here.
Yes, restrooms are available on the basement level of the mansion for visitor convenience.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, The Elms features The Carriage House, a charming restaurant located on the grounds. It offers a delightful dining experience with a menu of sandwiches, salads, and drinks.
The Carriage House offers a menu with tasty club sandwiches, salads, and refreshing drinks. It's known for its delicious food and exceptional ambiance, providing a taste of European charm.
Reservations are highly recommended for The Carriage House, as it can get busy, especially during peak times. Booking in advance is advised to secure a table.
The Carriage House offers curated picnic experiences, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful grounds with a specially prepared meal.
Newport has a vibrant culinary scene with numerous restaurants located a short drive from The Elms, offering a wide range of dining experiences.
📸 📸 Photography
The entire estate offers stunning photo opportunities. The grand facade, the meticulously manicured gardens with fountains, and the elegant interiors (non-flash) are all prime locations. +1
The Elms is a popular venue for engagement and wedding photoshoots due to its picturesque setting. However, professional photography sessions may require special permits and advance booking. Contact the venue for details.
The Elms has been used as a filming location for productions like HBO's 'The Gilded Age.'
The gardens are particularly beautiful in the late afternoon light, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. The interiors are well-lit, but natural light near windows can enhance your shots.
Drone usage is typically restricted at historic estates and public parks to ensure the safety and tranquility of visitors and the property. It's best to assume drones are not permitted unless explicitly stated otherwise.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Packing snacks and drinks is a good idea, though The Carriage House offers a pleasant dining option on-site.
📸 Photographers and Content Creators
Engagement and wedding photoshoots are particularly popular here, with the dramatic staircase and manicured grounds lending themselves to romantic and classic imagery.
Remember to check for any specific permits required for professional shoots. 🏛️ History Buffs and Architecture Enthusiasts
+1 The detailed audio guide provides in-depth information about the mansion's construction, its inhabitants, and the era it represents. Exploring the various rooms, from the grand drawing-room to the functional kitchens, allows for an appreciation of the craftsmanship and design principles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Glimpse into the Gilded Age
+2 Despite its grandeur, the Berwind family only used The Elms for a few weeks each summer, highlighting the extravagant lifestyle of the era's elite. Many visitors are drawn to The Elms due to its prominent role in popular culture, particularly HBO's series 'The Gilded Age,' which filmed extensively within its opulent rooms.
Walking through its halls, guests can almost feel the echoes of lavish parties and the daily lives of the wealthy families who resided in these grand estates. The mansion's design emphasizes symmetry, elegance, and a deep appreciation for European art and architecture, offering a tangible connection to a bygone era of American prosperity and social change. The preservation of The Elms by the Preservation Society of Newport County ensures that future generations can experience this historical gem. The society's efforts maintain not only the mansion's interiors but also its sprawling gardens, allowing visitors to appreciate the complete vision of its original owners.
The Culinary Delights of The Carriage House
This dining venue offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a meal surrounded by the timeless elegance of the mansion and its gardens, providing a slice of European charm right in Newport. The menu at The Carriage House features a selection of delicious club sandwiches, fresh salads, and refreshing beverages, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely lunch.
Due to its popularity, it is highly recommended to make reservations in advance for The Carriage House, especially during busy periods.
Gardens and Grounds: A Tranquil Escape
Visitors can wander through these meticulously landscaped areas, discovering charming fountains, elegant sculptures, and a variety of trees that provide shade and natural beauty.
These outdoor spaces not only enhance the visitor experience but also provide a sense of the expansive lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthy families of the Gilded Age. The combination of architectural splendor and natural beauty makes exploring the gardens and grounds an integral part of any visit to The Elms.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit