A Newport Mansions day trip from Boston works best by car or on a guided tour. Newport, Rhode Island, is about 70 miles south of downtown, roughly an hour and a half to two hours by road depending on traffic, and the Preservation Society of Newport County's headline house, The Breakers, costs $32 for adults on a timed ticket, or $45 with a second mansion such as Marble House. Leave Boston early, see two houses, and you will be back by evening.
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Public transit is possible but slow: the Commuter Rail to Providence, then a Rhode Island bus to Newport. Below are the three ways to get there, which mansions to pick, what tickets cost and a plan for the day.
How do you get from Boston to the Newport Mansions?
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | About 70 miles; free parking at most Preservation Society properties | Flexibility; seeing more than two houses |
| Guided day tour from Boston | Small-group trips leave downtown and typically include admission to two mansions | No car, no planning |
| Train and bus | Commuter Rail from South Station to Providence, then RIPTA route 60 to Newport | A car-free trip with time to spare |
By car. Parking is free on site at every Preservation Society property except Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where you park on the street. Driving also lets you add a third house.
On a tour. Several operators run small-group day trips from Boston that bundle the drive with admission to The Breakers and Marble House. Compare what is included, especially whether mansion tickets and lunch are, before booking.
By public transit. Take the Providence/Stoughton Line from South Station to Providence, then RIPTA bus route 60, which runs between Providence and Newport. Check both timetables before you go; it makes a long day.
Which Newport mansions should you see?
The Preservation Society cares for 11 historic properties, seven of them National Historic Landmarks, spanning Newport's colonial era to the Gilded Age. For a first visit, two are enough:
- The Breakers (built 1895) is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and the flagship of the Newport Mansions, built for the Vanderbilt family. Its private third floor, used by generations of Vanderbilts, is now open on a separate guided tour, daily at noon and 2 p.m., for $25.
- Marble House was built by William Vanderbilt as a 39th birthday present for his wife, Alva, and set the pace for Newport's change from a quiet summer town into a showplace.
- Rosecliff, known for its heart-shaped staircase, fills its second floor with changing exhibitions.
The Elms, Chateau-sur-Mer, Kingscote, the Isaac Bell House and Green Animals Topiary Garden round out the general-admission choices. The Elms closed for several weeks from August 10, 2026 during a period of change, so check the operating schedule before choosing it.
How much are Newport Mansions tickets?
| Ticket | Adult | Youth (6–12) |
|---|---|---|
| The Breakers, timed entry | $32 | $14 |
| The Breakers + 1 other property | $45 | $16 |
| The Breakers + 2 other properties | $57 | $18 |
| One property other than The Breakers | $25 | $10 |
Children younger than 6 are free. The Breakers tickets are for a set date and time, so book online before the drive. Hours change through the year; on October 1, 2026 The Breakers and Marble House were open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Rosecliff until 4 p.m. Check the Preservation Society's operating schedule for your date.
Visiting in the holiday season
On select evenings from November 20 to December 27, 2026, The Breakers holds Sparkling Lights, a half-mile path lit with hundreds of thousands of holiday lights, with an interior tour of the house included. Nonmember tickets are $45 for adults and $18 for youths, and advance purchase is strongly recommended.
A Newport Mansions day trip plan
- 8 a.m. Leave Boston to beat traffic.
- Mid-morning. The Breakers on a timed ticket; allow time for the self-guided audio tour.
- Lunch. The Carriage House at The Elms is open to anyone holding a Newport Mansions house tour ticket, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Afternoon. Marble House or Rosecliff on the second half of a Breakers + 1 ticket.
- Late afternoon. Drive back to Boston.
For other day trips, see things to do west of Boston, north of Boston and how far Cape Cod is from Boston.
Sources: Newport Mansions: plan a visit; tickets; about the Preservation Society; The Breakers; MBTA: Providence/Stoughton connection; RIPTA route 60. Checked October 1, 2026.