Rough Point
Rough Point things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Description
cultural
family friendly
Rough Point is one of the Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, now open to the public as a museum. It is an English Manorial style home designed by architectural firm Peabody & Stearns for Frederick William Vanderbilt. Construction on the red sandstone and granite began in 1887 and was completed 1892.
attractions: Marble House, The Cliff Walk, Bailey’s Beach, Belcourt of Newport, Cliff Walk – Ledge Rd, restaurants: Chinese Tea House at Marble House
Ratings
Description
Rough Point is one of the Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, now open to the public as a museum. It is an English Manorial style home designed by architectural firm Peabody & Stearns for Frederick William Vanderbilt. Construction on the red sandstone and granite began in 1887 and was completed 1892.
Posts
Great way to spend 2 hours. The house itself is not super extensive, you can finish touring the rooms on your own in 45 minutes, and spend some time on the grounds. I enjoyed Rough Point a lot more than Marble House down the road - the architecture and decor inside is a lot more personable, and it’s an added bonus that Doris Duke actually spent time living in the house, so it’s not like a museum where everything is set up to be displayed but rather we saw how she actually used her rooms. There’s a lot of European inspiration, like tapestries and period furniture/portraits so it’s funny to see modern items like a microwave, dustbuster, landline phone, all from the early 90s. Just a reminder that it was lived in until Duke died in 1993. The outdoor grounds are worth a stroll too - a couple of benches outside for sitting and lots of open grass. I don’t know if you can picnic on the grounds - if you can, definitely do because the scenery can’t be beat. The Cliff Walk passes by this house so you’ll see some people walk by. You can visit just the grounds for $5 if you’re not interested in the house.
Helen LiHelen Li
60
Roughpoint is by far the most interesting of the Gilded Age mansions for the simple reason it’s a home that was actually used and lived in up until Doris Dukes death . The collection of art , furnishings and decorative arts is amazing and the home still feels lived in. This is a home and not some extreme over the top house like The Breakers or Marble House. The staff was Uber friendly and informative and the setting is just gorgeous. The antiques and art collections are exquisite and the fact everything is in its original place is fascinating .Don’t miss this home !!!!!!
Steve E.Steve E.
10
Terrific two-hour or so destination. A slightly more modern Newport mansion, which means it feels like a place a modern person could enjoy (of course only if they had the millions to maintain it). For those who don't know about Doris Duke, it's important to know that she is the "poor little rich girl" who used her family's tobacco millions to save both colonial and gilded age Newport architecture. Fascinating background on her life, including clothes, photographs, artwork, and more. The grounds and setting are as good as it gets in Newport.
T BT B
50
Beautiful property right on the Atlantic Ocean, with a fabulous history of the life of Doris Duke and her family history. Tour guides were very helpful explaining some of the rooms in the house, and each room had clear signage with descriptions of what you were seeing in each of them. Very worthwhile when visiting the beautiful city of Newport! Be sure to call before you go for hours of operation, as they vary by season.
Lori PeixotoLori Peixoto
10
Definitely come to Rhode Island this summer to see the exhibition: The Great Elephant Migration🐘 The elephant migration will be up until September. Newport is the first location of their 3500 mi journey across the US. The 100 life sized elephants are made of Lantana Camara weed. They were crafted by the CoExistence Collective, an organization of indigenous artisans from Paniya, Bettakurumba, Kattunayakan, and Soliga.
Eva PrincessEva Princess
00
The hike was a little rough. Only some sections are paved and even to walk on; you will have to do a little climbing over rocks in other areas. The view of the ocean is beautiful; You walk between the Newport mansions and the ocean. There are tons of wild flowers growing on the cliff side. I took so many of pictures. I walked about 10miles of the cliff walk with my husband. We enjoyed it, but it was a workout.
Lisa SLisa S
00
Nearby Attractions Of Rough Point
Marble House
The Cliff Walk
Bailey’s Beach
Belcourt of Newport
Cliff Walk – Ledge Rd

Marble House
4.7
(1.5K)Click for details

The Cliff Walk
4.8
(101)Click for details

Bailey’s Beach
4.3
(88)Click for details

Belcourt of Newport
4.6
(75)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Rough Point
Chinese Tea House at Marble House

Chinese Tea House at Marble House
4.4
(151)Click for details
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