The Elms — Attraction in Newport

Our family recently had the pleasure of visiting The Elms Mansion, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the mansion’s grandeur and the beauty of its surrounding gardens.

Location and Ambiance: The Elms Mansion is nestled in a charming, historic district, making it feel like a step back in time. The meticulously maintained gardens provided a serene backdrop, perfect for family photos and leisurely strolls.

Tour Experience: We opted for the guided tour, and it was well worth it. Our guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, bringing the mansion's rich history to life with engaging stories and fascinating details. Each room was more breathtaking than the last, adorned with exquisite furnishings and artwork that gave us a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of its former residents.

Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Despite its grandiose nature, The Elms Mansion was surprisingly family-friendly. The staff were welcoming and patient with our children, who were curious and full of questions. The tour included interactive elements that kept them engaged, and they were thrilled to discover the hidden passages and secret rooms.

Amenities: The mansion offers a small café where we enjoyed some refreshments after our tour. The selection was delightful, featuring locally sourced snacks and beverages. The gift shop also had a variety of charming souvenirs that allowed us to bring a piece of the mansion home.

Overall Impression: Visiting The Elms Mansion was like stepping into a different era, one filled with elegance and history. It was a perfect outing for our family, blending education with enjoyment in a setting that was both awe-inspiring and welcoming. We highly recommend The Elms Mansion to anyone looking for a memorable family experience steeped in history and beauty.

We will certainly be returning, and we encourage other families to visit and create their own cherished memories at this...

From a wedding photographer's perspective, The Elms is an absolute dream location for capturing a couple’s first look or all of their wedding portraits. The mansion’s expansive grounds, meticulously maintained gardens, and majestic exterior create a perfect backdrop for timeless, romantic photos that highlight the beauty of both the couple and their surroundings.

When photographing a first look at The Elms, I love guiding couples to the sweeping lawns, where they can share that special, emotional moment in complete privacy. The combination of the elegant architecture and serene garden pathways allows me to capture genuine, candid expressions against a backdrop that feels intimate yet grand. The soft lighting filtering through the trees, along with the vibrant greens and classic sculptures, frames the couple beautifully, creating photos that are both natural and cinematic.

For portraits, The Elms offers endless possibilities. As a photographer, the carefully designed gardens and sprawling lawns provide so many options for creating stunning imagery. The symmetrical parterre gardens, with their manicured hedges and fountains, offer a sense of refinement and balance, while the lush, open lawns allow for more relaxed and spontaneous shots. Every angle, from the grand stone staircase to the tree-lined walkways, enhances the couple’s story, giving me the opportunity to deliver a diverse and visually captivating collection of photos.

In my experience, The Elms is the perfect place for couples who want their wedding portraits to feel both timeless and elegant, set against the beauty of Newport’s most iconic landscape. It’s a location that never fails to elevate the moment, resulting in photographs that couples will cherish...

Touring to Rhode Island from CALIFORNIA on 08/30/2016 and picking the "The Elms" as a start for our tour was exciting, entering the mansion was really inviting, then Since it was a bit of a drive from our hotel we all needed to use the restrooms. My son and i was instructed to go to the basement and so we did, passed the stairs and a guard wearing a light blue uniform with other staff members - it was fine we were able to pass with no issues. Then going back upstairs my 15 year old son first was stopped abruptly with the guards hands waving in front of us "rudely" where are you going? We said "going back upstairs" - Then he "waving his hands in front of us"- asking again where are you going? I said going back upstairs to the tour - one of the staff member said behind me " they just went to use the restroom", and i said the same, at this time my eyes was staring at the guard and i was shaking my head for this is very disgusting behavior -" Especially when you are in the service industry". We were able to go upstairs and finish the tour. AND i forgot to mention " WE ARE ASIANS". It was the first time my son experienced something like that. I recommend looking at your security tapes and you will see what i am talking about - around the time frame of 10 to noon. You would see that we did not act obnoxious, we are well dressed, we were not rowdy and simply treated with a rude attitude and with this guard staring at us even well to the end of the tour when we went back to the basement as the last leg of the tour. Very disappointed that this man is...