14 Historic Mansions To Tour In Rhode Island This Fall

Cool autumn days bring out the character of Rhode Island’s historic houses, where craftsmanship and ambition from the Gilded Age still stand in full view.

These Rhode Island homes were built by families who left a lasting mark on American society, filling grand halls with gatherings and filling entire landscapes with carefully designed gardens. Today, they remain places where history feels close at hand, and the colors of fall add an extra layer of atmosphere to every visit.

1. The Breakers

Built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II in 1893, this Italian Renaissance-style palace stands as the grandest summer cottage in Newport.

Gold-leafed ceilings tower above marble floors imported from Africa and Europe. The Great Hall rises 50 feet, creating an entrance designed to impress even the wealthiest visitors of the Gilded Age.

2. Marble House

Alva Vanderbilt’s “temple to the arts” required 500,000 cubic feet of marble to construct in 1892. The Gold Room dazzles with its 22-karat gold leaf walls and ornate ceiling.

Beyond the opulent interiors, the Chinese Tea House on the grounds offers sweeping ocean views and occasionally hosted social gatherings in the early 1900s.

3. The Elms

Modeled after a French château, The Elms was considered modern for its time when completed in 1901, with features like service tunnels and early mechanical systems.

Sunlight streams through tall windows onto intricately carved woodwork and period furnishings. The terraced gardens transform into a tapestry of amber and crimson during fall, making it particularly enchanting for autumn visitors.

4. Rosecliff

Famous as the filming location for “The Great Gatsby,” Rosecliff was built for Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1902. The heart-shaped grand staircase creates a dramatic entrance to the largest ballroom in Newport.

Fall afternoons cast a golden glow across the white terracotta exterior, highlighting the mansion’s graceful Beaux-Arts details.

5. Château-Sur-Mer

Before the Vanderbilts arrived, this 1852 mansion set the standard for Newport luxury as one of America’s great Victorian houses.

Elaborate woodcarvings by Italian craftsmen adorn the interior, while stained glass casts colorful patterns across the rooms. During fall, the mansion’s warm stone exterior contrasts beautifully with bright foliage on the surrounding specimen trees.

6. Kingscote

One of America’s earliest Gothic Revival homes, Kingscote features a charming cottage-like exterior that belies its innovative interior.

The dining room showcases one of the first installations of Tiffany glass in an American home. Autumn light filtering through these cork-lined glass tiles creates a warm amber glow across the intimate spaces.

7. Hunter House

Dating to 1748, this Georgian colonial stands as Newport’s oldest mansion open to visitors, predating the Gilded Age by more than a century. Master craftsmen created the elaborate woodwork visible throughout the house.

The waterfront location offers spectacular harbor views framed by fall foliage, while period furnishings transport visitors to Revolutionary-era Rhode Island.

8. Chepstow

Originally built for Edmund Schermerhorn in 1860, this Italianate villa later became home to the Morris family’s impressive art collection.

Unlike the massive Vanderbilt mansions, Chepstow offers a more intimate glimpse into Gilded Age living. Fall visitors appreciate the cozy scale and personal touches throughout the house, including 19th-century paintings displayed against richly colored walls.

9. Isaac Bell House

Architectural enthusiasts flock to this 1883 masterpiece by McKim, Mead & White that helped define the American Shingle Style. Open floor plans and natural materials represented a dramatic departure from Victorian formality.

The warm cedar shingles take on a golden hue in autumn light, while Colonial Revival and Japanese influences create a fascinating architectural fusion.

10. Linden Place

Seven generations of the DeWolf and Colt families lived in this 1810 Federal-style mansion featured in the film “The Great Gatsby.” The magnificent spiral staircase rises four stories without visible support.

Fall visitors enjoy special seasonal tours highlighting the mansion’s rich history, including connections to the slave trade and Bristol’s maritime heritage.

11. Blithewold

Unlike Newport’s stone palaces, this 45-room English-style manor offers a more relaxed country estate atmosphere overlooking Narragansett Bay.

The 33-acre property transforms during fall as Japanese maples burst into fiery color. Inside, Arts and Crafts influences create warm, livable spaces filled with family mementos rather than ostentatious displays of wealth.

12. Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum

Built as a wedding gift in 1872, this High Victorian Gothic mansion remained in the same family for four generations until becoming a museum. Original furnishings and family heirlooms fill every room, creating an authentic time capsule.

Fall often brings themed programs and special events, making October an especially atmospheric time to visit.

13. Hearthside House

Local legend claims this 1810 Federal-style stone mansion was built to impress a woman who ultimately rejected the builder’s marriage proposal. Volunteer guides in period costume bring the house to life during seasonal programs and community events.

The distinctive granite exterior, quarried from the property itself, creates a striking contrast against the vibrant autumn foliage of Lincoln’s countryside.

14. Wilbor House Museum

The oldest house on our list dates to 1690, offering a glimpse into early colonial life before the mansions of Newport were even imagined.

Seven generations of the same family lived here, gradually expanding the house over centuries. Fall apple pressing demonstrations and hearth cooking classes allow visitors to experience authentic colonial harvest traditions in this remarkably preserved homestead.