Day 11 (Newport Rhode Island)

Newport Rhode Island was founded in 1639. It is the largest city on Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 square miles, of which, 7.9 square miles of it is land and 3.5 square miles of it is water. The Newport Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in New England, connects Newport to neighboring Connecticut Island across the East Passage of the Narragansett. Aquidneck Island is home to many beaches, public and private. In Newport, the largest public beach, Easton's beach, or First Beach, has a view of the famed Cliff Walk. Along cliff walk is the famous Newport Mansions. Newport has one of the highest concentrations of colonial homes in the nation, in the downtown Newport Historic District, one of three National Historic Landmark Districts in the city. Many of these homes were restored in the late 20th century. As a result, Newport's colonial heritage is well-preserved and documented at the Newport Historical Society. In addition to the colonial architecture, the city is known for its Gilded Age mansions, which have also received extensive restoration from both private owners and non-profits such as the Preservation Society of Newport County. The most famous mansion is the Breakers. The house was built as a summer residence for Cornelius Vanderbilt II. The building of the home began in 1893 and was completed in just over two years. The house contains 70 rooms and covers nearly an acre of the 11 acre estate. A luxury of the Breakers was in the bathroom. In all bathrooms the tap dispensed a choice of freshwater or saltwater and also allowed the option of having cold or hot water for both choices. The great hall rises 45 feet and is lined with Caen stone and provides a grand fitting entrance into the home. Another mansion is the Elms. The mansion was commissioned in 1899 by Edward Julius Berwind. Completed in 1901 the reported cost was $1.4 million. The mansion was modeled after the mid-18th century French chateau d’ Asieres. The third most popular home is the Marble House. The Marble House is not the largest of the mansions, but it is most ornate. The house was built of 500,000 cubic feet of white marble. It took nearly four years to complete and cost $11 million. These are just some of the Mansions in Newport Rhode Island

As another birthday trip from my grandparents, I got to visit Newport Rhode Island. When we first got to Newport it was late and we were all tired. Our hotel was the Viking hotel. Let me tell you it was very strange. Our air conditioning did not work and when we told the management, they said to open the window. Being with my grandmother, she said absolutely not because one we had no idea where we were and the area was not a pleasant or safe place to be. So the next morning we packed up and moved to a Hyatt hotel which was much better. The rest of our four to five day vacation consisted of going and visiting the Mansions and homes of Newport. I was astonished to see the size and scale of these homes. In the breakers Mansion there was 24 karat gold on all the walls in every room. The amount of money these people must have had was astonishing. If given the chance I would define tely go back to Newport.