Rough Point
680 Bellevue Ave., Newport, Newport, RI, 02840
The southernmost estate on the famed Bellevue Avenue, Rough Point belonged to 20th-century heiress Doris Duke, who inherited the property at age 12. The English-style manor faces the Cliff Walk Bridge, with stunning views of the crashing Atlantic below. Today, you can tour the home decorated just as Duke had it, from the plant-filled glass solarium and tapestry-rich Great Hall to the formal gardens.
The basics
Originally designed for Frederick William Vanderbilt—with gardens planned by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, of New York’s Central Park—Rough Point is an exquisite example of Newport’s famed Gilded Age estates. The manor offers self-guided tours focusing on the first floor, which includes the Great Hall, Yellow Room, Music Room, Solarium, and out to the dahlia gardens. Overlooking the ocean, you also can access the Cliff Walk at the edge of the estate’s grounds.
Things to know before you go
- Download the Newport Restoration Foundation’s app on your smartphone to supplement your visit with interactive maps, facts, and more.
- Get ready for 18th-century British portraiture, 16th-century Flemish tapestries, Chinese ceramics, and mid-to-late 20th-century couture fashion, in addition to Gilded Age architecture.
- Though not technically part of the tour, there are two rotating gallery spaces on the second floor of Rough Point worth a look.
How to get there
Most people arrive via personal vehicle, tour bus, or the city's No. 67 trolley, which lets you hop on and off as you please. There’s typically ample parking if you’re arriving with your own wheels. If you’re on foot, the entrance to Rough Point is roughly half a mile from the Cliff Walk, and both Belcourt and Marble House are walkable from here.
When to get there
Rough Point is open to the public from mid-March to November. The estate sees the most visitors in summer and on weekends; if you’re trying to avoid the crowds, come around opening time (typically mid-morning) and plan for at least 2 hours to explore the estate, wander the spectacular gardens, and take in the views.
Discovering the treasures inside
As well as being the largest Gilded Age estate in Newport of its time, Rough Point is known for its extensive collection of fine and decorative arts—Doris was quite the collector of fine and eclectic goods. You’ll see century-old Dior hats, Dutch Rococo marquetry chairs, and Scipio tapestries, and even learn about the camels that once lived on-site.
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