The Elms

Best Newport Mansion not owned by a Vanderbilt

The Elms is definitely in the top 5 when it comes to Newport Rhode Island mansions.

This beautiful property is a great place to spend a few hours enjoying the house, the grounds and even lunch (if you're here during the season).

the elms

This stunning Newport mansion was the summer home of coal magnate Edward Julius Berwind. Mr. Berwind and his wife Sarah commissioned Horace Trumbauer to build them a home modeled after the French Château d'Asnières in 1898.

The home was completed in 1901, and remained in the family until the early 1960's. It was purchased by the Preservation Society of Newport County in 1962, within weeks of being demolished (yes, they were really going to demolish it!). It became a National Historic Landmark in 1996.

the elms

Despite not having an ocean view like many of the other Newport mansions, this property makes up for it by being one of the best overall Newport mansion tours.

If you're going to visit The Elms, give yourself at least an hour to an hour and a half for the self-guided audio tour. If you really want to get the most out of the experience, be sure to check out the many extra options on the audio tour. For this, you may need 2 hours.

Front of the house

the elms

Although I admire the architecture and the ornate furnishings inside all of these palaces, I always find myself gravitating toward the rear of the house, with their expansive lawns and picture-perfect views.

I like to imagine what it would be like to wake up here, come downstairs and enjoy a nice cup of coffee looking out at the gardens and all of the trees!

the elms

In addition to just touring the house, there are 2 other things you should do here if you have the time.

The first is the Rooftop/Behind the Scenes Tour. You may want to call ahead to reserve a spot (401-847-1000) because there is limited space on these tours.

Although it'll cost a little more, it's worth it to get to see these interesting parts of the house:

  • Servants quarters and kitchens
  • Underground tunnel system that transported coal to the basement
  • Rooftop view of the grounds and Newport Harbor

Hungry after all that walking around?

the elms

The second thing you should do is walk down the lawn and have lunch at the Carriage House Cafe. During the season you can enjoy a meal here between 10 am and 4 pm.

It's usually pretty crowded here, but this makes a good pit stop if you're going to continue touring other Newport mansions or attractions.

the elms

Main entrance on Bellevue Avenue


About 3 blocks south of the International Tennis Hall of Fame on the right

the elms

You'll get a good workout walking up and down the staircase to view the gardens and the lawn

the elms

Amazing sculptures can be seen all over the property

the elms

Look up - they're even on the roof!

the elms

I wouldn't turn my back on this one!

the elms

Remember - call in advance for the Behind the Scenes Tour, and head down to the Carriage House for lunch during the season. Enjoy!

the elms

367 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
401-847-1000



Return from The Elms to Newport Mansions

Return from The Elms to Newport Discovery Guide home page

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Here's another way to pay it forward...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.