The Breakers

Newport's mansions are remnants of the lavish lifestyles of America's wealthiest industrialists in the 19th and early 20th centuries And The Breakers mansion is the cream of the summer cottage crop.

Commissioned in 1893 by railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt II, The Breakers is a Renaissance-style "summer cottage" inspired by the palaces in northern Italy. It's opulence knows no bounds: Italian marble, ornate gold ceilings, French antique furnishings and fixtures, diamonds, rubies and other precious gems encrusted in the walls … the list of absurdly expensive details goes on and on.

Today's visitors are understandably gob-smacked by the intense display of wealth throughout the mansion's 70 rooms. You can't tour every corner of the house, but you do have access to the kitchen and other behind-the-scene rooms. And the outdoor grounds are a treat, too. According to one Virtual Tourist user: "The massive lawn opens up to the ocean. These incredible views make The Breakers one of my favorite Newport Mansions."

You'll find The Breakers on Ochre Point Avenue across the street from Salve Regina University. The mansion is open every day with varying hours depending on the season. Tours cost about $20 for adults and $6 for children 17 years and younger. Check out the Preservation Society of Newport County's website for more information on tours and operating hours.