vanderbilt mansion tour tickets

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

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Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Vanderbilt Mansion Group Tour Reservation

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site Tours

Established as a monument to an era, this estate illustrates a way of life modeled on the English country house. For nearly two centuries, this place was home to socially prominent New Yorkers. A superb example of its type, Vanderbilt Mansion represents the domestic ideal of the elite class in the late nineteenth-century America. It provides a glimpse of estate life, the social stratification of the period, and the world of the American millionaire during the era historians refer to as The Gilded Age. 

The National Park Service preserves over 200 acres of the original property, including historic buildings, original furnishings, manicured landscapes, natural woodlands, formal gardens and associated documents. The centerpiece of the estate is the mansion, a masterpiece of American Beaux-Arts design by the distinguished architectural firm McKim, Mead & White.

Select a date to see a list of times

Need to Know

Advance reservations are available ONLY for commercial groups and public groups of 20 or more people.  

Individual tickets are available first-come, first-served at the site. Tour times can be found at the park website www.nps.gov/VAMA

• Advance reservations are available ONLY for commercial groups and public groups of 20 or more people. Individual tickets are available first-come, first-served at the site. 
• Weather closures are common, please check website and social media for more information.
• Tour times are subject to change.
• A mix of guided and self guided tours are provided, depending on attendance levels and available staffing.  
• Tour guides & bus drivers must be counted in the group in order to enter.
• Maximum of 50 people per group.
• Every person requires a ticket.
• If you arrive late, your tour is forfeited. We may be able to provide access for your group later in the day depending on visitation. 
• Refunds are available, minus the reservation fee, until 24 hours before the tour. No exceptions.

Access to Vanderbilt Mansion is by tour only. When unexpected high visitation occurs, the guided tours may switch to self guided tours.

No flash photography.

Yes, this tour involves a .25 mile walk to the mansion and back. The tour takes places indoors and outdoors. Please dress according to the weather. Tours operate during high tempertatures, low tempatures, snow and rain.

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Last updated: June 21, 2021

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4097 Albany Post Road Hyde Park, NY 12538

845 229-7770

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| 55° F

From asheville, north carolina, explore the estate, a delight for the senses.

Experience Chihuly at Biltmore while Biltmore blooms! Magnificent gardens brimming with nature’s masterworks… a new exhibition of Chihuly’s masterworks in Amherst at Deerpark®. Enjoy two breathtaking displays, only at Biltmore.

Exhibition-inclusive ticket options also include FREE next-day grounds access.

Spring's Glory

Biltmore in bloom, thrilling exhibition, chihuly at biltmore, stay overnight.

Biltmore Estate features three distinctive overnight properties, each promising gracious hospitality, exceptional service, the opportunity to fully explore our Blue Ridge Mountain oasis, and wake amid its stunning natural beauty.

Itineraries

Explore our history, architecture, gardens and grounds, cuisine, wine, and more with carefully curated experiences that showcase the breadth of the estate’s appeal.

e s c a p e

E x p l o r e.

Our Gardens

Food & Wine

Acclaim for biltmore.

Biltmore Ranked #1 “Things To Do in Asheville”

Biltmore House Named Most Beautiful Building in the U.S., Third Most Beautiful in the World

The Inn on Biltmore Estate® Ranked #5 "South's Best Hotels 2023"

The Inn on Biltmore Estate® Named “Best High-End Hotel in Asheville”

Hours of Operation

Directions & parking, help center.

The Breakers

Built 1895 National Historic Landmark

The Breakers is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial pre-eminence in the Gilded Age.

Plan your visit

Things to do, the breakers family tour, daily opening hours.

A dragon in the dining room and a dolphin under the stairs – this tour will introduce children to this Gilded Age mansion from a unique and fun perspective.

The Breakers Virtual Tour

Daily virtual.

Visit The Breakers from the comfort of your own home

The Breakers Audio Tour

Based on personal diaries, letters, records and oral histories, The Breakers audio tour offers first-person accounts of life in the house from members of the family, servants and their children. You’ll also learn fascinating facts about The Breakers and how it was built, and see details of the rooms that you might otherwise not notice!

Beneath The Breakers Tour

Daily 10:30 am.

Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.

Inside “The Gilded Age” Tour

May 17 – june 28, 2024.

Fans of HBO’s "The Gilded Age" will love this guide-led tour of locations in four of the Newport Mansions where the show was filmed. Tuesdays and Fridays only, May 17 through June 28. Tickets now available.

Interested in a group tour?

Special rates available for groups of 20 or more adults and 10 or more students.

Audio tours are self-guided using our free audio tour app

Visitors must bring their own smart device with earbuds/headsets and download the free Newport Mansions tour app before your visit. Printed scripts are available at most mansions and staff appreciate your questions.

Download the App

The Breakers was built by America’s pre-eminent architect for one of the richest families in the world.

Original Builder

Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt II

Richard Morris Hunt

Construction dates

Brick faced with Indiana limestone

Ownership transferred to the Preservation Society

More Mansions and Gardens

Marble house, chateau-sur-mer, isaac bell house, green animals topiary garden, hunter house, the breakers stable & carriage house, additional visitor info, map & parking info.

Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.

Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Mansions & Gardens

Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.

Partners in Preservation

• Hours & Admission
• Visitor’s Map
• Mapa del Visitante
• Mission Statement
• About the Mansion
• Archives and Digital Collections
• History of the Vanderbilt Museum
• Moments in Vanderbilt History
• Wendy Klemperer: Wrought Taxonomies
• Samuel Yellin Ironwork
• Show Schedule
• Observatory
• Solar System Hiking Trail
• We Come to You
• Starred Pages Library Program
• Astronomy Resources
• Planning a School Visit
• Planetarium Education Programs
• Museum Education Programs
• Programs for Scout Groups
• Programs for Visiting Summer Camps
• Professional Development
• Astronomy Education Resources
• Featured Events
• Name a Planetarium Chair
• Buy a Vanderbilt Brick
• Donate to the Annual Fund
• Our Partners
• Volunteer Opportunities

Become a Member

• Membership Login Help
• Birthday Parties
• Wedding, Corporate & Other
• Wedding Day and Bridal Party Photos
• Engagement, Maternity or Family Photos
• Commercial Photography and Film Production

Make a Donation | Become a Member | Purchase Tickets

Welcome to the Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt museum visitor's guide, spring break schedule.

Friday / Saturday – 7pm-10pm Planetarium Only

Admissions Information

General admission.

General Admission includes access to the Vanderbilt Mansion (including the Habitat and Stoll Wing animal dioramas, and natural-history and cultural-artifact galleries in the Memorial Wing), The Hall of Fishes marine museum, Planetarium exhibits, and the grounds and gardens.

Adults – $10 Seniors – $9 Students (with ID) – $9 Children under 12 – $7 Military & children under 2 – FREE

Memberships are a wonderful way to support the Vanderbilt Museum. Members enjoy many benefits, including:

• Complementary General admission, Mansion tours, and Planetarium shows
• Exclusive discounts on special and seasonal events
• A 10% discount in the Gift Shop

We offer several different Membership levels. For more information, please visit our member information page. Become a Member.

Mansion Tour

Guided tours of the Vanderbilt family living quarters in the Mansion transport visitors back in time to the life of William K. Vanderbilt II. 

Mansion Tours can be added to a General Admission ticket for $8 (only at Admissions and not online). Capacity is limited to 12 visitors per tour.

If you are interested in a private tour of the family’s living quarters in the Mansion, please contact Carol at [email protected] for more information.

Daytime Planetarium Shows

Discover the visual wonders of the Reichert Planetarium, where our Konica Minolta Infinium star projector and full-dome video transport you across the universe.

For more detailed information about current shows and ticket prices, or to reserve your tickets, view our full show schedule HERE . Please plan to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to your show to ensure you are able to enter the theater on time.

Evening Planetarium Shows

In the evening, the Reichert Planetarium offers shows more suitable for family and adult audiences, including live talks and tours of the night sky and laser-light shows set to classic rock and popular music.

We offer evening planetarium shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7, 8, and 9 pm. Each lasts approximately 45 minutes. For details about current programs, and ticket prices, or to reserve your tickets, view our full show schedule HERE .

Estate Walk and Talk Tours

Guided tours of the exterior of the Vanderbilt Mansion explore the unique architecture, collections, Vanderbilt family history, and Eagle’s Nest estate.

Outdoor tour tickets are available seasonally.

Discounts and Promotions

Northwell health discount.

Northwell Health employees receive 20% off on regular Admissions, Planetarium, and Mansion tickets by presenting an employee ID.

Museum Association Discounts

NARM: North American Reciprocal Museum cardholders receive 2 adult General Admissions with their card.

AAM: American Alliance of Museums cardholders receive 2 adult General Admissions with their card.

Library Membership

The Library Membership covers free General Admission for up to 2 adults and 4 children.

Both Planetarium show and Mansion tour are add-ons for an additional charge and subject to availability. We cannot make reservations for shows and tours in advance with the Library Pass at this time. 

Military Discount

Both active-duty and veteran members of the military receive free General Admission.

Active-duty patrons also can bring up to 5 guests for free General Admission.

Bank of America's Museums On Us

By presenting a Bank of America card on the first full weekend of every month (Saturday-Sunday), each Bank of America cardholder receives 1 free General Admission ticket.

Museums On Us is available to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit cardholders.

Plan Your Event With Us

Weddings - birthday parties - corporate events.

For weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events, please fill out our events form.

Professional Photography - Private Mansion Tours

For information on photo shoots and private/group tours, please contact

Carol at [email protected]

Site Navigation

• General Admission Tickets
• Planetarium Show Schedule
• Property Map

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Last updated: April 16, 2024

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Contact info, mailing address:.

4097 Albany Post Road Hyde Park, NY 12538

845 229-7770

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6 top-rated newport mansion tours + tips from a local.

Newport's famed mansions are a must-see in the City by the Sea.

Top-Rated Newport Mansion Tours

Gavin Ashworth | Courtesy of Newport Mansions

Experience peak luxury and elegance at these stunning properties.

More than a century ago, America's wealthiest families commissioned their "summer cottages" to be built in the coastal enclave of Newport, Rhode Island , along the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The era's most renowned architects outdid one another in size and scale as well as opulence and grandeur. Today, Newport is synonymous with its exquisite Gilded Age mansions, and experiencing them in person is an absolute must.

The majority of the Gilded Age mansions in Newport – but not all – are owned and operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County, and many of the most popular are open to the public year-round. Get ready to explore the Bellevue Avenue Historic District as you tour Newport's best mansions.

The Breakers

Courtesy of Andrea McHugh

Price: From $29 for adults; $10 for youths 6 to 12

Standout perk: The Breakers offers an audio Family Tour that engages young visitors with stories about the lives of the children who summered there, the staff who ran the home and interesting things to see in the mansion, such as the playful dolphin sculpture beneath the grand staircase.

Considered the grande dame of all the Newport mansions, The Breakers was no doubt built to impress. The summertime escape of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his family was designed by the Gilded Age's preeminent architect, Richard Morris Hunt, and boasts a classic Italian palazzo design with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Visitors can explore the mansion at their own pace via the self-guided audio tour available in nearly a dozen languages on the Newport Mansions free app, which will come in especially handy if you plan to explore more than one mansion. Take some time to explore the beauty of the 13-acre grounds as well, and be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes .

Those with a curiosity of how a mansion of this magnitude worked – after all, The Breakers was considered a modern marvel when completed in 1895 – will enjoy the Beneath The Breakers Tour. This guide-led tour takes you through the boiler room, tunnel and basement. Guests will learn how the home was outfitted with electricity, still considered a novelty during the Gilded Age. This tour requires a separate ticket from The Breakers' audio tour and is best suited for visitors 13 years and older. Advance reservations are recommended.

Local tip: As The Breakers is the most visited mansion in Newport, a good time to visit is either when it opens or toward the end of the day, especially in the busiest summer months. The early evening light can be ideal for photos, but plan accordingly as the house and grounds close one hour after the last tour admission. Before you visit, save time by downloading the free Newport Mansions tour app.

View & Book Tickets: The Breakers | Viator | GetYourGuide

Marble House

Price: From $25 for adults; $10 for youths 6 to 12

Standout perk: While it's hard to rival the splendor of Marble House, the Chinese Tea House on the end of the mansion's lawn parallel to Cliff Walk is an unexpected visual delight. For $35 extra, tour ticket holders to Marble House can enjoy sandwiches and refreshments at the cafe at the Chinese Tea House or make a reservation for brunch and afternoon tea service, offered on weekends May through December. The service is operated by Stoneacre Restaurants, which owns two popular restaurants in downtown Newport.

From the moment visitors walk under the four towering Corinthian columns fronting this mansion, they know they are in for a treat. Like other Newport Mansions audio tours, Marble House has a self-guided tour available via the organization's free app, allowing visitors to peruse the property at their own pace.

Inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles , Marble House is an architectural masterpiece. Made from 500,000 cubic square feet of marble, the mansion was a 39th birthday present from businessman and philanthropist William K. Vanderbilt to his wife Alva. He spared no expense for their summer escape. Later in life, Alva Vanderbilt Belmont became a suffragist and hosted events at Marble House in support of women's right to vote. Viewers of the popular HBO series "The Gilded Age" may recognize rooms in the mansion as it was used for filming on location and also inspired sets.

Local tip: Don't miss the ballroom on the first floor – while it's not the largest in Newport, it's widely considered the most ornate, with gilt details from floor to ceiling.

View & Book Tickets: Marble House | Viator | GetYourGuide

Standout perk: While The Elms is spectacular, its formal gardens – 10 acres' worth – are extraordinary, complete with nearly 40 species of trees plus terraces, gazebos, fountains and colorful blooms, depending on the time of year.

Fashioned after an 18th-century French chateau, The Elms is a must-visit mansion, from the sun-soaked conservatory and the drawing room to the handsome library and the breakfast room bearing Chinese-style lacquered wall panels. A self-guided audio tour is available in nearly a dozen languages, but any fan of "Downton Abbey" or those curious about life behind the scenes of Newport's mansions will appreciate the Servant Life Tour at The Elms.

On this newly updated, guide-led tour, visitors start in the basement, where you'll see the operations of the house such as the kitchen and butler's pantry, all the way up to the domestic staff's living quarters on the third floor. Along the way, travelers will learn more about the personal lives of staff, and see rare photographs of servants at work and in their free time. You'll even get to learn about topics like immigration and labor disputes on this tour.

Local tip: The Servant Life Tour is not only fascinating, but you'll get the rare opportunity to go on The Elms' rooftop and be rewarded with an amazing and unexpected view of Newport Harbor.

View & Book Tickets: The Elms | GetYourGuide

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Rough Point

Price: From $20; free for children 12 and younger

Standout perk: Rough Point sits at the southern end of Bellevue Avenue, so getting here allows you to enjoy views of both private mansions and those open to the public along the way. The mansion's oceanfront perch offers an uninterrupted view of the beautiful Cliff Walk Bridge, a stone arch bridge across the rocky inlet where Doris Duke would swim regularly.

Though a Gilded Age mansion through and through, Rough Point is perhaps best loved not for its grandeur but for its most famous resident: Doris Duke. The late heiress, collector and philanthropist – dubbed the "richest little girl in the world" when she was born – spent considerable time at Rough Point until her death in 1993. A self-guided audio tour leads visitors here through the art-filled home room by room, highlighting eclectic sculpture, family portraits, centuries-old tapestries, renowned furnishings and many pieces Duke collected as an avid world traveler.

While the formal rooms such as the Yellow Room and jaw-dropping Music Room are a sight, the ocean-facing Solarium affords the best views. Whether before or after your tour, visit the house tour on the website for footage of Doris Duke at the home as well as behind-the-scenes videos. Note that Rough Point is typically open seasonally from spring through mid-November.

Local tip: On Rough Point's grounds, you'll find a pair of life-size topiary camels inspired by Doris' pet Bactrian camels, Princess and Baby. Both enjoyed the summer months with the tobacco heiress at Rough Point and have become the unofficial mascots of the mansion. The Newport Restoration Foundation encourages taking a #camelgram photo with the Princess and Baby topiary to share on social media.

View & Book Tickets: Rough Point | GetYourGuide

Dave Hansen | Courtesy of Newport Mansions

Standout perk: Rosecliff's signature feature – despite being home to Newport's largest ballroom, which hosted lavish society events throughout the Gilded Age – is its celebrated heart-shaped grand staircase.

Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, Rosecliff resumed tours in September 2023, much to the delight of Newport's visitors. Architect Stanford White, who was the mastermind behind Newport's historic Casino Theatre and myriad other important buildings, modeled the mansion after the Grand Trianon at Versailles for silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs. Its European influence is felt throughout.

Explore the mansion at your own pace via the self-guided audio tour on the free Newport Mansions app. Don't forget to look up in the ballroom, where the trompe l'oeil ceiling creates an air of whimsy and romance, making it the ideal setting for the filming parts of "The Great Gatsby" with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, as well as the more recent "27 Dresses."

Local tip: Rosecliff hosts many amazing events, including the annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, which features dinners, events and seminars with wines and other libations from around the world.

View & Book Tickets: Rosecliff | Viator

Chateau-sur-Mer

Standout perk: A new audio tour is your guide to this National Historic Landmark, considered Newport's first true mansion. Learn about the lives of the Wetmore family members who lived there for more than a century.

Until the arrival of the Vanderbilt houses in Newport in the 1890s, Chateau-sur-Mer was considered the seaside city's most palatial residence. Today, visitors can explore the home, an Italianate-style villa built for wealthy China trade merchant William Shepard Wetmore, who did quite a bit of entertaining at this summer cottage.

Local tip: While Chateau-sur-Mer is essentially a Victorian Era time capsule, the mansion's grounds are home to amazing tree specimens, shrubs and more, including a striking weeping beech tree. If you explore deeper into the grounds, you'll find a cool circular maze made from mounds of grass; this earthwork by artist Richard Fleischner is known as the "Sod Maze" and makes for a relaxing place to meditate.

View & Book Tickets: Chateau-sur-Mer | GetYourGuide

What to do nearby

In addition to the historic mansions, Newport offers a variety of historic attractions, walking trails and museums. To help you fully explore the area, here are some recommendations for things to see and where to eat.

Things to do:

• Wander along the Cliff Walk
• Visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame
• Explore the historic Fort Adams
• Discover automotive history at Audrain Automobile Museum
• Explore The Sailing Museum
• Visit the Redwood Library and Athenæum
• Discover the oldest synagogue in the U.S.
• Browse the private collection at the Newport Car Museum

Nearby restaurant recommendations: 

• Breakfast: Annie's, Lucy's Cafe & Bakery or Corner Cafe
• Lunch: Cru Cafe, Belle's Café or The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
• Dinner: White Horse Tavern, Clarke Cooke House or Castle Hill Inn
• Drinks: Midtown Oyster Bar, The Roofdeck at the Vanderbilt or The Lounge at The Chanler

Why Trust U.S. News Travel 

Andrea McHugh is a travel and lifestyle writer based in Newport, Rhode Island, where the famed mansions of the Gilded Age are common sights along her daily run in the City by the Sea. Though she regularly visits the mansions as they play host to local business and social events, such as the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Newport Classical Music Festival and Newport Film, she spent a recent "staycation" touring these turn-of-the-century behemoths to write this article.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Things to Do in Rhode Island
• The Top Things to Do in New Hampshire
• The Top Things to Do in Maine
• The Top Things to Do in Vermont

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