Newport mansion guide · Reviewed November 2026
Marble House in Newport, RI is the Vanderbilt summer “cottage” at 596 Bellevue Avenue, a marble palace completed in 1892 that you can tour on a self-guided audio tour for the price of a single Newport Mansions ticket. It is smaller than The Breakers, easier to see in an afternoon, and tells one of Newport’s best stories: a birthday present, a scandalous divorce, and a Chinese Tea House on the cliffs where suffrage rallies were held.
Marble House Newport RI at a glance
- Address: 596 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840
- Run by: The Preservation Society of Newport County (Newport Mansions)
- Built: 1888 to 1892 for William K. and Alva Vanderbilt
- Architect: Richard Morris Hunt, who also designed The Breakers
- Tour style: Self-guided audio tour on the free Newport Mansions app (bring your phone and earbuds); a kids tour is included
- Typical hours: On our November 2026 check the house was open 9am to 5pm with last admission at 4pm
- Parking: Free onsite parking
- Accessibility: Listed as partially accessible, with an elevator in service
The story behind Marble House
William K. Vanderbilt built Marble House as a 39th birthday present for his wife, Alva. Richard Morris Hunt designed it in the Beaux-Arts style, loosely inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles, and the house used about 500,000 cubic feet of marble in a range of colors. Its arrival helped move Newport from a summer colony of wooden houses to the era of Gilded Age palaces you see along Bellevue Avenue today.
Alva divorced William in 1895, keeping the house, and the next year married Oliver Belmont, moving down the street to his mansion, Belcourt. After Belmont died, she reopened Marble House, added the Chinese Tea House on the seaward edge of the lawn, and used the property for women’s suffrage rallies. The house was later owned by the Prince family, and the Preservation Society acquired it in 1963. It is now a National Historic Landmark.
What you’ll see inside
The audio tour moves through the main floor and the family rooms upstairs. Highlights include:
- The Grand Salon: a lavish Louis XIV-style ballroom and reception room. It is the room most people remember.
- The Dining Room: walls of pink Numidian marble and a fireplace modeled on one at Versailles.
- The Gothic Room: built to show Alva’s collection of medieval and Renaissance objects, and a striking change of mood from the gold rooms around it.
- The entry hall and main staircase: a showcase of the colored marble that gives the house its name.
- The Chinese Tea House: a brightly painted pavilion completed in 1914 that looks out over the Atlantic and the Cliff Walk.
Marble House tickets and prices
Marble House does not have its own separate pass; you visit with a Newport Mansions ticket. Prices below are from the Preservation Society’s ticket packages page at the time of writing.
| Ticket | Adult | Ages 6–12 | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Property | $25 | $10 | Marble House or one other eligible house; no set entry time, valid one year |
| The Breakers + 1 | $45 | $16 | A timed Breakers visit plus Marble House (or another open house) within one year |
| The Breakers only | $32 | $14 | The Breakers only; does not include Marble House |
Children under 6 are admitted free. You can buy online or in person at the sales stations at The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Rosecliff. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Eligible visitors can get the Museums for All rate ($4 per person, up to four people) when buying in person.
Which ticket should you get? If you want to see two mansions, The Breakers + 1 is the better value, and Marble House is the natural second house: it is a short drive down Bellevue Avenue and feels completely different. If you only have a couple of hours, a One Property ticket for Marble House alone is a satisfying, unhurried visit.
The Chinese Tea House
The Chinese Tea House was added for Alva Belmont and was used for social events and suffrage meetings. The City of Newport’s Cliff Walk marker notes it originally sat right above the Cliff Walk and was moved back from the seawall in 1977 for safety.
Today it serves prix fixe brunch and afternoon tea. For fall 2026 the Newport Mansions dining page lists service Thursday through Sunday from October 22 to November 29, then Thursday through Monday from December 3 to 31, starting at 10am with last seating at 3:15pm. Reservations are made on Resy, and seating is limited to Preservation Society members and Newport Mansions ticket holders. Because last admission to the house is 4pm, book an earlier seating if you plan to tour the same day.
Tips for visiting Marble House
- Charge your phone and pack earbuds. The tour runs on the Newport Mansions app and headphones are not provided. Printed scripts are available at most mansions if you would rather read.
- Go early or late in the day. Marble House is untimed, so it is easy to slot in around a timed Breakers entry. Starting at opening time usually means quieter rooms.
- Walk out to the Tea House. Even without a reservation, the lawn view toward the ocean is worth the few extra minutes. You can also see the Tea House from the Newport Cliff Walk; check for section closures before you plan a walk.
- Bring the kids. The Marble House Kids Tour is included with regular admission.
- Plan for the season. Several Newport mansions close for winter, while Marble House has stayed open into the holiday season in recent years. See our best time to visit Newport guide and the Holidays at the Newport Mansions 2026 guide if you are coming between late November and early January.
Pair Marble House with nearby stops
Marble House sits in the middle of mansion country on Bellevue Avenue. Popular pairings are The Breakers, a stretch of the Cliff Walk, and a drive along Ocean Drive with a stop at Gooseberry Beach in season. For more ideas, browse our list of things to do in Newport, RI.
Where to stay near Marble House
Staying close to Bellevue Avenue makes it easy to tour two mansions, walk the Cliff Walk, and still be back for dinner without moving the car.
Near the mansions
Start with our picks for hotels near the Newport mansions, many within walking distance or a very short drive of Marble House.
Near the Cliff Walk
If you want ocean views and an early-morning walk, compare hotels near the Cliff Walk.
Couples, families and budgets
Planning a getaway for two? See our romantic hotels in Newport. Traveling with kids or watching costs? Try family-friendly hotels and budget-friendly hotels, or browse the best hotels in Newport.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marble House in Newport worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you only have time for one or two mansions. It is smaller and quicker to tour than The Breakers, but its marble, gilded rooms and story of Alva Vanderbilt make it one of the most memorable houses on Bellevue Avenue.
How much are Marble House tickets?
At the time of writing, a One Property ticket that covers Marble House is $25 for adults and $10 for ages 6 to 12, and children under 6 are free. The Breakers + 1 ticket ($45 adults, $16 ages 6 to 12) lets you pair The Breakers with Marble House. Confirm current prices with the Preservation Society before you go.
Do I need a timed ticket for Marble House?
No. Marble House tickets have no set entry time and are valid for one year from purchase, so you can visit any day the house is open. Only The Breakers portion of a combination ticket is timed.
How long does it take to tour Marble House?
The audio tour is self-paced. Most visitors will be comfortable with about an hour inside the house and on the grounds; allow extra time if you have a Chinese Tea House reservation.
Is there parking at Marble House?
Yes. The Preservation Society lists free onsite parking at Marble House, 596 Bellevue Avenue.
Is Marble House open in winter?
Marble House is one of the mansions that stays open into the late fall and holiday season, and in recent years it has been decorated for Holidays at the Newport Mansions. Several other houses close for the winter, so check the official calendar for current days and hours.
More Newport guides
- Holidays at the Newport Mansions 2026
- Newport Cliff Walk: complete guide
- Hotels Near the Newport Mansions
- Things to Do in Newport, RI
- All Newport Blog posts