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Does Taylor Swift Have a House in Newport, RI? No, It’s in Watch Hill, Westerly

Easton's Beach (First Beach) in Newport, Rhode Island

Rhode Island travel guide · Reviewed November 2026

Does Taylor Swift have a house in Newport, RI? No — her widely reported Rhode Island home is in Watch Hill, a village in the town of Westerly, not in Newport. Watch Hill sits at the state’s far southwestern corner, roughly 40 miles from Newport. The good news for travelers is that the village itself is a lovely day trip, and the house is not the reason to go.

Please respect privacy: The house is a private home. We do not share its address or directions, and visitors should not go looking for it, drive past slowly or gather outside it. Spend your time at the village’s public beach, shops and landmarks instead.

Taylor Swift and Rhode Island at a glance

QuestionShort answer
Is it in Newport?No. It is in Watch Hill (Westerly), Rhode Island.
When was it bought?2013, reported at about $17.75 million
Known forIts link to arts patron Rebekah Harkness, and to a song on the 2020 album Folklore
Distance from NewportAbout 42 miles, roughly an hour by car in normal traffic
Can you visit?No, it is a private residence

So where is Taylor Swift’s Rhode Island house?

The home is in Watch Hill, a small, old-fashioned seaside village that is part of Westerly. Westerly is the Rhode Island town that borders Connecticut, which puts Watch Hill about as far from Newport as you can get without leaving the state. Many travelers assume it must be in Newport because Newport is the state’s famous mansion town, but the two places are separate worlds: Newport is a busy harbor city, while Watch Hill is a quiet village of summer homes, a beach and a single main shopping street.

Local news at the time reported the sale in April 2013. Providence TV station WJAR (NBC 10) reported a price of $17.75 million, and the Boston Globe noted that the buyer was not publicly named in the deed at that time, so the details have long been described as “reported” rather than announced. We are giving only the general village, nothing more.

The general area: where in Watch Hill the house sits

The home sits on top of the hill that gives Watch Hill its name, a bluff inside the Watch Hill historic district of Westerly, in the far southwestern corner of Rhode Island near the Connecticut line. The estate covers roughly five acres of oceanfront land, with more than 700 feet of shoreline and its own private beach, and it looks out over the Atlantic. The house itself dates to 1929–1930.

Don’t expect a clear view of it. Residents describe the neighborhood as heavily screened by trees and hedges, so most visitors catch only brief glimpses of the big shingle-style homes, and the private beach is off-limits. When Swift is in town, security is tight.

What you can enjoy from public spots

  • Watch Hill Beach and the Flying Horse Carousel at the foot of the village, the easiest public waterfront in Watch Hill.
  • Bay Street, the village’s small main street of shops and cafés along the harbor.
  • Napatree Point, the sandy spit at the western tip of Watch Hill, a public conservation area that is popular for walks and ocean views (stay on marked paths; parts are closed for nesting birds).

From these spots you get the same ocean views that made the hilltop famous, without bothering anyone at home.

The history behind the house: Rebekah Harkness

Locals still often call the property the Harkness House. It was built around 1930 on a hilltop overlooking the water and is closely tied to Rebekah Harkness, a Standard Oil heiress who became a major patron of dance and founded the Harkness Ballet. She was known for a lavish lifestyle that, by most accounts, did not always sit well with her neighbors. The encyclopedia entry on the estate traces the house through several owners over the decades.

That history is also the connection to Swift’s music. Her 2020 song “The Last Great American Dynasty” tells the story of Harkness and the house, comparing the way the press treated each woman. (We never reproduce lyrics here, but it is easy to find the song and its story online.)

How far is Watch Hill from Newport?

Expect roughly 42 miles and about an hour behind the wheel in normal traffic, based on a mapping estimate (Wanderlog). Summer weekends and beach-day traffic can add time, so leave early. Because you are crossing most of the state, it works best as a full-day trip rather than a quick detour. If you are starting from Providence instead, see our guide to getting between Providence and Newport.

A Watch Hill day trip from Newport

If you are curious about the village, here are the public places that make the drive worthwhile.

Watch Hill Beach and the Flying Horse Carousel

The village beach sits right behind the carousel and is popular with families. Discover Rhode Island lists a bathhouse, changing rooms, lifeguards, restrooms and showers, with day-use fees listed at $9 for adults, $5 for teens and $3 for children at last check. Confirm current fees before you go.

The Flying Horse Carousel is a local landmark at the southern end of Bay Street. It is believed to date from 1867. It is commonly described as the oldest continuously operating carousel in the country. Check the carousel’s website for operating days and prices, which we could not confirm.

Bay Street shops

Most of Watch Hill’s shopping is along Bay Street, where you will find everything from small souvenir stores to upscale boutiques, according to Boston magazine. It is an easy stroll before or after the beach.

Napatree Point

Nearby, the Napatree Point Conservation Area is described by Boston magazine as an 86-acre spot for birding and surfcasting.

Plan the rest of your Rhode Island coast

For more beach ideas, see our guide to the best beaches in Rhode Island, our list of fun things to do in Rhode Island and, for Newport-area sand, Newport beaches.

What celebrities are linked to Newport, RI?

Newport has a long record of famous names, but the best-documented ones are historical and public. We leave out the private homes of living people.

  • The Vanderbilts: Cornelius Vanderbilt II had The Breakers built as a summer home, completed in 1895. It is now run as a museum by the Preservation Society of Newport County. See The Breakers and Newport’s Gilded Age mansions.
  • John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier: The couple married on September 12, 1953, at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, with the reception at Hammersmith Farm, according to the JFK Presidential Library.
  • Doris Duke: The heiress and philanthropist lived at Rough Point on Bellevue Avenue, which is now a museum run by the Newport Restoration Foundation. It has been open late March through November, with a listed general admission of $20 on the page we checked. Hours and prices change, so confirm before visiting.

For more on these places, see our guides to hotels near the Newport mansions, the best things to do in Newport and the things Newport is known for.

See Newport mansion and city tours on Viator →

Where to stay near Watch Hill and in Newport

If a Watch Hill day trip turns into a longer coastal stay, two well-known properties are in the area. For a Newport base, one option is below. For more choices, see our guide to the best hotels in Rhode Island and best hotels in Newport.

Frequently asked questions

Does Taylor Swift have a house in Newport, RI?

No. Taylor Swift’s widely reported Rhode Island home is in Watch Hill, a village in the town of Westerly on the state’s southwest coast, not in Newport. Watch Hill is roughly 40 miles from Newport.

What town is Taylor Swift’s house in Rhode Island?

It is in Watch Hill, a coastal village that is part of Westerly, Rhode Island. The property is a private home, so this guide does not give an address or directions.

Can you visit or tour Taylor Swift’s house in Watch Hill?

No. It is a private residence and it is not open to the public. Please do not go looking for it or gather outside it. Watch Hill has plenty of public places to enjoy, including the beach, the Flying Horse Carousel and the shops on Bay Street.

How far is Watch Hill from Newport, RI?

It is about 42 miles by road, or roughly an hour of driving in normal traffic according to a mapping estimate, though summer weekends can take longer. Plan on a full-day outing.

What celebrities live in Newport, RI?

Newport is better known for its history than for current celebrity residents, and this guide does not discuss the private homes of living people. Well-documented connections include the Vanderbilt family’s Gilded Age summer homes, the 1953 wedding of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier, and heiress Doris Duke’s Rough Point, which is now a museum.

What is the Taylor Swift song about the Rhode Island house?

Her 2020 song “The Last Great American Dynasty” from the album Folklore tells the story of the home’s best-known former resident, Rebekah Harkness, and draws parallels between her public image and Swift’s own.

More Newport guides

Editorial note: This independent guide is based on publicly available information from news reports, Discover Rhode Island, the JFK Presidential Library and the Newport Restoration Foundation. Property ownership details are as publicly reported and have not been confirmed by the owner. Prices and hours can change, so check official sources before you go. Some links are affiliate links, which help support the site at no extra cost to you.

More local guides: read the Newport Blog →