What do you do if you're one of the richest families in America? Build a mansion worthy of your opulent lifestyle. Known fondly as the Breakers, this 70-room house was completed in 1895. The cost? Over $12 million. 1. Whimsical Architecture Cornelius Vanderbilt II built the mansion as a summer home for his family. After seeing the original burned down, he insisted that the new one must be fireproof. Therefore he built it using steel, and he buried the furnace underneath the street! The design must have worked because the house still stands today. Cornelius' wife Alice made a few requests as well. Her bedroom featured a unique oval shape. Even the doors were specially made to fit the curved walls. She also required four closets in order to fit all her beautiful clothes. more 2. Still In The Family After the original owner Cornelius died, his wife Alice lived on the property until her death in 1934. The mansion then passed on to her daughter, the Countess Gladys Szechenyi. It was Gladys who allowed the Preservation Society of Newport to lease the mansion: on one condition. The third floor must always be left intact for the family to stay in. When Gladys passed away in 1965, her daughter Sylvia became the owner. Sylvia sold the mansion to the Society with the original deal in place. The family would always be allowed to live on the third floor. 3. The Mansion Is Rumoured to Have a Ghost The mansion contains a secret. The ghost of Alice Vanderbilt has been sighted by family, servants, and visitors. She is a charming and quiet ghost, content to stay mostly on the second floor where her bedroom was. Why does she linger? We don't know, and the family doesn't wish to disturb her with any investigations. 4. Extensive Grounds Covering 14 acres of gorgeous seafront property, the gardens at the mansion are not to be missed. The grounds boast many examples of rare trees, including blue atlas cedar and copper beeches. The landscape architect spared no expense, and the gardens and trees serve to insulate the mansion from both street noise and nosy neighbors. 5. Museum Tours The mansion is one of the most popular attractions in Rhode Island, receiving nearly 300,000 visitors each year. It has received the status of a National Historic Landmark. Tours are available daily to the public and include access to most of the first floor. The great hall, dining room, music room, and kitchen are must-sees. Be sure to take in the fresh ocean air on the loggia and witness stunning views. Occasionally special tours are available. These allow visitors access to previously closed off areas like the underground tunnel and basement. You don't have to be a billionaire like Cornelius Vanderbilt to feel like a king. Come to Flood Mazda and browse our inventory of new and used cars. You are sure to find a stylish, yet affordable, car to cruise the Newport Coast in. Image via SteadyContent
Established in 1965, Fort Adams State Park spans 200 acres and preserves Fort Adams and several other historic landmarks. Here are four tips for visiting the state park to ensure your experience is unforgettable, and not for the wrong reasons. 1. Bring Your Walking Shoes People wear all sorts of shoes to the famous park. However, they're often not appropriate for the situation. When you tour the fort and surrounding historic sites, you'll do a lot of walking. Make sure your shoes are comfortable enough to walk for an hour during the guided tour. This tour will give you a high-level overview of the fort's history during its active period from 1799 to 1953 and whet your appetite for more education. more 2. Make Time to Tour the Eisenhower House The park is open from sunrise to sunset every day. Be aware of what time the sun will set on the day you plan to go and make sure you leave plenty of time on your scheduled day to tour the Eisenhower House. Formerly known as Quarters Number One of Fort Adams or Commandant's Residence, this stately mansion was constructed in 1873. This sprawling Victorian-style home was first inhabited by General Henry Jackson Hunt after George C. Mason & Son constructed it. Today, it is called the Eisenhower House because President Eisenhower made it his summer residence between 1958 and 1960. Touring this house is like stepping back decades into the past, forgetting momentarily all of the stressors in your life. 3. Stay for the Best Sunset in Newport You should visit Fort Adams in the late afternoon at least once. The sunset from the west side of the Bay Walk is the most beautiful in the entire city. The Walk takes you along Narragansett Bay's picturesque East Passage and provides unobstructed views of the sun setting over Jamestown. Be sure your phone or favorite camera is charged so you can take pictures of Clingstone and the Castle Hill, Beavertail, and Rose Island lighthouses. Though the sun sets in the west, it's also worth it to stroll down the East Side of the Bay Walk which overlooks Newport Harbor. Across the harbor, you will see the New York Yacht Club, easily identifiable by its white and green awning, the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, the Newport Waterfront straight to the East of the state park, and Goat Island. 4. Go Between the July 4th Weekend and Labor Day Between July 4th weekend and Labor Day every year, you can take a 90-minute tour of the fort and the rest of the state park in a golf cart. If you think you'll forget, put it on your calendar. You won't regret your decision to schedule this special tour. When you visit Fort Adams, be sure to bring comfortable shoes, make time to tour the Eisenhower House, tour the park in a golf cart, and take in the most beautiful sunset in Newport. For help to get into a better vehicle, call Flood Mazda now. See you soon! Image via SteadyContent
Rhode Island's coastal location and climate make it an excellent place for vineyards with gorgeous views and delicious varietals. Many are open for tours and tastings, and they produce delicious red, white, blush, rose, and other varieties of wine. Take a look at some of the great wineries below and try out the fruits of their labors with your friends or family members. Note: Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, please confirm the current state of operations by contacting these businesses before visiting. Leyden Farm Vineyard and Winery Discover a winery with an at-home atmosphere at Leyden Farm Vineyard and Winery, located at 106 Plain Meeting House Road. This establishment is about 30 minutes away from Wakefield in nearby West Greenwich. You can relax on the farmhouse front porch with a glass of your favorite wine or a selection of delicious tasting samples. The core wine selection includes Cleo's Blanc, Sunny Grigio, Leyden Vineyard's American White Blend, and Leyden Vineyard's American Chardonnay. You can also sample the following wines: Leyden Vineyard's American White Zinfandel. Leyden Vineyard's American Riesling. Jack's White Merlot. Leyden Vineyard's American Sangiovese. Leyden Vineyard's American Merlot. Romeo's Red. Leyden Vineyard's American Pinot Noir. Leyden Vineyard's Cayuga White. You can also try wine with delicious fruit essences, including American Cranberry, American Cranapple, Peach, Siberian Blue (Blueberry), Apple Jack Russell, Lazy Watermelon, Samson's Wildberry, and Golden Sangria. Many orders include free delivery, or you can pick up your order from noon to 5 p.m. more Langworthy Farm Winery Langworthy Farm Winery is also a bed-and-breakfast establishment. Visitors can spend their time in a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by gorgeous landscapes while they take in the flavors of many delicious wines. Langworthy Farm's bed-and-breakfast offers seven different suites; each has its own amenities and features. Built in 1875, this winery and farm is at 308 Shore Road in Westerly, about 30 minutes from Wakefield. The largest Norway maple tree in the state grows on the grounds. Wine options include the following: Avondale Cabernet Merlot. Charlestown Cabernet Franc. Haversham Reserve Chardonnay. Misquamicut Merlot. Napatree Cabernet Sauvignon. Noyes Neck Vidal Blanc. Pawcatuck River Red. Pleasant Point Petit Verdot. Rhody Riesling. It would take days to try everything Langworthy Farm Winery has to offer. Gooseneck Vineyards Savor every moment that you spend with your friends and family members at Gooseneck Vineyards, 4 Brown St. in North Kingstown. You'll discover more than wine for dining. The establishment offers cooking wines, mussels, pomegranate prosecco punch, salmon pizza, and more. Sample some of the most popular wines such as proseccos, brut roses, pinot grigios, sauvignon blancs, chardonnays, roses, pinot noirs, heritage reds, and cabernet sauvignons. Whether you're interested in a bottle for personal use or a case to share with friends, this vineyard is glad to fill your order. You can also attend a wine tasting with three or five wine varieties and a free glass. Each of the above Rhode Island wineries has everything you'll need to rest, relax, and enjoy some of the best locally produced wines in the state. Visit each of them when you have the chance. You can have fun, sample a range of wines, find a few new varieties to love, and help support local farms and businesses. Image by Photo Mix from Pixabay
