Newport

Used as a summer retreat for the family of shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt II. — Michelin Guide

The Gold Ballroom—Newport's most ornate—decked with gilt chandeliers, panels and mirrors, is modeled after the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. — Michelin Guide

The heiress's collections include a wealth of Ming-dynasty vases, Flemish and French tapestries, and paintings by Van Dyck and Gainsborough. — Frommer's

Made possible by one James Fair, an immigrant who made his fortune after he unearthed the thickest gold and silver vein of Nevada's Comstock Lode. — Frommer's

Tennis fans and lovers of history, art, and architecture will enjoy a visiting the birthplace of American tournament tennis. — Fodor's

From Land's End where it intersects with Bellevue Avenue, Ocean Drive follows the Atlantic Coast for 10 miles to the southern end of the point. — Michelin Guide

In addition to the charm of perusing local art through the old creaky building, the museum holds great lectures. — goop

This Victorian mansion, built in 1852, was the first of Newport's palatial 'summer cottages.'. — Lonely Planet

An Elizabethan fantasy complete with Tiffany glass, Kingscote was Newport's first 'cottage' strictly for summer use. — Lonely Planet

Declared a National Recreation Trail in 1975, the narrow—and at times, precarious—path allows day hikers to enjoy the prized seascape. — Travel + Leisure

Tour themes include Rogues and Scoundrels, about the history of pirates, criminals, and other unsavory types; and Road to Independence, a look at Newport's role in the American Revolution. — Fodor's

In 1747, Abraham Redwood gave 500 pounds sterling to found a library of arts and sciences; three years later, this Georgian Palladian–style building opened with 751 titles. — Fodor's

Fort Adams is America's largest coastal fortification and is the centerpiece of this gorgeous state park, which juts out into Narragansett Bay. — Lonely Planet

Easton's has a pseudo-Victorian pavilion containing bathhouses and showers, a snack bar and a large carousel. — Lonely Planet

Built between 1725 and 1726, it has a fine wineglass-shaped pulpit, Tiffany stained glass, traditional box pews...and an organ once played by Handel. — Lonely Planet

In a perfect world, we would all be spending our summers frolicking in 18-bedroom villas on the sea, just like the Astors and Vanderbilts used to. — Travel + Leisure

Little kids and big kids alike ooh and ahh at this museum, which from the outside looks like a luxury car dealership. — Lonely Planet