After we packed up and headed out of New York, we drove through Connecticut towards Rhode Island. We stopped to take a tour of The Breakers, one of the most visited house museums in America.
The Breakers is a Vanderbilt mansion located in Newport, Rhode Island right on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The waves crash just beyond the lawn, hence the name “The Breakers”. It has 70 spectacular rooms and 20 bathrooms!
This was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family. It is built in an architectural style based on the Italian Renaissance. The stove worked like a huge griddle so the entire black stove would be blazing hot.
The house is fully furnished with original furniture, like this beautiful French Empire ormolu-mounted piano inlaid with mother of pearl which is original to the Music Room of The Breakers; circa 1820.
If you are planning to do any museum tours in Newport, I recommend starting early and purchasing a combo ticket to see multiple museums for one low cost.
The amount of money spent on this mansion is unbelievable. Despite the cost and difficulty of working with, there are real gold leaf paint on the walls and platinum wall panels that won’t tarnish, even after 100 years.
Could you imagine painting your house with gold? The grounds were purchased in 1885 for $450,000 ($12 million today) and the mansion was recently valued at about $350 million.
July 5th, we headed towards Salem, Massachusetts to spend the night in a haunted hotel, The Salem Inn. This was the very last thing to complete on my bucket list and my 30th birthday was the very next day.
On my birthday we spent the day exploring Salem and had lunch at the Village Tavern. We visited the Salem Witch Museum and The House of the Seven Gables.
The girls showed off their pirate faces at the pirate museum.
The Burying Point, also known as the Charter Street Cemetery, is the oldest cemetery in Salem. Established in 1637, it the second oldest known cemetery in the nation.
One of the most famous people buried in the cemetery is Justice John Hathorne, the great-great-grandfather of writer Nathaniel Hawthorne and one of the judges in the Witchcraft Court.
We also visited the Salem Witch Trial Memorial which is right next to the cemetery. Each bench is dedicated to one of the 14 women and 6 men that were accused of being witches and executed in 1692.
We only stayed in Salem one night before driving to Revere, Massachusetts near Boston where we celebrated my birthday evening. We lucked out and had an amazing bakery right across the street from our apartment!
Next stop: Freeport, Maine
Make sure you check out the photos from the first part of our trip – HERE.
I love seeing your pictures since I grew up in Rhode Island and recently moved to Massachusetts. I have been to the Breakers several times as a kid. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip.
This sounds like a great trip for a epic trip! Happy birthday! I would love to do something like this for my birthday! It looks like I need to make a trip out there! There is so much to see!
I drove through Rhode Island a couple of years ago and stopped at Green Animals, which is amazing. I wanted to see The Breakers but didn’t have enough time.
20 bathrooms!!! That is a lot of bathrooms to clean lol but what an amazing mansion and a jolly way to spend your 30th birthday.
I’ve never been to Rhode Island! I can see by the pictures that it’s a beautiful state! I have been to Massachusetts, and really enjoyed my time in Salem. I loved all the history and the witch shops!
Have never been east but looks beautiful. Amazing how that mansion is so extravagant and rich when so many people have 1/4 of what is standing there. Would be something to see.
That mansion is so grand and opulent! Wow. I’d probably skip the haunted hotel though, I’m a big scaredy cat lol. Love your pictures. Hope you had an amazing time!
What an awesome trip for your 30th birthday. I have always wanted to stay at the Salem In too.
Oh my goodness what a great little vacation for the 30th birthday! I’d love to visit one day, because I love visiting historical locations.
This looks like it was a fantastic trip. I would love to go see that mansion in person. I can not imagine painting the walls with real gold.
OMG. I want to visit The Breakers. That house is massive and filled with extravagant things. The chandeliers are ginormous! Must have been nice to live with all that wealth. I hope to be able to travel there are see those places too, although I would leave out the witch museum. My husband and my kids could go if they want to. I’ll wait for them outside or in a nearby coffee shop. 🙂
Wow! It looks like you had an amazing time there! That’s such a lovely way to spend your birthday especially with the family! The places you visited were all awesome!
Oh wow the pictures from the Mansion are stunning! I went to RI recently but didn’t have the chance to go to the mansions. I haven’t been to Salem MA in so long! It sounds like you had a great 30th birthday!
That looks like a fun time. I love exploring historical places like these with the family.
That. House. I am in love! It was breathtaking and I’m so jealous!
Oh how I wish I was turning 30 again. 40 is approaching. This place looks awesome!
You had a great time. Museums are really fascinating as they are windows to culture and history. The one that piqued my interest was the Pirates museum.
What a great way to celebrate your 30th birthday! My 60th is coming up next March and I want to do something epic as well! Your girls are adorable and the mansion is exquisite. I can’t even imagine living in such elegant surroundings. I don’t think I’d feel very comfortable!
What a beautiful state you visit! It’s wonderful to have a trip for your 30th birthday with your family. Being a mom is a happy thing and I can see the happiness on your face. Thanks for sharing, have a good day!