Rough Point Museum
Rough Point Museum
4.5
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Rough Point is a mansion and a museum with an extensive collection of fine and decorative arts and a sprawling historic landscape with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The property is experienced today largely as it was lived in during the lifetime of its most famous owner, the heiress Doris Duke.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
601 reviews
Excellent
472
Very good
106
Average
17
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Susan R
Exeter, NH162 contributions
May 2021
We toured Rough Point over two days as it was pouring rain the day we went and the grounds are just as important to see as the main house. I think this house is one of the nicest of the Bellevue Ave mansions as it is a little more intimate and also because Doris Duke, the former owner, was someone still alive in my lifetime so it was all a bit more relatable than for instance the Breakers and the Marble House, owned by the Vanderbilts. The gardens are exquisite and, even though all the flowers hadnt blossomed yet at the time of my visit, they were really magnificent.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl M
Coventry, CT83 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
This museum, formerly Doris Duke’s residence, was an unexpected surprise with the roomy, renovated spaces filled with the philanthropist’s own treasures, a testament to both her wealth and her normalcy. Loved that the couches she shared with her dogs are featured! Her life story was also a surprise. What a lovely tribute.
Written August 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelluver84
Washington85 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Another lovely “cottage” to visit in Newport. The interior is a bit different than other houses open to the public since the owner lived in it up until the 90s. The house is interesting and has a nice exhibit about the former owner. Access to some of the guest bedrooms would have been nice, but overall the visit to the house and grounds (spectacular views of the ocean) was quite pleasant. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and added to the overall experience.
Written August 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shchristy
Ridgeland, MS274 contributions
Dec 2021
Currently undergoing extensive renovations without and within but parts are still open and the staff were beyond friendly and helpful! Such a gracious group working there as befits a gracious old mansion of its day. Doris Duke donated the entire mansion with everything in it--- a great example of all types of furniture and paintings. Well worth a visit and tour!
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine B
Pebble Beach, CA12 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We absolutely loved our time at Rough Point. The staff was welcoming and answered any questions as you were allowed to tour the home at your own pace. You could download their app for touring the house and property as well. It was full of the sense of the families who had called this their home. The art, furnishings, displays and the informational signs were terrific. While this is a wonderful mansion, you have the feeling that this was a “home”. Rooms were full and inviting where the other mansion we toured later in the day had been stripped of most furnishing and the rooms used for other displays where windows were covered. Rough Point also had a museum presentation of early furniture that was interesting that was just the right amount to be educational and not detract from experiencing the mansion itself.
The Newport Restoration Foundation has done a fantastic job. It would be first on my list the next time I am in Newport.
The Newport Restoration Foundation has done a fantastic job. It would be first on my list the next time I am in Newport.
Written October 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob R
Norwich, CT1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
This property is the best to tour in Newport. Might not be the grandest mansion in town, but I found it to be the most interesting. They seem to limit the amount of visitors at any one time, so you never feel crowded or rushed at any time inside the house or outside on the grounds. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. It's one of the few grand homes in Newport that actually feels like a home and not a building. Highly recommend a visit there.
Written August 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mme_X
Wisconsin1,168 contributions
Aug 2019
This is a mansion that gives you a sense of what luxury was like in mid-century. It is very much a home with exquisite things, not a musuem piece. Great scenery of Narragansett Bay.
As a fashion junkie, I loved the displays of Ms. Duke's wardrobe. Some of the best pieces of mid-century of top deisgners, and things to lust after.
I return to the area every year, and am happy to visit again when others feel like viewing for the first time.
As a fashion junkie, I loved the displays of Ms. Duke's wardrobe. Some of the best pieces of mid-century of top deisgners, and things to lust after.
I return to the area every year, and am happy to visit again when others feel like viewing for the first time.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JustwantwhatIpayfor
Adirondacks, NY7 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We absolutely loved visiting this property. Far more interesting than the Marble House (which was so ostentatious). One can feel the presence of Doris Duke through her attention to detail and exquisite taste. The views were breathtaking. And, to make out visit complete the docents we’re so knowledgeable, kind and clearly in love with the house as well. Highly recommend!
Written June 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada11,743 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Rough Point is the fifth mansion that we toured in Newport and the final one. As one might expect, it is a beautiful house but it also has a very nice property with lovely gardens - even in the second part of October!
Unlike the 4 others that were run by the Preservation Society of Newport, Rough Point is run by the Newport Restoration Foundation (founded by Doris Duke). Thus, it has a separate fee but it was worth every penny.
Rough Point also is the most beautiful of all the Newport Mansions, as seen from the Cliff Walk. With the little gorge and the flowers, it is just perfect!
Rough Point is actually called Rough Point Museum, even though it is not all that different to tour that the other mansions in Newport. I think that itis called a museum because it does celebrate the life of Doris Duke, the tobacco Heiress who owned the property.
Unlike the 4 others that were run by the Preservation Society of Newport, Rough Point is run by the Newport Restoration Foundation (founded by Doris Duke). Thus, it has a separate fee but it was worth every penny.
Rough Point also is the most beautiful of all the Newport Mansions, as seen from the Cliff Walk. With the little gorge and the flowers, it is just perfect!
Rough Point is actually called Rough Point Museum, even though it is not all that different to tour that the other mansions in Newport. I think that itis called a museum because it does celebrate the life of Doris Duke, the tobacco Heiress who owned the property.
Written December 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brooklyn478
Brooklyn, NY436 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
After having read a biography of Doris Duke it was fun visiting Rough Point while we were in town for a wedding. It was very easy to get timed entry tickets and the house was not crowded at all. The staff were extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and all of the rooms were very well marked with excellent descriptions of the artifacts in each room. Stunning views out on the lawn. Fun interesting visit!
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy B
1 contribution
If I purchase tickets online, do I have to print it? I don't have access to a printer.
NRF M
Newport, RI
Hello,
Thank you for your question! You do not need to print a ticket that you purchased online. You can just let the desk staff know the name in which the ticket was purchased under and that will grant you admission.
annecybound2006
Houston, TX36 contributions
If I am arriving by cruise, is there a bus service to take me to Rough Point, so I may do the mansion tour? I am hoping not to walk, but I don't have the option of a car.
Thank you in advance.
491bonnie
Akron, OH95 contributions
Good answer by Richard B. Don't miss Rough Point, if you get a chance, watch the movie Too rich - the secret life of Doris Duke. I visited many mansions, but this is the one I made the trip for.
annecybound2006
Houston, TX36 contributions
If I am arriving by cruise, is there a bus service to take me to Rough Point, so I may do the mansion tour? I am hoping not to walk, but I don't have the option of a car.
Thank you in advance.
wendylr22
Connecticut86 contributions
I don't know where cruises arrive, so I can't tell you for sure. There are bus/trolleys from the Newport Visitor's Center, but the schedule/route varies by season. On the off season they do not make as many stops, so there could be a bit of a walk from the stop.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Rough Point Museum
- Hotels near Rough Point Museum:
- (0.48 mi) Murray House Bed & Breakfast
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- (0.28 mi) A Viewpoint
- (1.50 mi) Ivy Lodge
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- Restaurants near Rough Point Museum:
- (1.74 mi) Restaurant Bouchard
- (1.86 mi) Cru Cafe
- (1.38 mi) Mamma Luisa Restaurant
- (1.99 mi) Jo's American Bistro
- (2.42 mi) Brick Alley Pub
Rough Point Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 472 |
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Very Good Reviews | 106 |
Rough Point Museum Photos | 377 |