Rough Point
About This Museum
People come to Rough Point not just for the opulence, but for the story of its famously independent and eccentric owner, tobacco heiress Doris Duke. Stepping inside feels less like a museum tour and more like a privileged glimpse into a very private life, where priceless art casually shares space with her personal belongings. You can almost imagine her returning from a trip, her Rolls-Royce still parked in the driveway. The real magic is walking the cliffside lawns where she walked her pet camels, taking in the same breathtaking ocean views she loved.
Collection Highlights
The home is filled with masterpieces, from a Renoir painting to intricate Ming Dynasty vases, all collected by Duke on her global travels. Don't miss the stunning Mortlake tapestry series in the dining room or the ornate English and French furniture that fills the grand spaces.
Visitor Information
Rough Point is open for tours from April through November; be sure to check their website for specific dates and times as they operate seasonally. It's located right on Newport's famous Bellevue Avenue, so you can easily walk to it from other grand mansions.
Architecture & Building
Built in the late Gilded Age, it's a massive stone mansion designed in the English Manorial style, giving it a sturdy, castle-like presence perched dramatically on the cliffs above the Atlantic.
Contact & Location
Address: Rough Point Mansion, 680, Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island, 02840, United States
Phone: +1 401-847-8344
Website: Visit Website
