Rough Point

This was one of Doris Duke’s homes, and one can easily see why she loved it. Beautiful furnishings, lovely house, grounds (including camel topiaries, which were apparently added after her death), and views. The tour guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely include if you plan to tour some of the Newport mansions.

This mansion was left and preserved the way Doris Duke left it when she died in 1993, and that sets it apart from the others in Newport. It’s location, jutting into the Atlantic, is fabulous and our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I loved hearing about the camels! (You’ll see topiaries in front.) We loved it!

This was my first but favorite Mansion we visited. Our guide was so good. She really knew the history and fun stories. I loved hearing so much of Doris Duke. Almost felt I could relate at least one friend as her twin. I later experienced the audio self tours at other mansions and would only suggest that be added. It was wonderful

Marvelous! Everything about Rough Point was gorgeous. If the museum quality tapestries, Chinese porcelains, Persian rugs, Louis XV & Louis XVI hand-​needlepointed furniture, wallcoverings, crrystal chandeliers, or 16^th & 17^th century European paintings don’t do it for you, I am certain you will be charmed by the light & spaciousness of what looks like a forbidding fortress. Or, the glamorous Hollywood décor in which she outfitted her bedroom, or the contemporary solarium overlooking the Atlantic… Moving in today would be easy, beautiful, and comfortable.
I was impressed by Ms. Duke’s exquisite taste. No other way to describe it; she mixed inexpensive & priceless items, colors, fabrics, and styles in a way that truly works.
The personal tour was nice but our guide was a tiny bit forgetful. This is another place that would benefit from excellent photo cards, postcards, or a room by room photo depiction. Too much to remember and I suffered from visual overload.
The exhibit of her clothes was fascinating. From haute couture to sequinned shorts, she obviously had style & humor.

The best mansion we saw.
Not only is the house beautiful, the place is FULL of eye-​popping artwork and amazing décor. We couldn’t stop talking about it. 15^th Century tapestries, Ming Dynasty vases, Van Dyck paintings, all in the context of a beautiful mansion with fabulous and fascinating history, having been owned by the Vanderbilts and the Dukes (as in Doris Duke.).
The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the home and its owners. The personal stories about Doris Duke alone put a tour of Rough Point head and shoulders above the rest of the mansions in Newport. As an added bonus, the grounds were beautiful and perfect for a stroll after the tour.
It’s a must-​see!

Rough Point is Doris Duke’s primary residence on the East Coast, a splendid monument to a person who embraced her charmed life and left us richer for it.
This property is maintained by her foundation, and is opened to the public who reserve times to visit. Each tour is in a small group, led by a knowledgeable guide. Ours gave us a sense of the extraordinary quality of the art, tapestries, furniture and architecture, but also the way the Duke family and particularly Doris Duke lived and cared for this wonderful property.
This house is different than the Breakers and the other Gilded Age mansions; it brings us up to the late 20^th century and the ability to maintain a level of living that most of us can only dream of. It’s a reason to visit Newport in itself.