Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the United States, but it sure has a big history for being a luxurious summer retreat for the the rich and powerful during the height of the Gilded Age. With its close proximity to the ocean (and of New York) many of the wealthy - including the Vanderbilts, spent the summer vacationing here during the late 1800s. Many of these elaborate Newport mansions, complete with their original furnishings and decoration, have been preserved and (for a small fee) are open to the public to catch a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and the famous from over a hundred years ago.