breakers mansion audio tour

The Breakers Audio Tour

Based on personal diaries, letters, records and oral histories, The Breakers audio tour offers first-person accounts of life in the house from members of the family, servants and their children. You’ll also learn fascinating facts about The Breakers and how it was built, and see details of the rooms that you might otherwise not notice.

Download the Newport Mansions audio tour app in advance and bring your earphones or earbuds!

What you need to know

More tours, events & exhibitions, beneath the breakers tour, daily 10:30 am.

Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.

Servant Life Tour

Daily starting april 1, 10:30 am and 2:30 pm*.

See and hear how the other half lived. This tour will highlight the stories of some of the men and women who worked to service the social whirl of Newport during the Gilded Age. * May 11-May 31, tour will be offered daily at 10:30 am & 3:30 pm. June 1-Aug. 31, 10:30 am, 2 pm & 3:30 pm. Sept. 1-Oct. 14, 10:30 & 3:30. Oct. 15-Jan. 1, 2025, 10:30 & 2:30.

Gilded Age Newport in Color

March 15 – june 30, 2024 10:00am – 3:00pm.

This exhibition explores a largely unknown but important chapter in American history: the experience of a thriving African heritage community in Newport.

Exclusive Experiences Online Auction

March 18 – 24, 2024.

Bid on any of 21 once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the Newport Mansions and our auction partners.

Newport County Days

April 6 – 7, 2024.

Newport County residents, be our guests! The Preservation Society invites you to visit our houses and properties for free on these dates.

The Measure of a Man: Double Consciousness and the Fashioning of W. E. B. Du Bois

April 11, 2024 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

Learn about W. E. B. Du Bois and his lifelong interaction with fashion and photography, as well as how he transformed himself into one of the most influential black figures of the Gilded Age.

Young Patron Event: Kentucky Derby Party

May 4, 2024 5:00pm – 8:00pm.

Our Young Patron event this year is a Kentucky Derby party! Join us as we celebrate and enjoy this historic race that dates back to the Gilded Age.

Annual Plant Sale at Green Animals Topiary Garden

May 10 – 12, 2024 8 am -10 am.

Get your garden going or find nice springtime and Mother's Day gifts for friends and family! A variety of flowers, vegetables and specialty plants are available while supplies last.

Am I Not a Man and a Woman: The Rise of African Heritage Political Identity During the Gilded Age in Rhode Island

May 16, 2024 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

Rhode Island Black Heritage Society scholars will interpret the evolution of Black Civil Rights from the early beginnings of the 18th century Free African Societies to the formation of Colored Women Clubs of the Gilded Age.

The Newport Flower Show: “At Home”

June 21 – 23, 2024.

After a one-year sojourn to Marble House, New England’s premier flower show returns to Rosecliff with the theme of “At Home.”

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival

September 20 – 22, 2024.

Save the dates for the 19th annual festival, featuring the Vintner Dinner, Sunday Brunch and tasty yet educational seminar experiences.

Get the Newport Mansions app

Download our tour app before your visit and bring your earbuds.

Additional Visitor Info

Map & parking info.

Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.

Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Mansions & Gardens

Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.

Partners in Preservation

Private Seaside Mansion Tours

Inquire 401.846.6200 Email us

The Experience

Marvel at the Gilded Age splendor of Newport's most famous Gilded Age Mansions, breathtaking symbols of the Vanderbilt family and other key players in the Gilded Age's social and financial pre-eminence in the early 20th century. Enjoy a private tour before or after hours at iconic mansions like Marble House, the Breakers, The Elms, and more.

• Off property
• Duration: 1 to 4 hours
• Contact our concierge to arrange
• Pricing varies per property

More to Love

unforgettable activities for

Guide-led Tours

Our expert guides lead fascinating specialty tours such as beneath the breakers and the elms servant life. other guided tours available by season at some houses., beneath the breakers tour, daily 10:30 am.

Explore the underground systems that made this great house a marvel of technology for its time.

Servant Life Tour

Daily starting april 1, 10:30 am and 2:30 pm*.

See and hear how the other half lived. This tour will highlight the stories of some of the men and women who worked to service the social whirl of Newport during the Gilded Age. * May 11-May 31, tour will be offered daily at 10:30 am & 3:30 pm. June 1-Aug. 31, 10:30 am, 2 pm & 3:30 pm. Sept. 1-Oct. 14, 10:30 & 3:30. Oct. 15-Jan. 1, 2025, 10:30 & 2:30.

Get the Newport Mansions app

Download our tour app before your visit and bring your earbuds.

Other tour types

Family audio tours.

Talking houses, ancient superheroes and a 2-foot high ice cream cake! Family Tours at The Breakers and Marble House introduce kids to these Gilded Age mansions from a unique and fun perspective.

Self-guided audio tours

Six engaging audio tours bring you unique insights into the lives of the people who lived and worked in the grand mansions of the Gilded Age in Newport.

Group Tours

Bring your adult or student group to tour the Newport Mansions at a discounted rate.

Additional Visitor Info

Map & parking info.

Parking is free onsite at all properties except for Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House, where street parking is available.

Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Mansions & Gardens

Explore the 11 properties under the stewardship of the Preservation Society and open as historic house museums.

Partners in Preservation

An Insider Guide to the Newport Mansions with Kids

Posted on 11/21/2023

When I was a college student on summer break at home in Rhode Island , I went to work every day in a beautiful Newport mansion. Working in the gift shop of a major tourist attraction certainly had its benefits, and I enjoyed that job.

I was always astounded by the hundreds of guests who traveled, sometimes very long distances, to see the Breakers mansion. There was never a slow moment in the middle of the summer, not even midweek. Seeing these famous mansions for the first time is so impressive.

Disclosure: I received complimentary admission to two of the Newport Mansions. I also worked at the Newport Rhode Island mansions for several years in college, so I spent lots of time in them throughout the years.

All opinions are my own. Affiliate links are included. When a purchase is made and/or a link is clicked, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

The Newport Mansions Tours With Kids

When I traveled to Newport, Rhode Island with my family, I was eager to take my kids to see the Newport mansions. I figured that they would see the Breakers, the largest and most impressive of the mansions, and then want to do something else. But they both begged to see another mansion.

I’d definitely recommend taking your kids to the Newport Mansions when visiting the area. If you are looking for the best mansions for kids in Newport  – the Breakers would definitely be the one I would choose. It’s definitely the most popular of the historic sites in Newport.

These Newport RI mansions, from the Gilded Age time period, were once the summer homes of the richest families in the United States. Now, the Newport Mansions are managed, maintained, and opened to the public by the Preservation Society of Newport County – a non-profit organization. The majority of the mansions of Newport are located on Bellevue Avenue, while the rest are all nearby.

These are Gilded Age mansions and are huge and so impressive to see. Many are on the Newport Cliff Walk, so definitely venture to the lawns outside to see the gorgeous view of the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s easy to drive from location to location, and the mansions all offer free parking. There is one Preservation Society property that is a bit different and not located in Newport RI – Green Animals. This property features fun animal-themed topiaries and is located a few towns away in Portsmouth, RI . It’s worth the trip if it’s a nice day, but it is a bit of a drive.

Families should note that strollers and carriages are not permitted in the houses due to their historical nature. I probably wouldn’t take very young kids, since they can’t really appreciate the homes, and will have to walk or be carried.

The Breakers – Newport Rhode Island

I remember that the mansions do get crowded as the day goes on (especially in the summer), so we went first thing in the morning. During my days working there, the crowds for the most popular mansion would line up around the corner, especially on weekends. Go midweek, in the morning, for the best experience.

The Breakers is the largest and most popular of the Newport Mansions. This beautiful “summer cottage” is the former summer home of the Vanderbilt family.

It was built during the Gilded Age and is spectacular. If you are wondering what the best Newport Mansion is to visit, I’d definitely recommend the Breakers. Guests who only plan on seeing one mansion should go to the Breakers. 

The Breakers now offers audio tours, and there is a special one just for families. My husband and I had the choice of listening to the adult tour or the children’s tour, but chose the children’s. I was so impressed with how captivating it is for kids.

The tour is given from the perspective of the house, and offers narration about the various motifs seen throughout the house, as well as information about the children of the home and what their daily life was like. It’s very engaging, for both kids and adults.

My kids really enjoyed controlling their own headsets, as well as the overall tour. It takes about 40 minutes, and when we were done, we walked around the grounds, checking out the children’s cottage as well (it was closed for the season, but we could still see the exterior).

Note that if you are visiting during peak season, you should definitely plan to wait in line. We walked right in, but lines usually do form in season. 

The Breakers now offers a new “ Beneath the Breakers Tour ” that focuses on the underground tunnel, basement, and boiler room. These guided tours have to be booked in person on the day that you want to visit, and are based on availability.

I’d probably skip a specialty tour like that if I were traveling with younger kids, however. They’ll probably just enjoy the audio tour. 

After we finished touring the Breakers, my kids asked to visit another mansion. I decided to take them down the road to Marble House, also owned by the Vanderbilt family.

Marble House

Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for the William K. Vanderbilt family. It offers a new audio tour, but doesn’t have a children’s tour.

Despite that, my kids enjoyed Marble House as well. It’s a 40-minute self-guided tour, but you could easily spend more time if you’d like. It’s a gorgeous, opulent mansion. Because it doesn’t have a children’s tour, it’s probably best for older kids who can appreciate and understand the adult tour.

After visiting the interior of the home, we checked out the grounds, including the Chinese tea house that’s right on the property. The kids really enjoyed seeing that. Like the Breakers, the Marble House is on the Cliff Walk so the view from the property is beautiful.

Other Newport RI Mansion Tours

The Elms was originally the summer home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind. It was built in 1901 and includes a beautiful, recently restored garden as well as the home. It’s another popular summer tourist destination. 

You may be familiar with Rosecliff already, if you’ve seen the movies the Great Gatsby, Amistad, 27 Dresses and/or True Lies. Scenes from those movies were filmed at the house. When I was working at the Breakers, I often had guests asking specifically which house was the site for those scenes. Like the other homes, it was originally a summer home and is absolutely stunning. 

While these are the most popular homes, there are other Newport Mansions maintained by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Unless you have specific interests, I think the Breakers and Marble House are probably the best two options. The others are great to see if you want to explore a specific architectural style.

The other mansions in the portfolio of the Preservation Society of Newport County include:

• Château-Sur-Mer – also located on Bellevue Avenue, this home was built before the Breakers and Marble House
• Hunter House – built between 1748 and 1754 and located on Washington Street
• Kingscote – this is a smaller home, but is one of my favorites. It’s located on Bellevue Avenue.
• Isaac Bell House – this home on Perry Street is built in a shingle style. 
• Chepstow – an Italian-style home that is located on Narragansett Avenue. It’s one of the newer properties operated by the  Preservation Society. 

If you have extra time in the Newport RI area , I’d recommend driving down to Portsmouth, RI to Green Animals Topiary Garden. It’s always been one of my favorite places in the area, and it’s so unique, but it is a short drive away.

If you choose the visit the Newport Mansions, I’d recommend the following tips:

• Start with the Breakers, and see if your kids like the children’s audio tour first before seeing other mansions. You don’t want to start with the regular audio tours, because they may not enjoy them.
• Go early – lines do form as the day goes on. If your kids are like mine, they’ll probably be awake early anyway.
• Eat in advance or after touring. There are no restaurants on any of the mansion properties, and you’ll have to drive to any nearby restaurants.
• Download the mobile app in advance. The app includes the audio tours of the Breakers (including the family tour), Marble House, The Elms, and Rosecliff.

Newport Mansions Tickets

Various ticket packages are available, including single mansion tickets, 2-house tickets, and 5-house tickets. Tickets can be purchased online, which is a good way to save time in line. If you are visiting with kids, I’d probably stick with a single mansion or a 2-house ticket. Kids probably wouldn’t want to see more than two.

If you are one of the preservation society members, you will receive unlimited complimentary admissions to the Newport Mansions. This can be a great deal if you think you’ll visit often.

Check the opening hours before heading out. On occasion, there are special events held that may change operating hours.

Newport Mansions Christmas Decorations

Wondering which Newport Mansions are decorated for Christmas? You can visit three of these beautiful national historic landmarks – The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House – from mid-November through January 1st. During the holiday season, you can enjoy seeing these historic properties completely decorated.

The other mansions owned by the Preservation Society are only open seasonally, so it’s worth looking at the schedules before purchasing tickets or making plans.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Newport Mansions

While it’s definitely subjective, I think of the Breakers as the best Newport Mansion. It’s gorgeous and offers both an adult tour and a kids’ tour. 

Again, the answer is the Breakers, which is the largest of the impressive Newport Mansions. 

The Breakers was the summer home to Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his family. Their regular residence was in New York. It’s so hard to believe that these beautiful homes were actually considered summer cottages.

In all of my years working at the Breakers, this is the number one question that people asked me. The Newport mansion in The Great Gatsby is Rosecliff, which was also used in the filming of other movies. 

For season one, scenes were filmed at The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Chateau-sur-Mer, and Hunter House, and for season two, scenes were filmed at Marble House, The Elms, Chateau-sur-Mer and Kingscote. ( source and more info here )

Looking to find restaurants in the Newport area while you visit the mansions? There are no restaurants right in the mansions, so you’ll have to travel elsewhere. There are loads of delicious restaurants in the area, and I’d recommend the following:

• Diego’s (Mexican food on Bowen’s Wharf)
• Brick Alley Pub (pub food in Brick Market Place on Thames Street)
• Wharf Pub (pub featuring a menu full of tater tots)

These restaurants are all located in the downtown Newport area, so combine your lunch or dinner with some shopping or sightseeing. You’ll have to drive to get there, however. There really isn’t anything within walking distance.

Keep in mind that these restaurants get very busy in peak season, so you’ll want to make reservations where possible or arrive early/late in the day.

If you are looking for places to stay in Newport, see reviews here .

To learn more, visit the Preservation Society website .

Related:  Places to Go in New England With Kids

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Sunday 21st of July 2019

Why would they have a virtual tour if they want you to see the mansion?

I would not recommend children under 12 unless well behaved. It is very annoying for others to have kids screaming & running around.

Jodi Grundig

Many museums offer virtual tours as a way to share the experience for those who can't necessarily travel to the location. It's also a good preview of what you'll see. This doesn't replace actually visiting the location because you won't see even a fraction of what there is to see in person.

This website promotes travel with children, so we definitely recommend the family/kids tour for families. My kids visited before the age of 12 and enjoyed it (and they were well behaved). It's now a self-guided tour.

Patricia J. Brinegar

Saturday 23rd of July 2016

Could not find "A Passport to the Newport Mansions" with a virtual tour of the Breakers, with free apps for downloading - as recommended by Rhode Island Magazine. HELP!!

The Breakers

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The Breakers - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Travel back in time at The Breakers, one of Newport's Gilded Age mansions

As a Vanderbilt student, the Breakers in Newport are a natural favorite of mine. Businessman and “Commodore” Cornelius Vanderbilt built the mansion as a summer home for him and his family in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Vanderbilt was one of the richest men in America at the time, as is clearly reflected by the house’s elaborate nature.

Much of the mansion was designed with Italian and Renaissance styles in mind. It features many classic arches and wide columns on the outside, with open halls on the inside meant to mimic Italian courtyards and European mosaic art. Its chandeliers and other electrical appliances show off the family’s wealth, as electricity was a new and expensive commodity at the time. 

TV show: How Newport's mansions, and more, have been reimagined for 'The Gilded Age' Season 2

The interior of the mansion is intricately designed with fine detail wall and ceiling carvings as well as elegant furniture. Each room seems to be specially designed for its purpose, with distinct color combinations, drapes, and layouts. At Christmas time, the house is magnificently decorated with deep red poinsettias, pastel-colored trees, and garland gracing the marble walls, highlighting the stunning paintings and designs of the interior. Overall, the mansion includes 70 rooms and occupies one acre of the 13-acre property. 

The Breakers and its sprawling porch and lawn overlook the Atlantic and the Cliff Walk. It also features an upstairs balcony with a magnificent view of the ocean. 

You can tour the Breakers yourself or pick up an audio tour at its entrance. Or, you can buy a special tour package that includes access to the underground basement, boiler room, quarters, and tunnel of the mansion. 

Whenever touring the Breakers, I’m struck at its timeless nature. You are easily transported to a long-ago lifestyle and gain an insider’s view into the daily activities and customs of the Vanderbilts. Make sure to check out the gift shop at the end of your visit for some more insight on Vanderbilt women’s contributions to the women’s suffrage movement.

"What's Great Off 138" features the places, foods, celebrations and more that make the Newport area unique. Send us your favorite things at  [email protected] .

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Traveler’s guide to the city of Omsk, Western Siberia’s secret gem

Omsk was founded in 1716 when a wooden fort was constructed to house a Cossack unit in the area to protect the expanding Russian frontier from Central Asian nomadic incursions. It served various administrative functions throughout the 1800s and became infamous as a place of exile and incarceration. The city was rundown when selected as a hub for the Trans-Siberian railway in the 1890s. Many international trade companies and foreign consulates relocated here and the remnants of their offices can still be found in the city today.

The mystery of Kolchak’s gold

Kolchak was entrusted with a large portion of the Tsarist’s gold reserves, yet amazingly lost much of it. Supposedly 250 million rubles were lost (about $8 million at the time). Legend has it that they were buried near the village of Taiga, yet numerous excavations have turned up nothing. The area still attracts the occasional fortune seeker.

Kolchak’s headquarters are located at what is today the Omsk Regional Archives at Broz Tito St., 3. Nothing shows how much times have changed as the imposing Kolchak statue that was unveiled in 2012 around the corner. The statue guards Kolchak restaurant , a four-story culinary complex featuring a steak house, an Irish pub, a Central Asian café and an Italian eatery.  For more details on where and how to dig Kolchak's gold, see Top Ten Mysterious Lost Treasures of Russia  

Dostoevsky and the Tsar

Most foreigners have heard of Omsk via writer Fyodor Dostoevsky who spent four years here as a prisoner (1849-1853). He spent most of his time in Omsk in squalor and chains and with no books besides the Bible, however, it left an indelible mark on his memory and influenced his future literary output. There is a statue of the writer in chains grasping a Bible at the corner of Partizanskaya and Spartakovskaya streets, where Dostoevsky undoubtedly stepped many times. A museum dedicated to the author's time in Omsk is located nearby at Dostoevskogo St. 1. The local university is also named for him.

Tarskaya Street is one of the city’s oldest thoroughfares. It features a monument to victims of Stalinist repressions and the Tara gates, originally built in 1792 as one of the four entrances to the Omsk fort. Nearby stands the Assumption Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Siberia. Future Tsar Nicholas II laid the first stone here in 1891 when making his way back to St. Petersburg after his Eastern journey.

In Omsk you are never more than a few steps from the village, made clear when one exits the center to the north, where most houses are wooden and roads unpaved. Stroll along Bulatova and Rabinovicha streets, a well-preserved ensemble of wooden architecture.  

Omsk’s cultural heritage

One of Omsk’s most famous sons is Symbolist painter Mikhail Vrubel (1856-1910). Vrubel ignored contemporary trends and focused on themes from fairy tales, demons and religious subjects and also designed a majolica frieze for the Metropol Hotel in Moscow. Omsk’s Fine Arts Museum is named for him and features a number of his works .

Over the years a number of tourists have tripped over the monument to Stepanych. This bust of a plumber rising from a sewer was the idea of Omsk’s former mayor after a trip to Slovakia in the 1990s. Stepanych has become one of the symbols of the city.

Omsk is a hockey town, with one of the major teams, Avangard , in the KHL, Russia’s premiere professional league. Russian champions on several occasions, check out a match at Omsk Arena. But if you can’t catch a game there’s a large kiosk featuring the team’s merchandise at the airport.  

Siberian punk, jazz and the classics

Perhaps Russia’s most famous punk band, Grazhdanskaya oborona (Civil Defence), was formed here in 1982. The band was active until 2008 when lead singer Yegor Letov died of heart failure at age 43. Letov is buried at the Staro-Vostochnoe cemetery. A sprawling graveyard with thousands of graves, fans should stop at the administration for help in locating his grave.

One of Omsk’s longest running live music venues is Jazz Cafe Party Piano . With live jazz and rock every night of the month, it’s legendary throughout Siberia. Take a taxi as it’s hard to find. Other options for live music include the Viking Folk Bar and Harat's Pub .  

How to get there

The southern and northern branches of the Trans-Siberian Railway converge here with about 10 trains going to or from Moscow on any given day (37-47 hours each way) and many trains travel to and from the Far East (4-5 days) daily. Aeroflot, Transaero, and S7 fly to Moscow daily (3 hours). Less frequent flights connect to Saint Petersburg (3 hours), Krasnoyarsk (2 hours), as well as Frankfurt, Hannover and Köln in Germany (5 hours). For more information check out aeroomsk.ru

Understand [ edit ]

Founded in 1716 as a fortress on the Imperial Russia's expanding southern frontier, by 1850s Omsk grew to become the capital of Western Siberia and parts of Central Asia . The construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway in the late 1890s brought a rapid development boom, culminating in an extravagant 1910s World Fair, around the time of which Omsk acquired much of its neoclassical architectural heritage. Largely due to its strategic importance as the gateway to Siberia and the Russian Far East , Admiral Kolchak of the anti-Soviet White Army chose Omsk as his base and "capital of Russia" in 1918–1919.

Today, Omsk is Russia's seventh largest city with a population of over 1.5 million. An Omsk visit is one of the highlights of a trip to Siberia for the city's attractive and bustling 19th century center, and its numerous cultural opportunities. Literature lovers will find a special interest in Omsk, as it was Dostoevsky's home during the majority of his exile from Saint Petersburg .

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ]

When taking a taxi from the airport, be sure to negotiate the price in advance and take a legal taxi.

Get around [ edit ]

By foot [ edit ]

The city center around Lyubinsky prospekt is easily walkable and is best explored on foot. In autumn 2017 Lenin St south of the River Om is being dug up and is difficult to walk along, but businesses there and the cathedral remain open.

By taxi [ edit ]

Taxis are plentiful and there are several taxi companies operating in Omsk.

See [ edit ]

The historical part of town is centered on Lyubinsky prospekt, near the confluence of the Om and Irtysh rivers. It is lined with century-old buildings of former merchant salons, residences, and larger commercial, government and religious establishments. The area now has some of the poshest shopping and the best nightlife in the city.

Ulica Krasnyh Zor' (aka Nikol'skij prospekt) leads from the Cossacks' cathedral to a few blocks of historical carved-wood houses. This street can give an idea what Omsk and Siberia used to be like for centuries before industrialization. Unfortunately, these houses are not yet protected as cultural heritage landmarks and may eventually be demolished.

Religious buildings [ edit ]

• St. Nicholas Cossack Cathedral , ul. Lenina, 27 , ☏ +7 3812-315748 . Built in 1843, it is one of the oldest churches in Siberia. During communist times, it was used as a cinema and concert hall.  
• Dormition Cathedral (Uspenskij sobor) , ul. Internacional'naja, 12 , ☏ +7 3812249065 . Built in the 1890s, it is one of the largest churches in Siberia.  

Buy [ edit ]

Omsk is rich in shopping. There is a big difference between the rich and the poor in the city, and this is visible in its shopping malls. While there are shops with extremely cheap goods, there are also modern, upscale malls where every shop is very expensive; a simple shirt at one of these stores could be £100, for example, and a handbag £200. Nevertheless, Omsk offers some great shops with lots of goods.

Nightclubs [ edit ]

• Angar Kemerovo st., 1/3  8 381 290-57-77
• [dead link] Zanzibar Nochnoy Klub , ul. Lukashevicha, 10В , ☏ +7 381 278-11-51 .  

Stay safe [ edit ]

Dangerous areas of the city are Neftyaniki (town of oilmen), Amurskiy posyolok (Amur settlement), Port Arthur, Staryi Kirovsk (Old Kirovsk), and the area of the Omsk tire plant.

Connect [ edit ]

Consulates [ edit ], go next [ edit ].

Omsk is a convenient hub for several regional attractions. Distances are large and locals will consider a city 700km away to be 'nearby'. However, trains are reliable.

• Tobolsk and Tomsk are the oldest cities of Siberia. Because the main transportation arteries originally bypassed them, the towns stayed small, avoiding the typical Soviet development, and retaining their unique picturesque characters. They are reachable by overnight train, or, in the case of Tobolsk , by speed jet boat along the Irtysh River (10-12 hours). Irregular boats also operate to Khanty-Mansiysk and Salekhard , within the Arctic Circle , a 2783 km journey taking six days (see timetable ). This is the best way to see the West Siberian terrain, grand rivers, and rural lifestyle. For some towns, this boat is the only access to the outside world.
• Barnaul (16 hours by train or a 1½ hour flight) is the gateway to the Altai mountains and national parks.
• Kazakhstan is accessible by train - Petropavlovsk (4 hours), Astana (12 hours), or bus - Pavlodar (8 hours).

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Omsk, founded in 1716, is a large industrial, educational and cultural center with a population of over one million. In the 50-s years of the 20th century, Omsk became an important oil-processing city. Omsk is a typical modern city with wide thoroughfares, numerous bridges, and high sky-scrapers. In the old part of the city, one can see examples of architecture of previous centuries including the Tobolskie Gate leading to the city fortress, the oldest constructions in Omsk.

In the 19th century, the convicts had to pass through this gate daily when they went to the timber cutting works. Among the convicts was famous Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky.

The palace of a general-governor is another interesting sight of Omsk. This old building witnessed many historical events.

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The Top 12 Things to Do in Omsk

Feel the love in the very heart of Russia

In Russia, all roads lead to Moscow , on account of the city's status as the national capital and its importance throughout history. If geography were the deciding factor, however, the Siberian city of Omsk would be the point where all Russia's roads converge—it's located literally in the heart of the country, approximately as far from Vladivostok as it is from the Belarusian border. Omsk boasts a spate of exciting attractions, even if you simply make a stop here as you ride the Trans-Siberian Railway eastward or westward.

Marvel at Assumption Cathedral

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Orthodox architecture never gets old, even if you've been traveling in Russia for a long time. This is particularly the case when it comes to the Assumption Cathedral of Omsk, whose gold-and-turquoise domes look resplendent under the blue skies that bless Omsk during the warmer months of the year. The cathedral was built in 1891 under the orders Nicholas, the last Tsar of Russia.

Time Travel at Omsk Fortress

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The bad news? Much of what was once Omsk Fortress is now a residential area, with the only notable landmark that still stands being Tobolsk Gate (think Paris' Arc de Triomphe , but yellow and smaller). The good news? There's essentially no reason for a military fortification to exist in today's peaceful Omsk, which means you can stroll amid parks and cafés and imagine the area being war-torn—a small sacrifice to make in exchange for not being blown to bits.

Go Green at Ptich'ya Gavan'

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Or white, as it were: Omsk is covered with snow several months of the year, which means that its prized Ptich'ya Gavan' central park is often more of a winter wonderland than the green reprieve you experience in summer. The park is popular with local families, to whom you can say "Privet" (Hello) as you walk past.

Walk on Omsk's Artsy Side

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Although the building that houses Omsk District Museum of Visual Arts is unmistakably Russian, the collection you find inside is surprisingly eclectic for a city deep in Russia's interior. Recent collections have included a revival of Van Gogh's great works, among others. This is a particularly enjoyable Omsk attraction on cold winter days, when temperatures can drop far below freezing and sunshine can be rare.

Shoot for the Moon

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Though Omsk is a relatively large city, the skies over it become dark enough in the evening for stargazing. While visitors are not permitted to use the expensive telescopes housed inside, exhibits inside the museum provide a fascinating look into the cosmos, narrated by expert astronomical guides.

Shop on Lenin Street

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Lenin Street's name is appropriate: Although it's the high street of a city thousands of miles from Moscow, the European-style architecture and cosmopolitan vibe you feel as you stroll past its boutique and cafés evokes the capital of Russia more than its forlorn interior. Local specialties you can purchase here include rustic jams made from local berries (and even, in some shops, cedar cones), as well as handmade rugs from Kazakhstan, which sits just south of Omsk.

Sample Siberian Cuisine

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Speaking of unique Siberian food, it's not just preserves made from the fruits of evergreen trees. Omsk is a great place to discover the flavors of Russia's wild interior, whether you eat zagutai and stroganini (Siberia's take on sushi) or classic Russian plmeni dumplings filled with decidedly Siberian ingredients, such as bear and rabbit meat. Vkusno ! (That's Russian for "delicious"!)

Enjoy Historical Houses—While You Still Can

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The wooden houses that line Nikolskiy Prospekt aren't protected, but they should be. Historical structures that are unfortunately in a state of disrepair, these houses are slated for demolition at some unspecific point in the future. Be sure to catch a glimpse of these historical house before they're gone. There will, however, be at least one left standing for a long time. The Omsk State Art Museum is in a traditional wooden house.

Go to the Circus

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Omsk State Circus is a popular spot for local families, whose children love the opportunity to see acrobatic performances and animals that wouldn't otherwise make appearance in Siberia. If you do attend a show here, keep in mind that ethics with regard to animal treatment might not match up with those in North America or Western Europe, to say nothing of the smell that can pervade the auditorium during and even after a show.

Be a Drama Queen

While there's no guarantee that any shows will be playing at Omsk Drama Theater at the time of your trip, a visit to this 19th century building is a spectacle in and of itself. While not as huge, say, as Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, it's nonetheless an ornate architectural wonder that hearkens back to a glorious time in history. The interior of the theater is even open during the daytime; ask the person who's inside if any tours are available when you turn up.

Explore Cities Deeper in Siberia

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Siberia starts in Omsk, even if you can't continue far into it. If you don't plan to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway, take one of two day trips from Omsk. Travel to Tobolsk, whose hilltop Kremlin is one of the most picturesque in all of Russia, and whose beauty inspired a photo by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev that ended up winning several awards. Or visit Tomsk, where you'll find a botanical garden dedicated to Siberian flora, and a museum that celebrates wooden architecture.

Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway

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The idea of leaving Omsk behind can seem difficult, especially now that you've gotten to know this city in the heart of Siberia as well as you have. The mint-colored facade of Omsk Railway Station will make you smile, however, even if you're crying inside as you depart. Though it's not quite on the mid-line of the Trans-Siberian route between Moscow and Beijing , Omsk is a worthy starting place to begin a journey to either. If you head east make sure to stop in Irkutsk , the home of Lake Baikal and another underrated Siberian city.

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