Green Animals Topiary Garden in Newport, RI

Have you ever been to Newport’s Green Animals Topiary Garden? If you haven’t, you’ve got to go. I’ve been DYING to do some fun and different things with the boys. With summer coming to an end (someone hold me), I’ve been really looking for things we’ve never done before and trying to find some awesome activities throughout the state. I’m someone who hates to stay at home, so anyway that I can get out there and do things, I’m ready to do them with the kids!

Green Animals Topiary Garden

I have to give my mom BIG props for discovering the Green Animals Topiary Garden in Newport. It’s been (literally) in our “backyard” for years, driving by it all the time, but we’ve never stopped or checked it out. My mother did a little research on it, and started telling the boys about this cool place with bushes sculpted like animals. The boys were immediately hooked and were desperate to check it out!

So yesterday we all embarked on a little adventure to Newport to check out the Green Animals Topiary Garden and I’m so glad we did! I’ve been wanting to go forever and I’m so glad we finally just went ahead and took the trip to Newport!

It was absolutely FABULOUS!
It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
And the boys had an absolute BLAST!

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Benjamin exploring Newport

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Elephant made out of Bushes

Chair made out of Bushes

Audrey McClelland and her sons

Green Animals is the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States. Mr. Brayton’s daughter Alice gave the estate its name because of the profusion of “green animals.” She made the estate her permanent residence in 1939.

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Places to Visit with Kids in Rhode Island

This small country estate in Portsmouth was purchased in 1872 by Thomas E. Brayton (1844-1939), Treasurer of the Union Cotton Manufacturing Company in Fall River, Massachusetts. It consisted of seven acres of land, a white clapboard summer residence, farm outbuildings, a pasture and a vegetable garden.

Gardener Joseph Carreiro, superintendent of the property from 1905 to 1945, and his son-in-law, George Mendonca, superintendent until 1985, were responsible for creating the topiaries. There are more than 80 pieces of topiary throughout the gardens, including animals and birds, geometric figures and ornamental designs, sculpted from California privet, yew, and English boxwood.

Green Animals is the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States. Mr. Brayton’s daughter Alice gave the estate its name because of the profusion of “green animals.” She made the estate her permanent residence in 1939. Upon her death in 1972, at the age of 94, Miss Brayton left Green Animals to The Preservation Society of Newport County. Today, Green Animals remains as a rare example of a self-sufficient estate combining formal topiaries, vegetable and herb gardens, orchards and a Victorian house overlooking Narragansett Bay.

 

Places to Visit with Kids in Rhode Island

Places to Visit with Kids in Rhode Island

What I truly love about being here at the Green Animals Topiary Garden was that it was GREAT family fun for all the kids! They all had a blast seeing the animals and creations. They all had a blast being outside and walking the grounds. It was a great way for them to get some of their energy out!

Places to Visit with Kids in Rhode Island

I’m always trying to find things that we can do locally that are a little different. We love going to the zoo, but I love to find other things to do. When I found out about the Gardens I was blown away by the beauty. Not to mention – they weren’t worried when they saw 4 little boys arrive, they loved that I was bringing my family. There aren’t many places like that in Newport! I was so excited and happy to give the kids this awesome and fun experience!

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Green Animals Topiary Garden

As you can imagine – there were certain spots the kids loved! We found this magical staircase and the kids loved it! They jumped about hundred times! It was so cute to see them enjoying it and really wanting to go again and again and again. Grandma got in on the fun, too! She always has such a fun time with these little guys! S

Alex Jumping the Steps at Green Animals Topiary Garden

William Jumping the Steps at Green Animals Topiary Garden

Newport RI fun

Newport RI FUn

Grandma Newport RI

Grandma Couto and her Grandsons

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Bring your grandparents, too! There was so much fun for everyone!


Green Animals Topiary Garden

Beautiful Old Tree

Green Animals Topiary Garden

Please note:  Green Animals is open seasonally.  Please click here to view the full Newport Mansions Operating Schedule.

Check out my post about the Mansions at Newport and the Shops there at Christmas! They are so pretty and a must visit with your family! The kids might not have as much fun, but you will!

 

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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4 Comments

  1. 8.14.12
    Becky D. said:

    love this! totally taking the kids! thanks for the idea!

  2. 8.17.12
    Robin said:

    Thanks for the idea! I had heard about it, but glad to see some real kids enjoying it. We just moved here from Maryland, so I’ve been trying to get the kids around to fun places before school starts, and this is just the thing.

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