The Breakers can be found in Newport, Rhode Island. This was the Vanderbilt's summer home. The home is now open to tourist. You can see the way turn of the century equivalents to Bill Gates lived. The child's play house is larger than the first home my wife and I lived in.
Our visit to Rhode Island in 1986 was the first time my oldest daughter had stepped in to an ocean (I know it is a bay and a sound). The ocean views here in Newport were great. You can view yachts, sailboats and sailboards. You can see that, while the town tries to look like a small seaside village, it is really is more like a movie set. Yet, it was fun for a stop.
This State has an interesting history. While this was and maybe because it was the smallest State it declared independence from England in May of 1776. This preceded the the Declaration of Independence by two months. It also, would not sign on to the Federal Constitution until 1790. Now these are people that loved independence.
I am not the type to want to live in an ocean beach area or a port area. I also, do not like living in large cities. I do like short visits to both loactions. Providence and Newport are the only parts of Rhode Island I have seen. Therefore I cannot speak to the rest of the state. I would recommend getting a good guide and taking a visit to see the historic locations in Newport.
By the way can you find the two people in the picture?