What You Will Do
Visit historic, coastal Newport at your own pace during this attraction-packed, self-guided tour. Follow a carefully chosen itinerary and live GPS map, with stops at celebrated mansions like the Bellevue House, the chateau-inspired Elms, and the iconic Vanderbilt home, the Breakers, plus natural sights like Easton’s Beach and Fort Adams State Park.
• A self-guided tour of Newport’s top historic & natural attractions
• Ideal for groups: purchase only one tour per car, & everyone can listen in
• Take as long or as little as you’d like in each location, with plenty of enriching audio
After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, & access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
1
Newport Visitors Information Center
10 minutes
Our journey begins in downtown Newport, just by the Newport Visitor Center. As we set off into the heart of Newport, we'll dive into the past to learn about Newport's hey-day: the Gilded Age. This era of nouveau-riche American elites like the Vanderbilts and Astors has been marked by gorgeous mansions. We'll explore the architecture and architects behind these designs as drive.
Note: This 16-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Newport Bundle in 6-7 hours.
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
2
International Tennis Hall of Fame
5 minutes
At the International Tennis Hall of Fame intersection, we'll turn onto the famed Bellevue Avenue -- the most expensive avenue in America. We're about to see the most magnificent homes ever built in this country... facetiously known as "summer cottages". You can choose to pause here to check ou the Hall of Fame, which features tennis greats.
3
Audrain Auto Museum
5 minutes
As we head down Bellevue, we'll soon pass the Audrain Auto Museum and won't be able to help by admire it! It boasts both beautiful architecture and a frequent rotation of stunning cars.
4
Edward King House
5 minutes
We'll take a quick detour off of Bellevue to get a closer look at the Edward King House, just one block away. This is our introduction to the mansions of Newport.
5
Kingscote
5 minutes
As we head back to Bellevue, we'll see our very first Newport Mansion: Kingscote. We'll learn all about this summer home and it's inhabitants over the years. You can even take a tour of the inside.
6
The Bellevue House
5 minutes
Bellevue House is next on our journey. This gorgeous mansion has a rich facade - and a long history to match! Since it's not open for tours, we won't try to pause here.
7
Isaac Bell House
10 minutes
As we continue down Bellevue Avenue, we'll pass more eye-catching homes: Issac Bell House and Snug Harbor. We'll learn about the unique owners of both homes, and can choose to stop at Issac Bell House for an interior tour.
8
The Elms
5 minutes
Finally, we'll see the Elms. This masterpiece was designed for the coal baron Edward Julius Berwind and inspired by France's Château d'Asnières. Here we'll want to slow down as much as possible to hear about the Berwinds -- and maybe pull inside for a tour!
9
10 minutes
When we spot Mr. Belmont's statue, we'll turn off Bellevue. We're now heading towards some of the largest and finest mansions in Newport -- and they're technically not even on this famously expensive avenue! As we drive, we'll learn a bit about Belmont -- whose fascinating story we'll pick back up when we see another grand house later on the tour.
10
Chepstow
5 minutes
As we journey along, we'll pass Chepstow, a gorgeous Italianate house museum built-in 1860. Its original inhabitant isn't usually discussed in Newport histories... but has a long connection to both early American settlers and to the nouveau-riche of the Gilded Age. We can stop here for a tour as well.
11
Ochre Court
10 minutes
Ochre Court will immediately arrest our eyes! This châteauesque mansion cost of $4.5 million... in 1892. And it certainly shows! Now the centerpiece of the Salve Regina University, this mansion isn't open for tours... but that won't stop us from learning all about it's rich and fascinating history!
12
McAuley Hall
10 minutes
Vikings-inspired Vinland is now Salve Regina's McAuley Hall. As we pass this beautiful red-stone mansion, we'll learn all about it's inspiration and its unique owner.
13
The Breakers
10 minutes
Finally, we reach Newport's highlight: The Breakers. This Vanderbilt mansion is the biggest and the best of all of Newport's summer cottages -- and you can tell. We'll look past the towering wrought-iron gates, along the winding gravel drive, and up to the majestic and marvelous mansion's facade. We'll dive into the Vanderbilt backstory, the mansion's architectural wonders, and much more while here. This is another great opportunity to hop out for a tour.
14
Chateau-sur-Mer
10 minutes
As we head back towards Bellevue Avenue, we'll pause to check out the delicate beauty of Chateau-sur-Mer. Not only is the first Gilded Age mansion in Newport, but it also boasts one of the most beautiful, green, sprawling gardens. Both the house and the gardens are open for an optional tour.
15
National Museum of American Illustration
5 minutes
Right on the corner of Bellevue, we'll pause once again for a glimpse of Vernon Court. This mansion holds a different type of treasure inside: the National Museum of American Illustrations. Norman Rockwell fans simply can't skip this hidden gem.
16
Frederick Law Olmsted Park
5 minutes
We continue our journey along Newport's Bellevue Avenue, passing the historic Frederick Law Olmstead Park and learning about this historic landscape architect -- and his Gilded Age gardens.
17
Rosecliff
5 minutes
Rosecliff is next on our path. This is arguably the most beautiful of the Newport Mansions, and it contains a rotating exhibition gallery on it's top floor. If you pause here for a tour, you'll also be treated to phenomenal ocean views.
18
Gustave White Sotheby's International Realty
5 minutes
As we continue, we'll pass the Astors' summer cottage: Beechwood. Mrs. Astor famously had a "300 List" - the definitive list of the 300 people she considered high society. Where did that number come from? Well, this ballroom actually! It fit 300 guests. We'll learn more about this list, the Astors, and the Gilded Age as we continue to drive down Newport's Bellevue Avenue.
19
Marble House
5 minutes
Our journey now takes us past Marble House, one of the most opulent and magnificent of Newport's Mansions. This Gilded Age marvel is another Vanderbilt home, and actually has one of the most interesting histories of all the mansions here. We'll learn all about Marble House and it's owners as we continue onwards -- or you can pause here for a tour.
20
Belcourt of Newport
5 minutes
We'll then pass three amazing homes in a row: Beaulieu House, Miramar, and Belcourt Castle. All three of these beautiful mansions were built in the 1800s and belonged to Gilded Age elites. Like the other Newport mansions, they were only ever intended to be used as summer homes, and left vacant for the rest of the year.
21
Rough Point Museum
5 minutes
We're now at the end of Bellevue Avenue and can catch a glimpse of an English Manorial style home through the trees: that's Rough Point. Now a museum open for tours, we'll learn all about it's the eccentric (and possibly dangerous) owner.
22
Bailey’s Beach
10 minutes
Our tour along the beautiful Cliff Walk ends near another beach: Bailey's Beach. The northeast end of the beach, where the Cliff Walk ends, is open to the public, but Bailey’s Beach itself is private, welcoming only a very exclusive club.... reminiscent of Mrs. Astor’s “400” list. Perhaps the Gilded Age lives on in Newport!
23
Gooseberry Beach
5 minutes
As we meander along this scenic path, we'll enjoy the fresh ocean air and relative calm. As we drive, we'll dive into the history of seafaring, trading, and yachting in Newport -- much of which finds its roots in the Gilded Age. As we continue, we can choose to pause at some of the public beaches to stretch our legs.
24
Brenton Point State Park
5 minutes
Our journey continues past Brenton Point State Park, which boasts magnificent ocean views and sprawling green lawns. We'll try to spot the lighthouse as we continue forward.
25
Castle Hill Inn
10 minutes
We'll continue past Castle Hill Inn and it's a lighthouse, learning a bit more about Newport's history after the Gilded Age.
26
OceanCliff Hotel
5 minutes
Next up, we'll pass OceanCliff and the Newport Country Club. We're now at the farthest point along the Ocean Drive.
27
Hammersmith Farm
5 minutes
Our journey brings us to Hammersmith Farm, the childhood home of Jackie Kennedy. Jackie and JFK would later return to summer here, enjoying the same scenery, views, and breeze that you feel today!
28
Fort Adams State Park
5 minutes
We'll continue both our history lesson and journey into Fort Adams, as we explore this historic site and it's significance to Newport's independence.
29
Beacon Rock
5 minutes
As we turn the corner on Ocean Drive, we'll gatch a glimpse of Beacon Rock through the trees. We'll learn a little about this mansion's history as we admire it's facade.
30
Bonniecrest
5 minutes
Our journey then brings us to BonnieCrest, home of the Worcestershire Sauce family! We'll then push forward to Harbor Court and finally, get some more scenic ocean views.
31
Ida Lewis Rock
5 minutes
Off the in the distance, we'll see Ida Lewis Rock. As we pass by, we'll learn all about Ida Lewis' heroic activities here.
32
Rochambeau Statue and Monument
15 minutes
We'll continue past the historic Rochambeau Monument, celebrating the French commander's assistance in the fight against the British for American independence.
33
Spencer Park
5 minutes
Our journey then brings us to Newport's Irish District or 5th Ward. Here we'll explore the lives behind the scenes -- those of the workers that made the Gilded Age possible.
34
Newport Public Library
5 minutes
Our tour through Newport finally ends at historic St. Mary's Church, almost a full circle to where we started out at the Newport Visitor Center!
35
Easton's Beach
5 minutes
Embark on this scenic walk at the Cliff Walk entrance by Easton's Beach. We'll learn a little about Easton's Beach as we set off on this journey, followed immediately by a short look at the Chanler. As we continue along, we'll dive into Newport's history, the effect of the Gilded Age, and the Cliff Walk's creation. We'll also learn a little about the "old-money" families, like the Vanderbilts and Astors, whose grand summer cottages line the Cliff Walk.
36
Forty Steps
10 minutes
Our first major stop comes at the iconic Forty Steps. This is an alternative starting point for the tour and a wonderful opportunity to walk down these historic steps and appreciate the wild beauty of the crashing waves in front. We'll learn about the Gilded Age elites who tried to keep access to the Cliff Walk for themselves by building a wall -- and about the lower-class residents who tore those walls down! Thanks to their battles, this beautiful pathway has remained open to the public.
37
Lands End
10 minutes
As we near the end of the Cliff Walk, we'll see one final mansion: Land's End. This was the home of Edith Wharton, the gifted author who abhorred being a Gilded Age elite. We'll learn all about Wharton and her works as we continue.
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