Newport, RI: Scenic Self-Guided Driving Tour
4.3
252 Ratings
Newport
Embark on a scenic self-guided driving tour of Newport, RI. Explore the stunning Gilded Age Mansions and breathtaking Ocean Drive at your own pace. Book now!
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Newport Visitors Information Center - 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.
What's Included
  • GPS-enabled storytelling for a hands-free touring experience.
  • Comprehensive tour with full itinerary, hidden gems, and professional narration.
  • Offline access to GPS map and routes, ensuring connectivity is never an issue.
  • A flexible and private tour experience using your own vehicle.
  • Easy access to the tour guide app with a simple download, including password access.
  • Tour at your convenience with a flexible schedule and no expiration date.
  • Exceptional value for money, with a single purchase covering everyone in the car.
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Suggestion: Buy a single tour for each vehicle, instead of per individual. All can enjoy the tour together!

Embark on a picturesque self-led driving journey through Newport, RI! Experience all that this coastal city has to offer at your leisure. Traverse the Bellevue Avenue, proclaimed as the ‘most beautiful avenue in the world’, while you admire and discover the stunning Gilded Age Mansions en route - including renowned establishments like The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Château-sur-mer and more. Continue your journey on Ocean Drive, offering magnificent views. This self-led tour lets you explore at your convenience, offering great flexibility and value.

After you’ve made your booking, refer to your email before downloading the Action Tour Guide App, then enter your exclusive password to gain access to your tour. The aforementioned steps necessitate good internet/wifi connectivity. Simply heed the audio directives and follow the route.

This does not include an entry ticket. Verify the operation hours before your visit.

Never Expires - Your tour comes with unlimited validity!

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and an instructions email. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular
  • How to start the tour: Once onsite, open the Action’s Tour Guide App: • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If there are multiple tour versions, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing savings: • Driving Tours: Save money by purchasing a single tour for the entire vehicle, avoiding individual fees per person like on a bus tour. Connect your phone to the car speakers to share the audio.
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
23 America's Cup Ave
America's Cup Avenue
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.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(252 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
J8084xsmarkm
Apr 29, 2024
Newport mansions - The stories and descriptions of the homes were excellent. It's unbelievable what the business magnates of the guided age would spend just to outdo the neighbors.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Everr2379
Apr 24, 2024
A tour at your own pace. - By using this app, we were able to personalize our tour by going where we wanted, at our own pace, and in the privacy of our own vehicle. The history narration was entertaining and informative. This was an overall pleasant experience that I highly recommend, especially to those of us who don’t enjoy crowds. My only negative about this app is that I didn’t find it sooner. This would have been perfect on my last trip to CA.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Agspas
Apr 4, 2024
Audio tour of Newport - We enjoyed the audio tour. It was an excellent way of educating ourselves and learning about the history and area. The audio quality was great and the map interactivity worked well once we figured out the GPS interactivity with the Car Play . A bit quirky at first. Important to go to the first location to start the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrystèle
Apr 1, 2024
Good quality tour - The narrator was pleasant, the stories interesting and the fact that we could go at our own pace was great! Not sure I understand why the cost is per person and not per car though…
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcy_m
Mar 16, 2024
Brilliant idea!! - What a brilliant idea. We did the tour as fast or slow as we chose. Will definitely use this app again.
Review provided by Viator
Annie_r
Feb 26, 2024
Worth it! - Great way to dive into a new city. This tour took me all over the town, along the ocean, and more. A great way to see it all in a few hours. There are some places where the timing isnt great. I had to pull over to finish the story because it was getting to the next stop too quickly. But all and all it was very helpful and informative.
Review provided by Viator
Joan_g
Apr 26, 2024
Awesome narrated experience - The app is excellent & it really accommodates when you stop like at cliff walk & Ft Adams it reads your location no matter where you pull over it takes back up where you are. We began by downloading wrong app & messaged online help & got an immediate phone call & were walked through the steps. Highly recommend this app as a family friendly inexpensive & narrated experience.
Review provided by Viator
Pamela_b
Apr 12, 2024
Informative - The Newport Coastline and Mansions were amazing. Would have been better if we could follow the map on my auto screen, on CarPlay. We would do it again.
Review provided by Viator
Audreym761
Mar 27, 2024
Great starter tour for exploring a new place - This was our first time trying a self guided tour. It really covered a lot of area in Newport, RI. There was a good mix of short explanations of spots and then longer ones when we were able to park for a bit. This is a great starter for getting to know a new place but also covers so much in a limited time span. We loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colleen_h
Feb 25, 2024
Narration is worth the 15 dollars. - I found it difficult to figure out where I was and how the map related to where I was. I was using google maps to find my way to your points of reference. The part of the tour that we did in-line were fine, but as soon as we went off the tour it became difficult to get back on.
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 4 guests
1
Traveler
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today