• Newport Visitors Information Center - The adventure begins in downtown Newport, right by the Newport Visitor Center. As the journey unfolds into the heart of Newport, participants will delve into the past, exploring Newport’s golden era: the Gilded Age. This period, characterized by the opulent lifestyles of American elites like the Vanderbilts and Astors, is marked by stunning mansions. The tour will explore the architecture and architects behind these designs as it progresses.

Note: Each tour spans over 10 miles, includes more than 30 audio stories, and takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete.

Purchase once and enjoy for a year! Perfect for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

• International Tennis Hall of Fame - At the intersection of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the tour turns onto the renowned Bellevue Avenue, the most expensive avenue in America. Participants will witness the most magnificent homes ever built in the country, humorously referred to as “summer cottages.” There is an option to pause here to explore the Hall of Fame, which showcases tennis legends.
• Audrain Auto Museum - As the tour continues down Bellevue, the Audrain Auto Museum will come into view, captivating with its beautiful architecture and a rotating display of stunning cars.
• Edward King House - A brief detour off Bellevue allows for a closer look at the Edward King House, just a block away. This serves as an introduction to Newport’s mansions.
• Kingscote - Returning to Bellevue, the first Newport Mansion, Kingscote, will be visible. Participants will learn about this summer home and its inhabitants over the years, with an option to tour the interior.
• The Bellevue House - Next on the journey is Bellevue House, a mansion with a rich facade and a long history. Since it is not open for tours, the tour will not pause here.
• Isaac Bell House - Continuing down Bellevue Avenue, more eye-catching homes like Isaac Bell House and Snug Harbor will be passed. Participants will learn about the unique owners of both homes, with an option to stop at Isaac Bell House for an interior tour.
• The Elms - Finally, The Elms will be seen. This masterpiece, designed for coal baron Edward Julius Berwind and inspired by France’s Château d’Asnières, invites participants to slow down to hear about the Berwinds, with an option to tour the interior.
• 424 Bellevue Ave - Upon spotting Mr. Belmont’s statue, the tour turns off Bellevue, heading towards some of Newport’s largest and finest mansions, technically not even on this famously expensive avenue. Participants will learn about Belmont, whose fascinating story will be revisited later in the tour.
• Chepstow - As the journey continues, Chepstow, a beautiful Italianate house museum built in 1860, will be passed. Its original inhabitant, often overlooked in Newport histories, has connections to early American settlers and the nouveau-riche of the Gilded Age. A tour is available here.
• Ochre Court - Ochre Court will immediately capture attention! This châteauesque mansion cost $4.5 million in 1892, and it shows. Now the centerpiece of Salve Regina University, it is not open for tours, but its rich and fascinating history will be explored.
• McAuley Hall - Vikings-inspired Vinland is now Salve Regina’s McAuley Hall. As this beautiful red-stone mansion is passed, its inspiration and unique owner will be discussed.
• The Breakers - The highlight of Newport, The Breakers, is reached. This Vanderbilt mansion is the largest and most impressive of all Newport’s summer cottages. Participants will look past the towering wrought-iron gates, along the winding gravel drive, to the majestic mansion’s facade. The Vanderbilt backstory, architectural wonders, and more will be explored, with an option for a tour.
• Chateau-sur-Mer - Heading back towards Bellevue Avenue, the delicate beauty of Chateau-sur-Mer will be admired. As the first Gilded Age mansion in Newport, it boasts one of the most beautiful, green, sprawling gardens. Both the house and gardens are open for an optional tour.
• National Museum of American Illustration - At the corner of Bellevue, a pause will be made for a glimpse of Vernon Court. This mansion houses a different type of treasure: the National Museum of American Illustrations. Norman Rockwell fans will not want to miss this hidden gem.
• Frederick Law Olmsted Park - The journey continues along Newport’s Bellevue Avenue, passing the historic Frederick Law Olmsted Park and learning about this historic landscape architect and his Gilded Age gardens.
• Rosecliff - Rosecliff is next on the path. Arguably the most beautiful of the Newport Mansions, it contains a rotating exhibition gallery on its top floor. A tour here offers phenomenal ocean views.
• Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty - Continuing on, the Astors’ summer cottage, Beechwood, will be passed. Mrs. Astor famously had a “300 List” of the 300 people she considered high society. The ballroom, which fit 300 guests, inspired this number. More about this list, the Astors, and the Gilded Age will be learned as the tour continues down Bellevue Avenue.
• Marble House - The journey now passes Marble House, one of the most opulent and magnificent of Newport’s Mansions. This Gilded Age marvel, another Vanderbilt home, has one of the most interesting histories of all the mansions. Participants will learn about Marble House and its owners, with an option for a tour.
• Belcourt of Newport - Three amazing homes in a row will be passed: Beaulieu House, Miramar, and Belcourt Castle. All three beautiful mansions, built in the 1800s, belonged to Gilded Age elites. Like other Newport mansions, they were intended only as summer homes, left vacant for the rest of the year.
• Rough Point Museum - At the end of Bellevue Avenue, an English Manorial style home, Rough Point, will be glimpsed through the trees. Now a museum open for tours, its eccentric (and possibly dangerous) owner will be discussed.
• Bailey’s Beach - The tour along the beautiful Cliff Walk ends near another beach: Bailey’s Beach. The northeast end, 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!
• Gooseberry Beach - As the scenic path is followed, the fresh ocean air and relative calm will be enjoyed. The history of seafaring, trading, and yachting in Newport, much of which has roots in the Gilded Age, will be explored. Participants can choose to pause at some public beaches to stretch their legs.
• Brenton Point State Park - The journey continues past Brenton Point State Park, offering magnificent ocean views and sprawling green lawns. The lighthouse will be spotted as the tour moves forward.
• Castle Hill Inn - Passing Castle Hill Inn and its lighthouse, more about Newport’s history after the Gilded Age will be learned.
• OceanCliff Hotel - Next, OceanCliff and the Newport Country Club will be passed. This marks the farthest point along the Ocean Drive.
• Hammersmith Farm - The journey brings participants 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 felt today.
• Fort Adams State Park - The history lesson and journey continue into Fort Adams, exploring this historic site’s significance to Newport’s independence.
• Fort Adams State Park - As the corner on Ocean Drive is turned, Beacon Rock will be glimpsed through the trees. A little about this mansion’s history will be learned as its facade is admired.
• Bonniecrest - The journey then brings participants to BonnieCrest, home of the Worcestershire Sauce family. The tour will then proceed to Harbor Court, offering more scenic ocean views.
• Ida Lewis Rock - In the distance, Ida Lewis Rock will be seen. As it is passed, Ida Lewis’ heroic activities here will be discussed.
• Rochambeau Statue and Monument - The tour continues past the historic Rochambeau Monument, celebrating the French commander’s assistance in the fight against the British for American independence.
• Spencer Park - The journey then brings participants to Newport’s Irish District or 5th Ward, exploring the lives behind the scenes, those of the workers who made the Gilded Age possible.
• Newport Public Library - The tour through Newport finally concludes at historic St. Mary’s Church, almost completing a full circle back to the Newport Visitor Center!
• Easton’s Beach - Embark on this scenic walk at the Cliff Walk entrance by Easton’s Beach. A little about Easton’s Beach will be learned as the journey begins, followed by a short look at the Chanler. As the tour continues, Newport’s history, the impact of the Gilded Age, and the creation of the Cliff Walk will be explored. The “old-money” families, like the Vanderbilts and Astors, whose grand summer cottages line the Cliff Walk, will also be discussed.
• Forty Steps - The first major stop is the iconic Forty Steps. This alternative starting point for the tour offers a wonderful opportunity to walk down these historic steps and appreciate the wild beauty of the crashing waves. The Gilded Age elites who tried to keep access to the Cliff Walk for themselves by building a wall, and the lower-class residents who tore those walls down, will be discussed. Thanks to their battles, this beautiful pathway remains open to the public.
• Lands End - Nearing the end of the Cliff Walk, one final mansion, Land’s End, will be seen. This was the home of Edith Wharton, the gifted author who disliked being a Gilded Age elite. Participants will learn about Wharton and her works as the tour continues.

• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

Explore the historic and scenic Newport at your leisure with this self-guided tour filled with attractions. Follow a thoughtfully curated itinerary and live GPS map, featuring stops at renowned mansions such as the Bellevue House, the chateau-inspired Elms, and the iconic Vanderbilt residence, the Breakers, along with natural landmarks like Easton’s Beach and Fort Adams State Park.

• Enjoy a self-guided tour of Newport’s premier historic and natural sites
• Perfect for groups: purchase just one tour per vehicle, allowing everyone to listen
• Spend as much or as little time as you wish at each site, with engaging audio commentary

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require a reliable internet/Wi-Fi connection. Then, simply follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, lifetime access with no expiration. Use it anytime, on any trip, as often as you like.

Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Verify opening hours before your visit.

• How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
• How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
• Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
• Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
• Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car’s stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.
• The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
• New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

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