A classical building with a central statue, large windows, and symmetrical architecture. 1

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Scenic Newport, RI Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

By Guide With Action

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Features

Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation

Overview

Recommended: Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!

Explore Newport, RI with a scenic self-guided driving tour! See everything this seaside town has to offer at your own pace. As you drive down Bellevue Avenue, the “most beautiful avenue in the world”, see and learn about the gorgeous Gilded Age Mansions along the way - including The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Château-sur-mer & more. Continue along Ocean Drive, featuring breathtaking vistas. This self-guided tour allows you to explore with maximum flexibility and value.

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 good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Activity location

Newport Visitors Information Center
- 21 Long Wharf Mall
- 02840-2906, Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

23 America's Cup Ave
- 23 America's Cup Avenue
- 02840, Newport, Rhode Island, United States

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Dates

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What's included, what's not

Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
Self-guided audio tour through our easy-to-use mobile app.
Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Self-guided tour — no live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car hire are separate.

Know before you book

Public transport options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travel Tip: We recommend starting this Newport driving tour in the morning if you’d like time to visit the mansions along the route. Mansion hours can be limited and may vary by day or season, especially on Sundays. Mansion admission/tickets are separate from the audio tour, so please check the latest opening hours before your visit.
Many museums, including The Elms, The Breakers, Rosecliff, Marble House, and Chateau-sur-Mer, require a valid ticket or membership to access the properties, including their car parks. Please purchase tickets in advance.
Note: This driving tour begins at the Discover Newport Visitor Centre, which is located at 23 America's Cup Ave, Newport, RI 02840. (Note that the centre has NOT reopened since the pandemic.)
Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterwards.
Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.

Activity itinerary

Newport Visitors Information Center

Our journey begins in city centre Newport, just by the Newport Visitor Centre. 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: The tour is over 11+ miles long, with more than 45+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

International Tennis Hall of Fame (Pass by)

At the International Tennis Hall of Fame crossroads, 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.

Audrain Auto Museum (Pass by)

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.

Edward King House Senior Center (Pass by)

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.

Kingscote (Pass by)

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.

The Bellevue House (Pass by)

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.

Isaac Bell House (Pass by)

As we continue down Bellevue Avenue, we'll pass more eye-catching homes: Issac Bell House and Snug Harbour. We'll learn about the unique owners of both homes, and can choose to stop at Issac Bell House for an interior tour.

The Elms (Pass by)

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!

Bellevue Avenue (Pass by)

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 storey we'll pick back up when we see another grand house later on the tour.

Chepstow (Pass by)

As we journey along, we'll pass Chepstow, a gorgeous Italianate house museum built in 1860. It's 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.

Ochre Court

Ochre Court will immediately arrest our eyes! This châteauesque mansion cost of $4.5 million... in 1892. And it certainly shows! Now the centrepiece 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!

McAuley Hall

Vikings-inspired Vinland is now Salve Regina's McAuley Hall. As we pass this beautiful red-stone mansion, we'll learn all about its inspiration and its unique owner.

The Breakers (Pass by)

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 magestic and marvellous 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.

Chateau-sur-Mer (Pass by)

As we head back towards Bellevue Avenue, we'll pause to check out the delicate beautfy of Chateau-sur-Mer. Not only is the first Gilded Age mansion in Newport, it also boasts one of the most beautiful, green, sprawling gardens. Both the house and the gardens are open for an optional tour.

National Museum of American Illustration (Pass by)

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.

Frederick Law Olmsted Park

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.

Rosecliff (Pass by)

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.

Gustave White Sotheby's International Realty

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.

Marble House (Pass by)

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.

Belcourt of Newport

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.

Rough Point (Pass by)

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 eccentric (and possibly dangerous) owner.

Bailey’s Beach

We'll exit beautiful Bellevue Avenue for another beautiful road: Ocean Drive. This part of the scenic drive is full of natural wonders.... and has a few more architectural ones thrown in too!

Gooseberry Beach

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.

Brenton Point State Park (Pass by)

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.

Castle Hill Inn

We'll continue past Castle Hill Inn and it's lighthouse, learning a bit more about Newport's history after the Gilded Age.

OceanCliff Hotel

Next up, we'll pass OceanCliff and the Newport Country Club. We're now at the farthest point along the Ocean Drive.

Hammersmith Farm

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!

Fort Adams State Park

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.

Fort Adams State Park

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.

Bonniecrest

Our journey then brings us to BonnieCrest, home of the Worceshtershire Sauce family! We'll then push forward to Harbour Court, and finally get some more scenic ocean views.

Ida Lewis Rock

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.

Rochambeau Statue and Monument

We'll continue past the historic Rochambeau Monument, celebrating the French commander's assistance in the fight against the British for American independence.

26 W Narragansett Ave

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.

Newport Public Library (Pass by)

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 Centre!

Location

Activity location

Newport Visitors Information Center
- 21 Long Wharf Mall
- 02840-2906, Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

23 America's Cup Ave
- 23 America's Cup Avenue
- 02840, Newport, Rhode Island, United States

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