Newport, RI Self-Guided Scenic Driving Audio Tour
by Guide With Action
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$16.99Overview
This self-guided driving audio tour covers more than 11 miles through Newport, Rhode Island, focusing on the Gilded Age mansions and coastal views. The tour starts downtown near the Newport Visitors Information Center, where the audio guide introduces the era of wealthy American elites like the Vanderbilts and Astors and explains the architecture of their summer homes. Following the route along Bellevue Avenue, the tour passes notable mansions including The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Château-sur-Mer, and others. The audio offers detailed histories of these estates, their owners, and the architects behind them. Stops at landmarks like the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Audrain Auto Museum, and several mansion interiors are optional and require separate entrance fees. The route continues along Ocean Drive, a scenic coastal road with ocean views, historic sites such as Fort Adams State Park, and mansions like Hammersmith Farm, Jackie Kennedy's childhood home. The audio guide explains Newport's seafaring and social history while allowing listeners to pause and explore public beaches or landmarks at their own pace. The tour is designed to last about 2 to 3 hours and is accessed via a downloadable app that plays audio stories automatically based on the vehicle's location. It includes offline maps and works without cellular or Wi-Fi after download. One purchase covers all passengers in a car. Since this is an audio guide only, it does not include admission to any attractions, and opening hours should be checked separately before visiting any mansion or museum.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Newport Visitors Information Center
The tour begins downtown near the Newport Visitor Center. The audio introduces Newport's Gilded Age history and its grand mansions built by wealthy families like the Vanderbilts and Astors. This start point includes over 45 audio stories along an 11+ mile route, designed to take about 2 to 3 hours to complete. The tour has lifetime access with no expiry.
5 min
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Arriving at the intersection with the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the route turns onto Bellevue Avenue. This street is known as the most expensive avenue in America and is lined with large summer homes, often called "cottages." Visitors may choose to pause here to visit the Hall of Fame, which honors tennis players.
Audrain Auto Museum
Driving down Bellevue Avenue, the tour passes the Audrain Auto Museum, known for its attractive architecture and a regularly changing car collection.
Edward King House
A short detour from Bellevue Avenue leads to the Edward King House, serving as an introduction to Newport’s mansions.
Kingscote Mansion
Returning to Bellevue Avenue, the first mansion seen is Kingscote, with information about its history and residents. Visitors may choose to tour the interior.
Bellevue House
Next is Bellevue House, noted for its detailed facade and long history. Since it is closed to tours, this stop is a drive-by only.
Isaac Bell House and Snug Harbor
Continuing on Bellevue Avenue, the tour passes Isaac Bell House and Snug Harbor. The audio explains their distinctive owners, and visitors can opt for a tour inside Isaac Bell House.
The Elms
The Elms mansion, inspired by France's Château d'Asnières and built for coal baron Edward Julius Berwind, appears next. The audio encourages slowing down here and suggests an optional tour.
Bellevue Avenue
At the statue of Mr. Belmont, the route leaves Bellevue Avenue to approach several large mansions technically off the avenue. The audio shares Belmont’s story, which connects to other grand homes on the tour.
Chepstow House Museum
The route passes Chepstow, an Italianate house museum built in 1860 with ties to early American settlers and Gilded Age elites. Visitors may stop here for a tour.
Ochre Court
Ochre Court is a châteauesque mansion completed in 1892 at a cost of $4.5 million. Now part of Salve Regina University, it is not open for tours but its history is covered in the audio.
5 min
Vinland (McAuley Hall)
Passing Vinland, a red-stone mansion inspired by Viking design and now McAuley Hall at Salve Regina University, the audio covers its inspiration and unique owner.
5 min
The Breakers Mansion
The Breakers, Newport’s largest Vanderbilt mansion, appears near the end of Bellevue Avenue. The audio discusses its architecture and the Vanderbilt family history. Visitors can stop for a tour.
Chateau-sur-Mer
Heading back toward Bellevue Avenue, the tour pauses at Chateau-sur-Mer, Newport’s first Gilded Age mansion, known for its extensive gardens. Both house and gardens offer optional tours.
National Museum of American Illustration
At the corner of Bellevue Avenue, Vernon Court is home to the National Museum of American Illustration, noted for its collection including Norman Rockwell works.
Olmstead Park
Continuing along Bellevue Avenue, the tour passes Frederick Law Olmstead Park. The audio describes Olmstead’s role as a landscape architect and his Gilded Age gardens.
5 min
Rosecliff Mansion
Rosecliff is next, featuring a rotating exhibition gallery on its top floor and ocean views. Visitors may pause here for a tour.
Beechwood Mansion
The route passes Beechwood, the Astors’ summer home. The audio explains Mrs. Astor’s "300 List" of high society, which originated from the ballroom’s capacity for 300 guests.
5 min
Marble House
Marble House, another Vanderbilt mansion known for its opulence and history, is next along the route. Optional interior tours are available.
Beaulieu, Miramar, Belcourt
The tour passes three mansions in a row: Beaulieu House, Miramar, and Belcourt Castle. Built in the 1800s, these served as summer homes for wealthy families.
5 min
Rough Point Mansion
At the end of Bellevue Avenue, Rough Point is visible through the trees. Now a museum, the audio shares the story of its eccentric owner.
Ocean Drive
Leaving Bellevue Avenue, the route continues along Ocean Drive, a coastal road featuring natural scenery and some architectural landmarks.
5 min
Ocean Drive Maritime History
Along Ocean Drive, the audio discusses Newport’s maritime history including seafaring, trading, and yachting, with options to stop at public beaches.
5 min
Brenton Point State Park
Passing Brenton Point State Park, the route offers ocean views and green lawns. The audio mentions a nearby lighthouse.
Castle Hill Inn and Lighthouse
The drive continues past Castle Hill Inn and its lighthouse, with additional historical commentary on Newport after the Gilded Age.
5 min
+ 9 more places this tour can include
Meeting point
Start at 23 America’s Cup Ave, with Cardines baseball field on your left and the Visitor Center parking lot on your right. This is a suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with nearby businesses, so staff won’t have tour info. Audio starts automatically—check your email/text for setup.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Newport, RI Self-Guided Scenic Driving Audio Tour
by Guide With Action
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$16.99Overview
This self-guided driving audio tour covers more than 11 miles through Newport, Rhode Island, focusing on the Gilded Age mansions and coastal views. The tour starts downtown near the Newport Visitors Information Center, where the audio guide introduces the era of wealthy American elites like the Vanderbilts and Astors and explains the architecture of their summer homes. Following the route along Bellevue Avenue, the tour passes notable mansions including The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Château-sur-Mer, and others. The audio offers detailed histories of these estates, their owners, and the architects behind them. Stops at landmarks like the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Audrain Auto Museum, and several mansion interiors are optional and require separate entrance fees. The route continues along Ocean Drive, a scenic coastal road with ocean views, historic sites such as Fort Adams State Park, and mansions like Hammersmith Farm, Jackie Kennedy's childhood home. The audio guide explains Newport's seafaring and social history while allowing listeners to pause and explore public beaches or landmarks at their own pace. The tour is designed to last about 2 to 3 hours and is accessed via a downloadable app that plays audio stories automatically based on the vehicle's location. It includes offline maps and works without cellular or Wi-Fi after download. One purchase covers all passengers in a car. Since this is an audio guide only, it does not include admission to any attractions, and opening hours should be checked separately before visiting any mansion or museum.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Newport Visitors Information Center
The tour begins downtown near the Newport Visitor Center. The audio introduces Newport's Gilded Age history and its grand mansions built by wealthy families like the Vanderbilts and Astors. This start point includes over 45 audio stories along an 11+ mile route, designed to take about 2 to 3 hours to complete. The tour has lifetime access with no expiry.
5 min
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Arriving at the intersection with the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the route turns onto Bellevue Avenue. This street is known as the most expensive avenue in America and is lined with large summer homes, often called "cottages." Visitors may choose to pause here to visit the Hall of Fame, which honors tennis players.
Audrain Auto Museum
Driving down Bellevue Avenue, the tour passes the Audrain Auto Museum, known for its attractive architecture and a regularly changing car collection.
Edward King House
A short detour from Bellevue Avenue leads to the Edward King House, serving as an introduction to Newport’s mansions.
Kingscote Mansion
Returning to Bellevue Avenue, the first mansion seen is Kingscote, with information about its history and residents. Visitors may choose to tour the interior.
Bellevue House
Next is Bellevue House, noted for its detailed facade and long history. Since it is closed to tours, this stop is a drive-by only.
Isaac Bell House and Snug Harbor
Continuing on Bellevue Avenue, the tour passes Isaac Bell House and Snug Harbor. The audio explains their distinctive owners, and visitors can opt for a tour inside Isaac Bell House.
The Elms
The Elms mansion, inspired by France's Château d'Asnières and built for coal baron Edward Julius Berwind, appears next. The audio encourages slowing down here and suggests an optional tour.
Bellevue Avenue
At the statue of Mr. Belmont, the route leaves Bellevue Avenue to approach several large mansions technically off the avenue. The audio shares Belmont’s story, which connects to other grand homes on the tour.
Chepstow House Museum
The route passes Chepstow, an Italianate house museum built in 1860 with ties to early American settlers and Gilded Age elites. Visitors may stop here for a tour.
Ochre Court
Ochre Court is a châteauesque mansion completed in 1892 at a cost of $4.5 million. Now part of Salve Regina University, it is not open for tours but its history is covered in the audio.
5 min
Vinland (McAuley Hall)
Passing Vinland, a red-stone mansion inspired by Viking design and now McAuley Hall at Salve Regina University, the audio covers its inspiration and unique owner.
5 min
The Breakers Mansion
The Breakers, Newport’s largest Vanderbilt mansion, appears near the end of Bellevue Avenue. The audio discusses its architecture and the Vanderbilt family history. Visitors can stop for a tour.
Chateau-sur-Mer
Heading back toward Bellevue Avenue, the tour pauses at Chateau-sur-Mer, Newport’s first Gilded Age mansion, known for its extensive gardens. Both house and gardens offer optional tours.
National Museum of American Illustration
At the corner of Bellevue Avenue, Vernon Court is home to the National Museum of American Illustration, noted for its collection including Norman Rockwell works.
Olmstead Park
Continuing along Bellevue Avenue, the tour passes Frederick Law Olmstead Park. The audio describes Olmstead’s role as a landscape architect and his Gilded Age gardens.
5 min
Rosecliff Mansion
Rosecliff is next, featuring a rotating exhibition gallery on its top floor and ocean views. Visitors may pause here for a tour.
Beechwood Mansion
The route passes Beechwood, the Astors’ summer home. The audio explains Mrs. Astor’s "300 List" of high society, which originated from the ballroom’s capacity for 300 guests.
5 min
Marble House
Marble House, another Vanderbilt mansion known for its opulence and history, is next along the route. Optional interior tours are available.
Beaulieu, Miramar, Belcourt
The tour passes three mansions in a row: Beaulieu House, Miramar, and Belcourt Castle. Built in the 1800s, these served as summer homes for wealthy families.
5 min
Rough Point Mansion
At the end of Bellevue Avenue, Rough Point is visible through the trees. Now a museum, the audio shares the story of its eccentric owner.
Ocean Drive
Leaving Bellevue Avenue, the route continues along Ocean Drive, a coastal road featuring natural scenery and some architectural landmarks.
5 min
Ocean Drive Maritime History
Along Ocean Drive, the audio discusses Newport’s maritime history including seafaring, trading, and yachting, with options to stop at public beaches.
5 min
Brenton Point State Park
Passing Brenton Point State Park, the route offers ocean views and green lawns. The audio mentions a nearby lighthouse.
Castle Hill Inn and Lighthouse
The drive continues past Castle Hill Inn and its lighthouse, with additional historical commentary on Newport after the Gilded Age.
5 min
+ 9 more places this tour can include
Meeting point
Start at 23 America’s Cup Ave, with Cardines baseball field on your left and the Visitor Center parking lot on your right. This is a suggested starting point. We’re not affiliated with nearby businesses, so staff won’t have tour info. Audio starts automatically—check your email/text for setup.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.