Explore
Log in

Scenic Newport, RI Self-Driving Audio Tour

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.

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.
City: Newport
Fri 25 Apr
i
You can choose the date already on the booking website
Starting at $16.99
Fri 25 Apr
Starting at $16.99
Make a reservation
What's Included
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!
Additional Info
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO 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
  • Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
What To Expect
1
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. Note: The 12-mile tour covers the essentials of scenic Newport, Rhode Island in 1-2 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
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
The Elms
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!
4
Bellevue Avenue
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.
5
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 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!
6
Chateau-sur-Mer
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.
7
National Museum of American Illustration
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.
8
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!
9
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.
Show 6 more stops
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Traveler Photos
Reviews (293)
Diana P
Aug 2020
This was beyond well done. Our first day in Newport was rainy and cold so we got this tour. It was a great way to see the town. Highly recommend
Response from Host
Aug 2020
Thanks a lot for the review. Glad you enjoyed it.
Carlos_V
Aug 2020
It was a great experience, and spectacular views. However we started near 3 pm and we didn’t have access to see the marble house. We stopped at The Breakers, it was amazing!
Response from Host
Aug 2020
Thanks for the review. The view of the Breakers and the sea is indeed amazing. Check out our other tours too.
kellygal
Aug 2020
It was really nice learning about historical sites in Newport all while driving at our own pace. Provided information just as a tour guide would with extra info if you chose to learn more. I downloaded this app the day I wanted to use it along with the walking tour and had difficulty getting both of them to accept my passwords. I contacted them via chat and they responded quickly and fixed the problem and then called(I didn’t answer-wasn’t sure who it was)- and left a number to personally contact them if it didn’t work. They fixed the problem in less than 20 minutes. Highly recommend.
Response from Host
Aug 2020
Thanks a lot for the review. Glad you liked our tour and service. Have a great day.

Related events

Events in the same area

Is your language English
If not, please select your preferred language from the list below.
English
English
Are you in New York City
If not, please select your city so we can show you local tours and experiences!
New York City
New York City