Ultimate Newport Self-Guided Bundle Tour in Newport booking from $14.99

Ultimate Newport Self-Guided Bundle Tour

Overview

Visit historic, coastal Newport at your own pace during this attraction-packed, self-guided tour. Follow a carefully chosen itinerary and live GPS map, with stops at celebrated mansions like the Bellevue House, the chateau-inspired Elms, and the iconic Vanderbilt home, the Breakers, plus natural sights like Easton’s Beach and Fort Adams State Park.

• A self-guided tour of Newport’s top historic and natural attractions
• Ideal for groups: purchase only one tour per car, and everyone can listen in
• The tour is available from the moment you book, with no expiration date
• Take as long or as little as you’d like in each location, with plenty of enriching audio

City: Newport

Sun 22 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $14.99

Make a reservation

Sun 22 Dec

Starting at $14.99

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.

Private tour in your/rental car: No group. Take breaks for photos/ snacks/hikes. Go at your own pace

Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated hidden stories, video, text

Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Travel over multiple days or on next trip. Never expires.

Good value: Buy just one per car. Don’t pay for each person. Save money compared to a bus tour.

App on your phone: A link to download the Action Guide app. Password for your tours. Preview at home

Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat or Email.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it works: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions. Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. To begin touring, go to the Starting Point and launch the app. The audio starts automatically. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience. Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Good value: Purchase only one tour for the entire vehicle instead of taking the bus and paying for each person. You will see a significant saving. Connect your phone to car speakers by a wire or bluetooth. Enjoy the tour by listening together as you drive.
Flexible Schedule: Once the app/tour is on your phone, you can use it any day and at any time. You can use it over multiple days. And, also use it on your next trip here. This tour never expires.
Preview the tour: You can use it before the trip at home (highly recommended), use it during the trip, and use it after you come back.
Don't miss a thing: You will get everything with the app - a complete itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated audio stories, story script, images, videos, deep dives, hidden gems, exciting locations, recommendations for hikes, adventure, activities, treks, and stop-by-stop direction.
Private tour: You can use it in your car or rental car. No worries about groups or crowds. Start the tour app on your phone. And it will direct you step by step. You can stop for as many breaks as you like. Take a break for Instagram photos, and take a break for lunch/snacks. Go on a hike. The tour will wait for you and start when you start again. You can even do the tour over multiple days. Go at your own pace.
Easy to use: The stories play themselves as soon as the GPS is activated. It requires no use of your hands at all. You can get HELP by calling, chatting, or emailing any time of the day.
Offline: There is no need for a cell signal or Wi-Fi while touring. App’s GPS map works offline.
Expiration/go again: The tour will last for the rest of your life on your phone. It is available for use on any day of your next trip.
Use pictures for a photo book: Create a photo book using clean (no crowd) app images of each spot to make a memorable trip. All the photos and the correct sequence is ready in the app for you to use.
Social media: Share clean (no crowd) images with friends/family.
Devices supported include iPhones with iOS 13 & above, Android phones with version 9 & above and all cellular-enabled tablets & iPads.
Face masks required for travellers in public areas

What To Expect

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.

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.

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!

Chepstow

As we journey along, we'll pass Chepstow, a gorgeous Italianate house museum built-in 1860. Its 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 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!

The Breakers

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 majestic and marvelous 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

As we head back towards Bellevue Avenue, we'll pause to check out the delicate beauty of Chateau-sur-Mer. Not only is the first Gilded Age mansion in Newport, but 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

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.

Rosecliff

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.

Marble House

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 Museum

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 the eccentric (and possibly dangerous) owner.

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

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.

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.

Easton's Beach

Embark on this scenic walk at the Cliff Walk entrance by Easton's Beach. We'll learn a little about Easton's Beach as we set off on this journey, followed immediately by a short look at the Chanler. As we continue along, we'll dive into Newport's history, the effect of the Gilded Age, and the Cliff Walk's creation. We'll also learn a little about the "old-money" families, like the Vanderbilts and Astors, whose grand summer cottages line the Cliff Walk.

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Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (11)

Lisa M

Oct 2022

Not easy to operate. Too many pages to flip to find directions on how to operate. Very frustrating while visiting an unfamiliar city.

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Hi Lisa, I'd like to hear more about your experience and how I could improve the instructions since the downloading process is the same. I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US. Hopefully, you'll get to try them out next time! Also, to remind you, you own the tour you bought for life. So you can listen to it at home or the next time you come.

ChicagoTravelbunny

Sep 2022

The Newport Tour bundle (community and cliff walk tour) was my first experience with a self-guided tour. I will definitely explore this kind of resource on my next trip, anywhere. I enjoyed the flexibility and independence of having my guide in my phone (via recordes commentary) vs being bound to a group (especially during these public health crisis times). You will need to ensure that your phone battery is optimized and carry an external power bank as well. Also, it was a challenge to toggle between the gps, the commentary and possibly use the phone so be prepared. It's worth mentioning that the commentary auto-starts as you pass a location on the map so, when driving, use your flashers (and let other cars go around you) when you want to drive slower on the road. I will mention that solo female walkers, for the Cliffwalk, should be mindful that there are multiple isolated areas along the walk. I felt better knowing that others were in the area in case I had a situation. I wonder if a crisis button or whistle could be a future option. Lastly, when parking at the start of the cliff walk, consider the street parking options ($2/hr x 3 hours) vs $25 parking just yards away at the actual beach front Or plan to stay longer at the beach to get the value out of the parking expense. All in all, I really enjoyed the experience and recommend it.

Response from Host

Sep 2022

Thanks so much for your feedback and essential tips for future travelers! I'm thrilled that my tour of Newport added to your learning and that you enjoyed it. I'm delighted you loved the flexibility and convenience of my self-guided tour and that it added so much value to your visit to Newport. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to improve the tour and earn that extra star! In addition, I also have 100 other self-guided tours for other parks, scenic drives, cities, and historic sites in the US — hopefully, you’ll get the chance to try them next time! Also, just to remind you, the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit.

Jessica_H

Aug 2022

Worst experience ever. The routes and map need to sync with phone GPS so the user can start where you are. The driving tour gave you directions to turn after you past the road so be prepared for turning around multiple times.

Response from Host

Aug 2022

Thanks so much for your feedback and suggestions Jessica! I'm so sorry for your experience! Unfortunately, it cannot be GPS-based because we also feed the information in the tour other than the map service, so you can only begin the tour from the starting point specified. Once you have fully downloaded the tour, it will work completely offline. In response to your concern about the turns, my team checked the tour and found that there are no turn instructions after you pass the road; this appears to be due to the slow GPS syncing, which is triggering the audio after you pass the turn. In addition, I have 100 other tours in the US. I hope to see you on one of my other self-guided tours in the future. Also, just to remind you that the tour you bought is yours for a lifetime. So, you can listen to it at home or on your next visit also.

Ultimate Newport Self-Guided Bundle Tour

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