Newport, Rhode Island

Trolley tours

Visit the Newport Mansions and discover the “summer cottages” that provided the ultimate backdrop for "The Gilded Age" - a society centered on sport, fashion, and parties set in spectacular natural surroundings. Learn the history of each mansion and its owners. Start your visit by picking up your mansion tickets at the Welcome Center at The Breakers. For combo tickets, save 23% on two properties or 32% on three and select which properties you would like to visit. Download the free multilingual audioguide app before you arrive to make the most of your self-guided tour or get a paper guide if you do not have a smartphone. Start by visiting The Breakers, the grandest mansion and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn-of-the-century America. Explore the 70 rooms of this Italian Renaissance-style palazzo. Then visit the 13-acres of grounds, along with a Stable and Carriage House (open daily). With 2 or 3 Mansion Tickets, besides The Breakers, you can also choose to visit either: - Marble House, inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles, with over 500,000 cubic feet of marble and a Chinese Tea House in the gardens. (Open Daily except June 21 & 22 2023, and October 30 – November 17, 2023) - The Elms, modeled after the mid-18th century French Chateau d'Asnieres outside Paris. (Open Daily except October 30th – November 17th, 2023) - Rosecliff, modelled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles (Open Daily September 1st – December 31st 2023; except September 21st – 25th 2023,) - Kingscote (1834), a landmark Gothic Revival style mansion, and the first of the “Cottages” (Open May 30th – July 30th 2023 only)

Take in the classic New England scenery aboard the comfortable Coastal Queen on a 75-minute Scenic Bay Cruise from Newport, Rhode Island. Listen as local guides share their knowledge of the historic sites that surround the Newport Harbor and the Jamestown shoreline. See historic church steeples, Bowen’s and Banisters Wharves, lighthouses, forts, mega yachts, mansions, and more on the tour. The Coastal Queen offers maximum comfort and has a weatherproof interior that can be heated on chilly days, a bar, panoramic views, and an open-air top-covered deck where the side curtains can roll up for catching the ocean breezes or rolled down for warmth.

Experience Newport Harbor and Lower Narragansett Bay while sipping a special complimentary drink. See mega yachts, lighthouses, historic church steeples, the Newport Pell Bridge, Rose Island, the Jamestown shoreline, historic forts, and so much more from aboard the Coastal Queen. Enjoy panoramic views from the main salon or from the open-air upper deck. Additional refreshments are available for purchase at the cash-only bar onboard. After the cruise, take a moment to walk around and soak up the vibrancy of this coastal town. Checkout out the shops and amazing restaurants in downtown Newport.

Hop aboard an old-fashioned trolley and explore Newport, Rhode Island during this 90 minutes scenic tour. Begin your day meeting at the Visitor Center of Newport where you will be greeted by your tour guide. Begin your adventure as you set off into Newport to enjoy the charm of the historic downtown area and restored homes to glorious mansions on the water. Take in the rugged beauty of Ten-Mile Ocean Drive and the fabulous mansions along tree-lined Bellevue Avenue. Enjoy viewing homes and architecture from the Modern Age to the Gilded Age. During this narrated tour you will view over 150 points of interest including Historic Thames Street, The Newport Waterfront, The Breakers, Marble House, and Rosecliff.  Upgrade your ticket and visit the historic Breakers Mansion located on the elaborate estate of Cornelius Vanderbilt. The Breakers is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. Take in the lavish decor and waterfront views as you tour the property grounds. The additional mansion tour will last about 3 hours.

Start your day in with style on a 75-minute, narrated lighthouse tour of scenic Newport Harbor. Take in some classic New England scenery aboard the boat, while sipping a morning drink. Listen as local guides share their knowledge of the four lighthouses surrounding Newport Harbor. Along the way, see historic church steeples, the Jamestown shoreline, the Newport Pell Bridge, Clingstone, Hammersmith Farm, the Newport Harbor mansions, mega yachts, offshore lobster and fishing vessels, and so much more. Kick back in the warm, covered, and virtually weatherproof main salon, or hit the open-air upper deck for catching the ocean breeze. Wherever you choose, enjoy sipping your drink while taking in the panoramic views in absolute comfort

Experience the macabre side of the Newport Historic District on this guided walking tour. Listen to ghoulish stories compiled from over 20 years of research and first-hand accounts. Uncover the city's ominous past as you see haunted locations like the White Horse Tavern. Meet your guide at the Newport Marriott and get in an eerie mood with a costumed guide who is carrying a lantern. Hit the streets in search of things that go bump in the night. Keep your camera at the ready, as past participants have caught pictures of ghostly images. Follow the lantern through shadowy lanes and church burying grounds to discover the local haunted history. Stop outside haunted places along the way like the White Horse Tavern which was originally opened in 1673 and is hiding dark tales behind its colonial charm. Finish your paranormal wanderings outside the historic 17th century Trinity Church which is just 3 blocks away from your starting location.

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Discover the city known for its picturesque Gilded Age mansions on a self-driven audio tour. Found out how the rich in America made and spent their money at the turn of the twentieth century. This 12 mile-long tour covers the essentials of scenic Newport, Rhode Island, in 1-2 hours. Start from the Visitor Center on America’s Cup Avenue. Here, listen to the story of Gilded Age America and how it shaped the future. While driving, you will first see the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Next up is the Audrain Auto Museum before you start exploring the Gilded Age mansions. Marvel at the first among them, Edward King House, followed by Kingscote and Bellevue House. Continuing on the avenue, come across The Elms, Chepstow, Ochre Court, and then The Breakers. From there, proceed to Chateau-Sur-Mer, Rosecliff, Beechwood, Marble House, and Belcourt Castle before ending this part of the tour at Rough Point. From there, continue on Ocean Avenue and drive toward Crossways while enjoying the Ocean Drive and hearing its story. Next, listen to the story about Brenton Point State Park and Hammersmith Farm, the summer home of Jackie Kennedy, wife of John. F. Kennedy. On the last leg of the tour, drive and hear stories of Fort Adam, Beacon Rock, Bonniecrest, Ida Lewis Rock, and Rochambeau Monument. The tour concludes in the Irish District.

Uncover the sinister secrets hiding behind the charming exterior of Newport on this macabre walking tour. Meet your guide at Eisenhower Park, where the restless spirits of executed criminals float through the air. From there, visit seven other eerie spots, unearthing a new dark story at each location, Mingle with the spirits of Revolutionary, Civil, and World War soldiers who linger at the Artillery Co. of Newport. Hear the devilish history of Pirate Captain Edward Low and the largest public mass execution in American history, and try to capture evidence of the ghostly Vanderbilt Family as you explore.

Enjoy a sightseeing cruise of Newport Harbor aboard a classic motor yacht and discover the city's coastline from the water. See waterfront mansions and former speakeasies, and hear interesting stories about the people who occupied these properties back in the day. Head to the meeting point and board the Rum Runner II, a classic yacht built in 1929 during the height of Prohibition. Learn about how the boat was originally built for 2 New Jersey mobsters and how she was used to elude the Coast Guard while smuggling contraband cases of rum and other alcohol. Cruise by Newport mansions and former speakeasies, lighthouses, islands, and many other points of interest along the waterfront, listening to interesting stories about them as you sail. Take advantage of the covered area or soak up the sun on the open section of the deck. Book your sightseeing cruise during a morning departure time to take advantage of the morning mimosa cruise and enjoy a complimentary mimosa to sip on during your boat tour.

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Note: This 1+ mile-long tour covers the essentials of Cliff Walk in 1-2 hours. Embark on a scenic cliff walk along a 3.5-mile trail along the eastern shore of Newport Rhode Island. Use your audio guide which has been created by local guides, curated by creative writers, and narrated by professional voice artists. Begin the tour at Easton’s Beach. As you walk down the path, see Gilded Age mansions representing an era of lavish wealth and unbridled excess. Hear the stories of the Vanderbilts, Astors, and other American millionaires behind mansions like The Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff, and others. After the walk at 40 Steps, continue to the Ochre Court. Discover the second-largest of Newport’s famous mansions, built for banker and real estate mogul Ogden Goelet. Finally, end the tour with scenic views at Bailey’s Beach.