Cliff Walk, Newport

Board a luxurious, climate-controlled white trolley in Newport for a narrated tour that begins in the historic colonial downtown. See the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, where Jackie Bouvier and John F. Kennedy were married on September 12, 1953. Continue through the Thames Street shopping and dining districts before passing Newport Harbor and leading to the scenic Ocean Drive, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of the famous Gilded Age mansions. Along the way, hear your guide give insights into Fort Adams, the history of the America’s Cup, the site of the first USGA golf and USTA tennis open championships, and tips for navigating the renowned Cliff Walk. For the final part of the tour, travel along Bellevue Avenue’s "Mansion Row," showcasing the opulent estates of Newport’s Gilded Age. Watch as the guide highlights 16 movie and television filming locations and discuss current events, such as Jay Leno's annual classic car show and celebrity weddings. Conclude your tour in the heart of Newport’s downtown waterfront on America's Cup Avenue, where you will hear about shopping, dining, and waterfront activities happening today. Approximately 1.5 hours later, return to the Newport Visitor's Center.

Explore the history of Newport's mansions and the families that occupied them as you enjoy a scenic stroll along the Cliff Walk. Wander past Gilded Age palaces like the Breakers, Marble House, Belmont Estate, and many more, while listening to an informative audio guide on your phone. Head to the starting point, open your app, and set out on your tour of Newport's Cliff Walk. Discover how, at the turn of the 20th century, millionaires from New York and beyond competed for status by building palatial estates and throwing lavish galas in the ballrooms of their summer cottages. Wind your way along the coastal walkway, passing by mansions like the Breakers, Rosecliff, Belmont Estate, and Rough Point. Home by home, discover how these estates were built and why so many of them were simply abandoned or sold off for a fraction of what they cost to build. Hear about each impressive property and about the family behind it. Learn about Cornelius “The Commodore” Vanderbilt who built the most immense fortune in America at the time. And find out how his descendants squandered it. Navigate with ease using the app's GPS-enabled turn-by-turn directions as you walk, and move at your own pace, taking your time and pausing your tour whenever you need a break. Your audio-guided tour comes to an end at Bailey's Beach. From here, the app will guide you to the bus stop, where you can catch the bus back to Salve Regina University, just a short walk from the starting point (cost not included).