Newport's Opulent Gilded Age Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Overview
Hear the true stories that inspired the HBO show The Gilded Age on a self-guided walking tour down Bellevue Avenue, from Rough Point Mansion to The Breakers on Ochre Point Avenue.
Along the way, I’ll share the juicy details behind Newport’s palatial ”summer cottages” as you gaze at their impressive designs. You’ll find out about the owners of these homes, many of them New York’s most elite families including the Vanderbilts and Astors. I’ll also introduce you to the architects who designed them and the staff that kept these homes running despite harsh working conditions and low pay.
You’ll hear about the impact that the sinking of Titanic had on the owners of the Miramar Mansion, and how it took 36 staff members to look after Mable House, a holiday home used for only eight weeks of the year.
This hour-long stroll takes you behind the scenes to discover the personalities that built today’s Newport.
What's Included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
- Food and drink
- Transportation
Meeting Location
680 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
44 Ochre Point Avenue
Newport, RI 02840, USA
This self-guided audio tour ends in front of The Breakers mansion on Ochre Point Avenue. You'll see the impressive stately home from the street.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Rough Point Museum (pass by)
Belcourt of Newport (pass by)
Marble House (pass by)
Rosecliff (pass by)
Salve Regina University (pass by)
Cliff Walk (pass by)
The Breakers (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Newport’s Opulent Gilded Age Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-110804P863
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
Experience Newport’s little-known Black history on a tour of Colonial-era Historic Hill. This unique opportunity brings you to historic locations designated with Rhode Island Slave...
$20
Sail on a classic sailboat in Newport, RI, and enjoy a sightseeing sailing experience around Narragansett Bay. Pass by many iconic sights during the sail,...
$61
Newport Neighborhood Food Tour
Discover Newport’s culinary side and let your local guide lead you on this three-hour walking tour through historic neighborhood streets. Explore the evolving diverse culinary...
$99
Nutty Newport Scavenger Hunt
Our very unique, immersive adventures are the only ones of their kind. We, unlike other companies, provide your very own remote, interactive, live host to...
$29
Experience Newport’s little-known Black history on a tour of Colonial-era Historic Hill. This unique opportunity brings you to historic locations designated with Rhode Island Slave...
$20
Sail on a classic sailboat in Newport, RI, and enjoy a sightseeing sailing experience around Narragansett Bay. Pass by many iconic sights during the sail,...
$61
Discover Newport’s culinary side and let your local guide lead you on this three-hour walking tour through historic neighborhood streets. Explore the evolving diverse culinary...
$99
Our very unique, immersive adventures are the only ones of their kind. We, unlike other companies, provide your very own remote, interactive, live host to...
$29
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
******FOR AGES 8+ ONLY****** This approx 3-hour tour is our scenic overview trolley tour PLUS a 90-minute visit inside the Vanderbilt Breaker's Mansion. After boarding...
$50
Newport Trolley Tour - Viking Scenic Overview
On this 1.5-hour tour, take in the beauty of Newport from a trolley. Listen to the history of the buildings and restored homes on Ten-Mile Ocean...
$28
This 75-minute narrated harbor cruise of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay will have you cruising in comfort as you enjoy a scenic tour of Newport and...
$42
Since 1962 Viking Tours has shown visitors the Newport that we know and love! Explore the history of Newport on this 3-hour trolley tour. Pass...
$48
******FOR AGES 8+ ONLY****** This approx 3-hour tour is our scenic overview trolley tour PLUS a 90-minute visit inside the Vanderbilt Breaker's Mansion. After boarding...
$50
On this 1.5-hour tour, take in the beauty of Newport from a trolley. Listen to the history of the buildings and restored homes on Ten-Mile Ocean...
$28
This 75-minute narrated harbor cruise of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay will have you cruising in comfort as you enjoy a scenic tour of Newport and...
$42
Since 1962 Viking Tours has shown visitors the Newport that we know and love! Explore the history of Newport on this 3-hour trolley tour. Pass...
$48
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST).
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it.
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata.
- App for Android and iOS.
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start.
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour.
- Smartphone and headphones.
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour.
- Food and drink.
- Transportation.
The minimum age to participate is 6..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Newport's Opulent Gilded Age Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour is as follows:
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Newport’s Opulent Gilded Age Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for attractions not included during the tour
- Food and drink
- Transportation
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
