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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

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As we head down Bellevue, we’ll soon pass the Audrain Auto Museum and won’t be able to help by admire it! It boasts both beautiful architecture and a frequent rotation of stunning cars.

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We’ll take a quick detour off of Bellevue to get a closer look at the Edward King House, just one block away. This is our introduction to the mansions of Newport.

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As we head back to Bellevue, we’ll see our very first Newport Mansion: Kingscote. We’ll learn all about this summer home and it’s inhabitants over the years. You can even take a tour of the inside.

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Bellevue House is next on our journey. This gorgeous mansion has a rich facade – and a long history to match! Since it’s not open for tours, we won’t try to pause here.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

As we continue down Bellevue Avenue, we’ll pass more eye-catching homes: Issac Bell House and Snug Harbor. We’ll learn about the unique owners of both homes, and can choose to stop at Issac Bell House for an interior tour.

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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!

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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.

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As we journey along, we’ll pass Chepstow, a gorgeous Italianate house museum built in 1860. It’s 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.

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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!

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Vikings-inspired Vinland is now Salve Regina’s McAuley Hall. As we pass this beautiful red-stone mansion, we’ll learn all about its inspiration and its unique owner.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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 magestic 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.

• Admission Ticket Free

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.

• Admission Ticket Free

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.

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We continue our journey along Newport’s Bellevue avenue, passing the historic Frederick Law Olmstead Park and learning about this historic landscape architect — and his Gilded Age gardens.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

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As we continue, we’ll pass the Astors’ summer cottage: Beechwood. Mrs. Astor famously had a “300 List” – the definitive list of the 300 people she considered high society. Where did that number come from? Well, this ballroom actually! It fit 300 guests. We’ll learn more about this list, the Astors, and the Gilded Age as we continue to drive down Newport’s Bellevue Avenue.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

• Admission Ticket Free

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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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 eccentric (and possibly dangerous) owner.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

We’ll exit beautiful Bellevue Avenue for another beautiful road: Ocean Drive. This part of the scenic drive is full of natural wonders…. and has a few more architectural ones thrown in too!

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.

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We’ll continue past Castle Hill Inn and it’s lighthouse, learning a bit more about Newport’s history after the Gilded Age.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Next up, we’ll pass OceanCliff and the Newport Country Club. We’re now at the farthest point along the Ocean Drive.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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!

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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.

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As we turn the corner on Ocean Drive, we’ll gatch a glimpse of Beacon Rock through the trees. We’ll learn a little about this mansion’s history as we admire it’s facade.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Our journey then brings us to BonnieCrest, home of the Worceshtershire Sauce family! We’ll then push forward to Harbor Court, and finally get some more scenic ocean views.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Off the in the distance, we’ll see Ida Lewis Rock. As we pass by, we’ll learn all about Ida Lewis’ heroic activities here.

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We’ll continue past the historic Rochambeau Monument, celebrating the French commander’s assistance in the fight against the British for American independence.

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Our journey then brings us to Newport’s Irish District or 5th Ward. Here we’ll explore the lives behind the scenes — those of the workers that made the Gilded Age possible.

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Our tour through Newport finally ends at historic St. Mary’s Church, almost a full circle to where we started out at the Newport Visitor Center!

• Admission Ticket Free