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Offered languages
- English
- English
Step into a world of sweeping ocean views, architectural ambition, and high-society drama on this immersive self-guided audio tour along Newport’s legendary Cliff Walk. You’ll uncover the stories of a city where old money met new ambition—and where elegance masked scandal, rebellion, and reinvention.
Journey through the heart of America’s Gilded Age. Discover how self-made tycoons and society queens used architecture to vie for dominance, and how the lives of servants, socialites, and outsiders influenced the creation of these incredible estates. This tour peels back the curtain on a world that is dazzling and deeply human, from behind-the-scenes secrets to forgotten voices.
Move at your own pace as you take in breathtaking views while listening to richly narrated stories grounded in historical research and local insight. See Newport as you’ve never seen it before, whether you're a history lover, an architecture fan, or a curious wanderer.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The Forty Steps entrance to the Cliff Walk is located at the end of Narragansett Avenue, where it meets the ocean. The steps are close to the junction with Ochre Point Avenue.
The Preservation Society can be found at the junction of Bellevue Avenue and Narragansett Avenue. This is half a mile from the start point at Forty Steps.
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
A bold blend of Gothic romance and eccentric ambition, Belcourt is unlike any other Newport mansion. It’s a dramatic expression of wealth, whimsy, and personal vision designed as a medieval-style fortress for a rebellious heir.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
One of the first truly grand summer cottages, Chateau-sur-Mer showcases pre-Gilded Age opulence with its Victorian interiors and sweeping grounds. It tells the story of a city on the brink of transformation—from merchant port to millionaire playground.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Chepstow offers a more personal look at the intimate and refined Newport life, with preserved furnishings and family heirlooms from generations of New York elite. It's a quieter gem where history feels lived-in and close to the surface.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The Chinese Tea House is a whimsical pavilion that was a playground for East-meets-West luxury perched dramatically on the cliffs near Marble House. It embodies the theatrical flair of Newport’s social scene with its striking architecture and sweeping views.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The Isaac Bell House blends modern innovation with artistic restraint and is a masterpiece of Shingle Style architecture. Its clean lines and natural materials reveal a different side of Newport—where design, not just wealth, shaped the future.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
One of Newport’s earliest summer cottages, Kingscote blends Gothic Revival charm with Gilded Age ambition. Its unique architecture and exotic interiors reflect the tastes of a rising American elite eager to impress.
Admission ticket free -
Marble House (Pass by)
Built as a temple to wealth, Marble House dazzles with more than 500,000 cubic feet of imported stone and Versailles-worthy splendor. Created by Alva Vanderbilt, it's not just a mansion—it's a bold statement of power, taste, and defiance.
Admission ticket free -
1
Grand, romantic, and richly detailed, Ochre Court evokes the drama of a French château perched above the sea. Once a summer palace, it now anchors Salve Regina University—proof that old-world glamour can still serve a modern purpose.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Rosecliff was inspired by the Grand Trianon at Versailles and is Newport at its most theatrical. Designed for lavish parties and glittering society events, it’s a place where imagination and extravagance still echo off marble floors.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The oceanfront estate of heiress Doris Duke, Rough Point blends European treasures with a surprisingly lived-in warmth. With its art-filled rooms and quirky personal touches, it offers an intimate view into the life of one of America’s most enigmatic millionaires.
Admission ticket free -
2
Set among Newport’s most iconic mansions, Salve Regina’s campus is a stunning fusion of academia and architectural heritage. Ivy-covered halls and ocean breezes create a truly one-of-a-kind backdrop for higher learning.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
The Breakers (Pass by)
The crown jewel of Newport’s Gilded Age mansions, The Breakers was built by the Vanderbilts to dazzle—and it still does. With its Italian palazzo design and commanding ocean views, it’s luxury on a scale few could ever imagine.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Modeled after a French château, The Elms is elegance with an edge—where formal gardens, lavish interiors, and the cutting-edge technology of the time reveal a world of wealth, ambition, and meticulous design.
Admission ticket free -
3
A quieter stretch of coastline between the mansions and the sea, Sheep Point offers sweeping views and a touch of pastoral calm. Once used for grazing, it's now a scenic pause along Newport’s dramatic shoreline.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
At the southern tip of the Cliff Walk, Land’s End once hosted novelist Edith Wharton, while exclusive Bailey’s Beach remains a summer retreat for Newport’s elite. This windswept stretch blends literary history with high-society lore.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Miramar feels more private than palatial with its understated French classicism and sprawling lawn cascading to the sea. Yet it’s a stunning reminder that Newport’s most powerful families often preferred quiet grandeur to showy excess.
Admission ticket free -
4
Known as The Avenue of the Mansions, Bellevue is Newport’s historic showcase of wealth, architecture, and ambition. Lined with palatial estates and grand entrances, it's a journey through America’s most opulent era.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The Preservation Society is the steward of Newport’s historic legacy—they have saved, restored, and opened to the public many of the city’s most iconic estates. Their work ensures that the Gilded Age and the stories behind it live on.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
- GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
- Flexible — Buy once, use any day/time—access never expires
Show 1 more
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
- GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
- Flexible — Buy once, use any day/time—access never expires
- Get the Drives & Detours app download the tour ahead of time
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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