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Newport's Opulent Gilded Age Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

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.

City: Newport

Thu 24 Jul

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $9.99

Make a reservation

Thu 24 Jul

Starting at $9.99

Make a reservation

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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

Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour

Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

Rough Point Museum

Start the tour outside resplendent Rough Point. You'll hear all about Doris Duke and how she helped to save this home and dozens of others in Newport. Entrance fees to museums is not included with tour, though you can pause to enjoy.

Belcourt of Newport

Outside of Belcourt you'll hear tales of the Gilded age. A story told later in the tour will relate back to this beautiful "bachelor pad." Entrance fees to museums is not included with tour, though you can pause to enjoy.

Marble House

Though smaller than some others, this Vanderbilt home is exquisite in every detail. Entrance fees to museums is not included with tour, though you can pause to enjoy.

Rosecliff

Get a glimpse at this majestic home which has been in several Hollywood films. Entrance fees to museums is not included with tour, though you can pause to enjoy.

Salve Regina University

Walk through a few blocks of the University's campus. Although it extends beyond what you'll see on this walk, you'll get a feel for what student life is like at Salve Regina.

Cliff Walk

There is an entrance to the Cliff Walk at the end of Ruggles ave, just next to the Breakers. You can choose to explore this ocean front path after the tour if you'd like. If you turn left from the Ruggles entrance, it is a well-paved path leading back towards the center of town. Turning right will take you back in the direction you've just come and you'll leave the paths behind to see how the Cliff Walk got its name.

The Breakers

Finish your walk at another Vanderbilt property. The Breakers is the largest of the Gilded Age homes in Newport, and well worth a visit. Entrance fees to museums is not included with tour, though you can pause to enjoy.

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