Newport Gilded Age Mansions Trolley Tour w/ Breakers Ticket (8+)
Description
******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 our luxurious and comfortable trolley at Bus Platform #2 of the Newport Transit Center, your driver starts the tour with a brief history of Colonial-era downtown and explains the Gilded Era history and events that occurred over the centuries. Then you will experience breath-taking views of scenic Ocean Drive prior to seeing the strip of mansions lining Bellevue Ave. Along the route, movie and TV sets will come to life, such as HBOs The Gilded Ages. Today's happenings are also thoroughly covered such as the best dining spots, boat tours, and other fun activities. Your tour guide will detail the best way to navigate this bustling city as well as explain the Cliff Walk attractions. This tour is 160-180 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Tour Options
Itinerary
(For ages 5 & up only). Park at the Newport Transit Center public lot and locate the white trolley at Bus Platform #2 outside. Show your cell phone or printed ticket to driver. The driver will provide your Breaker's Mansion pass if you purchased that option.
The trolley tour will enter Fort Adams, a historic 1799 landmark and home of today's annual Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival. The fort is also home to President Eisenhower's summer home called the Eisenhower House. The Welcome Center features a snack bar, clean restrooms, and ticket sales counter to take a tour inside of the fort. There are also 2 water taxi stops and free public parking at Fort Adams State Park. The Bennington Overlook section of Fort Adams offers breathtaking sunsets over Narragansett Bay with free parking as well.
The trolley tour passes by Brenton Point State Park, former estate of RI's 2nd governor William Brenton (elected 1665). Brenton Point State Park is a free public park offering pristine views of the Atlantic Ocean on 2 sides of the park plus free sunsets over the water 12 months per year. Seasonal restrooms are available in the stone building
The trolley tour travels through the Ocean Drive Historic District. Visitors will begin to see Newport's Gilded Age Mansions lining the Atlantic Ocean with breathtaking scenery. Mansions on Ocean Drive include Mavis and Jay Leno's Seafair, and several filming locations of HBO's TV series "The Gilded Age" including Indian Spring Castle, The Ledges and Crossways mansions.
Once the trolley tour enters the Newport Cliff Walk area of the Bellevue Ave Historic District, riders will begin to learn about the Gilded Age mansions along the Cliff Walk, which are on the ocean side of the mansions for 3.5 miles between Reject's Beach and Newport Beach. Your guide will explain how to best access the Cliff Walk and areas where parking is free to enjoy the Cliff Walk and the best areas for viewing.
The trolley tour stops in front of the 2nd of the 3 Newport Vanderbilt mansions "The Marble House". This small palace built in 1892 was instrumental in the passage of the women's suffrage movement, as Alva Vanderbilt hosted fundraisers in her pagoda (Chinese Tea House on the Cliff Walk) whereby she raised a great deal of money to pass the 19th amendment. Both the Marble House and Chinese Tea House were the Asian wedding set in the Katherine Heigel classic movie "27 Dresses" Free parking for Marble House tour visitors is available across the street at 585 Bellevue Ave.
The trolley tour stops in front of the Rosecliff Mansion, a 1902 'summer cottage" of Tessie Fair-Oelrichs. The most famous movie filmed here was The Great Gatsby (Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Sam Waterston). Tours are available at the Rosecliff mansion on a seasonal basis.
The trolley tour stops at The Breakers Newport, the 3rd Vanderbilt Mansion in Newport and discharges passengers who purchased this interior tour option. This 1895 'summer cottage' is the largest mansion in the region and is RIs most visited tourist attraction. It sits on the Newport Cliff Walk facing SE towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The trolley tour continues along Bellevue Ave and passes by The Elms Newport, a Gilded Age mansion of Edward and Sarah Berwind. The guide explains the 2 tours that are available inside the Elms Mansion.
The trolley tour passes by the front door of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the 1881 site of the old Newport Casino (shopping district of the Gilded Age millionaires). The guide explains the free and for-fee tours available inside the ITHOF.
The trolley tour continues into Downtown Newport's bustling waterfront district anchored by Bowen's Wharf. The guide explains the shopping, dining, boating excursions, and other waterfront attractions along America's Cup Ave.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- *MINIMUM AGE TO EXPERIENCE THIS TOUR IS 8 YEARS OLD*
- Departure point is the Hamilton Aquarium Transit Center, 23 America's Cup Ave, Newport RI, platform #2. Parking is available on site for a fee.
- The duration of this tour is 160-180 minutes depending on traffic conditions
- All tours depart promptly at their scheduled times
- This enclosed trolley tour operates rain or shine except during and after winter weather events which involve snow or ice
- Please do not meet directly at the Breakers mansion. You will visit the attraction during the trolley tour
- Youth under 17 must be accompanied by an adult
- Our drivers have updated manifests on their devices. Cancelled tickets are not accepted for admission
- These tours are NOT handicapped accessible. Folding walkers and wheelchairs are limited to 30 lbs. We cannot accommodate battery powered scooters and chairs.
- The trolley is not handicapped accessible.. Driver may assign seating based on customer needs
Reviews(4,261)
This was a fun and interesting tour. I would highly recommend it. Trolley Troy kept us informed and he was so funny!
Enjoyable three hour tour. Bonus is the tour of “The Breakers!” Trolley Ron was great driver, full of information. He runs a tight ship with regard to time!
Such a great tour! Troy was an awesome tour guide I would highly recommend this tour to see NewPort with a bonus of touring the Breakers
Trolly Rob was fun and cool , The Breakers was amazing
We had a great time Rob was a fun guide
The tour was comprehensive & very interesting. Trolley Rob was excellent, informative, and funny!
The guide was great and it was a pleasant way to see the area without having to drive yourself. Could have used 2 hours instead of 1.5 at the Breakers.
Trolley Car Troy made this excursion an amazing and educational experience. We loved his positive attitude and sunny personality. This was one of the favorite parts of our girls trip to Newport.
Trolley Troy was great! Very informative and fun. I've lived here all my life and didn't know some of these facts.
Our driver was entertaining and provided us with interesting facts about Newport. The trolley ride took us through the Newport mansions, and the main sights, giving us a great overview of the city. The Breakers was incredible. I would highly recommend this tour.
