Newport Gilded Age Mansions Trolley Tour
From$47.25
2 hours – 3 hours
Newport Beach, USA
About this activity
Discover Newport's opulent Gilded Age mansions on a guided trolley tour, including The Breakers mansion, with scenic coastal views and expert commentary.
Highlights
- Explore Newport's opulent mansions
- Visit the iconic Breakers mansion
- Learn about the city's rich history
- Enjoy scenic coastal views
- Experience a comfortable trolley ride
Full description
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the grandeur of Newport's Gilded Age with this engaging trolley tour. Traverse the city's historic streets, marveling at the opulent mansions that once housed America's elite. Your journey includes a visit to The Breakers, the most iconic of these estates, where you'll explore its lavish interiors and learn about its fascinating history. Along the way, enjoy scenic coastal views and insightful commentary from your knowledgeable guide, making this tour a memorable experience for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
Included / Excluded
- Guided trolley tour of Newport's Gilded Age mansions
- Admission to The Breakers mansion
- Live commentary from knowledgeable guides
- Food and beverages
Itinerary
1
(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.
Duration: 10 minAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2
Pass by: 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.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3
Pass by: 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
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
4
Pass by: 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.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5
Pass by: 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.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
6
Pass by: 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.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
7
Pass by: 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.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
8
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.
Duration: 1h 30mAdmission: YES
9
Pass by: 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.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
10
Pass by: 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.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
11
Pass by: 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.
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for the weather.
- Children under 6 may require a booster seat by law; please contact the tour operator in advance if needed.
- Please arrive at the departure point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning architecture and coastal views.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Service Animals Allowed
Good to know
- *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.
Traveler reviews
4.93,919 reviews
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Great tour host
Trolley Rob was a great tour host. It was a rainy / Foggy day, so visibility was poor, but he did a great job describing the mansions and points of interest.
Camper254540May 25, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Trolley around scenic Newport
Tour operator when out of his way to make sure everyone had an enjoyable experience. He provided historical info in a lively and entertaining way . Ample time was allotted at The Breakers mansion. I would highly recommend this tour !
Renee DMay 24, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Nice tour and great to see the breakers mansion
Trolley bus was very comfortable. It left the station right on time so make sure to get there a few minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. He shared lots of information. It was raining all day so the windows were a little fogged up making it hard to see many of the buildings, especially those on the other side of the trolley. It was nice to get tickets to the breakers mansion. It’s very impressive inside and we enjoyed the tour.
Florencia_RMay 24, 2026VIATOR
Trolly tour
Trolly Rob was amazing. He was very knowledgeable with a good sense of humor.. I think next time I take this tour and I will, I will sit on the left side of the bus as I think there is more to see on that side. Rob did maneuver the bus so that everybody had a view and was excellent! Highly recommend this tour.
yolanda_jMay 24, 2026VIATOR
Great way to see the mansions
Trolley Rob was the best! Great sense of humor and very knowledgeable about the area. It was fun hearing about and seeing the mansions. The tour of The Breakers was the icing on the cake!
Tiffani SMay 24, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Additional information
*MINIMUM AGE TO EXPERIENCE THIS TOUR IS 5 YEARS OLD*
Departure point is the Newport Transportation Center, 23 America's Cup Ave, Newport RI, platform #2
Public parking is available at the Transit Center 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