Magpie
4.8(24 reviews)

Newport Open Air Trolley Tour

From$24
70 minutes – 90 minutes
Newport Beach, USA

About this activity

Enjoy a guided open-air trolley ride through Newport's historic sites, offering scenic views and insightful commentary on local history. A family-friendly activity suitable for all ages.

Highlights

  • Scenic views of Newport's historic mansions
  • Insightful commentary on local history
  • Comfortable open-air trolley experience
  • Convenient departure from central Newport
  • Family-friendly activity suitable for all ages

Full description

Discover the charm of Newport, Rhode Island, aboard a comfortable open-air trolley. This guided tour takes you through the city's historic districts, showcasing its renowned mansions and landmarks. With insightful commentary, you'll learn about Newport's rich history and architectural beauty. The tour is designed for all ages, making it a perfect family-friendly activity. Conveniently departing from central Newport, it's an ideal way to explore the city's highlights in a relaxed and enjoyable manner.

Included / Excluded

  • Guided open-air trolley ride
  • Narrated tour of Newport's historic sites
  • Comfortable seating with panoramic views
  • Food and beverages

Itinerary

1

(For ages 5 & up only). Park in the public lot at 23 America's Cup Ave (Newport Transit Center) and locate the white open air trolley at Platform #7-9 outside. Show your cell phone or printed ticket to driver.

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). This 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: 5 minAdmission: NO
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

  • The tour is suitable for all ages, making it a family-friendly activity.
  • Comfortable seating is provided, but the trolley is open-air; dress accordingly.
  • Food and beverages are not included; consider bringing snacks or drinks if desired.

Know before you go

  • Dress appropriately for the weather, as the tour is conducted in an open-air trolley.
  • Bring a camera to capture the scenic views and historic sites.
  • Arrive at the departure point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled tour time.

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.

Good to know

  • *MINIMUM AGE TO EXPERIENCE THIS TOUR IS 8 YEARS OLD*
  • Departure point is the Newport Transportation Center, 23 America's Cup Ave, Newport RI, platform #2. Parking available on site for a fee
  • This is an open air trolley. Please dress accordingly. Tour may be canceled if rain is in the forecast.
  • This tour departs promptly at the scheduled time. The tour duration is 70-90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions
  • The trolley is not handicapped accessible.. Driver may assign seating based on customer needs.
  • Drivers have updated manifests on their devices. Cancelled tickets are not accepted for admission

Traveler reviews

4.8
24 reviews
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Excellent tour guide!...

Excellent tour guide! (Russ) loved learning about the mansions & the history & interesting facts about Newport.

Pam_SOct 6, 2025VIATOR

Loved seeing the mansions and hearing about the history!

We saw so much we would have missed on foot. Great driver/tour operator great tips and good sense of humor!!! Perfect weather left on time and returned timely. So much fun!

TrailBlazer736780Sep 28, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Highly recommend…

Fantastic tour of Newport…our guide Russ was beyond outstanding…friendly, informative, professional and witty…would strongly suggest this tour company and especially this tour guide.

George_BAug 31, 2025VIATOR

Thoroughly enjoyed the tour!

We had a great time. We've done trolley tours three times before, every time we have friends and family visiting, and we live in Westerly. This time our friends from Takoma Park, MD were delighted with the whole experience, from our entertaining driver to getting an overview of Newport on their first time there.

Geoff_KJul 3, 2025VIATOR

Tour Guide Made This Awesome

It was fantastic. Our operator was so knowledgeable and entertaining. Been on many tours all over US. This was the best tour guide ever. (His name is escaping me but he had Brazilian roots believed it or not! ). Thank you.

Steve_SJun 12, 2025VIATOR

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. Parking available on site for a fee This is an open air trolley. Please dress accordingly. Tour may be canceled if rain is in the forecast. This tour departs promptly at the scheduled time. The tour duration is 70-90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions The trolley is not handicapped accessible.. Driver may assign seating based on customer needs. Drivers have updated manifests on their devices. Cancelled tickets are not accepted for admission
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