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

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.

From: $0.00

Location: Newport

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

Community Discussion

Q&A

Q: Is the audio tour suitable for kids? What age range is it meant for?

A: The audio tour is generally aimed at adults and older teens, but younger kids might enjoy it if they're interested in history or architecture. Just keep in mind that some parts of the stories may not hold their attention for a full hour. I'd say kids 10 and up could handle it if you're prepared to pause for breaks!

Q: Can you reschedule once you've booked the tour?

A: Yes! Since this is a self-guided tour, you can start whenever you want after you've downloaded the audio. It’s super flexible, so if plans change, you can just pick another day that works for you. Just make sure to download everything before you go.

Q: What should I wear for the tour? Is it a lot of walking?

A: It’s casual walking, so wear comfy shoes! The tour goes along Bellevue Avenue, and you'll be stopping at several mansions, which means a bit of strolling. Dress for the weather—if it’s sunny, a hat and sunscreen are a great idea. Layers are good too, especially if it’s a cooler day by the ocean.

Discussions

Thinking about gifting the Newport self-guided audio tour!

Hey everyone! I’m considering getting this self-guided audio tour of Newport’s Gilded Age homes for my parents. They love history and architecture. The idea of them exploring places like The Breakers and Rough Point Mansion sounds perfect. Has anyone done this? Any tips for making the most of it?

Anyone else obsessed with The Gilded Age? Just did this tour!

OMG, I just finished the Newport’s Gilded Age audio tour and I’m still buzzing from it! Walking down Bellevue Avenue and hearing all about the mansions was like stepping back in time. The part about the Titanic’s aftermath was so interesting. I highly recommend it if you’re into this stuff. Can’t wait to try it again with friends!