What is the cancellation policy for this tour?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

How long does this tour take?

Please check the tour page for the exact duration.

Newport Cliff Walk Self-Guided Walking Tour

Q: Where does this tour start?

This tour starts at: Begin from Easton's Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI 02840, USA. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for "audio tour". Your tour is VALID FOREVER, so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite..

★★★★☆ 4.0

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Overview

Explore scenic, Newport’s historic Cliff Walk at your own pace using this self-guided, GPS-based tour. Download an easy-to-use app and set off on an attraction-packed audio tour. Learn the little-known stories behind famous families of the Gilded Age—the Vanderbilts, the Astors, and other millionaires—and see their iconic oceanside mansions.

• A self-guided walking tour of Newport’s Cliff Walk
• Enrich your visit with the stories behind Newport’s iconic millionaire mansions
• Benefit from online support as needed and an easy-to-use downloadable app

After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Gallery

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What's Included

✓ Included

Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)
Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)
This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app
Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)
This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site
Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions
Offline GPS-enabled route map
NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)

✗ Not Included

Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals

Itinerary

Stop 1

Embark on this scenic walk at the Cliff Walk entrance by Easton's Beach. We'll learn a little about Easton's Beach as we set off on this journey, followed immediately by a short look at the Chanler. As we continue along, we'll dive into Newport's history, the effect of the Gilded Age, and the Cliff Walk's creation. We'll also learn a little about the "old-money" families, like the Vanderbilts and Astors, whose grand summer cottages line the Cliff Walk. Note: The tour is over 4 miles long, with more than 35 audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. Your password can be used on the same number of devices as the travelers you have booked. Please enter the same password on each device.

Stop 2

Our first major stop comes at the iconic Forty Steps. This is an alternative starting point for the tour and a wonderful opportunity to walk down these historic steps and appreciate the wild beauty of the crashing waves in front. We'll learn about the Gilded Age elites who tried to keep access to the Cliff Walk for themselves by building a wall -- and about the lower-class residents who tore those walls down! Thanks to their battles, this beautiful pathway has remained open to the public.

Stop 3

Ochre Court will immediately arrest our eyes! This châteauesque mansion cost of $4.5 million... in 1892. And it certainly shows! Now the centerpiece of the Salve Regina University, this mansion isn't open for tours... but that won't stop us from learning all about it's rich and fascinating history!

Stop 4

Next up on our Cliff Walk tour: the manorial Vinland Estate. This Vikings-inspired mansion is now Salve Regina's McAuley Hall. As we pass this beautiful red-stone mansion, we'll learn all about it's inspiration and its unique owner.

Stop 5

Finally, we reach Newport's highlight: The Breakers. This Vanderbilt mansion is the biggest and the best of all of Newport's summer cottages -- and you can tell. We'll look past the gate, across the sweeping lawns, and up to the magestic and marvelous mansion's facade. We'll dive into the Vanderbilt backstory, the mansion's architectural wonders, and much more while here. We'll also explore the technological wonders at work beneath the Breakers.

Stop 6

Rosecliff is next on our path along the Cliff Walk. This is arguably the most beautiful of the Newport Mansions, and it contains a rotating exhibition gallery on it's top floor. You can immediately spot this mansion by it's pink-and-white awning.

Stop 7

As we continue, we'll pass the Astors' summer cottage: Beechwood. Mrs. Astor famously had a "300 List" - the definitive list of the 300 people she considered high society. Where did that number come from? Well, this ballroom actually! It fit 300 guests. We'll learn more about this list, the Astors, and the Gilded Age as we continue to walk down Newport's Cliff Walk.

Stop 8

Our journey now takes us past Marble House, one of the most opulent and magnificent of Newport's Mansions. This Gilded Age marvel is another Vanderbilt home, and actually has one of the most interesting histories of all the mansions here. We'll learn all about Marble House's powerful owner Alva and it's beautiful Chinese Tea House.

Stop 9

As we continue along the Cliff Walk, we can catch a glimpse of an English Manorial style home through the trees: that's Rough Point. As we pass, we'll learn all about it's eccentric (and possibly dangerous) owner: Doris Duke.

Stop 10

As we near the end of the Cliff Walk, we'll see one final mansion: Land's End. This was the home of Edith Wharton, the gifted author who abhorred being a Gilded Age elite. We'll learn all about Wharton and her works as we continue.

Stop 11

Our tour along the beautiful Cliff Walk ends near another beach: Bailey's Beach. The northeast end of the beach, where the Cliff Walk ends, is open to the public, but Bailey’s Beach itself is private, welcoming only a very exclusive club.... reminiscent of Mrs. Astor’s “400” list. Perhaps the Gilded Age lives on in Newport!

Meeting & End Point

📍

Meeting Point

Begin from Easton's Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI 02840, USA. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for "audio tour". Your tour is VALID FOREVER, so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.

Find Hotels in Newport

Good to Know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.
How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
Savings tips: Walking tours: couples can share one tour by splitting headphones
New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
This tour does not include headphones, earbuds, or any physical audio device. It is a self-guided audio tour on your phone, so please bring your own headphones or earbuds if you would like to use them.
The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.
Your password can be used on the same number of devices as travelers booked. Enter the same password on each device.

Known For:

Private and Luxury in Newport, Audio Guides in Newport, Nature and Wildlife Tours in Newport, Private Sightseeing Tours in Newport, Walking Tours in Newport, Nature Walks in Newport

Special Instructions

1. Find The Setup Instructions NOW:
• Download the App: actiontourguide.com/app
• Find Your Password: Search your email or text messages for "Action Tour Guide"
• Enter Password: Open the app and enter your 8-digit password
• Download the Tour NOW while you have WiFi or cell service
• Offline Ready: Once downloaded, the tour works without internet
• Need Help? Visit: actiontourguide.com/redeem

2. Download The Tour NOW:
• Download NOW over WiFi or cellular data ahead of your trip.
• Don't wait until travel day - your tour is VALID FOREVER from purchase.
• Your password redemption is limited to the number of travelers booked. Please enter the same password on each device.

3. Audio Tour Tips:
• This is a self-guided audio tour - no one will meet you at the starting point.
• Entrance and attraction tickets are not included. Please book those separately.
• Curious how it works? Watch a quick video here: actiontourguide.com/tutorial
• Bring headphones for the best experience on your walking tour.
• New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

4. Help & Support:
• Visit our FAQs: actiontourguide.com/faq
• Chat online: actiontourguide.com
• Call: 1-401-380-3997
• Email: support@actiontourguide.com