Newport Cliff Walk Self-Guided Walking Tour
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
• Enjoy a mix of natural and historical attractions on a carefully chosen itinerary
• Benefit from online support as needed and an easy-to-use downloadable app
After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.
• A self-guided walking tour of Newport’s Cliff Walk
• Enrich your visit with the stories behind Newport’s iconic millionaire mansions
• Enjoy a mix of natural and historical attractions on a carefully chosen itinerary
• Benefit from online support as needed and an easy-to-use downloadable app
After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there.
Inclusions
- App on your phone: A link to download the Action Guide app. Password for your tours. Preview at home
- Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Travel over multiple days or on next trip. Never expires.
- Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
- Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
- Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated, videos, text, hidden gems.
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Easton's Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI 02840-3659
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Forty Steps, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ochre Court, Newport, RI
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!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: McAuley Hall, 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: The Breakers, 44 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840-6906
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.
Pass By: Rosecliff, 584 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840-4265
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.
Pass By: Gustave White Sotheby's International Realty, 37 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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.
Pass By: Marble House, 596 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840-4265
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.
Pass By: Rough Point Museum, 680 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840-4283
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 At: Lands End, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Bailey’s Beach, Cliff Walk, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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!
Duration: 10 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Easton's Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI 02840-3659
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Forty Steps, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ochre Court, Newport, RI
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!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: McAuley Hall, 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: The Breakers, 44 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840-6906
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.
Pass By: Rosecliff, 584 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840-4265
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.
Pass By: Gustave White Sotheby's International Realty, 37 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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.
Pass By: Marble House, 596 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840-4265
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.
Pass By: Rough Point Museum, 680 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840-4283
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 At: Lands End, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Bailey’s Beach, Cliff Walk, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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!
Duration: 10 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- How it works: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions. Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. To begin touring, go to the Starting Point and launch the app. The audio starts automatically. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience. Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
- Good value: Purchase one tour per person. If you are a couple and prefer to share, purchase one tour and remember to bring headphones you can split.
- Flexible Schedule: Once the app/tour is on your phone, you can use it any day and at any time. You can use it over multiple days. And, also use it on your next trip here. This tour never expires.
- Preview the tour: You can use it before the trip at home (highly recommended), use it during the trip, and use it after you come back.
- Don't miss a thing: You will get everything with the app - a complete itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated audio stories, story script, images, videos, deep dives, hidden gems, exciting locations, recommendations for hikes, adventure, activities, treks, and stop-by-stop direction.
- Private tour: You can use it in your car or rental car. No worries about groups or crowds. Start the tour app on your phone. And it will direct you step by step. You can stop for as many breaks as you like. Take a break for Instagram photos, and take a break for lunch/snacks. Go on a hike. The tour will wait for you and start when you start again. You can even do the tour over multiple days. Go at your own pace.
- Easy to use: The stories play themselves as soon as the GPS is activated. It requires no use of your hands at all. You can get HELP by calling, chatting, or emailing any time of the day.
- Offline: There is no need for a cell signal or Wi-Fi while touring. App’s GPS map works offline.
- Expiration/go again: The tour will last for the rest of your life on your phone. It is available for use on any day of your next trip.
- Use pictures for a photo book: Create a photo book using clean (no crowd) app images of each spot to make a memorable trip. All the photos and the correct sequence is ready in the app for you to use.
- Social media: Share clean (no crowd) images with friends/family.
- This 3+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Newport Cliff Walk in 2-4 hours.
- Devices supported include iPhones with iOS 13 & above, Android phones with version 9 & above and all cellular-enabled tablets & iPads.
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Michell_Parker
March 2022
Best way to know about the Newport's cliff walk. I like the extra information which is included in the guide app. Very user Friendly!!! Highly Recommend!!!!!
Best way to know about the Newport's cliff walk. I like the extra information which is included in the guide app. Very user Friendly!!! Highly Recommend!!!!!Liane S
August 2021
Educational; easy to use; audio was clear; stayed on track except couple internet breaks. Thank you for having this option - others along the way we’re interested in it also.
Educational; easy to use; audio was clear; stayed on track except couple internet breaks. Thank you for having this option - others along the way we’re interested in it also.SerabiV
August 2021
If you do the whole Cliff walk it is really challenging. We parked on Narraganset St., picked up a map and decided to head to the right. The path on the map is color coded, green is easy, yellow, uneven ground and red, harrowing. Wear sneakers or hiking sandals.. If you are not in shape or h...
If you do the whole Cliff walk it is really challenging. We parked on Narraganset St., picked up a map and decided to head to the right. The path on the map is color coded, green is easy, yellow, uneven ground and red, harrowing. Wear sneakers or hiking sandals.. If you are not in shape or have bad knees, back etc., go left on the green trail. The views are beautiful and you also get to gawk at the mansions from the back.Sean_M
July 2021
The info in the audio was interesting. However, the code didn’t arrive that quickly. The download of content took multiple tries. The GPS was never accurate, so it would skip whole areas to the point where we had to watch the map to see if it had passed an audio stop or not, and at the end, it...
The info in the audio was interesting. However, the code didn’t arrive that quickly. The download of content took multiple tries. The GPS was never accurate, so it would skip whole areas to the point where we had to watch the map to see if it had passed an audio stop or not, and at the end, it had chewed up 50% or more of the battery.Erica_P
July 2021
My sister and I had a great time with this challenging walk! It was so helpful to listen to the audio guide as we walked. We actually started from the end of the Cliff Walk as was suggested to us. The map gps connection adjusted to that.
My sister and I had a great time with this challenging walk! It was so helpful to listen to the audio guide as we walked. We actually started from the end of the Cliff Walk as was suggested to us. The map gps connection adjusted to that.U7830MPlisap
July 2021
I enjoyed it. I learned a lot. I was unprepared for how uneven the stones are in the area that is in paved I would suggest giving a stronger warning for those who are unsteady on their feet. Otherwise great.
I enjoyed it. I learned a lot. I was unprepared for how uneven the stones are in the area that is in paved I would suggest giving a stronger warning for those who are unsteady on their feet. Otherwise great.