From its humble beginnings as a shipbuilding port to its current reputation as the yachting capital of the United States, Newport has always been tied to the sea. Many mansions were erected in Newport to maximize the grand, scenic views of the big, blue sea.
Locals will even tell you of a tale of a mysterious stone tower that sits on a hill above the harbor that the Vikings allegedly built. It’s more likely that the structure was constructed to be a mill in the 1600s. Nevertheless, it has been woven into the fabric of Newport lore that includes the outrageous tales of the Vanderbilts and the Astors.
Sailing, though, isn’t the only thing that makes Newport famous. It is also home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum, inside a historic complex where the first US National Championships took place way back in 1881. There are also the Gilded Age mansions and other structures that date back to the colonial era, including nine erected before 1700. There are also entire neighborhoods filled with pre-Revolution buildings!
While there’s no doubt that Newport has something for everyone—whether it’s history, culture, art, sailing, tennis, beaches, and even shopping—you still can’t help but feel apprehensive about heading to these spots with the threat of COVID-19 still around. If you still want to enjoy these spectacular sites without having to rub shoulders with a lot of other people, there’s one way you can do that: with a self-guided tour!
Simply download the app from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. You can then either walk or drive along a recommended route while listening to a narrator relay intriguing bits of information and fascinating stories about the places you’re visiting. You can enjoy hours of cool facts and stories on every tour with the app. And the best part is, your safety is all but guaranteed, as you’ll be avoiding crowds because you’ll be heading to the tourist spots on your own time.
You can fill up the gas tank of your car and casually drive from one spot to another. There is no rushing to catch up to a spot’s business hours or line up on queues. You can walk around by yourself or with a small group or spend all your time inside the vehicle—the choice is yours. What’s guaranteed is with the guided self-tour, you will get to enjoy the attractions when you want to and in the manner that you want to.
Newport is a place rich with history and cool places to visit. Here are the top five things you can do in and around Newport:
1) Scenic Newport, RI Self-Guided Driving Tour
Take in everything that Newport, Rhode Island has to offer with this scenic self-guided driving tour that will let you see and experience everything this seaside town has to offer, but on your own time and pace. This three-hour tour will regale you with 49 fascinating stories and 39 deep dives that start at the Visitor Center and then take you down Bellevue Avenue, which has long been considered the “most beautiful avenue in the world.” You will also learn about the exquisite Gilded Age Mansions, including The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, and much more.
2) Essential Newport: Cliff Walk & Drive Self-Guided Tours
Get the quintessential Newport, Rhode Island experience with the Cliff Walk & Drive Self-Guided Tour. This comprehensive seven-hour escapade will tell you an incredible 83 stories and 70 deep dives about the iconic Cliff Walk, which winds past Gilded Age palatial mansions such as The Breakers and the Marble House. On top of these, you’ll also learn about the mansions, the region’s historical past, and well-known American millionaires like the Vanderbilts and the Astors.
Newport, Rhode Island, is an intriguing place with plenty to offer. From the grand mansions to the historic structures to the somber memorial, Newport is filled with wonder and intrigue and is a place that you must place on your bucket list. If you want to learn about Newport safely and refreshingly, the Action Tour Guide Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tours is the way to go.
