Beyond the Tour Bus: 6 Must-See Attractions in Newport, Rhode Island
Discover Gilded Age Mansions, Rugged Coastlines, and Historic Forts—Completely at Your Own Pace
Newport is where the 19th-century wealthy built mansions to rival European palaces — Gwendolyn Kwong / Unsplash
Let’s be honest: Newport, Rhode Island, is magnificent. It is a city defined by dizzying opulence, where 19th-century titans of industry built summer cottages that rival European palaces. Add in a rugged, crashing Atlantic coastline and a harbor filled with world-class yachts, and you have a destination that belongs on every traveler's bucket list.
But if you are anything like us, the idea of experiencing this incredible city while crammed onto a packed tour bus sounds less like a vacation and more like a chore.
You don't want to chase a tour guide's brightly colored umbrella down Bellevue Avenue, and you certainly don't want to be told it's time to get back on the bus just as you're starting to soak in a breathtaking ocean view.
You want to travel on your own time. You want deep, engaging history without the crowds. We’re here to tell you that it is entirely possible to see the very best of Newport on your own terms.
Here are the top six iconic, can't-miss attractions in Newport, Rhode Island, and how to best experience them as an independent traveler.
1. The Breakers: The Crown Jewel of the Gilded Age
The Vanderbilt’s Breakers is one Newport mansion that you must step inside — Michael Denning / Unsplash
If you only have time to step inside one Newport mansion, make it The Breakers.
Built between 1893 and 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II—the President of the New York Central Railroad—this 70-room, 13-acre estate is the undisputed heavyweight champion of Gilded Age architecture.
Designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt, The Breakers was built in the style of a 16th-century Italian Renaissance palazzo. Because the family's previous wooden home on the property burned down, Vanderbilt insisted that this new structure be completely fireproof, utilizing steel, brick, and limestone. They even buried the boiler room safely underground beneath the front lawn.
When you explore The Breakers, take your time in the Great Hall, which boasts a 50-foot-high ceiling meant to mimic an open-air Italian courtyard.
Because you aren't tied to a group schedule, you can linger by the Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the dining room or stroll the meticulously manicured grounds overlooking the sea long after the large groups have moved on.
2. The Cliff Walk: Where the Wild Coast Meets High Society
The Newport Cliff Walk is a must-do experience when in the city — Larry Pozza / Unsplash
This is, without a doubt, the most unique experience in Newport. The Cliff Walk is a 3.5-mile public access trail that brilliantly borders the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the sprawling backyards of Newport's most famous mansions on the other.
Walking this path is free, but simply looking at the beautiful estates doesn't tell you the real story.
Who built the wall at the Forty Steps to keep the public out, and how did the locals fight back to tear it down? What are the scandalous secrets hiding behind the pink-and-white awning of Rosecliff, or the gilded gates of Marble House?
To truly uncover these stories without hiring a private guide, you need the right companion in your pocket. That’s exactly why we created the Newport Cliff Walk walking tour. You can pop in your earbuds and let our location-aware audio guide tell you the fascinating history of the Vanderbilts, the Astors, and the creation of the Cliff Walk exactly as you pass by their estates.
You have all the rich storytelling of a premium guided tour, but you can pause the audio whenever you want to grab a coffee, sit on a bench, or just listen to the ocean.
3. Ocean Drive: The Ultimate Ten-Mile Joyride
The Newport Ocean Drive might be the best road trip in New Enlgand — Rich Martello / Unsplash
Locals simply call it The Drive, and it is the quintessential New England coastal road trip.
Stretching for roughly 10 miles along the southern coastline of Aquidneck Island, Ocean Drive offers panoramic views of the Atlantic, rocky coves, and spectacular private real estate.
This route used to be farmland, but today it is a playground for sightseeing, cycling, and cruising. This is where independent travel truly shines. You are in the driver's seat.
Roll your windows down to let in the salty sea breeze. Pull over at Brenton Point State Park to watch the kites dancing in the sky, or scramble down the rocks near Castle Hill to find a quiet spot away from the crowded public beaches.
There is no itinerary here—just you, the open road, and the breathtaking horizon.
4. The Elms: A French Chateau With Hidden Secrets
While the Vanderbilts built palazzos by the sea, coal baron Edward Julius Berwind looked to 18th-century France for inspiration.
Completed in 1901, The Elms was modeled after the Château d'Asnières outside of Paris. It cost roughly $1.5 million to build—an astronomical sum at the turn of the century.
What makes The Elms a must-visit is its dual nature. Above stairs, it is a masterclass in Classical Revival architecture, featuring a stunning conservatory designed to bring the outdoors in, classical bronze statues, and an incredible sunken garden out back.
But it was also a marvel of modern technology, being one of the first homes in America wired completely for electricity without a backup system.
For the knowledge-hungry traveler, The Elms is fascinating because it offers a stark look at the contrast between the ultra-wealthy and the working class.
Exploring the estate gives you a deep appreciation for the complex ecosystem required to keep these massive summer cottages running smoothly.
5. International Tennis Hall of Fame: Gilded Age Sporting Glory
The ITHF is immacutely preserved and holds more than 2,000 artifacts — International Tennis Hall of Fame
Newport's history isn't just about massive houses—it's also about how the elite spent their leisure time. Located in the historic Newport Casino on Bellevue Avenue, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a striking departure from the marble and limestone mansions.
Commissioned in 1880 by James Gordon Bennett Jr., who famously got his polo membership revoked and decided to build his own club, the Casino is a masterpiece of American Shingle Style architecture.
Today, it houses nearly 2,000 artifacts of tennis history. Even if you don't know the difference between a backhand and a volley, wandering the beautifully preserved grounds and watching players practice on the pristine grass courts transports you instantly back to the 1880s.
It’s a peaceful, spacious environment where you can easily lose yourself in history for an hour or two.
6. Fort Adams State Park: Coastal Defenses and Sunset Views
Fort Adams State Park is surrounded by some of the best views in New England — Lara Mercer Photography / CC 2.0
Finally, to truly appreciate Newport's maritime legacy, you have to head to the mouth of the harbor. Fort Adams State Park is home to the largest and most complex coastal fortification in the United States.
The fort itself is an engineering marvel, but the park surrounding it is what makes it a top attraction.
The 2.5-mile Fort Adams Bay Walk loops around the park's perimeter, offering the absolute best views of the Newport Bridge and the harbor—especially at sunset. It’s also home to the legendary Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals.
Because of its massive, wide-open green spaces, Fort Adams rarely feels crowded, making it the perfect spot to lay out a picnic blanket, watch the sailboats glide by, and reflect on your trip.
Do Newport Your Way
One of the best ways to see Newport is with Drives & Detours’ Cliff Walk self-guided tour — Larry Pozza / Unsplash
Newport is a city of layers. On the surface, it’s a parade of wealth and scenic beauty. But beneath that surface are incredible stories of rivalry, innovation, and history.
You have the unique advantage of peeling back those layers at your own pace. You don't have to settle for the highlight reel shouted from the front of a crowded bus.
By utilizing resources like our self-guided Cliff Walk tour, you can transform a simple weekend getaway into a rich, immersive experience.
Grab your walking shoes, hit play on your audio guide, and go discover the real Newport.
