Voices of Music City Walking Tour
Explore downtown Nashville from riverfront roots to honky-tonk lights.
What to Expect
Discover how Nashville became “Music City” on a self-guided audio walk through its historic downtown. Starting near Fort Nashborough and the riverfront, you’ll trace the city’s early frontier days before winding into Printer’s Alley, the Tennessee State Capitol, and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Along the way, the tour highlights the Musicians Hall of Fame, Frist Art Museum, Customs House, and the Birthplace of Country Music Broadcasting. You’ll step inside the stories behind the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hatch Show Print, and the Johnny Cash Museum before ending amid the neon glow of Honky Tonk Highway, the Ryman Auditorium, and Bridgestone Arena.
Explore at your own pace with GPS-triggered audio in the Drives & Detours app.
Ready to go? Book below or download our app and purchase directly from your phone.
📍 Location: Nashville, TN
🚶♂️ Type: Walking tour
⏱ Duration: Approx. 3 hours (flexible)
✅ Includes: App download, GPS-triggered audio, No expiration
📶 Works Offline: Download ahead of time - no cell service required
🎧 Multiple Languages: English, Spanish
Get Ready for Your Newport Walking Tour
Step into a world shaped by crashing waves, bold architecture, and the glittering drama of high society on this immersive self-guided audio tour along Newport’s iconic Cliff Walk.
As you explore, you’ll uncover the tales of a city where inherited fortunes clashed with new wealth—and where grandeur often concealed intrigue, rivalry, and reinvention.
Travel straight into the heart of America’s Gilded Age. Learn how ambitious industrialists and powerful socialites used their mansions as statements of influence, and how the lives of workers, locals, and overlooked figures helped shape these remarkable estates.
This Newport walking tour reveals a captivating blend of spectacle and humanity, sharing lesser-known stories alongside the legends.
Take in the ocean vistas at your leisure as detailed narration—rooted in historical research and local perspective—guides you through the region’s most compelling sites.
Whether you're drawn to architecture, fascinated by history, or simply love a scenic adventure, you'll discover Newport from a fresh and unforgettable angle.
What You’ll See on Your Newport Walking Tour
Beaulieu House
Once a quiet summer getaway for railroad magnates and political icons, Beaulieu reflects a more understated version of Newport luxury. Its waterfront setting and graceful design offer a softer, more refined glimpse into elite life during the Gilded Age.
Belcourt Castle
A striking mix of Gothic fantasy and personal expression, Belcourt stands apart from the other mansions. Built as a medieval-inspired stronghold for a nonconformist heir, it remains one of Newport’s boldest architectural statements.
Chateau-sur-Mer
Among the earliest of Newport’s grand residences, Chateau-sur-Mer showcases Victorian splendor and expansive grounds. It marks the transition of Newport from a merchant community into a haven for America’s wealthiest families.
Chepstow
Intimate and beautifully preserved, Chepstow offers a window into the private world of a prominent New York family. Its original furnishings and collections make it feel like a home where history still whispers from every room.
Chinese Tea House
Perched dramatically at Marble House, the Chinese Tea House brings together Eastern influence and Western extravagance. This playful architectural gem highlights Newport’s taste for international flair and show-stopping vistas.
Isaac Bell House
A landmark of the Shingle Style movement, the Isaac Bell House emphasizes craftsmanship and modern thinking over ostentation. Its natural materials and forward-looking design showcase a more artistic side of Newport.
Kingscote
One of the city’s earliest seasonal retreats, Kingscote blends Gothic Revival design with the ambition of a rising elite. Its inventive interiors and exotic touches illustrate the bold tastes of America’s early social climbers.
Marble House
Marble House is a triumph of extreme wealth, featuring hundreds of thousands of cubic feet of imported stone and palace-like interiors. Commissioned by Alva Vanderbilt, it stands as both a masterpiece and a declaration of power, influence, and independence.
Ochre Court
With its soaring gables, sculpted details, and oceanfront perch, Ochre Court evokes the romance of a European château. Now part of Salve Regina University, it blends historic grandeur with academic life.
Rosecliff
Designed to dazzle, Rosecliff draws inspiration from Versailles’ Grand Trianon. Famous for its lavish celebrations and glittering soirées, it remains one of Newport’s most glamorous venues.
Rough Point
The coastal estate of heiress Doris Duke, Rough Point, pairs world-class art with an unexpectedly personal atmosphere. Its collected treasures and distinctive touches shed light on one of America’s most intriguing social figures.
Salve Regina University Campus
Set among Newport’s finest mansions, Salve Regina’s campus blends historic architecture with sweeping ocean views. Its ivy-covered buildings create one of the most picturesque university settings in the country.
The Breakers
The most iconic of all the Newport mansions, The Breakers was the Vanderbilt family’s spectacular showcase of wealth. Modeled after an Italian Renaissance palace, its scale and craftsmanship continue to astonish visitors.
The Elms
Inspired by a French château, The Elms blends formal elegance with early 20th-century innovation. Its manicured gardens, elaborate interiors, and behind-the-scenes technology reveal the precision and ambition behind Gilded Age luxury.
Sheep Point
This peaceful stretch between cliffs and estate grounds offers sweeping coastal scenery and a moment of calm. Once used for grazing, it now provides some of the Cliff Walk’s most serene ocean views.
Lands End and Bailey’s Beach
At the path’s southern reach, Land’s End recalls the literary presence of Edith Wharton, while nearby Bailey’s Beach remains a private haven for Newport’s upper crust. This scenic edge blends cultural history with modern exclusivity.
Miramar
With its restrained French classical design and sprawling lawn extending to the sea, Miramar embodies quiet refinement. Its elegance reflects a preference for tasteful opulence over theatrical display.
Bellevue Avenue
Bellevue Avenue—known as The Avenue of the Mansions—serves as Newport’s grand architectural corridor. Lined with stately residences and ornate gateways, it tells the story of America’s most lavish era.
Preservation Society of Newport County
This organization safeguards Newport’s iconic estates, restoring and sharing them with the public. Their work ensures that the legacy, stories, and craftsmanship of the Gilded Age continue to inspire future generations.
Meeting Point
Your Harpers Ferry walking tour begins at Forty Steps, Cliff Walk, Newport.
The Forty Steps entrance to the Cliff Walk is located at the end of Narragansett Avenue, where it meets the ocean. The steps are close to the junction with Ochre Point Avenue.
FAQs About Our Newport Audio Tour
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Yes, while some of the mansions in Newport County are private, many are open to the public. The Preservation Society of Newport County manages the majority of these, and other organisations include the Newport Restoration Foundation. Read on for specific details on entrance prices.
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The admission fee to Belcourt Castle is $21.97. This includes a tour of the museum. Visit the Belcourt Castle website for more information.
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The Preservation Society of Newport County manages Chateau-sur-Mer. Entrance to the chateau is available through the following tickets:
The Breakers + 1 Property
Adult: $45
Youth (ages 6–12): $16
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 2 Properties
Adult: $57
Youth (ages 6–12): $18
Children younger than 6: Free
One Property, Excluding The Breakers
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 6–12): $10
Children younger than 6: Free
Visit the Preservation Society of Newport County website for more information.
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The Preservation Society of Newport County manages Chepstow. Entrance to the mansion is available through the following tickets:
The Breakers + 1 Property
Adult: $45
Youth (ages 6–12): $16
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 2 Properties
Adult: $57
Youth (ages 6–12): $18
Children younger than 6: Free
One Property, Excluding The Breakers
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 6–12): $10
Children younger than 6: Free
Visit the Preservation Society of Newport County website for more information.
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The Chinese Tea House can be found at Marble House, managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Entrance to Marble House is available through the following tickets:
The Breakers + 1 Property
Adult: $45
Youth (ages 6–12): $16
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 2 Properties
Adult: $57
Youth (ages 6–12): $18
Children younger than 6: Free
One Property, Excluding The Breakers
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 6–12): $10
Children younger than 6: Free
Visit the Preservation Society of Newport County website for more information.
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The Preservation Society of Newport County manages the Isaac Bell House. Entrance to the house is available through the following tickets:
The Breakers + 1 Property
Adult: $45
Youth (ages 6–12): $16
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 2 Properties
Adult: $57
Youth (ages 6–12): $18
Children younger than 6: Free
One Property, Excluding The Breakers
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 6–12): $10
Children younger than 6: Free
Visit the Preservation Society of Newport County website for more information.
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The Preservation Society of Newport County manages Kingscote. Entrance to the mansion is available through the following tickets:
The Breakers + 1 Property
Adult: $45
Youth (ages 6–12): $16
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 2 Properties
Adult: $57
Youth (ages 6–12): $18
Children younger than 6: Free
One Property, Excluding The Breakers
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 6–12): $10
Children younger than 6: Free
Visit the Preservation Society of Newport County website for more information.
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The Preservation Society of Newport County manages the Marble House. Entrance to the house is available through the following tickets:
The Breakers + 1 Property
Adult: $45
Youth (ages 6–12): $16
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 2 Properties
Adult: $57
Youth (ages 6–12): $18
Children younger than 6: Free
One Property, Excluding The Breakers
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 6–12): $10
Children younger than 6: Free
Visit the Preservation Society of Newport County website for more information.
-
The Preservation Society of Newport County manages Rosecliff. Entrance to the mansion is available through the following tickets:
The Breakers + 1 Property
Adult: $45
Youth (ages 6–12): $16
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 2 Properties
Adult: $57
Youth (ages 6–12): $18
Children younger than 6: Free
One Property, Excluding The Breakers
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 6–12): $10
Children younger than 6: Free
Visit the Preservation Society of Newport County website for more information.
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The Newport Restoration Foundation manages Rough Point. Entrance to the mansion is available through the following tickets:
General: $20.00
Student: $10.00
Children: Free
Newport County Resident: Free
Visit the Newport Restoration Foundation website for more information.
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The Preservation Society of Newport County manages The Breakers. Entrance to the mansion is available through the following tickets:
The Breakers Mansion and Grounds
Adult: $32
Youth (ages 6–12): $14
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 1 Property
Adult: $45
Youth (ages 6–12): $16
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 2 Properties
Adult: $57
Youth (ages 6–12): $18
Children younger than 6: Free
Visit the Preservation Society of Newport County website for more information.
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The Preservation Society of Newport County manages The Elms. Entrance to the mansion is available through the following tickets:
The Breakers + 1 Property
Adult: $45
Youth (ages 6–12): $16
Children younger than 6: Free
The Breakers + 2 Properties
Adult: $57
Youth (ages 6–12): $18
Children younger than 6: Free
One Property, Excluding The Breakers
Adult: $25
Youth (ages 6–12): $10
Children younger than 6: Free
Visit the Preservation Society of Newport County website for more information.
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Tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
If it’s within 24 hours or you had an issue during your tour, email support@drivesanddetours.com. We review all requests individually and will always do our best to make things right.
Our goal is to ensure every traveler has a great experience exploring with Drives & Detours.
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You will walk for about three hours on Drives & Detours’ Newport tour. This is mostly easy and along flat, well-paved surfaces. There are hills and steps to climb, and some walking on sand.
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Yes, downloading the Drives & Detours app will give you full access to the tour you have purchased, as well as many other self-guided tours.
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Download the tour before you go. Some areas have poor signal, which can make downloading the tour difficult. Once the tour is downloaded, it will work without any cell signal
The tour audio plays automatically as you approach each stop
Want to see more? Tap “View Stop” to see photos and bonus content
To return to the map, tap the small down arrow between the “previous” and “next” buttons
Follow the blue line and audio directions to stay on route
Use audio controls to pause, rewind, or skip—just like a podcast
Safety first: Keep your eyes on the road or sidewalk, follow traffic laws, and stay aware of your surroundings
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No—download your Newport tour before you go, and you won't need a cell signal. Drives & Detours’ tours work without any cell signal once they are downloaded to your device.
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Once you have purchased your Newport walking tour from Drives & Detours, you can use it whenever you want. You can always take the tour another day if the weather is bad on the day you plan to take it.
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Unfortunately, Dives & Detours cannot guarantee that the Newport self-guided tour is accessible. People with wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility impairments are very welcome, but we recommend checking the Accessible Rhode Island website for detailed information.
Pro Tips for Your Drives & Detours Newport Self-Guided Tour
Download before you go.
Enable location services—GPS triggers the audio.
Use earbuds, headphones, or your car speakers.
Pause and resume anytime. If you take a break, just reopen the app and head back toward your last stop.
Lost your way? Tap any pin on the map, then tap the right-turn-arrow icon to open your default maps app for turn-by-turn directions to that spot.
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