Newport RI Mansions Scenic Trolley Tour (Ages 5+ only)
4.5
Newport RI Mansions Scenic Trolley Tour (Ages 5+ only)
By Newport Travel Trolley Tours
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About
Discover Newport with ease on this trolley tour, designed to save you the stress of planning your own rides. Learn fun facts about more than 150 points of interest, and focus on the sights rather than the roads while someone else drives. With a meeting point within walking distance of the cruise port, this excursion is perfect for travelers with limited time.
Ages 5-90, max of 36 per group
Duration: 70–90 minutes
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Travel around Newport with ease on a trolley tour
- Enjoy guided commentary and pass more than 150 points of interest
- Multiple departure times are available to fit any schedule
- Convenient meeting spot within walking distance of the cruise port
- For Ages 5+ only, board our luxurious, comfortable late model trolley with leather captain's chairs
- Our breathtaking, narrated scenic overview trolley tour of Newport
- See over 150+ points of interest such as Colonial Downtown, Scenic Ocean Drive, and Mansion Row
What's not included- Gratuities
- Entry/Admission - The Breakers
- Your Newport Sightseeing Trolley Tour meets at a central Newport location. This tour makes it easy to explore the highlights of this picturesque seaport town in just 90-minutes. Once it’s time to get going, board the trolley and find your preferred seat and enjoy the bustle of the city as you drive by. Your guide will give you a rundown of the city's history and culture, as well as enlightening you with fun facts about attractions. Your trolley passes around 150 Newport points of interest, including the Newport Mansions, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Travel from the historic district to Bellevue Avenue to Ocean Drive and beyond. Take in sights of Cliff Walk, colonial homes, gilded mansions, and the ocean. Your tour will conclude at the original starting point.
- Start:
- 23 America's Cup Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USADeparture Point: Newport Transportation Center, Platform #2 (outside) - white trolley 23 America's Cup Avenue Newport, RI 02840
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 40169P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- IMPORTANT: Due to Newport Bridge Construction, please allow an additional 40 minutes of drive time when travelling to Newport.
- *MINIMUM AGE TO EXPERIENCE THIS TOUR IS 5 YEARS OLD AND UP*
- Departure point is the Newport Transportation Center, 23 America's Cup Ave, Newport RI, platform #2 Parking is available on site for a fee.
- This tour departs promptly at the scheduled time.
- The duration of this tour is 70-90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions
- This enclosed trolley tour operates rain or shine except during and after winter weather events which involve snow or ice
- Our drivers have updated manifests on their devices. Cancelled tickets are not accepted for admission
- Youth under 17 must be accompanied by an adult
- The trolley is not handicapped accessible. Driver may assign seating based on customer's physical needs
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 40169P1
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 23 America's Cup Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USADeparture Point: Newport Transportation Center, Platform #2 (outside) - white trolley 23 America's Cup Avenue Newport, RI 02840
- 1Pass byFort Adams State ParkBrenton Point State ParkOcean DriveCliff WalkMarble HouseRosecliff
- 2Pass byThe ElmsInternational Tennis Hall of FameBowen's Wharf
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- anndW2384XP0 contributionsAWESOMEMy driver, Carlos, was so knowledgeable. It was great to hear the history of Newport. It was so nice to see Newport and all the mansionsWritten December 14, 2024
- SirKnight5220 contributionsTrolley Bob was knowledgeable AND funnyVery enjoyable and informative. Trolley Bob was a great guide and kept us entertained, I would highly recommend this experience.Written December 1, 2024
- Itsjola0 contributionsGreat Mansion TourWe had a great time on our mansion tour and visit to The Breakers - despite the awful weather! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and funny. We highly recommend this tour to anyone interested.Written November 24, 2024
- D2029ZAcandaces0 contributionsFun Newport TourWe had friends visiting from Florida. I am so happy we booked this tour. Our tour guide, can't remember his name, just made it even more enjoyable. Highly recommend it.Written November 21, 2024
- 616cristac0 contributionsAwesomeTrolley Rob was the highlight of this tour. His lunch recommendation was spot on. The Breakers weren’t bad either. Happy Holidays!Written November 17, 2024
- devonyb0 contributionsCancelled tour…? Refund???I had to cancel with less than 24 hr notice because Breeze Airline cancelled my flight the evening before ! I notified your operator and Viator but received no feedback. Devony Burgess ph 941-524-0906Written November 17, 2024
- cynthialr0 contributionsGreat trolley tour with mansion visit for our 1st Newport visit!Excellent trolley tour with Trolley Rob as our lively, funny/punny, knowledgeable tour guide! Highly recommend this tour as it was our 1st time to Newport RI. Perfect tour content and length! The Breakers Vanderbilt summer 'cottage' mansion is a 'must-see' if you only have time for one mansion tour. Bonus! It was decorated for Christmas!Written November 16, 2024
- Helen S0 contributionsBest tour with RobWhat a fantastic tour guide Rob. He was very well informed and was very upbest.... which is what you want. He deserves 10 stars. Only wish we could have had a better view of the mansions.Written November 12, 2024
- O5081AEalisonm0 contributionsWonderful tourVery knowledgeable and entertaining as well. Our guide was able to answer all of our questions and give us facts as well as interesting information about the area.Written November 10, 2024
- Voyager5612310 contributionsGreatTrolly Rob , the guide was very knowledgeable made it a fun and interesting tour . We had a great day Learned a lot of interesting facts a few bad jokes ThanksWritten November 7, 2024
- wrightwayecon0 contributionsStep back in time and enjoy the viewsIt was enjoyable to go around the island getting little insights and tips about what to look for and where. We loved the historic and cultural details. It was a nice balance between fun and fact. Our guide Rob was great. The Breakers was stunning the tour gave you more than enough time to complete the audio tour inside and enjoy the groundsWritten November 4, 2024
- Sightsee457840813120 contributionsHow The Other Half Lived!We thoroughly enjoyed this tour The only negative was we had difficulty in finding the departure point, so perhaps the pre-tour information could be clearer? The tour was just the right length of time to tour Breakers and the gardenWritten November 4, 2024
- Angie R0 contributionsTrolley tour woth Breakers MansionI highly recommend this tour. Our tour guide was very entertaining and knowledgeable. The Breakers is definitely worth going to see.Written November 3, 2024
- annamariag4840 contributionsEntertaining and Informative Newport Trolley Tour – Don’t Forget Your Headphones (if you go into the Breakers)I thoroughly enjoyed this trolley tour! Our driver was experienced and funny, sharing Newport's rich history and showcasing its beautiful architecture. We had plenty of time to explore the Breakers, which was a highlight. I also appreciated the free app for a self-guided tour—just don’t forget your headphones! Without them, everyone moving at different paces ends up with a chaotic echo from the speaker.Written November 3, 2024
- Drcletus990 contributionsNice overview!Tour guide Troy was engaging without being annoying. Learned quite a bit about Newport and The Breakers was quite enjoyable.Written November 3, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
252 reviews
Excellent
207
Very good
32
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
7
Jessica
Malta, NY3 contributions
This was a great tour around Newport! We came in on an NCL Cruise and after tendering we only had a short 10 minute walk to the transportation station where we waited for the trolley (it's on the same side of the street from where you arrive). The station waiting area is outdoors under covered shelters with benches and large numbers and letters marking where you need to be. There is also an air conditioned indoor area with public restrooms and vending machines if needed. Our tour guide was Trolley Rob and he was a blast! He spoke very clear and loud and my mother who is hard of hearing was actually able to hear and understand him throughout the tour which rarely happens. He was very knowledgeable about everything we were seeing and added fun stories and jokes with each place. He briefly stopped and pulled over at quite a few mansions and the fort so we could have a longer look. This tour does not stop and let you out for pictures but it's air conditioned and had clean glass windows for nice photos as we passed. My 6 year old autistic daughter was cool and comfortable and really enjoyed the ride. My 14 year old son loved hearing the history and snapping photos. 90 minutes was the perfect amount of time. I highly recommend if you want a nice historical and quirky look around Newport and you can't beat the price.
Written August 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lori P
Cortland, New York, United States20 contributions
Aug 2020
First impression was not good as the location to board the trolley was not well indicated. We had to go in to the Marriott to ask where we should be going.
The handrails as you board the bus were disinfected between tours; however, I would have liked to see the seats sprayed off also but they were not.
The tour was actually very good and the guide/bus driver was very knowledgeable and personable.
We enjoyed the trolley tour very much and would recommend it, especially for the cost.
The handrails as you board the bus were disinfected between tours; however, I would have liked to see the seats sprayed off also but they were not.
The tour was actually very good and the guide/bus driver was very knowledgeable and personable.
We enjoyed the trolley tour very much and would recommend it, especially for the cost.
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our Newport Visitor's Center is closed permanently and all that's in its place is a locked bus terminal, but the parking garage is operational.
The day before each tour, all customers receive a detailed email notification with turn by turn directions to locate the garage, how to park, and where to find the trolley at platform #2. We're sorry you did not read your email. Everyone else on your tour found the trolley okay without going into the Marriott next door.
As far as spraying seats between tours, the RI Health Dept requires us to wipe down high contact areas between tours and clean seats once daily, which we do diligently as indicated in other reviews. We go above and beyond the RIDOH Covid recommendations.
In addition to our stringent cleaning standards, 98% of our tours during Covid have been open air, with every window open and the 2 doors on the back deck open with a nice breeze blowing through.
We are happy to hear that you made it home safely and hope to see you back in Newport when things return to normal.
Written September 6, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patti S
Searcy, AR35 contributions
Our 90-minute tour of Newport was a delight, once we boarded—however, it needs to be said that the terminal building was “permanently closed” (not sure if that was COVID-related) and the only restroom facilities were poorly-maintained portable toilets. They had not been recently cleaned and had been used to dispose of a number of liquor bottles by unhoused citizens. Newport needs to do a better job of managing the facilities at the terminal.
That having been said, our trolly driver was extremely competent at managing the bus on the narrow Newport streets while giving a solid overview of the sights and fielding interaction with passengers. He was charming and funny and seemed to enjoy his gig.
We recommend the tour, because the streets are difficult to navigate in traffic and the tour allows you to learn the priority destinations once you are back behind the wheel of your own vehicle. If you only have a day in Newport, the combination trolly tour and Breakers ticket would be an excellent choice.
That having been said, our trolly driver was extremely competent at managing the bus on the narrow Newport streets while giving a solid overview of the sights and fielding interaction with passengers. He was charming and funny and seemed to enjoy his gig.
We recommend the tour, because the streets are difficult to navigate in traffic and the tour allows you to learn the priority destinations once you are back behind the wheel of your own vehicle. If you only have a day in Newport, the combination trolly tour and Breakers ticket would be an excellent choice.
Written May 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great to hear you enjoyed our trolley tour. We are all in agreement that the former Visitor's Center building should have never been shut down permanently. The city will have some major fallout from that decision in the weeks to come.
Written May 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
joggerbill
Redmond, WA163 contributions
Terry, our tour guide and driver, provided excellent narration and identification of the attractions in Newport. The trolley seats were comfortable and the sliding windows provided adequate ventilation. We highly recommend this tour if you are new to Newport and want to know what you can see in your visit.
Written June 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louden77
Ottawa, Canada1,012 contributions
This is a 1 1/2 hour tour with an optional stop at the "Breakers" where for an additional fee you can visit this site and reboard the trolley on its next visit. The trolley bus has AC and padded but closely spaced seats. Senior price is $23.
Our driver and narrator knew the history of virtually ever building we passed. Unfortunately heavy foliage in many places obscured the view of many of these mansions. Nevertheless this was a very enjoyable tour.
Our driver and narrator knew the history of virtually ever building we passed. Unfortunately heavy foliage in many places obscured the view of many of these mansions. Nevertheless this was a very enjoyable tour.
Written July 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy B
Cleveland, OH162 contributions
Jun 2021
I've taken tours and hop-on hop-off buses whenever I travel in the US or in other countries. Our guide was fabulous! I went on June 18, 2021. The driver was funny, sang a song, and gave us detailed history and stories of just about every place we visited in the 90 minute tour.
I was leery about taking this tour to start with, thinking what could he show me that I couldn't do myself. I was completely wrong and highly recommend this tour!
I was leery about taking this tour to start with, thinking what could he show me that I couldn't do myself. I was completely wrong and highly recommend this tour!
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paul c
Norwood, MA2 contributions
Apr 2023
best 90 minutes you'll spend in Newport
my wife and i were only here for a quick getaway, as we arrived saturday afternoon spent saturday walking around the center of Newport lots of nice little stores and any type of food you could want. after dinner we went back to our hotel to unwind as we covered alot of ground in a couple hours. the next day we were looking for something different to do the nice young girl at the information booth next to our hotel suggested we take the trolly tour of the mansions, neither one of us hadn't been there since probably junior high,
we bought tickets and boarded our trolly at the transportation building for the next 90 minutes we were transported back to the gilded age with the Rockerfellers and Astors thanks to the upbeat and fun narration of our tour guide he really made it fun and personal highly recommend taking tour they do offer a more in-depth tour which includes a vist to the Breakers mansion like i said best 90 minutes you'll spend in Newport.
my wife and i were only here for a quick getaway, as we arrived saturday afternoon spent saturday walking around the center of Newport lots of nice little stores and any type of food you could want. after dinner we went back to our hotel to unwind as we covered alot of ground in a couple hours. the next day we were looking for something different to do the nice young girl at the information booth next to our hotel suggested we take the trolly tour of the mansions, neither one of us hadn't been there since probably junior high,
we bought tickets and boarded our trolly at the transportation building for the next 90 minutes we were transported back to the gilded age with the Rockerfellers and Astors thanks to the upbeat and fun narration of our tour guide he really made it fun and personal highly recommend taking tour they do offer a more in-depth tour which includes a vist to the Breakers mansion like i said best 90 minutes you'll spend in Newport.
Written April 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WMB
4 contributions
My husband and I took my mom and her husband to Newport for her birthday. We started out with the gilded age trolley tour. Our tour guide Russ was a hoot, made everyone feel very comfortable and relaxed. We decided not to do the Breakers tour and Russ made sure we got a refund for that portion of the tour. Highly recommend
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DEBRA F
Merrick, NY6 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
This was a great tour of this beautiful coastal town. Our guide, Carlos from Brazil, did a superb job of providing a narrative for all the important sites as well as adding in some fun humor. The trolley was comfortable with leather seats and air conditioning. I felt safe from Covid since all passengers were required to wear masks and use sanitizer as we boarded the bus. I highly recommend the Newport Trolley Tour.
Written July 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim G
3 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Carlos was a knowledgeable and informative host! He was able to clearly put into reference the background on Newport and Rhode Island and then honed in on the history of the Guilded Age and the specifics if the mansions.
Advise to travelers: sit in the back row. Don't worry about not being able to hear. Carlos used a headset microphone and the speakers were directly overhead. The back row offers more legroom and you get better pictures as the trolly pulls away.
Highly recommend.
Advise to travelers: sit in the back row. Don't worry about not being able to hear. Carlos used a headset microphone and the speakers were directly overhead. The back row offers more legroom and you get better pictures as the trolly pulls away.
Highly recommend.
Written September 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Would this be appropriate for 5 year old? Too long? Too boring ? Lol
Written August 26, 2020
The guide we had did not seem to speak Spanish but nobody requested it.
Written October 29, 2019
Do you allow small dog? She will be in her carrier at all times
Written August 4, 2019
I don't have an answer about pets. Try contacting the tour operator to answer your question.
Written August 5, 2019
What is the best way to get to the pick up for the trolley if we are arriving by cruise ship. I understand we will be tendered in. I have no idea where that dock is.
Written July 20, 2019
We made this trolley tour last week. The Visitor Center is on the main road about 200 meters from the dock, you don't need a taxi!
Written October 25, 2019
Est ce qu' il y a un tour en français et si oui dites moi lequel afin que j achète mes billets pr le 4 juillet, merci
Written June 28, 2019
I concur with the other two answers. I don't speak French, but I will be happy to answer any questions in English. It was a great tour!
Written June 28, 2019
Can you get on and get off anywhere? , say if you want to get off at the Mansions and get on again later, is that possible ?
Written May 6, 2019
You can only get off at the Breakers but that’s it.
Written May 11, 2019
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