Newport Visitors Information Center
Newport Visitors Information Center
4.5
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Make the Newport Visitor Information Center your first stop for all of your maps, materials, tickets and tour needs. Information specialists are available with complimentary maps and brochures on local events, attractions, lodging, shopping and dining.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
614 reviews
Excellent
391
Very good
156
Average
44
Poor
12
Terrible
11
Carsons3
Longport, NJ85 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
First, make sure you tell the person at the parking booth that you are there is go to the Visitor's center....otherwise it's $40.00 to park. Park over behind the aquarium and take the trolley, get a receipt, $5.00 all day parking. There are homeless people in Newport, despite the fact it is a very wealthy city. So many rude tourists, so bring patience. Overpriced shops...the restaurant we ate lunch at wasn't bad, pricey but not overly so...The Moorings.
I was sad that none of the shops offered America's Cup photos, unless you had an unlimited budget.
I was sad that none of the shops offered America's Cup photos, unless you had an unlimited budget.
Written August 17, 2024
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.
luvtheflapman
NH22 contributions
Jul 2021
Not my first trip to Newport, always have used the Visitors Info Center. Sites at present are confusing… some say open, some indicate closed, some mention pop up location. This venter is NOT OPEN, there is construction on site. The RIPTA trolleys leave from the back in the parking lot locale, take 67 for the Bellevue homes. There is a location, albeit small with very helpful staff, across the street in a storefront. These people can give you any info you need, worth a stop in for help. This center needs to clarify its status online for travelers who need accurate info.
Written July 24, 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.
Helena
New York City, NY6 contributions
Aug 2021
You may get a map there, but they will not book tours for you. One person gave a bit of advice about who to call, but you can look up most Newport attractions on the internet. Also, hard to find a parking spot around there.
Written August 8, 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.
lulu_mount
Worcester, MA42 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Any questions you may have, these people have the answer. Plenty of parking. Buy trolley pass for $6 (hop on and off) and you can park all day for $2.00 vs $21 without trolley pass. Limited parking in Newport although each mansion has own parking lot.
Written August 7, 2015
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.
stevenhong84
New York City, NY1 contribution
Apr 2017 • Couples
I just went there yesterday to grab some info. A guy name Dennis was the worst representative i have ever dealt with.
Since it is my first time visiting Newport, I told him i need some info. Told him I need info on anything else but mansions, since I did my home work on it.
That stupid asked me if i purchased the tickets yet, told him im not interested. Then he started to go over the price of ticket pkgs. I tried to tell him im ok.
This idiot got butthurt, then started to giving me an attitude. Then i said that's it. Can i just get a map? Then he throws me a map. I told him i need to borrow a pen, he threw a sharpie in front of me with an attitude.
I just walked out of there because i didnt want any trouble. But it reall ruined my trip here with my family.
I normally don't like to write about this kind of review. But I was so disgusted with the service ive seen there, and there is no system to keep these guys in check, I just had to throw it out here. And please understand, i have waited for few hours to write this review to calm me down.
Listen guy, if you are miserable working there, don't take it out on some random visitors.
Since it is my first time visiting Newport, I told him i need some info. Told him I need info on anything else but mansions, since I did my home work on it.
That stupid asked me if i purchased the tickets yet, told him im not interested. Then he started to go over the price of ticket pkgs. I tried to tell him im ok.
This idiot got butthurt, then started to giving me an attitude. Then i said that's it. Can i just get a map? Then he throws me a map. I told him i need to borrow a pen, he threw a sharpie in front of me with an attitude.
I just walked out of there because i didnt want any trouble. But it reall ruined my trip here with my family.
I normally don't like to write about this kind of review. But I was so disgusted with the service ive seen there, and there is no system to keep these guys in check, I just had to throw it out here. And please understand, i have waited for few hours to write this review to calm me down.
Listen guy, if you are miserable working there, don't take it out on some random visitors.
Written April 15, 2017
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.
Lasa88
Los Angeles, CA1,360 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
Great information center right next to the Newport Marriott and within walking distance of the pier. They are very friendly and helpful here and you can buy tickets for all your activities here as well. Also, the city buses are parked right in the back so you can just get on a bus for the tour of the mansions or anything else in town you want to do. They also give you maps, etc. and there is even a cute gift shop.
Written September 16, 2018
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.
Pleased to hear our visitor's center was helpful to you. Thank you for taking the time to review us.
Written November 16, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CarolJoM23
Westbrook, Maine, United States6 contributions
Jul 2016
One of the best visitors centers we've been in. Friendly and particularly helpful. Went several times over the weekend for tickets or info. Picked up some great tips for eateries from staff whose suggestions always turned out to be "just the ticket"! Everyone was great, Hildie was exceptional! There is a small gift shop and a clean public restroom . Parking is free for the first half hour (get your parking ticket stamped). For the best parking deal in town (visitors center is 1/2 mile walk to the warfs and quaint/busy shopping district), purchase a 4 or 6 dollar trolley shuttle or regional bus ticket and park ALL DAY for 6$. Does not include trolley tours. You can ride the shuttle or bus all day on their respective circuits. Parking was as high as 30 dollars a day in some places! take your chances finding parking around town with mostly 3 hour max times.
Written July 4, 2016
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.
Thanks for the great review!!
Written July 13, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LoveFunTravels
North Augusta, SC362 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
We found the staff at the long info desk on the side much more friendlier than the ones in the circle kiosk in the middle of the building. Be very clear on what it is you are interested in...they sold us a city bus/trolley pass first. We discovered there was nothing touristy about it pretty quickly, but we were stuck on it until it made it around town and back to the visitors center. We then paid additional money for the sight seeing tour. No refunds since we used the first one. When we returned to the desk and told them about their error, they did seem apologetic. That's nice, but we still wasted a lot of time and money. Come on.... why would their first thought be to sell us tourists a bus pass?????? Center has a lot of brochures. You may wish to study up before purchasing anything.
Written June 9, 2016
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.
Thank you, your input is very important to us.
Written June 11, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
wendylr22
Connecticut85 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
The visitor center is located next to the Marriott Hotel and offers parking. You can catch the trolley here that takes you down Bellevue Ave and the mansions. On the afternoon of our arrival I went in to pick up information and brochures and ask about the trolley. I wanted to buy all day passes. You can purchase trolley tickets at a window inside the center. It was later in the afternoon and I didn't go in with my wallet, so had to go back to my hotel. By the time I came back around 4:30, the ticket window was already closed. The visitor's center closes at 5. I have no idea why they stop selling the tickets so early. However, not that big a deal. You can buy your tickets when you get on the trolley, but you must have exact change. The all day pass was $6 per person. Be sure to get the pamphlet with the stops and route on it. it runs different stops off season.
Written April 17, 2016
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.
We appreciate you taking the time to review us. Your input is very important to us.
Written April 28, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark G
Catonsville, MD3,422 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
The Newport Visitors Information Center is excellent, located in the heart of the city's downtown waterfront with plenty of free parking available.They have all the maps,tour and lodging etc..information anyone could need.You can buy your mansion tour package at the desk.Nice wall maps,historical insight through out the center and when we were there in mid December they had a unique gingerbread lighthouse display.This is the place to start when visiting the Newport area.
Written February 15, 2016
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.
We will be visiting RI in late October. We don't have a specific destination, as we are checking off state # 48 on our bucket list. Newport looks very appealing. We are renting a car and driving to RI from Hartford, CT (state #47). We live in a very rural area and are wondering about traffic into Newport. We want to take a hop-on, hop-off trolley to see the city. What would be the best option for accessing tours with the least amount of driving in Newport? Are there any tours that pick up outside of Newport (we will be entering from the south)? We've driven in a lot of cities, but not our favorite thing to do! Thank goodness for GPS.
Written October 3, 2018
Try the hop on hop off trolley tours. We have used them all over the country and make it easy to tour any metropolitan city.
Written October 4, 2018
Is parking allowed in the parking garage here overnight? If so, how much would it be? Thank you!
Written September 17, 2018
Overnight parking is allowed, but it's $24 per day. Free exit is allowed between midnight and 7 am daily. That garage is free every day and night from Nov 1 to Apr 30.
Written October 3, 2018
We will be visiting Newport for a day trip in August. We'd like to tour a few of the mansions and have booked a sailing excursion out of Bowen's Wharf. If we park our car at the Visitors Center, how far would it be to walk to The Breakers and other mansions? We don't mind a good walk, especially if there is sightseeing involved! Thanks!
Written July 19, 2017
I would park by the mansions for that tour as it does involve lots of walking --just doing the tour. You only have 1 day and have two big things planned....if you only want to see the Breakers then no problem but the other mansions are very beautiful and well worth seeing. If you want to walk then do the Cliff Walk which is free and park by the mansions which was free when we were there. If you do the Cliff Walk I found that going from the Breakers to the Walk and then turn right-that was the most enjoyable-the other end there was really nothing but the College. It is a lot to do in one day....the visitors center is really the place to buy tickets. Enjoy it is a beautiful place!
Written July 21, 2017
action1899
Ardsley, New York
We will be visiting New Port JUNE 13-16
Will the mansions be open
Touro synagogue ?
is this a good time for touring New Port ?
Written April 22, 2017
Yes they will both be open and it id a great time of year to visit. Wonderful weather. Enjoy!
Written April 24, 2017
We will be visiting Oct 24, 25, & 26. Is this a very busy time to visit? Besides Manions any other suggestion of things to see in & around Newport. Will be staying in Middletown.
Written September 23, 2016
That should be a much slower time of year to visit. If you join the preservation society you can get a pass to visit all the mansion for $75.00 for 2 people. One mansion can cost $26.00 so quite a bargain. Recommend you take the trolley tour to get a lay of
the land. Also, Rough Point, Doris Duke's residence is beautiful with a lot of interesting stories about her. Our guide was great!
If it isn't too cold, the boats tours might still be open. Also, a
car museum in the middle of town. So much to see, will keep
you busy for at least 4 full days. Enjoy!
Written September 23, 2016
I have vacationed in Newport every Fall for the past 20 years. I've seen all the major attractions and have taken all of the walking and harbor tours. Can you recommend some type of activity to enjoy in Newport for someone who is not a typical tourist. Thank you so much for your help.
Written September 22, 2016
Oh boy that's a tough one. If you have a vehicle, there are some nice vineyards about a 1/2 hour from Newport. There is also Prescott Farm, The Yacht Restoration School tour. The Museum of American Illustration and the Jane Pickens Theater (movies) I assume you have looked at the smaller older homes built pre-Revolutionary War. Some are open for tours.
Written September 23, 2016
Driverneeded
Sacramento, California
Is there a mansion pass available for all mansions for a reduced rate?
Written September 10, 2016
If you join the Preservation Society you receive a pass good for all the Preservation mansions for one year. This costs $50 for an individual or $75 for a dual pass. If you plan to go to all the mansions or return more than once to do so, this is a good deal. Go to NewportMansions for more information.
Written September 10, 2016
We will be traveling with German speaking relatives to see the mansions. Will they have information in German so they know what they are seeing?
Written September 7, 2016
Not sure if the Visitors Center has information in German, but i'm certain the mansions will have audio tours w/devices that can accommodate you.
Written September 15, 2016
Which trolley is scenic overview and which trolley is hop on/hop off?
Written August 30, 2016
I would take the trolly tour by itself and return to the mansions you want to see. There are all kinds of package choices, but get the grand overview first and then do the mansions. If you don't have a car, there are ways to get there.
Written September 23, 2016
Is the Newport Visitors Center within walking distance of where the cruise ships dock?
Written August 12, 2016
Yes, the cruise ships have tenders that ferry you from the main ship to the dock very near the Visitors' Center. Also where they dock you can take the harbor shuttle that goes around the whole harbor. Not a sightseeing or tour boat, but very interesting. The captains seem to be locals and know lots of info on the mansions by the water or places to eat. There are several launches so they will be stopping by about.every 15 minutes.
Only $10 and can hop on and hop off all day.
But take the trolly from the visitors' center to the mansions. I believe the senior rate is $1 per trip.
Written September 11, 2016
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