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Golden Age to Gilded Age Newport's Transformation Walking Tour

5 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 5 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Newport, USA

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60 to 80 minutes (approx.)
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Overview

Embark on an enchanting journey through Newport's fascinating transformation from its colonial Golden Age to its opulent Gilded Age summer colony with our "Golden to Gilded Walking Tour." Discover how the city evolved and its people thrived during these dynamic periods, long before the Vanderbilts' arrival. Let our knowledgeable guides lead you through the rich history, stunning architecture, and captivating stories that define Newport’s legacy. This tour is a must for anyone interested in learning how Newport became a Gilded Age playground for the likes of the Vanderbilts and Astors.

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Museum Admission
  • 10% Discount on NHS Museum Shop Purchases
  • Parking Fees
  • Gratuities
  • Newport Art Museum
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Thames Street
Newport, RI 02840, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Touro Park Street West
Newport, RI 02840, USA

This tour ends at Touro Park, at 5 Touro Park Street W. To find your way back to the museum, take a left onto Bellevue Avenue, and walk to the light. Continue straight on Touro Street and walk down the hill. The museum is directly at the bottom of the street.

What To Expect

Museum Of Newport History And Shop

Guests will check in at the Museum of Newport History. Admission to the museum is included as part of the tour, as is 10% off anything in the shop. IMPORTANT: The museum space on the second floor is not on the walking tour. It is recommended guests arrive early or come back after the tour to view the museum.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

29 Touro St

Guests will learn about the Buliod-Perry house, the Perry family, and the history of the building and surrounding area.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

85 Touro St

Guests will learn about the Levi Gale house, a perfect example of architecture in the era, and how houses were moved in early Newport.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

100 Touro St

Guests will learn about the early Irish immigrants in Newport who built Fort Adams, established Rhode Island's first Catholic church, and created a cemetery with enduring historical significance.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

12 Mt Vernon St

Visitors will learn about New York tailor-turned-real estate developer Alfred Smith, whose visionary land development transformed Newport from a hotel-based tourism culture to one of private summer residences, paving the way for the Gilded Age and skyrocketing land values.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

7 Mt Vernon St

Visitors will learn about the Queen Anne style of architecture popular from 1875-1910, exemplified by this house designed by local architect John Dixon Johnston, and how it represents the upward mobility of Irish families like the Rooneys in Newport.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

119 Touro St

Visitors will learn about Newport's oldest active fire station, highlighting the city's growth from a small town to a city requiring expanded municipal services funded by wealthy tourists, whose preferences often influenced city decisions.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Touro Jewish Cemetery

Guests will stop at the Jewish Cemetery, and learn about the history of the Jews in Newport, from the 17th century to the 19th century.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hotel Viking

Visitors will learn about the era of great hotels in Newport before the construction of Bellevue Avenue's "cottages," highlighted by the lavish Ocean House, which epitomized luxury and elegance, and attracted a privileged clientele, including notable artists and writers.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

20 Bellevue Ave

Visitors will learn about Dudley Newton, a prominent 19th-century Newport architect who designed over 100 buildings and was known for his daring architectural experimentation, including the invention of the "Newton Roof," as well as his contributions to the city's distinctive architectural landscape.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

29 Bellevue Ave

Visitors will learn about the transformation of a small Federal-style hotel into an exclusive men's club by architect George Champlin Mason Sr., his significant contributions to Newport's architecture and cultural scene, and the club's historical anecdotes, including its role in the founding of the Newport Casino.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Newport Art Museum

Guests will stop outside the Newport Art Museum's main building, the Griswold House, and learn about the first Newport commission of acclaimed Gilded Age architect Richard Morris Hunt.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Redwood Library & Athenaeum

Guests will stop outside the Redwood Library and learn about the intellectual culture of the Golden Age of Newport's history that was reinvigorated in the mid-19th century.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Touro Park

Guests will end their tour at Touro Park, and learn about the Old Stone Mill; Matthew C. Perry; and the Atlantic House Hotel, home to the U.S. Naval Academy during the American Civil War.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Walking and standing for long periods of time. Not recommended for travelers with mobility/walking issues.
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Golden Age to Gilded Age Newport’s Transformation Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-487039P2

Reviews

5.00
5 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 5 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

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What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Bottled water
  • Museum Admission
  • 10% Discount on NHS Museum Shop Purchases
  • Parking Fees
  • Gratuities
  • Newport Art Museum

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Walking and standing for long periods of time. Not recommended for travelers with mobility/walking issues.
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Free Cancellation

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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