Dive into the luxurious past of Newport as you embark on this in-app audio tour walking down Bellevue Avenue, where the opulent homes of the Gilded Age stand as monuments to a bygone era of extravagance. Tailored for history enthusiasts and architecture aficionados, you'll uncover the true stories behind the grand facades that once housed America's wealthiest families and that served as inspirations for the HBO show 'The Gilded Age.' Interested in how high society spent their summers? This tour is for you.
Starting at the majestic Rough Point Mansion and culminating at the iconic The Breakers, you will traverse approximately 2.5 kilometers of Newport's most historic roadway. As you move from one grand estate to another, witness the architectural wonders and manicured gardens that characterized the lives of the rich and famous in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The route is straightforward taking you along Bellevue Avenue and onto Ochre Point Avenue where you will end your journey.
Along this path, be prepared to be awestruck by the imposing elegance of these historic homes. You will gain insight into the social dynamics of the age, visit the university campus where once private homes stood, and be privy to tales of love, lust, and excess that still resonate within these storied walls. By the end of the tour, these gilded mansions will have revealed their stories, leaving you with a lasting impression of Newport's most glamorous epoch.