2026082 Gilded Age Summer in Newport RI

Gilded Age Summer Fun in Downtown Newport Road Island

July 20-23rd Mon-Thurs Trip#2026082

Enjoy four unforgettable days in Newport, RI where Gilded Age glamour, coastal beauty, and pure summertime fun come together in one irresistible escape. Wander through the opulent Elms mansion with its marble halls, exquisite furnishings, and elegant gardens, then sail away to Block Island for a scenic ferry ride, a gracious Grand Hotel luncheon, and a guided tour filled with sweeping dune views, sparkling beaches, a historic lighthouse, and a charming Victorian village. Back in Newport, soak up the waterfront atmosphere at your leisure before exploring the iconic Ten Mile Drive with a local guide, reliving the lavish lifestyles of the Vanderbilts and Astors, touring the magnificent Breakers mansion, and stepping onto the famous Cliff Walk for breathtaking coastal scenery. Enjoy free time along Newport’s lively Harborfront for lunch and shopping, then board a classic schooner for a champagne cruise through Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay, gliding past storied mansions, sailing yachts, and landmark sights beneath the towering Newport Bridge. Round out your coastal adventure with a visit to the Newport Auto Museum—home to more than 100 rare, exotic, and vintage automobiles—before wrapping up a four-day getaway filled with history, beauty, and unforgettable experiences.

Day 1

Today we will leave for our three day everture to Beautiful Newport Road Island. Afternnon arrival, welcome to Newport, America's first resort and yachting capital of the world, Newport, Rhode Island. To kick off our time in Newport, what better way than to tour one of the elegant Gilded Age mansions! Enjoy a self-guided visit to The Elms, the magnificent summer home of coal baron Edward Julius Berwind. Designed in 1901 by renowned architect Horace Trumbauer, this grand Newport mansion was inspired by the mid-18th-century French Château d'Asnières near Paris. Inside, you'll be captivated by its marble halls, lavish furnishings, and beautifully landscaped gardens-a stunning glimpse into the elegance of Newport's Gilded Age. Later, check into your Newport area hotel for a fun-filled four-night stay. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner together.

DAy 2

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting off for Point Judith to meet your guide and board the Block Island Ferry for a cruise to the famous Block Island. This island is 12 miles off the coast of Newport and has been heralded as 'one of the twelve best-unspoiled areas in the Western Hemisphere" and is known for its relaxed way of life. Step back to a bygone era and enjoy the Grand Hotel Luncheon at one of the Island's grand hotels. Then, enjoy a Block Island tour with spectacular views of the rolling dunes, dazzling beaches, Lighthouse, and Victorian village. Return to the mainland this afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure to dine at one of the many wonderful Newport Restaurants and soak up the coastal vibe of the town.

B, L

Day 3

After breakfast, we'll meet our local Step On guide and depart for a tour of Newport's famous Ten Mile Drive! Step back in time to the opulent era of the Gilded Age, when elite families such as the Vanderbilts and Astors built their "summer cottages" to retreat from the 'heat' of the city! Then we'll visit the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages!" The Breakers, a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's wealth and status at the turn of the century in America! Enjoy a self-guided tour of the mansion and grounds, and then step out onto this world-famous Cliff Walk coastal walkway (right outside the Breakers Mansion) featuring Newport's shoreline's natural beauty and the Gilded Age's architectural history. Mid-day, enjoy time in Newport's Harborfront for lunch on your own, which is filled with shops, a brick marketplace, and eateries. Finish the afternoon off with a scenic Schooner Champagne Cruise around Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay this afternoon, accompanied by all the excitement of sailing in the Sailing Capitol of America aboard a classic schooner. Sip champagne as you glide by fabulous coastal sites, magnificent Gilded Age mansions, Newport's Yacht Club, Jacqueline Kennedy's summer home, the towering Newport Bridge, the Rock House, and more. Tonight, enjoy a delicious dinner together at one of Newport's great restaurants.

B, D

Day 4

Enjoy breakfast this morning and free time along the waterfront and then visit the Newport Auto Museum featuring over 100 pristine, rare, and exotic vehicles from the 1950s onwards, including muscle cars. Later, depart for home taking many fond memories of our Newport getaway!

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Tour Inclusions:

Three night’s accommodations in Newport

Three full American breakfasts

Block Island Luncheon

Two dinners

Admission to the Elms Mansion

Round Trip Ferry to Block Island

Guided Tour of Block Island – excludes Driver/Guide gratuities (customary gratuity is $2 to $3 pp, per day)

Guided tour of Newport’s Ten Mile Drive

Admission to the Breakers

Newport Champagne Schooner Cruise