Sailing regattas, Gilded Age mansions…Newport, Rhode Island, has quite the list of stories to tell (and secrets to reveal). Following your local guide—born and raised in Newport—you’ll dive head-first into cultural tales of America’s “First Resort,” learning about historic gems, social scandals, iconic spots, and more, getting a private, first-hand look at the “City-By-The-Sea.”

Hotel pickup available for an additional fee
Your local guide handles all transportation between stops
See mansions, yachts, and beyond Newport's seaside veneer
Get away from the crowds and travel in style on this private tour

What's Included

Private tour
Transport by private vehicle
Driver/guide

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pick-ups are available for an additional charge, please contact local tour provider for arrangement
Additional fee of $20.00 if picking up other than at 23 Americas Cup Avenue.

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

23 America's Cup Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA
Downtown Marriott

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

09:00 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

There is typically plenty of public parking at 23 America’s Cup Avenue, where we meet. For cruise ship passengers only, I will be picking you up at the area that you will be tendered too. It is likely that I will have to end on schedule - 11:00 AM, so please do what you can to meet by 9:00. Per our policy, refunds are only given prior to a 24 hour cancellation, regardless of ship's arrival or non-arrival to port. We will honor your Tour for a future date and they are transferrable to a friend or family member. Please keep my cell phone number handy. Thanks and I am looking forward to meeting you! Peter

What To Expect

Cliff Walk

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ocean Drive

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Point Section of Newport, RI

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bellevue Avenue

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
Respectfully request cell phones silenced and not be used (unless vital or emergencies)!
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

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

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

50 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 50 reviews

Private and perfect!

Kathleen_P, Oct 2023

We had a delightful time. Peter was knowledgeable of the area (born and raised in Newport) and a very safe driver. Lovely Mercedes sedan equipped with two bottles of water as well as a cord to charge our phones. It's the little things that count! He was waiting for us at the cruise dock. I very much enjoyed the little ins and outs of Newport; architecture, history, walking on the Cliff Walk. Go with Peter, you won't be disappointed!!

Private tour of Newport

Carol_C, Oct 2023

Our efficient and informative tour guide Peter AKA Dusty Rhodes was the best! He was punctual and gave us a thorough historical yet comical tour of Newport. When booking ask for him and you will not go wrong We highly recommend a private tour and will continue to do this in the future.

Terrific tour of Newport

Douglas_D, Sep 2023

What a fabulous tour! Peter is so knowledgeable, so interesting and so accommodating. We do a lot of private tours and this was one of the best we have ever had. He personalized the tour for us and made sure we saw everything on our list. Nice comfortable Mercedes. Thanks Peter!

Response from Host, Oct 2023

WE did have a marvelous time and great vibes all around! 'Stay thirsty my friend'... Best wishes... 😎

Great experience!

Jordan_B, Sep 2023

Great experience! Knowledgable guide, good route, nice clean Mercedes. The tour covered history, architecture, and culture.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

It was truly a pleasure for me as well! Best health... ✌

Newport Mansions

Veronica_F, Feb 2023

Peter was very well informed and we enjoyed the tour. Saw different parts of Newport which we enjoyed.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thanks again and best health!

No refund--Even for Hurricane Ian

bnjw, Oct 2022

We were on a cruise, and our tour was to be on 10/3/22. However, due to effects of Hurricane Ian, the sea and winds were so extreme that we could not be tendered into the port. We called and informed Peter as soon as we were notified by the ship's Captain. This was just a couple of hours before the tour was to begin. We knew there was a 24 hour cancellation policy to receive a refund, but we requested an exception due to the highly unusual weather situation. Peter denied our request, even though he may have canceled the tour himself, as driving would have been difficult in the extreme windy conditions. In addition, many of the reputable tour companies on Viator state that if the weather is not suitable, they will cancel the tour and refund your money. It would seem that this should be standard with all tours sold on Viator. Bottom line, I'm sure Peter does a good tour. But even in the event of hurricane winds, he will not refund your money.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Sorry the industry policies seem unfair to you, as written in the Tour description. We have these in place to survive as a small business. We do refund due to illness or worse. As you were told, we will honor your tickets indefinitely to you or to your relatives. Thanks for understanding and again, sorry if you don't. Either way, Best health! PS: one identical review from the same customer will suffice

Great tour in Rhode Island.

Sally_W, Oct 2022

Peter was knowledgeable, he showed us the history we were interested and helped us to plan things to do after the tour ended. He has a great sense of humour and easy to talk to. He also picked us up from our ship and left us at Breakers so we could see that at our leisure.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks ‘guys’… Cheers Peter

Insider’s Tour of Newport

Sarah_R, Aug 2022

It was super interesting hearing stories and seeing the highlights of Newport with Peter. A homegrown boy and ambassador of this beautiful city!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks! Pleasurable all around... Best health, Peter

Newport Private Tour

Robert_S, Jul 2022

Peter was very informative and was a very good driver. We saw so many more things on this private tour than we would have seen on our own

Response from Host, Jul 2022

My pleasure! Thanks again… Best health 🖖

An enjoyable tour

Michael, Aug 2021

Peter is the perfect tour guide. He pointed interesting facts about Newport’s history, as well as giving us a great overview tour of the beautiful area. Peter also has a wonderful sense of humor. It was a very enjoyable tour

Response from Host, Aug 2021

Sorry to repeat but....A great Tour begins and ends with great people...thanks again and best health!

Love the tour only thing we would have...

Kelly C, Feb 2018

Love the tour only thing we would have like was to stop for a few pictures

Response from Host, Feb 2018

TOUR OPERATOR COMMENT: Hi Kelly, I am sorry for the misunderstanding during your Tour in that you did not know there would be time available for stopping for pictures. I try to let people know before the tour begins that there are a few stops along the way that I recommend getting out for, i.e. pictures or just to look around. I also let people know that I can always stop if there is something unique to the traveler they see. Perhaps due to the weather on the day of your tour I may have wrongly assumed that you did not want to stop and did not inform you that stopping is possible. I would like to offer you another tour and again apologize for the miscommunication. Sincerely, Peter

Peter was amazing! He was so...

DEBORAH R, Dec 2017

Peter was amazing! He was so knowledgeable about the area, gave us so much information, waited patiently for us at the mansion we chose to go to and even went out his way to allow us to pick up a few things for the tour. We had a wonderful time!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

If not too late, ha, but thank you as well! Best health, Peter