Please refer to your voucher for final information regarding meeting points, pick-up locations, and pick-up time
Meeting point description: The suggested starting point is 23 America’s Cup Ave, with Cardines baseball field on your left and the Visitor Centre car park on your right.(23 America's Cup Avenue, Newport, RI 02840, USA)
Know in advance:This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one
After booking, you will receive an email with instructions to download the app. You'll need to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Once you've downloaded the tour, you can use it offline
Many of the museums, including The Elms, The Breakers, Rosecliff, Marble House and Chateau-sur-Mer, require a valid ticket or membership to access the property, including the parking lots
The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service
Most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualise what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms
Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person
The audio stories play on their own based on your location. You can start anytime and pause anywhere
You can take the tour anytime, as many times as you want. There is no expiration date
The Scenic Newport self-driving audio tour is designed for use with a personal vehicle to explore the city's main sights at your own pace. If you do not have a car, public transportation, such as RIPTA buses, offers routes covering various areas of Newport. Taxis and rideshare services are also available for reaching specific attractions. For exploring downtown and close-by areas, walking or bicycle rentals can be enjoyable alternatives, depending on the distance between sights.
While Newport does not typically provide free public trolley services, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) operates seasonal trolley-style buses on specific routes around the city, which require a fare. These services can help visitors reach popular attractions mentioned in the audio tour. It's advisable to check the current RIPTA schedule for routes and fares.
Generally, public complimentary shuttle services are not a widespread offering across Newport, RI, for general visitor navigation to sights covered by an audio tour. Some hotels or specific event venues might offer private shuttle services for their patrons. Visitors primarily rely on public buses, taxis, or rideshares for transport if not using their own vehicle.
The primary public transportation services in Newport, Rhode Island, are operated by the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). RIPTA is responsible for managing the bus routes that serve Newport and connect it to other parts of the state, which can be utilized by visitors looking to explore the city's main sights.
Newport's public transportation network, primarily through RIPTA buses, provides coverage to many key areas and attractions, allowing visitors without a car to access various points of interest on a self-guided tour. While not every specific point on a self-driving audio tour route might have a direct bus stop, strategic planning using bus routes can still enable exploration of the main sights.
Accessing all main sights in Newport solely by public transportation or walking, as suggested by a self-driving audio tour, can be challenging due to the distances between certain attractions, especially the historic mansions. While public buses cover major routes, some points may require transfers or significant walking. Combining public transport with rideshares or taxis might be more efficient for comprehensive coverage without a car.
Renting bicycles or e-scooters is a popular option for exploring Newport's scenic areas, especially for shorter distances or specific routes like the Cliff Walk. Several local shops in Newport offer bicycle rentals, and e-scooter services may also be available, providing a flexible way to see sights at your own pace, complementing the information from a self-driving audio tour.
For visitors taking the Scenic Newport self-driving audio tour with their own vehicle, convenient parking options are typically available near major attractions, though they may vary by location and season. Look for public parking lots, garages, or metered street parking in areas like downtown Newport, near the historic mansions, and closer to specific points of interest. Checking local parking guides or apps upon arrival is recommended for current availability and rates.