
Ocean Drive Historic District: A Self Guided Tour of Newport
Driving Tour


About the Tour
Experience the awe-inspiring views and cool breezes that have attracted visitors to Newport for centuries. On this driving tour, you’ll hear about the colonialists who first settled along the harbor in 1639, and the stunning summer cottages wealthy industrialists built in the 1800s. You’ll see architectural gems like Rosecliff, where scenes from The Great Gatsby and 27 Dresses were filmed, Newport’s largest house, The Breakers, and Rough Point, which was owned by the heiress to the American Tobacco fortune, Doris Duke.
While cruising through the Ocean Drive Historic District, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the history of the area as I let you in on the importance of many of the sea-fronted mansions you pass. You’ll also have the opportunity to:
• See a 19th-century coastal fortification at Fort Adams State Park
• Drive past President Eisenhower’s former summer residence, Eisenhower House
• Whiz by the Monument to Portuguese Discovery in Brenton Point State Park
• Take in the impressive architecture of The Elms, Marble House, Ochre Court, and the Belcourt of Newport
• Drive along some of Rhode Island’s most scenic roads
• Learn about Newport’s colonial and Gilded Age history
• Find out about the Cliff Walk
Depending on traffic, you’ll be able to complete this tour in an hour, provided you don’t make any stops along the way. However, you have the flexibility to take as long as you’d like, stopping whenever you’re inspired, for photos, breaks, or some additional historical tours.
Tour Producer

Erin Egresitz
Hi, I'm Erin, a professional tour guide with over 10 years experience in the United States, UK and Ireland. I own Rhody Rambles, a small company that offers private walking tours and step-on guiding services in Rhode Island.
Like many people I arrived at my career via a winding path. After graduating from my master's program, where I studied art history, I questioned where to go next. After years of working in shops I knew I genuinely liked working with people, and a study abroad program I completed infected me with a very serious travel bug. I had thought about teaching, but realized that I enjoy being outdoors too much to be inside all day long and after doing some research, I think I've found my perfect career that allows me to do the things I enjoy most on a daily basis.
I look forward to guiding you on an audio tour!
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Major Landmarks
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Bowen's Wharf
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Whitehorne House Museum
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Hibernian Hall
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King Park Beach
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Hammersmith Farm
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Eisenhower House
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Fort Adams Dr
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Fort Adams State Park
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Castle Hill
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Brenton Point State Park
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Portuguese Discovery Monument
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Ocean Drive Historic District
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Rough Point
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Belcourt of Newport
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Marble House
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Rosecliff
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The Breakers
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Ochre Court
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Chepstow
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Newport Mansions Preservation Society
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The Elms
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Isaac Bell House
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Kingscote
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins in the parking lot of the Newport Gateway Center at 23 America's Cup Avenue.


Tips
Places to stop along the way
If you plan ahead with a reservation, the view at Castle Hill Inn for lunch or a drink is unbeatable. Stopping at Brenton Point State Park is highly recommended on a nice day for breathtaking views, some fresh air, and maybe a local treat if there's a food truck or two set up. No visit to Newport is complete without a tour of Rough Point, operated by the Newport Restoration Foundation, or any of the mansions operated by the Newport Preservation Society (Marble House, Rosecliff, the Breakers, the Elms).
Best time of day
Anytime during the daylight hours will work! Weekends will be more crowded and therefore you'll experience more traffic, but that only gives you more of an opportunity to enjoy the scenery. There aren't many opportunities for meals along the way, unless you've made reservations ahead of time, so its advisable to do the tour just after breakfast or lunch.
Precautions
There are very few places to stop for refreshments along the way, so I advise bringing some water along with you. During the summer hours the traffic around Ocean Avenue can be fairly heavy, so the tour may take longer than 45 minutes.
This tour offers great insight on well-known and lesser-known spots in Newport. Even locals will learn something new! Highly recommend.
Excellent and informative tour of Newport! Highly recommend
Excellent product. Highly recommended 👌