Newport Mansions: The Elms Tour & Gilded Age Filming Sites

Gilded Age mansions, HBO filming rooms, pirates and ocean air

You’ll ride through Newport’s neighborhoods on a comfy shuttle with big windows, guided by locals who know their pirate lore and ghost stories. Step inside The Elms mansion (or Marble House) where HBO films The Gilded Age, wander through grand rooms, and catch ocean breezes along historic streets. It’s more than sightseeing — it feels like stepping into someone else’s story for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

• View Colonial buildings and modern living
• See impressive Gilded Age mansions
• View historic landmarks and coastal views
• Explore The Elms mansion and film rooms

The Experience

“You can almost smell the salt in the air,” our guide said as we rolled down Bellevue Avenue — and she was right. I kept craning my neck to catch glimpses of those wild hydrangeas spilling over stone walls. The shuttle windows were huge (I pressed my forehead against one, sorry for the smudge) so you don’t miss any of Newport’s old houses or the little shops tucked between them. We passed a bakery with cinnamon in the breeze and someone’s dog barking at a passing trolley — it just felt lively, not staged.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much about pirates on a mansion tour, but here we were: our guide telling us how some unlucky buccaneers ended up in Newport centuries ago. She had this way of pausing before the punchline — like when she described the ghosts rumored to haunt The Elms. I’m not sure if I believe in that stuff, but walking through those velvet-draped halls (where HBO’s The Gilded Age is filmed), it was easy to imagine echoes from another era. There’s something about the light in those rooms — soft and golden even on a cloudy day.

When The Elms wasn’t open, we went to Marble House instead (the dates change a bit), and honestly, both places made me feel small in a good way. I kept thinking about all the hands that built these places, all the stories layered into every creaky floorboard. Our group was a mix of regulars and first-timers; one woman pointed out her favorite window seat like she’d been coming for years. Afterward, we swapped photos on our phones — blurry ones through the glass and a couple where you could see us grinning like kids outside the gates. I still think about that view down Bellevue when the sun broke through for just a second… you know?

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable shuttle transport around Newport with oversized windows for clear views, entry fees to either The Elms or Marble House depending on availability or season dates, plus all taxes covered so you can just relax and enjoy each stop without extra charges along the way.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tours of Newport

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Top questions

Is entry to The Elms mansion included in this tour?

Yes, entry fees for The Elms are included unless it’s closed; then you’ll visit another mansion like Marble House.

What happens if The Elms is closed during my visit?

You’ll visit Marble House or another available mansion instead during those dates.

Are infants allowed on this Newport mansions tour?

No, infants are not allowed on this tour.

Does this tour include transportation around Newport?

Yes, you travel on a spacious shuttle bus with large windows for sightseeing.

Will I learn about HBO’s The Gilded Age filming locations?

Yes, your guide will show you rooms used for filming HBO’s The Gilded Age at The Elms or Marble House.

Are there ghost stories or pirate history included?

Yes, your local guide shares stories about Newport’s ghosts and pirate history during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; public transport options are nearby if needed.