Iconic Marble House
Historic Chinese Tea House
Narrated Motorcoach Tour
The Women Behind Newport RI’s Gilded Age
The incredible popularity of HBO’s The Gilded Age has renewed interest not only of the incredible Gilded Age of Newport, RI, but also of the women who ushered it in. In the series, and in real life, Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt personified the new money versus old money war that served as a cornerstone to transform Newport from a quiet seaside community to one of the world’s most revered playgrounds of the rich and famous.
Whether you are fan of the HBO series or not, this tour is not to be missed. The afternoon will include a tour of Alva’s Marble House and an exquisite lunch on its grounds in the historic Chinese Tea House. To understand why this incredible Chinese Tea House came to be is to understand Alva Vanderbilt herself. She set her sights on becoming part of New York’s elite, and with unyielding drive and the Vanderbilt money at her disposal, she did. But she did not stop there. Alva put her determined ways to helping with progressive issues of the day, such as supporting women’s right to vote. In her newly constructed Chinese Tea House on the grounds of Marble House, she held rallies for the suffrage movement, even commissioning a special china set to be used at such events where “Votes for Women” was boldly scribed on serving pieces.
Our day in Newport will start with a tour of Marble House, lunch by Stoneacre Brasserie at the historic Chinese Tea House, a rolling tour (via motorcoach) of many of Newport’s “Summer Cottages” narrated by Newport’s own Betty Czech, or as she is known to many, “Mrs. Astor,” and conclude with some free time in Newport and/or a trip to the Newport Art Museum, weather permitting.
Why Choose This Tour?
Visit the world-renowned Newport, RI
Enjoy lunch in the historic Chinese Tea House
Learn about Newport’s history and the role women played in ushering in the Gilded Age
Relax and enjoy a rolling tour of Newport with renowned Newport historian, Betty Czech
Enjoy new experiences and make new friends
Click the Tabs for More Information
Trip Details
Price
$250 per person
Departure time
9AM
Meeting point
- 8:15AM: Chelmsford – Burger King – 77 Drum Hill Road – back parking lot along far right
- 8.30AM: North Andover Mall – 350 Winthrop Ave. No. Andover – RT 114 – opposite end of lot away from Market Basket
- 8:45AM: Haverhill – Papa Gino’s, 782 River Street, Haverhill
Availability
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Group size
Limited to 35 people
Accessibility
The Marble House is partially accessible by wheelchair, see here for details. The Chinese Tea House is not wheelchair accessible and can only be entered through a set of 10 stairs.
Duration
9AM – 4PM (from pick up to drop off)
Included
- Guided Tour of Alva Vanderbilt’s Marble House
- Enjoy lunch at the historic Chinese Tea House, see menu here
- Stay on the motorcoach for a rolling tour of Newport’s iconic “Summer Cottages” narrated by Newport Historian, Betty Czech “Mrs. Astor” who will join us for the tour
- We will conclude the tour with some free time to explore downtown Newport (weather permitting) or a trip to the renowned Newport Art Museum to learn more about the two women behind it
- One raffle ticket to win $250 OFF on future Unicorn Tour Package
Lunch/dinner
Lunch at the Chinese Tea House
Frequently Asked Questions
We currently have 3 convenient Merrimack Valley locations which include:
Haverhill: Papa Gino’s – 782 River St, Haverhill MA 01832 – shares parking lot with Dunkin Donuts – at intersection of River St and RT 495 – 1/2 block past Walgreen’s on the right
North Andover: North Andover Mall, 350 Winthrop Ave(Rt 114), North Andover – Near the Payless Shoe end of parking lot
Chelmsford: Drum Hill –Burger King, 77 Drum Hill Road (back parking lot to the far right away from Drive-Thru)
Note: Overnight parking allowed at this location only. (Open 24hrs)
Parking is at your own risk at the Haverhill and North Andover locations if it’s overnight, day time parking is allowed!
For day trips, we require full payment at the time of booking. If the trip is canceled, a full refund will be issued. Payment arrangements are not available for day trips.
Our refund policy for day trips varies by trip. Up to 30 days from departure, a full refund is available, but please check the specific trip flyer for any variations. Within 29 days of departure, trips become non-refundable, with details outlined on the trip flyer. We recommend reviewing the flyer when booking for specific terms.
Unicorn Tours gladly accepts most major credit cards for convenient payment. You can process payment directly by clicking on the Book Now button on the sidebar of this tour page.
Additionally, we welcome payments by check. If opting for check payment, kindly mail it to our address at:
Unicorn Tours
60 Highland Ave. E
Braintree, MS 02184-1600
Unicorn Tours provides trip cancellation insurance for day trips, offering protection against cancellation penalties. The premium is due at the time of booking and varies with the trip cost, stated on individual trip flyers. This insurance safeguards against unexpected medical or other emergencies. With trip cancellation insurance, a full refund is available from 29 days up to the day of departure. Reimbursements extend to those sharing accommodations with the insured, provided they also purchase the trip cancellation insurance.
Purchasing trip cancellation insurance is a wise choice to safeguard your vacation investment. It ensures a full refund of your trip costs if you need to cancel for any reason from 29 days up to the day of departure.
The cost of trip cancellation insurance with Unicorn Tours is 10% of the total trip cost.
If your roommate has insurance, we recommend purchasing it as well for full protection. In the event your roommate cancels, with insurance, you can choose to cancel and receive a full refund or continue on the tour at the double rate. Without insurance, you won’t be entitled to a full refund, and your status changes from a double to a single rate. For any questions about the motor coach trip cancellation insurance policy, feel free to call our office at 978-256-6559.
For tours that include airfare, Unicorn Tours provides alternative insurance through various companies, each with varying coverage. To learn the specifics of coverage, please contact our office to request a brochure. Feel free to call us at 978-256-6559 for more details.
To guarantee departures for day trips, Unicorn Tours requires a minimum of 30 passengers. Our transportation is provided by a 55-passenger luxury motor coach for a comfortable travel experience.
Yes, tour guides will be provided for all Unicorn Tours. Our tours are fully escorted by professional tour directors to ensure a guided and enjoyable experience.
Unicorn Tours accommodates passengers with special needs. Requests for special dietary or handicap needs should be made at the time of booking. It’s important to note that late notifications within 48 hours may limit our ability to honor your request. While our employees and transportation vendors cannot physically assist or lift disabled passengers, we recommend that those requiring special assistance travel with a companion capable of providing the needed help. Additionally, wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers can be stored in the baggage compartment on the bus.
Unfortunately, alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the bus. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers.
