Tour guide in Newport Arthur S.

Newport, United States

English

Tours Delivered,
Since Jul 14, 2023

6.0

Hours, Avg. response time

I'm Arthur S., your private tour guide in Newport

Guide #60456

4.9 (9)

I'm a local college professor who likes to show people the many dimensions of Newport. I'm also a bike enthusiast and find that bike tours are a great way to visit many of the important sites in Newport in a reasonable time. For those who don't bike, I lead pedicab & walking tours. These can be from 2 hours to full day tours. Newport is home to about 400 colonial buildings, many gilded age mansions and beautiful beaches. Among the buildings I can show you on my tours are the oldest jewish synagogue in the US, the oldest tavern, the 1699 Quaker Meeting House, the first purpose-designed public library, the Vanderbilts' mansions, etc. There are also significant sites related to African American history, in particular, God's Little Acre, the largest colonial Black American burial area. There are truly too many important sites to list. I'm knowledgeable about all of these and their historical context, which I put into plain language. I also share local tales and gossip that add some spice to the tours, as my goal is to make them both interesting and fun. While I'm not a professional historian, I'm a history buff, with knowledge of the town's cultural, political and natural history. I use this knowledge to create tours that meet your interests and keeps your whole group engaged. For my tours, you can use your own bicycle or I can arrange for bike rentals of either pedal or electric assisted. Bicycles are the perfect way to explore Newport in a reasonable amount of time. Besides fun and learning, I also focus on safety during the ride. Lastly, if you would like to stop for a snack or a meal during or after the tour, I can help you select a place that matches what you would enjoy, from simple to formal dining. Licensed pedicab driver. BS and Ph.D. -MIT I've been a faculty member at UCSD, UNC, Duke, and the Graduate School of Oceanography, URI. I've been an invited speaker at Harvard, Yale, The University of Chicago, MIT, Cambridge University, and The Sorbonne among other institutions. I've taught at all levels from middle school to post graduate. My bike tours range from the very easy (3 miles in 2 hours) to the more rigorous (15 to 20 mile).

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4.9

Traveller reviews for this guide

9 reviews

  • Lisa B.
    May 2025

    Art was a great tour guide. It was an easy bike ride all around town and he filled us with little known tidbits about Newport. He reached out before the tour to see what we may be especially interested in too. Also, he worked with us to rent the bikes so the whole thing was so easy. I would definitely recommend Art to everyone!

  • Edward E.
    November 2024

    Nicely paced meander through Newport - colonial history, pre-revolutionary buildings, bayside fort, the mansions of the gilded age, the tennis museum, on and on. Wonderful way to get a Newport overview in a few hours. E John

  • Heidy A.
    October 2024

    We had an incredible tour of Newport with Arthur Spivack! His knowledge of the history, mansions, and local landmarks made the experience truly special. Arthur tailored the tour to our group’s interests, and we appreciated his engaging storytelling and enthusiasm. From the Cliff Walk to the scenic Ocean Drive, every moment was memorable. If you’re looking for a top-notch...

  • Valerie H.
    May 2024

    I had a great time with Arthur—he was a fount of historical knowledge as we biked around Newport. He showed me even more than was on the itinerary, and I came away feeling he was a really awesome guide!