Don't Miss: Newport's Secret Gardens Tour

Don't Miss: Newport's Secret Gardens Tour

These are chances worth waiting for.

Get inside the walls and fences of Newport's most prestigious private estates, usually closed to the public. Newport's Secret Garden Tour is coming this weekend, offering self-guided walking tours of these famous Newport properties, to benefit local students in the form of grants for arts and music education.

It's a walk that pays. Organized by Myra Duvally, the Secret Garden Tours have raised more than $1.25 million since 1984 for local students who would have otherwise been unable to pursue their artistic or musical dreams. And during a time when tightening school budgets put art and music education on the chopping block, events like this have more impact than ever. 

"Arts are usually the first thing targeted when money gets tight," Duvally says. "The funds donated through the Newport Secret Garden Tours have benefited visual arts, dance, theater and music."

The self-guided aspect of the tour makes it the ultimate weekend dalliance; each attendee can linger or push on at his or her own pace. The tours will be available July 9, 10 and 11, rain or shine. So put down your pruning shears and grab a ticket.

Tickets purchased in advance for the event can be redeemed at any time throughout the weekend and are available for $20 when ordered in advance or $25 at the event. The tours start at 10am each day. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit http://www.secretgardentours.org or call 847-0514.