Newport, Rhode Island is a well-liked vacation spot for guests searching for a New England coastal getaway (in spite of everything, it’s known as the Basic Coast.) With Gilded Age mansions, unbelievable seafood, miles of gorgeous shoreline, and a harbor suffering from boats, Newport has lots to supply households, {couples}, or any kind of traveler.
If you’re planning your first go to to Newport, you most likely need to hit the highlights, but additionally search out some lesser-known gems. After dwelling in Rhode Island for over 20 years, I’ve had loads of time to go to (and revisit) Newport’s major points of interest and hidden gems to provide you with my suggestions for the most effective issues to do in Newport Rhode Island.
Simply visiting for one or two days? Don’t miss these necessities:
- Go to one of many Newport Mansions. The Breakers is essentially the most awe-inspiring of the bunch.
- Get out on the water with some form of harbor cruise.
- Eat some scrumptious seafood (I’d decide Midtown Oyster Bar and both The Lobster Bar or Newport Lobster Shack if you wish to really feel like a neighborhood)
- Watch the sundown – The Garden at Fort Hill Inn, Newport Harbor Island Resort, and Brenton Level all have nice views.
- Store and stroll on Thames Road and Bowen’s Wharf
- Take a scenic spin on Ocean Drive
- Hit the seaside (I desire Second Seaside) or take a stroll alongside the Cliff Stroll
In case you have extra time, there are many different choices beneath. And, in case you are visiting Newport throughout the colder months, try my solutions for issues to do in Newport within the winter. Unsure methods to match all of it in? I’ve a Newport weekend itinerary for that.
Issues to do in Newport, Rhode Island
Stroll Alongside the Cliff Stroll
The Newport Cliff Stroll is a stunning spot to take a stroll and admire the view of the rocky shoreline and the again lawns of a number of the mansions. The complete Stroll is 3.5 miles one-way, however sadly because of storms and erosion, a big portion of the stroll is closed for repairs and actually, I’m undecided it can ever be totally restored.
It’s best to go to this spot early as a result of it might get crowded and parking is hard. Ideally, you should utilize metered parking close to First Seaside and begin firstly. Alternatively, you’ll be able to park alongside Narragansett Avenue (you may also discover public restrooms right here). Proper close to right here can also be the place one can find the well-known Forty Steps, which is a good picture spot.
Flash Again to the Gilded Age on the Newport Mansions
In case you have watched The Gilded Age on MAX, you’ve certainly seen glimpses of a number of the Newport Mansions, or “summer season cottages” as they have been known as again within the day. The Breakers is the grandest of the mansions. Constructed by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, who was one of many richest males in America on the flip of the nineteenth century, it was constructed within the Italian Renaissance type and it’ll make you consider the palaces of Europe. This Mansion is all the time in style with guests due to the wow issue but additionally since you get a glimpse of the kitchens throughout a self-guided tour. There may be additionally a family-friendly tour in case you are visiting with youngsters.
My different favorites are Rosecliff, which has a stupendous garden and gardens, and Marble Home, which was constructed by Mr. and Mrs. William Okay. Vanderbilt and utilizing 500,000 cubic toes of marble. For a particular expertise, you may also guide afternoon tea within the The Chinese language Tea Home at The Marble Home.
For those who simply need to see the skin of the Mansions and never tour the within, you’ll be able to take a Trolley Tour.
Discover Fort Adams
Fort Adams is considered one of many Colonial and Revolutionary Battle period army forts that line the New England coast. At present, Fort Adams isn’t just a historic website, but additionally an occasion venue. It’s on the grounds of Fort Adams that the favored Newport Folks Pageant and Newport Jazz Pageant happen throughout the summer season.
Nevertheless, outdoors of occasion dates, guests can discover the Fort with a guided tour, or simply benefit from the view from the Fort Adams Bay Stroll, a 2.5-mile loop across the perimeter of Fort Adams State Park.
Fly a Kite at Brenton Level State Park
Brenton Level State Park on Ocean Drive presents a number of the greatest views in Newport. With its place on the purpose, that is excellent spot to fly a kite on a breezy day. And don’t fear when you didn’t deliver your individual, there may be usually a truck there promoting kites to guests.
Since this is a perfect spot to observe the sundown, you may additionally need to head there within the late afternoon and produce some chairs to sit down alongside the rocks to gaze out over the water.
Store Alongside Bowen’s Wharf and Thames Road
Like most vacationer cities, Newport has its share of boutiques and memento outlets. Bowen’s Wharf is the center of the motion, with many eating places and outlets. Your retail journey can then proceed down Thames Road. Remember to try native favorites equivalent to Kiel James Patrick and Lemon & Line for New England impressed clothes and jewellery.
Bowen’s Wharf can also be a preferred spot for eating (each in and out). Most guests can’t resist tempting bowl of New England clam chowder on the Black Pearl.
Hit the Seaside
I’m going to specific an unpopular opinion, however I don’t assume that Newport has the most effective seashores. I desire the seashores in Narragansett, Matunuck, or Charlestown. Nevertheless, when you don’t need to drive, there are nonetheless a number of choices. You possibly can benefit from the family-friendly First Seaside (or Easton’s Seaside.) Situated close to the beginning of the Cliff Stroll, there’s a paid parking zone that fills up early. The draw back is that this seaside additionally usually attracts an excellent quantity of smelly seaweed. Nevertheless, it’s value a cease for the Easton’s Seaside Snack Bar to scarf down scrumptious twin lobster rolls or fried clams.
Surfers would favor Second Seaside and nature seekers or chicken watchers will need to drive all the way down to the Sachuest Nationwide Wildlife Refuge and spend time exploring the three miles of trails and the small seaside on the refuge. It is a in style layover cease for migratory birds and a wintering vacation spot for others.
You may as well buy a day move for personal seaside golf equipment equivalent to Gooseberry Seaside.
Have Drinks at Fort Hill Inn
Fort Hill Inn is considered one of many luxurious resorts in Newport. Nevertheless, you don’t must be a visitor to take pleasure in cocktails or meals at The Garden at Fort Hill Inn. Get pleasure from a meal on the terrace or take your cocktail all the way down to the numerous Adirondack chairs that dot the sloping garden that appears out over the Bay and the Newport Pell Bridge.
I feel this is without doubt one of the most satisfying experiences in Newport, particularly when you will get a reservation in time for sundown.
Go Crusing or on a Sightseeing Cruise
Newport is named the “Crusing Capital of the World” and whereas we could not all have our personal yacht, there are many methods to benefit from the boating life whereas on the town. One among my favourite issues to do with guests is to take a sail with Newport Basic Cruises. They provide daytime or sundown sails with a variety of vessel choices together with the 80 foot Schooner Adirondack II, 72 foot Schooner Madeleine, or 48-foot crusing yacht Sloop Eleanor.
There are a lot of different choices together with the Coastal Queen Cruises, Wonderful Grace Harbor Excursions, and even the Newport Ferry. For wildlife lovers visiting within the colder months, Save the Bay presents seal-watching excursions.
For those who would favor a personal boating expertise, you’ll be able to constitution a ship (both with a captain or with out) utilizing GetMyBoat.com, which is like an Airbnb platform however for boats.
Tour Newport in a Basic Jaguar
For a luxurious expertise worthy of Newport’s societal historical past, take a personal driving tour with Newport Jaguar Excursions. Led by a educated native in considered one of a secure of basic Jaguars, there are a selection of themed excursions to select from relying in your pursuits. Or, choose the Grand Tour for a little bit of all the things. You possibly can even add a connoisseur champagne picnic lunch to any full day tour.
See Newport by Rail
Probably the most distinctive approach to see Newport is with Rail Explorers. Use pedal energy to chug alongside the Outdated Colony Railroad. The route meanders alongside Narragansett Bay providing riders distinctive views that embody Jamestown, the Mount Hope Bridge, Hog Island Lighthouse, and coastal woodlands.
Take a Tour
These should not the one methods to tour Newport. There are a lot of choices relying in your pursuits from historic strolling tour with Newport Historical past Excursions, meals excursions with Rhode Island Purple Meals Excursions, ghost excursions with Ghosts of Newport, or perhaps a helicopter tour with Newport Helicopter Excursions.
Sip a Cocktail on a Rooftop Deck
Whereas I like having a cocktail or glass of wine on the Garden at Fort Hill, a rooftop bar is all the time enjoyable and there are two choices in downtown Newport. The Rooftop on the Vanderbilt and the High of Newport Bar + Lounge at Lodge Viking are each open seasonally and are excellent for a sundown toast.
Go to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame
Tennis buffs ought to find time for a go to to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame to pay tribute to the 264 inductees. The Museum additionally contains practically 2,000 tennis artifacts and covers the historical past of tennis from its origins via current day.
Every summer season the Corridor of Fame hosts the Infosys Corridor of Fame Open and Enshrinement Weekend, the place a number of the world’s high tennis gamers on the grass courts. You possibly can play there your self, however you should be a member of the Tennis Membership.
Gawk at Basic Automobiles
The Audrain Car Museum has entry to collections containing over 400 automobiles and bikes starting from brass period Veteran automobiles to supercars of at this time. Annually it curates 4 thematic exhibitions. Situated close to the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame on Bellevue Avenue, a go to is straightforward to mix with a go to to one of many Newport Mansions.
Tuoro Synagogue
There are a selection of notable historic websites in Newport, together with St. Mary’s Church the place JFK was married. As well as, Tuoro Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the USA and a logo of non secular freedom. Synagogue excursions embody a historical past presentation, interactive displays, and a tour of the grounds.
Extra to Do Close by
In case you have a automotive and extra time to spend in Newport, you’ll be able to discover extra of Aquidneck Island and close by Jamestown.
Sip Wine at Newport Vineyards
Add slightly wine tasting to your getaway at Newport Vineyards, simply you’ll want to make tasting or eating reservations first. Along with award-winning wine, Newport Vineyards presents recent craft beer and farm to desk eating experiences.
Another choice is at Greenville Vineyards in Portsmouth. The wine isn’t pretty much as good (in my view, though to be sincere I haven’t gone tasting there in over a decade), however they do have meals vehicles (together with one from Cousins Lobster) in the summertime and stay music on the weekends.
HIke at Norman Fowl Sanctuary
I already talked about that the Sachuest Wildlife Refuge is a good spot for chicken watching, however I additionally love mountain climbing the paths on the Norman Fowl Sanctuary in Middletown. The Sanctuary has 300 acres of various habitats and 7 miles of mountain climbing trails. It additionally hosts enjoyable occasions just like the annual Harvest Truthful and guided chicken walks and talks.
Watch Newport Polo
Get able to tailgate or reserve a desk within the Pavilion and cheer on the Newport Polo Staff. For those who aren’t conversant in polo, it takes a minute to get the cling of the scoring, however quickly you’ll be cheering alongside and speeding the sector to stomp the divots. Simply you’ll want to put on your preppiest New England fashions.
Beavertail State Park
My favourite spot in all of Rhode Island is simply throughout the water in Jamestown. Beavertail State Park sits on the tip of Jamestown Island and presents lovely views. We like to pack a picnic and stake out a spot on the rocks to absorb the view. At low tide, it’s enjoyable to discover tide swimming pools and you may also try the small aquarium and the Beavertail Lighthouse.
Attending to Newport
Newport is simply over three hours from New York Metropolis and one to 1.5 hours south of Boston. The closest airport is the Windfall-Warwick T.F. Inexperienced Worldwide Airport. Throughout the summer season, parking could be a problem (and costly) so test and see what the choices are along with your lodge. If you’re simply visiting for the day, it’s most cost-effective and best to park within the Customer’s Heart parking storage on America’s Cup Boulevard and stroll from there.
Alternatively, when you don’t need to drive, you’ll be able to take the seasonal ferry from Windfall to Newport.
The place to Keep in Newport
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There are a lot of nice resorts and mattress and breakfasts in Newport. And when you test Airbnb, you’ll be able to even discover boats to sleep on. A couple of of my favorites are:
The place to Eat in Newport
There are such a lot of nice eating choices in Newport however a number of of my favorites embody:
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.