Newport offers visitors of all stripes an exciting shoreline setting, sailing adventures, and luxurious mansions to admire. (Things to Do in Newport RI) Discover its charming local shopping and dining venues such as Thames Street, Bowen’s Wharf, and other charming neighborhoods.
Fort Adams State Park features concerts and guided walking tours with bay views; Marble House provides an insight into Gilded Age high society; while Newport Art Museum honors diverse voices within a National Historic Landmark building.
Thames Street – Things to Do in Newport RI (Rhode Island)
Thames Street is Newport’s bustling downtown/waterfront area and home to numerous bars, restaurants and shops that both locals and visitors can enjoy. Lined on either side by historic homes as well as its lively waterfront location, Thames Street presents visitors with the ideal combination of history and modern attractions.
Kick off your journey along the quay, where moored schooners and 18th-century buildings line brick and granite docks. When hunger strikes, relax at Clarke Cooke House – built by a sea captain in 1780! Here, sit at its oyster bar while sipping Sancerre while tasting freshly shucked oysters (at $3.50 each). Additionally, look out for Rhode Island’s first Slave History Medallion displayed prominently on Chandlery building for more insight into Newport’s role in trans-Atlantic slavery.
Make time to explore both sides of the street for some retail therapy! From handmade jewelry to gourmet foods, the shops here feature everything from handmade and unique souvenirs for loved ones back home. Thames Glass features hand-blown glassware in various styles and sizes including drinking glasses, ornaments and figurines; those looking for sweet treats should visit Dockside Scoop which serves frozen treats!
Visit one of the many restaurants or pubs while in this part of town and treat yourself to some tasty food! This area boasts both traditional and modern cuisine options; among the more notable eateries include Gas Lamp Grille – known for its great location and wide bar selection – and Brick Alley Pub, an authentic Irish pub featuring cozy atmosphere and delectable bar food.
Newport Classic Car Tours provide chauffeured tours around town, Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue; where some of Newport’s Gilded Age mansions reside. If you prefer, explore them via Cliff Walk for its serenity, familiar crashing waves sound, and gorgeous Gilded Age mansions – or take one or two hour rides around Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue where many Newport Mansions reside.
Easton’s Beach – Things to Do in Newport RI (Rhode Island)
Newport offers the ideal blend of traditional beach fun and historic context, from splashing in the surf to taking scenic coastal strolls or tasting local wine and craft beer. Newport’s legendary mansions dot its shoreline and can be visited, while its charming downtown neighborhoods boast many restaurants and boutiques for you to discover.
Easton’s Beach in Newport is renowned for its soft sands and gentle waves, making it a favorite family beach destination. A nostalgic 1950s carousel adds nostalgic charm while Save the Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium provide education about Narragansett Bay coastal ecosystems. Easton’s also hosts live music performances, volleyball matches and other fun activities throughout the day!
People seeking a more relaxing beach experience may prefer strolling along its charming boardwalk, which features colorful umbrellas and charming sand castles. Families with young children will delight in playing on the playground and riding on its miniature train while parents relax under refreshing ocean breezes. In addition to traditional beach activities, Newport Art Museum features works by regional artists.
For an in-depth exploration of the coastline, embark on a cruise or guided tour to learn about its rich history and magnificent mansions. Or drive along Ocean Drive’s 10-mile length for stunning oceanfront homes, picturesque views, yachts and wildlife sightings.
Newport’s Cliff Walk offers visitors an up-close glimpse at many renowned mansions, such as The Breakers–an Italian Renaissance megapalazzo inspired by 16th-century Genoese palazzi–the Elms–a Tudor Revival estate designed by Horace Trumbauer–and Chateau d’Asnieres (replica of French Palace); all highly elaborate Newport mansions.
Newport Harborfront provides an ideal setting to experience its vibrant culture. Seafood restaurants, local shops and colonial-era buildings make up this vibrant scene; its new Sailing Museum appeals to skippers as well as landlubbers while the Newport Historical Society gives context for the city’s past.
Cliff Walk – Things to Do in Newport RI (Rhode Island)
Newport’s famed 3.5-mile public access trail along its shoreline offers something for all fitness levels, from casual strolls on paved sidewalks to rigorous hiking expeditions along rocky footpaths.
This walk begins on Memorial Boulevard and culminates at Bailey’s Beach, taking you past many of Newport’s best-known mansions such as The Breakers and Marble House on your journey along this scenic coastal trail. Also make sure not to miss Rough Point; this attraction should not be missed while visiting Newport!
If you want to experience mansions without crowds, come during the off-season. With cooler and less humid temperatures, you’ll be able to fully take in the serenity of waterside walks more comfortably. Plus there are great restaurants like Empire Tea & Coffee and Pasta Beach!
The Cliff Walk is open daily with no admission charge and welcomes dogs on leashes; its first section offers close-up views of Newport’s most luxurious mansions as it passes by Salve Regina University campus and along an expansive coastline.
Forty Steps is one of the most beloved attractions on Cliff Walk, boasting a series of steep stairs leading down to the ocean floor and popular for swimming, fishing and diving. However, beware as it can be extremely hazardous; people have lost their lives here before.
Coastal Walk also hosts other notable attractions, including the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Audrain Auto Museum. Many visitors describe visiting these museums as one of their highlights in Newport; they provide an incredible opportunity to learn about its rich history while offering insight into LGBT activism over 50 years in Newport. There’s even an exhibit dedicated to LGBTQ activism called Pride: In Retrospect which serves as an informative showcase.
Bellevue Avenue – Things to Do in Newport RI (Rhode Island)
Bellevue Avenue offers many attractions for visitors near the waterfront. Its properties boast stunning mansions built as summer retreats for wealthy individuals at the turn of the 20th century; many homes here have been designated National Historic Landmarks and can be visited.
The district also features many shops and restaurants popular among both residents and tourists, as well as offering activities suitable for all.
Experience Newport’s fascinating past at the Newport Historical Society Museum, where original documents and photographs from its past are on display. Or discover its vibrant shipping industry at Newport Shipyard where boat tours allow you to see ships at work!
Newport offers an incredible shopping scene, and Thames Street serves as its central thoroughfare with boutique stores offering everything from souvenirs and gifts for friends back home, to delicious local eateries such as Brick Alley Pub and Newport Fudgery that offer delicious meals while you explore.
Bowen’s Wharf offers an idyllic escape from shopping; known for its upscale restaurants and stunning waterfront location overlooking Newport Harbor, Bowen’s Wharf makes an excellent place to unwind after a long day at work – especially during its magical night-time ambience!
Newport offers plenty of beautiful scenery and beaches that offer fantastic boat viewing, along with swimming or fishing in its bays. There are also local companies offering boat tours of 1 or 2 hour duration that give a fantastic glimpse of Newport coastline.
Newport will make an unforgettable impression, from its gorgeous mansions, stunning beaches, and high-end shopping to fun family adventures and romantic escapes – the city has something special for every traveler!
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