Things to do in Newport
Late spring through early fall is prime, with warm harbor breezes, open beaches, and every mansion and wharf in full swing. September brings smaller crowds, lingering warmth, and the big sailing and food festivals.
Best months: June, July, September, October
What is worth your time in Newport
Bellevue AvenueDo not miss
The fabled boulevard of Gilded Age mansions, manicured lawns, and the original summer-colony estates, best seen on foot or by bike.
Neighborhood · 1.8 hr4.9
Ocean DriveDo not miss
A 10-mile loop past rocky shoreline, grand seaside estates, and surf-battered points, one of the most beautiful coastal drives in New England.
Scenic Route · 1.4 hr4.8
Bowen's WharfDo not miss
A lively cobblestone wharf of seafood shacks, galleries, and boutiques at the heart of Newport's working harbor.
Neighborhood · 1.8 hr4.7
International Tennis Hall of FameDo not miss
Set in the historic Newport Casino, it celebrates tennis history on the world's oldest continuously used competition grass courts.
Museum · 1.9 hr4.7
Marble HouseDo not miss
A dazzling marble palace built for Alva Vanderbilt, with gilded rooms and a Chinese tea house perched above the cliffs.
Historic Site · 1.6 hr4.7
Rough PointDo not miss
Heiress Doris Duke's English-manor estate on a dramatic ocean bluff, preserved with her art, furnishings, and clifftop gardens.
Historic Site · 1.6 hr4.7
The BreakersDo not miss
The grandest of Newport's mansions, the Vanderbilts' 70-room Italian Renaissance villa overlooking the sea, is the city's signature experience.
Historic Site · 2 hr4.7
The ElmsDo not miss
An elegant French chateau-style estate with formal sunken gardens and a behind-the-scenes servant-life tour.
Historic Site · 1.6 hr4.7
Fort Adams State ParkDo not miss
A massive 19th-century coastal fort on a harbor peninsula, home to the Newport jazz and folk festivals and panoramic bay views.
Park · 2.3 hr4.6
Cliff WalkDo not miss
A 3.5-mile public path running between crashing surf and the back lawns of the Bellevue mansions, with unbeatable ocean views.
Scenic Route · 2.5 hr
Beavertail State Park
On the tip of Jamestown across the bay, dramatic rocky ledges, tide pools, and a historic lighthouse with open Atlantic views.
Park · 1.8 hr4.9
Brenton Point State Park
A breezy headland on Ocean Drive that is the city's prime spot for kite-flying, picnics, and sweeping Atlantic sunsets.
Park · 1.4 hr4.8
Norman Bird Sanctuary
A 325-acre Middletown preserve with seven miles of trails over ridges and meadows, including the dramatic Hanging Rock outcrop.
Nature · 2.3 hr4.8
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
A rugged coastal peninsula in Middletown with looping shoreline trails, nesting birds, harbor seals, and wide ocean panoramas.
Nature · 1.8 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Summer parking near the wharves and Bellevue Avenue fills fast, so arrive early or use the seasonal trolley and park-and-ride lots.
- A combination ticket from the Preservation Society covers several Gilded Age mansions and saves money if you plan to tour more than one.
- The Cliff Walk is free and stunning but uneven and rocky in spots, so wear sturdy shoes and skip the southern half in bad weather.
- Downtown around Thames Street and the wharves is very walkable, but a car helps for Ocean Drive, the beaches, and the wineries up-island.
- Tipping runs about 18 to 20 percent at restaurants, and harbor cruises and tasting rooms get busy on summer weekends, so book ahead.