Sights & Activities in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport Mansions
Truly one of the most popular attractions in Newport is the mansions on Bellevue Avenue and surrounding areas. Many of these mansions are open to the public for viewing and have tours daily in the summer months.
- Astor’s Beechwood Mansion, 580 Bellevue Avenue, Newport
- Belcourt Castle, 657 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
- Breakers, The, 44 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI
- Chateau-sur-Mer, 474 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
- Chepstow, 120 Narragansett Avenue, Newport, RI
- Elms, The, 367 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
- Hunter House, 54 Washington Street, Newport, RI
- Isaac Bell House, 70 Perry Street, Newport, RI
- Kingscote, 253 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
- Marble House, The, 596 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI
- Ochre Court, 16 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI
- Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
- Rough Point, 680 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
Cliff Walk
The Cliff Walk in Newport, RI is a world famous walk that combines the natural beauty of the Eastern shore line with architectural history of Newport’s gilded age.
Ocean Drive
Ranked as one of the most popular drives in the country, Ocean Drive is a beautiful ten mile drive along Newport’s shore line. Along the windy road you will discover spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and scenes of magnificent million dollar mansions. It begins at The Elms on Bellevue Avenue and ends at King’s Park on Wellington Avenue.
Tours
There are a variety of tours offered in Newport that span anywhere from Helicopter Tours to Ghost Tours. Some examples of tours include Harbor Tours, Bus Tours, Kayak Tours, Lighthouse Tours, Seal Tours, Train Tours, and Brewery and Winery Tours.
Historical Sites
You could easily spend a week taking in all the historical sites Newport has to offer. Newport is an old town with a great deal of history. Some of The Scoop’s favorite historical sites include:
- Fort Adams, 1 Lincoln Drive, Newport, RI
- Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street, Newport, RI
- Museum of Yachting, 25 Mill Street, Newport, RI
- National Museum of American Illustration, 492 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
- Old Stone Mill, on Bellevue Avenue
- Redwood Library & Athenæum, 10 Redwood Street, Newport, RI
- Touro Synagogue, 85 Touro Street, Newport, RI
- Trinity Episcopal Church, 1 Queen Anne Square, Newport, RI
- White Horse Tavern, 26 Marlborough Street, Newport, RI
State Parks
Brenton Point State Park
Located on Ocean Drive, Brenton Point State Park offers its visitors one of the most commanding and spectacular views on the East Coast. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, hiking, fishing, or flying kites.
Fort Adams State Park
Situated at the mouth of the Newport Harbor, Fort Adams State Park is perhaps best known for its annual summer concerts including the Jazz Festival and the Newport Folk Festival.
Boating/Sailing
There are many boating activities to be found in Newport including Canoe/Kayak Rentals, Charters/Excursions, Kite Surfing, Sailing Schools, and Wind Surfing.
Tennis at the International Tennis Hall of Fame
The Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino was the site of the first U.S. National Championships in 1881. The International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum welcomes visitors from 9:30am to 5:00pm daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Hiking/Walking
Newport is probably one of the most "walking-friendly" towns in the country. Just outside of Newport you’ll find plenty of opportunities for longer walks to take in the ocean vistas and wildlife and nature preserves. One point of interest The Scoop recommends is Purgatory Chasm. Take note of the sign just before you reach 2nd beach off to the right.
The Norman Bird Sanctuary
Found just between Second and Third Beaches in Middletown, the Bird Sanctuary is a 450-acre wildlife refuge offering over 7 miles of hiking trails.
Sachest Point National Wildlife Refuge
Adjacent to Second Beach in Middletown you’ll discover the Wildlife Refuge that presents hiking trails and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife on its 2.5 mile loop.
