Looking for ideas on things to do during a weekend in Newport, Rhode Island?!
Newport is a charming and quaint town nicknamed the “City by the Sea” and lovingly called “The Sailing Capital of the World”. It sits seaside on Aquidneck Island in the Narragansett Bay, the largest island in the state of Rhode Island. The city is known for its wealth in the early part of the 20th century which gave rise to the famous Gilded Age Mansions that Newport is most famous for.
Newport is only a short 4 1/2 hour ride from our home in NEPA, so we have easily been able to make this into a quick weekend getaway several times.
This blog post is going to be your ultimate travel guide to Newport, RI. Whether it be for a short weekend getaway or a leisurely stay, you have many options for things to do, my friend!
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Things to Do in Newport Rhode Island
Visit the Newport Mansions
Due to the rapid economic growth in the 1870s, many of the nation’s super-wealthy built their summer “cottages” here in Newport with views overlooking the sea. I say cottages and laugh because they are actually huge, glorious mansions.
You can’t visit Newport and not add at least one tour of these stunning Gilded Age mansions to your itinerary.
Many of the Newport Mansions are located along Bellevue Ave. Your best bet is to park the car and walk it because there isn’t much room to pull off the road to stop and take photos. If you do, you’ll stall traffic.
We only toured The Breakers, an Italian-Renaissance style design, which is the most extravagant of all the Newport mansions, but there are several others that you can tour as well. Built by the Vanderbilt family in 1893, The Breakers is the most popular tourist attraction in Newport.
I was in complete awe at the beauty and intricate detail that this home possessed. From the gold-trimmed doorways to the Italian marble no expense was spared in its construction, that’s for sure.
The other mansions are Marble House, The Elms, Rosecliff, Chateau-Sur-Mer, Kingscote, Isaac Bell House, Hunter House, Chepstow, Ochre Court, Belcourt, Rough Point, Vernon Court, and Green Animals Topiary Garden.
Plan on spending at least an hour to an hour and a half per mansion. The Breakers is a good place to start since they have a Welcome Center where you can learn about the different mansions open for tours.
The Breakers tour was self-guided. They have an app that you download on your phone and it will guide you through the mansion room by room. I really liked this feature because it allowed you to take the tour at your own pace.
You are allowed to take photos inside the mansions, however, flash photography is prohibited and so are photos for anything other than personal use.
Kids are welcome on all of the mansion tours, but strollers are not.
The Cliff Walk
I love New England for its rugged coastline. There is something peaceful to me watching the waves crash against the rocky coast casting a rainbow into the air with each crashing wave.
Another one of Newport’s most popular activities is the Cliff Walk. This is a 3.5 mile walk along Newport’s “Classic Coast” beginning at Easton Beach. In the summer months, you will find surfers lining the shoreline catching the waves that come crashing in.
You can also enter the Cliff Walk at Narragansett Ave, Webster St, Shepard Ave, and Ruggles Ave.
There are plenty of spots for photo ops with a stunning backdrop. If you are planning on doing the Cliff Walk towards the end of summer, or in the fall, don’t forget a jacket and a hat! We went in mid-September so it was chilly and windy.
There are also several narrow steep paths that lead down to the giant rocks for the brave souls who want a closer view of the ocean. I would err on the side of caution here though because it can be slippery and dangerous.
Insider Tip: For those chilly days, stop by Chanler’s Hot Chocolate Bar for a cup to go located inside the Chanler Hotel at the start of the Cliff Walk. Open weekends November – March.
We did not walk the full 3.5 miles because we had dinner reservations planned for that evening before we had to head home.
I should also note that the 3.5 miles is one-way, NOT round trip. So if you walk the whole thing, be prepared to walk another 3.5 miles back to your car. Or, you can certainly opt to take the trolley or a taxi back! Bicycles are not allowed on the Cliff Walk.
If you are traveling to Newport with small children, strollers are allowed on the Cliff Walk. Keep in mind, however, that when we took Jake in his stroller we did have to carry it up and down a few steps at certain points.
Pets are also allowed on the Cliff Walk.
40 Steps at Cliff Walk
There is a staircase known as “40 Steps” that leads you down to a platform right above the water. These steps can be slippery when wet so use caution.
Can you spot the surfer in the photo??
Explore Downtown
The heart of downtown Newport consists of restaurants, shops, and cobblestone paths all set on the waterfront for a breathtaking view.
Bannister’s Wharf
As we stepped into the cobblestone alleyway leading us onto Bannister’s Wharf we were greeted with the smooth sounds of a saxophone playing an uplifting jazz beat welcoming us onto the bustling street.
One of the best places to go shopping in Newport Rhode Island is Bannister’s Wharf. You can find anything from clothing to candy to home decor here.
Also, consider spending the night in Bannister’s Wharf Guestrooms with a waterfront room overlooking the harbor. There are only 4 waterfront rooms available, so if you want to stay here book early!
Bowen’s Wharf
Another beautiful area of the downtown harbor is Bowen’s Wharf, located right next to Bannister’s Wharf. Here you will find plenty of restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and events held throughout the year.
Ocean Drive
Be sure to soak in the breathtaking views of the city’s south shore on Ocean Drive. This drive will take you through 10 miles of gorgeous coastline views starting just past Bellevue Ave. It was one of my favorite parts of my weekend in Newport!
Grab lunch to go and find a spot for a picnic, there will be lots of them. If you feel brave enough, dip your toes in the water. I would say swim, but it’s rocky and the water is cold (this is New England, after all).
Want to rent a car to make the drive? I got you — just book here!
Brenton Point State Park
Remember how I said there will be great spots for a picnic on Ocean Drive? Well this is probably the best one! In addition to stunning views of the coastline, you’ll also see lots of people fishing and flying kites.
During certain times of the year, they do require reservations for picnic areas. Check out their website for more information on this.
Insider Tip: Just past Brenton Point State Park, you will find Bailey’s Beach. This secluded spot has soft sand and very few people. There is no parking available.
Fort Adams State Park
At the end of Ocean Drive, you will come to Fort Adams State Park and its gorgeous views of Newport Harbor.
You can take a 75-minute guided tour and learn about the history of Fort Adams or you can do a self-guided tour of the 6.5 acres at your own pace.
The 2.5 mile Fort Adams Bay Walk offers unparalleled views of the Newport Harbor, especially at sunset.
Fort Adams State Park also has a beach that is perfect for swimming with the kids as it offers calm water with lifeguards on duty. They also host concerts and other events during the summer months!
International Tennis Hall of Fame
If you are a sports lover or just love museums in general, Newport is home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. They have almost 2,000 artifacts on display. They also have a holographic, interactive experience making it a great family-friendly activity.
Admission fees are $16 for adults and kids 12 and under are free.
The Sailing Museum
To honor the sport that Newport loves so much, visit this relatively new museum that immerses you in the world of sailing.
Explore Newport by Trolley
What better way to explore Newport than by trolley? Viking Trolley Tours offers several different tour options so you can choose the one best suited to your family. You can choose from scenic tours or ones that include visits to the Newport Mansions.
This is a great way to see the sites in Newport without having to worry about parking.
Newport Sailing Tours
Nicknamed the “Sailing Capital of the World”, what better way to experience Newport and get an unmatched view of the mansions, than from the sea? Sailing in Newport Rhode Island is the perfect thing to add to your family’s itinerary. Be sure to keep your eyes out for a white egret!
There are several different types of sailing tours on different types of vessels. They even have some holiday themed tours during the Christmas season. So keep an eye out for those if you are visiting Newport in the winter.
Beaver Tail State Park
A trip to coastal New England wouldn’t be complete without seeing a lighthouse! Plan to check out Beaver Tail State Park which is home to America’s third lighthouse and the first lighthouse in the state of Rhode Island.
It will take you about 20 minutes to get here from Newport but it is just under a 10 mile drive. Admission and parking are free.
Go Kayaking
If you want to go kayaking in Newport, Rhode Island I found this gem of a place that will deliver kayaks or SUPs directly to you!! No more going to a storefront, nope! Mobile Kayaks will literally meet you wherever you want to put your kayak in the water and pick it up when you are done!
Whale Watching
Would you be surprised if I told you that there are whales that come into the Narragansett Bay? Most people don’t think of going whale watching in Newport Rhode Island, but let me tell you that this can be one of the prime locations to see finback whales in the summer season as they migrate towards the Caribbean.
You will have to drive 14 miles (about 20-25 minutes) to the town of Narragansett, RI to go whale watching. The Frances Fleet and Snappa Charters are the best tour operators in the area and I highly recommend booking with either one of them.
Visit the Wineries in Newport RI
There are three vineyards in the Newport Area (but like 12 breweries and cideries) giving you a chance to sample the local wines.
- Carolyn Sakonnett Vineyard – 20 miles (35 minutes)
- Newport Vineyards – 4 miles (10 minutes)
- Greenvale Vineyards – 6 miles (15 minutes)
Since there is quite a bit of driving involved to get to all of these wineries and it will take up most of your day, I’m not sure I recommend this if you only have a few days in Newport, but if you’re here for 5 days or more, I say definitely put this on your itinerary!
Seal Watching Tours
While you can see whales in the summer months, the harbor seals love the colder water temperatures in the winter. Going on a seal watching excursion is one of the coolest things to do with kids in Newport, RI and one of the best activities to do in the winter.
Make sure you bundle up! It will be even colder on the water.
Visit a Tulip Farm
I don’t know about you, but visiting the Netherlands during tulip season is high up on my travel bucket list! So until I get a chance to visit there, I will settle for a beautiful tulip farm right here in Rhode Island!
Wicked Tulips Flower Farm is a fun and unique thing to do in the Newport area this spring. They have three locations, but the closest one to Newport is in Exeter, RI located about 16 miles (20 minutes) outside of Newport.
If you want to make this part of your Newport travel itinerary, make sure to read their website for opening dates, how to get ticketes, and more important information.
Please Note: They are only open seasonally for a few weeks during spring. The amount of time they stay open is completely weather dependent.
Newport Nightlife
Are you visiting Newport on a girls’ trip perhaps? Or maybe you came for a romantic getaway with your significant other? Either way, you’re going to want to know about nightlife in Newport, Rhode Island!
- 1 Pelham East – probably the most popular place in town with three bars, food, and live music.
- Newport Blues Cafe – live music that has high energy yet still feels intimate.
- Dueling Pianos – transport yourself back to the 1890s ragtime era in this piano bar in the historic part of town.
- The Copper Club – a chic speakeasy. The newest in town with elegant craft cocktails.
- Dockside – a nightclub with views of the harbor. Say less!
Places to Eat in Newport, RI
White Horse Tavern
Make sure you safe time out of your day to visit The White Horse Tavern. Not only is it the oldest tavern in America, it’s the 10th oldest in the world!! Here you get to step back into 1673 and have a meal (and a drink of course) in a historical tavern that has been open for over 350 years!!
After our tour of The Breakers, we stopped by the White Horse Tavern for some lobster bisque. I mean what else is there to have in New England?! Actually, Raelyn was all about the truffle Parmesan fries that came with its own personal-sized glass bottle of ketchup. Seriously, how cute is that!?
It is the epitome of colonial charm with its original fireplaces, low wood ceilings and narrow staircase. You surely feel transported back in time.
The Red Parrot
After getting a somewhat later start than we expected, we arrived in Newport around 7pm — and we were STARVING!!! We had no dinner plans and nearly every place we tried to go was booked for the evening. Thankfully, we ended up finding a cute spot called The Red Parrot on Thames St that actually had tables available.
I could have eaten anything at this point and I was honestly really annoyed at the long line out the door of people waiting for a table, but the wait was totally worth it!! The atmosphere was inviting and lively, the staff was very friendly and accommodating, and the drink menu was fantastic! I had a frozen drink that tasted like a strawberry milkshake!
For dinner, we started off with lobster nachos as an appetizer- omg they were delicious!!! For our entrees I had seafood alfredo and Kory had a lobster stuffed NY strip steak.
The Black Pearl
Known as one of Newport’s best known and beloved restaurants, The Black Pearl has both indoor and outdoor seating located on the waterfront in the heart of the city. Normally we love outdoor, especially on the water, but being that it was a little chilly we opted for inside with the kids.
I really hate to say it but I wasn’t overly impressed with Newport’s famous restaurant. I just didn’t see anything in particular that I thought sounded really good, and my choice ended up being a Reuben sandwich. However, the clam chowder is world famous!
Maybe outside was different, but sitting inside it was dark and cold and made me feel like I was sitting in the underbelly of an old ship – but maybe that’s the point! I would definitely be willing to give them another try though, in the hopes that my experience this time was just bad luck.
More Highly-Rated Newport Restaurants
- Belle’s Cafe – located at Newport Shipyard, they have the best pancakes with even better views.
- Hungry Monkey Cafe – a casual spot for breakfast or brunch.
- Cara – a fine dining experience perfect for date night located inside the luxury Chanler Hotel
- Brick Alley Pub – the lobster rolls are a 10/10
- Clarke Cooke House – be sure to order the locally caught oysters on the half shell
- Cru Cafe – a laid-back casual spot that is BYOB and serves breakfast all day
- Thames Street Kitchen – a cozy and elevated steakhouse
Where to Stay in Newport, RI
There are so many beautiful Newport Rhode Island hotels to choose from. I’m going to outline a few of my favorites. All you have to do is click the link to check them out further and book!
- The Cliffside Inn – this boutique hotel has 16 guest rooms overlooking the famous Cliff Walk
- The Vanderbilt – an easy walk downtown to the waterfront and a worthwhile splurge. They also have a great rooftop bar.
- The Chanler at Cliff Walk – a 5 star luxury hotel at the start of Newport’s Cliff Walk. You’ll feel like you are staying in a castle.
- Castle Hill Inn – located along the picturesque Ocean Drive, this upscale hotel offers a spa, fine dining and scenic views.
- Forty 1 North – right in the middle of the action!
Things to Know When Visiting Newport
Getting There
It took us about 4 and a half hours to get to Newport from our home in NEPA. As you can see from the list below, Newport can easily become a day trip from any of New England’s major cities.
- Boston to Newport – 1 hour 20 minutes (72 miles)
- Portland, ME to Newport – 3 hours (177 miles)
- NYC to Newport – 3 hours 20 minutes (180 miles)
- Providence to Newport – 54 minutes (37 miles)
- Hartford, CT to Newport – 1 hour 38 minutes (85 miles)
- Burlington, VT to Newport – 4 hours 30 minutes (286 miles)
- North Conway, NH to Newport – 3 hours 40 minutes (207 miles)
If you are flying into the area, the closest airport is PVD in Providence.
Related Post: The Perfect Weekend in Mystic, CT!
When To Visit
The best time to visit is anytime between May – September. The average temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, a perfect temperature to enjoy all of the outdoor activities.
Summertime events, such as the Newport Jazz Festival, brings in a big crowd so you may want to keep this in mind when planning your weekend visit.
Visiting in September (or after) will offer cheaper hotel prices and less crowds. We visited Newport in mid-September and I thought it was a great time of year to go. The weather was still beautiful during the day and it was just starting to get chilly, especially at night time.
How Long to Stay
You should stay at least two days. This will give you time to experience many of the major activities, eat some delicious food, and have an overnight stay in a beautiful hotel.
How to Get Around
Newport is an easily walkable town. Honestly, this was a town made before cars so that means the streets are narrow and many are one way. If you don’t want to rent a car or don’t have your own vehicle with you and you need transportation, the RIPTA bus service offers free trolley and bus transportation and will service most major tourist attractions in the city.
Is Newport Good for Families?
Newport is a great family destination. There are so many things to do that the whole family will enjoy. The kids will love playing on the beach or sailing on the Atlantic in the warmer months and exploring the exquisite mansions all year round!
Is Newport Good for Couples?
Newport can be a very romantic place for couples. The Cliff Walk and Ocean Drive can be very romantic activities for couples to enjoy together and there are lots of fine dining options.
Is Newport Expensive?
The short answer is yes. The waterfront dining, yachts on the water, mansions, need I say more? But don’t let that deter you from visiting!! There are several free things that you can do and ways to cut costs so you can enjoy Newport on a budget.
Wrap Up: A Weekend in Newport Rhode Island
Newport is a charming New England paradise. On the Atlantic side, you have stunning Gilded Age architecture overlooking the rugged coastline and on the Narragansett Bay side you have sailboats as far as the eye can see. When you’re looking for a lovely weekend away with your family, a romantic getaway, or a girls’ trip, make sure to put Newport on your radar.
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