Things to do & places to visit in Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Here in the heart of Rhode Island’s “Classic Coast,” you can choose your own adventure. Soak in miles of spectacular coastal scenery, study authentic Colonial and Gilded Age architecture, saunter along the wharves of the bustling waterfront, and sink your toes into the sand of stunning beaches. You can be inspired at the legendary mansions, be energized by the vibrant nightlife, and savor local flavor at our many celebrated restaurants, wineries and breweries.

Newport city in Rhode Island, United States. Timezone: America/New_York, current date and time: Saturday, May 04, 2024, 3:28.

Top things to do (20)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 National Museum of American Illustration (413 reviews)
- WOW, You can lose yourself here with wonder
Saturday: Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

The NMAI is currently closed to due renovations, opening in the late Spring. Please check back for additional information at that time. The National Museum of American Illustration (NMAI) is situated in Vernon Court, a Gilded Age mansion (1898). Vernon Court is on the Natl. Register of Historic Places with interiors inspired by the palace at Versailles. The NMAI focuses on original illustration artworks created to be reproduced in books, periodicals, advertising and in other print media. Featured artists include: Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, Howard Pyle, JC Leyendecker, Jessie Willcox Smith, NC Wyeth and 150 others. Free parking for museum visitors is available in our lot located on Victoria Avenue. See more..
5.0 The Preservation Society of Newport County (141 reviews)
- Inside the Gilded Age Tour-it is fabulous
Historic Sites

Society dedicated to the preservation of 9 of Newport's mansions. See more..
4.5 The Breakers (6.144 reviews)
- Newport Staple
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums

A symbol of the Vanderbilt family's status in turn-of-the-century America, The Breakers is one of the most luxurious of Newport County's summer mansions. Exploring the ornate interiors typically takes about two hours, which you can do at your own pace with a downloadable audio guide. Don’t miss the stunning sea views from the colonnaded terrace. Afterward, stroll along the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, which boasts spectacular views of the coastline. For more opulence, you can also tour the other lavish villas in the surrounding Bellevue Avenue district. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Cliff Walk (5.543 reviews)
- One day walk about Newport
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas • Hiking Trails

Located near the back lawn of The Breakers and other historic mansions like Rough Point, this scenic 3.5-mile walk along Newport's coastline connects the western end of Easton Beach to the eastern end of Bailey’s Beach. Stroll along the Cliff Walk to spot a variety of wildflowers and birds, and enjoy commanding views of Narragansett Bay.It’s mostly an easy walk, but watch out for the southern section, which can get slightly tricky along the rocky shore. Newport gets especially busy during summer weekends—plan your visit during spring or fall, or on weekdays for fewer crowds. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Ocean Drive (2.982 reviews)
- Amazing drive on the coast
Historic Walking Areas • Scenic Drives

The marked scenic route along the dramatic Atlantic shoreline that circles Newport. See more..
4.5 The Elms (1.886 reviews)
- Loved it!
Temporarily closed - Closed until Apr 1, 2023 Speciality Museums

The Elms was the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind of Philadelphia and New York. Mr. Berwind made his fortune in the coal industry. In 1898, as the Gilded Age was nearing its end, the Berwinds engaged Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer to design a Newport house modeled after the mid-18th century French chateau d'Asnieres (c. 1750) outside Paris. Construction of The Elms was completed in 1901 at a cost reported at approximately $1.4 million. The interiors and furnishings were designed by Allard and Sons of Paris and were the setting for the Berwinds' collection of Renaissance ceramics, 18th-century French and Venetian paintings, and Oriental jades. In 1962, The Elms was saved by The Preservation Society of Newport County from almost certain demolition. A National Historic Landmark, The Elms is a fine example of the taste and style of the late Gilded Age. Several scenes from HBO's hit series "The Gilded Age" were filmed in The Elms. See more..
4.5 Marble House (1.771 reviews)
- Marbleling
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums

Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. It was a summer house, or "cottage," as Newporters called them, but also a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport's transformation from a quiet summer colony to a legendary resort of the Gilded Age. Mr. Vanderbilt was the grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who established the family's fortune in steamships and the New York Central Railroad. His wife, Alva, was a leading hostess in Newport society during the Gilded Age, and envisioned Marble House as her "temple to the arts" in America. The house was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, one of the premier architects of the Gilded Age, who found inspiration in the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The cost was reported in contemporary press accounts to be $11 million, of which $7 million was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Several scenes from HBO's hit series "The Gilded Age" were filmed in Marble House. See more..
4.5 Newport Mansions (1.615 reviews)
- Three Mansions in Newport
Speciality Museums • Architectural Buildings

Get a glimpse into the lavish lives of New England's elite through this unique collection of historic house museums. There are 11 properties that date back to the mid-18th century to the Gilded Age, including The Breakers—one of the most famous mansions in Newport—Marble House, The Elms, and Rosecliff. Book a guided tour that will take you through the various mansions or make a stop there on a trolley tour of Newport. A few of the mansions are also bordered by the popular Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile path along the coast where you can hike to get fantastic views of Narragansett Bay. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Fort Adams State Park (1.144 reviews)
- Great example of Ford building for those history buffs
Saturday: 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Historic Sites • Parks

Managed by the Fort Adams Trust, a 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization, in partnership with the RI Department of Environmental Management, this National Historic Landmark is now open to the public. The Fort Adams Trust provides public and private guided tours and youth group overnights. Additionally the Trust hosts weddings, lobster bakes, private site rentals and a variety of special events throughout the year. Most notably Historic Fort Adams is the home of the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals each summer. See more..
4.5 Rosecliff (1.043 reviews)
- Great Gatsby
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Speciality Museums

Commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899, toward the end of the GIlded Age, architect Stanford White modeled Rosecliff after the Grand Trianon, the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles. The house was completed in 1902, at a reported cost of $2.5 million. Its elegant ballroom is the largest in Newport, and Mrs. Oelrichs hosted fabulous entertainments there, including a fairy tale dinner and a party featuring famed magician Harry Houdini. The facade of Rosecliff recently was shown during HBO's hit series "The Gilded Age." See more..
4.5 Thames Street (804 reviews)
- Most Popular Street in Newport
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Popular Newport street filled with many shops. See more..
4.5 Newport Visitors Information Center (612 reviews)
- Great Way To Save On Parking
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Visitor Centers

Make the Newport Visitor Information Center your first stop for all of your maps, materials, tickets and tour needs. Information specialists are available with complimentary maps and brochures on local events, attractions, lodging, shopping and dining. See more..
4.5 Bellevue Avenue (605 reviews)
- A road well traveled!
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Drives

Part of the 10-mile Ocean Drive and home to many well-known mansions. See more..
4.5 International Tennis Hall of Fame (595 reviews)
- Fun to see, even if you don't play Tennis
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks

With more than 2,000 unique objects on display, from racquets, to attire, to trophies, as well as a variety of interactive exhibits, there is something for everyone inside the walls of the International Tennis Hall of Fame museum. See more..
4.5 Rough Point Museum (594 reviews)
- I Loved Being Here and Can't Praise It Enough
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Historic Sites

Rough Point is a mansion and a museum with an extensive collection of fine and decorative arts and a sprawling historic landscape with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The property is experienced today largely as it was lived in during the lifetime of its most famous owner, the heiress Doris Duke. See more..
4.5 Touro Synagogue (496 reviews)
- Wonderful tour, incredible history
Saturday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Religious Sites

Dedicated in 1763, this is the oldest synagogue in the United States. See more..
4.5 Chateau-sur-Mer (433 reviews)
- OPEN FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, AND MONDAY!
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Historic Sites

Chateau-sur-Mer is a landmark of High Victorian architecture, furniture, wallpapers, ceramics and stenciling. It was the most palatial residence in Newport from its completion in 1852 until the appearance of the Gilded Age Vanderbilt houses in the 1890s. Chateau-sur-Mer was built as an Italianate-style villa for China trade merchant William Shepard Wetmore. Mr. Wetmore died in 1862, leaving the bulk of his fortune to his son, George Peabody Wetmore, who married Edith Keteltas in 1869. During the 1870s, the young couple departed on an extended trip to Europe, leaving architect Richard Morris Hunt to remodel and redecorate the house in the Second Empire French style. As a result, Chateau-sur-Mer displays most of the major design trends of the last half of the 19th century. Several scenes for HBO's hit series "The Gilded Age" were filmed at Chateau-sur-Mer. See more..
4.5 Bowen's Wharf (419 reviews)
- Quaint shops, lots of choices for food, and a great place to people watch!
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Piers & Boardwalks • Shopping Malls

Welcome to Newport's premiere year-round destination! Brick walks, granite quays, and 18th century commercial wharf buildings bring you back to Bowen's beginnings as a thriving seaport in one of the finest natural harbors in New England. Trading with all corners of the world, then and now, Bowen's Wharf is central to the city's commerce and culture. Bowen's Wharf: The Anchor of the Newport Waterfront! See more..
4.5 Brenton Point State Park (308 reviews)
- Oh my heart!
State Parks • Parks

Love, love, love this park! So beautiful! The view, the waves rolling in, so peaceful. We visited on the 20th of July, a very hot day but we went later in the afternoon when it was comfortable and relaxing. It is a must stop any time of the year! See more..
4.5 Castle Hill Lighthouse (239 reviews)
- Gorgeous view
Lighthouses

We arrived early for our lunch reservation at The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn and walked a very short distance through the parking lot to visit the lighthouse. It's a gorgeous location to sit on a bench and watch the boats sail by. Beautiful, well maintained little lighthouse and then you can have lunch or just a drink on the Lawn to continue watching the boats. See more..
4.5 Audrain Automobile Museum (235 reviews)
- Absolutely worth a visit
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums

“More of an Art Museum than a Car Museum,” we celebrate the Machine Age, when art and automobiles came together. With access to more than 200 of the most remarkable and rare vehicles ever made, the Museum takes pride in its ability to display automobiles from 1899 to modern day. Vehicles are chosen specifically and showcased based on ever-changing exhibition themes. By displaying 15-20 cars at a time, the Museum gives patrons and enthusiasts of all ages a completely unique experience with each visit. "Preserving Newport's History One Car At A Time." See more..
4.5 Bannister's Wharf (222 reviews)
- Shop - or eat - till you drop!
Piers & Boardwalks

What used to be the center of Newport's commercial seaport in the colonial days, is now the hub of Newport's harbor side shopping and dining, where you can find eclectic boutiques, sophisticated and casual restaurants side by side and cozy waterfront rooms. See more..
4.5 St. Mary's Catholic Church (204 reviews)
- Great part of American History
Saturday: Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

St. Mary’s Church in Newport, R.I. was the setting for the wedding of Jacqueline Lee Bouvier and then-Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy, on September 12, 1953. The beautiful and historic church is home to Rhode Island’s oldest Catholic parish, which was established in 1828. Saint Mary’s, designed in the Gothic Revival style by renowned Irish-born architect, Patrick C. Keely, was dedicated in 1852 to “The Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle,” and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. The church is open for prayer and visitation most days during the 2022 summer: Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the website for further information. See more..
4.5 Trinity Church (147 reviews)
- A beautiful piece of history!
Saturday: Churches & Cathedrals

A Newport church where George Washington once attended. See more..
4.5 Salve Regina University (112 reviews)
- Character Building Foundation
Educational sites

Catholic nuns inherited and began instruction here, the Sisters of Mercy were teaching nuns I believe . Buildings were donated with the goal of "sound teaching" and strong character education. All Ivy leagues started like that. Strong Catholic heritage. See more..
4.5 Newport Playhouse and Cabaret (98 reviews)
- Good Value
Theaters

Found this on TA and chose it for a rainy vacation day. The food was average, generous, and filling. Waitstaff and all staff was friendly and grateful for our patronage. Facility was clean and nice. The actors were approaching “pro” quality and worked very hard to entertain the crowd during both the 3(?) act comedy and the 40-45 minute Caberet (after) the play. We thot the meal and total (5 hr?) experience was well worth the price. See more..
4.5 Newport Art Museum (97 reviews)
- Wonderful Changing Exhibits
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Speciality Museums

This is a great museum that is the right size. They have ongoing and special exhibitions, all very different/exclusive. It is small enough to experience all the exhibits but still experience lots of Newport. Small free parking lot. Just a couple of blocks up from the touristy waterfront. See more..
4.5 Exploration Center & Aquarium (65 reviews)
- Small but Mighty!
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Aquariums

Whether you're a local or just visiting the Newport area, the Save The Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium, with its beachfront location, is the perfect family destination. This interactive marine science center is home to more than 140 species from Narragansett Bay, three touch tanks, and a craft center. Children can get face-to-fin with lobsters, crabs, and fish from local waterways. With Newport's only ocean-facing beach just outside the front door, visitors can continue the beachcombing experience after their visit. See more..
4.0 Gooseberry Beach (132 reviews)
- Great hidden beach
Beaches

Located along the iconic Ocean Drive, this white sand beach is nestled in a quiet cove, boasting calm and gentle waters—perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are minimal amenities, so come prepared with food and drinks, beach chairs, and anything you need for a relaxing day at the beach. Otherwise, there's always the nearby Gooseberry Cafe for quick bites. The beach closes by the early evening, so you may want to start your day in the morning to maximize your trip and the per-vehicle entrance fee, especially during the busy summer months. – Tripadvisor See more..
3.5 Easton's Beach (375 reviews)
- Watch the surfers
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Beaches

One of Newport's popular beaches. See more..