Newport – The Mansion City of Rhode Island
Newport, located in the southern part of Aquidneck Island, once known as Rhode Island (distinct from the entire state which was named after the island's former name), is now a vibrant resort town. Despite its small size, Newport is one of the most important cities in all of New England, both historically and as a tourist destination. It’s a popular vacation and leisure spot with plenty to see and do. Newport is one of the major travel and vacation destinations in all of New England.
- In Newport, the prestigious US Open tennis tournament was founded, and today it hosts the International Tennis Hall of Fame
- With the white sport came New England's snobbish crowd, turning this beautiful city into one of the most attractive vacation spots for the affluent from Massachusetts and New York
- Among the mansions of the wealthy, a charming city unfolds with an attractive harbor area that attracts an enormous amount of tourists every afternoon during the summer
- In the vicinity of the city, there are significant historical sites such as the United States Naval Academy and the massive Fort Adams
How many days are needed for a trip to Newport, Rhode Island?
If you're coming for a vacation, it's worth dedicating two or three relaxing days to the city. If you're just visiting as part of a New England itinerary, it's worth dedicating a full day to Newport, including the Cliff Trail.
It's highly recommended to vacation in Newport for a few days in the spring and summer months or stay overnight during a road trip through Rhode Island.
Click here to check availability and prices at Newport hotels, Rhode Island…
8 Must-See and Do Things in Newport
- The grandeur of mansions and ocean views on the Cliff Trail
- A visit to the opulent Breakers Mansion
- The historic sites and mansions in the old Bellevue Avenue district
- 17th and 18th-century city houses at Washington Square
- Quality seafood restaurants and lobsters at Newport Harbor
- The International Tennis Hall of Fame
- View of the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge from Goat Island
- Air and sea at Fort Adams State Park
Click here for all the information about a trip to Rhode Island…
What is Newport, Rhode Island?
- The quaint little town or city of Newport is situated on the southern part of Aquidneck Island, about a forty-minute drive south from Providence, the capital of Rhode Island.
- Newport is the second most important city in the petite state, with a rich history and one of the prime destinations for travel in New England.
- Newport is home to only about 25,000 people, but during the summer the city doubles in size and turns into a massive tourist hotspot. Similar to other New England tourism empires, like Cape Cod or Martha's Vineyard, Newport is also considered a very popular summer retreat for the wealthy from New York and Boston, with giant private estates lining its streets.
- The city was founded in 1639 and served as the capital of Rhode Island until 1790.
For a narrated trolley ride through Newport’s historic streets, click here…
In Newport, there are several notable sites besides the bustling and popular harbor area. The city is home to the US Open tennis tournament, which was founded in 1881. Over the years, five other tennis tournaments opened and eventually merged, and today the competition takes place at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York, and is one of the Grand Slam events.
The Touro Synagogue is also an important historical site, primarily because it was the first synagogue established in the USA in 1759. The Naval War College is also located in the small city, on an island just north of the lively harbor. Today, Newport offers a blend of leisure and exploration, with fascinating historical sites and nightlife that goes into the wee hours.
Map of Newport, Rhode Island
How to get to Newport, Rhode Island?
The fastest way to reach Newport from Providence is via Interstate 1, which connects south of the capital with Route 138. The drive from Providence to Newport takes about 40 minutes. Another charming rural route is Route 114, which crosses the entire island from south to north, passing through Bristol and connecting to I-195 towards Downtown Providence.
You can reach Newport directly from Boston by taking Route 24, which connects the two cities, with a travel time of about an hour and a quarter. From New York City, the trip involves taking the I-95 through Connecticut's coastal towns and heading east at the major interchange with Route 102.
For a private transfer from Newport Port to your hotel doorstep in Providence, click here…
- Access to Newport is usually from Providence, the capital, the main city of Rhode Island and the transportation hub. Providence is well connected with Boston, the main gateway to all of New England
- Logan International Airport in Boston (code BOS), is the main entry point to New England and the closest major airport to Providence. There are quite a few direct flights from Ben Gurion to Boston, including flights by El Al and Delta
- Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (code PVD) is located just south of downtown Providence, about a fifteen-minute drive from the city center. This airport isn't large, but it's well-connected to major airports across the eastern part of the USA and the Midwest (mainly flights to Chicago O'Hare). This airport is an excellent choice for those visiting the city or other Rhode Island destinations, including Newport.
Click here for an afternoon sail from Newport Harbor…
When is the best time to visit Newport?
Like all of New England, Newport is a summer city. Winter here is icy and harsh, and much of the tourist business is closed. Despite that, it's a convenient base for lodging when cross-country ski sites are active during peak winter in the nearby town of Middletown.
Click here for a guided tour for foodies and seafood lovers in the heart of Newport…
- In the summer, the city is bustling with life and is considered one of the most attractive spots for activities in all of New England.
- Newport is part of the traditional lobster and seafood route held in the ports of New England towns (those with lots of sailboats) every summer, with a large number of excellent seafood restaurants in the center.
- Autumn in Newport is also charming, featuring the orange and yellow foliage of New England.
Click here for a cruise from Newport to selected lighthouses along the coast…
How to plan a trip route in Newport, Rhode Island?
- Planning a trip in Newport is relatively easy, as it is a small city. The important urban center is the harbor area, along Thames Street, the city's main lively street. At its northern end, Thames Street connects with Washington Square, the city's historic square.
- Near Washington Square are the city's important sites such as the Touro Synagogue, the Newport Museum and shop, and more
- East of the Square, Touro Street connects southeast with the historic Bellevue Avenue, lined with impressive mansions
- Down Bellevue Avenue is the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Newport Art Museum
- East of the Tennis Hall of Fame is the city's popular Cliff Walk. South of it, along the coastline, is the historic Breakers Mansion
- Visiting Fort Adams to the south and the Naval War College museum on the island requires a short drive from the center
Click here for trip planning in Newport and professional consultation…
Click here for a guided day tour from Boston to Newport…
Everything You Need to Know About Staying in Newport
Accommodation in the Center of Newport
- There are plenty of hotels and accommodations in the heart of Newport.
- A large portion of the city's hotels are lined along Times Street, stretching from south to north along the harbor piers.
- Another large cluster of hotels is located not far in the streets of the Old Town near Washington Square.
- Most accommodations in the city center are privately owned with little presence from large hotel chains. The hotels downtown are considered really good, most housed in historic mansions offering a high level of hospitality and service.
- Since Newport is a car-friendly city even at its center, you can stay downtown with a rental car at your side.
Click here to find a place to stay in Newport's resort hotels…
Motels near Newport
There are quite a few motels and hotels from large and well-known chains outside the center of Newport. Along Highway 114 in Middletown, you'll find a good representation of major chains like Hyatt, and brands like Quality Inn, Days Inn, and more. These are essentially motels and are very convenient for lodging if you're traveling in the area. They offer the standard deal of two queen beds per room and breakfast, making them ideal for family stays.
Everything to See and Do in Newport, Rhode Island
Thames Street and Newport Harbor
The liveliest area in town is the harbor and Thames Street rising above it. The street is the ground zero of the city's massive tourist movement, filled with top-notch seafood, lobster, clams, and fish restaurants. Despite it all, the street maintains its identity as an almost ordinary New England street, with low houses and a small-town vibe.
From the street, roads lead to the many marina docks, which are packed with a variety of restaurants, pubs, and clubs all related to the sea world. The highlight of the street is in its northern part near Washington Square and the lively deck known as Bowen's Wharf. Along the street and in the surrounding streets, there are numerous hotels. At The Sailing Museum on the street, you can learn about the history of ships and boats in New England.
Goat Island
Across from Newport Harbor lies Goat Island, just 150 meters from the shoreline. Connected by a bridge, it's easily accessible by car or boat. The entire northern part of the island belongs to the Newport Harbor Island Resort Newport Harbor Island Resort, and south of the hotel is the charming marina with several restaurants.
The island offers a stunning view of the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge to the north. This spectacular suspension bridge was built in 1969 and connects Newport with Jamestown to the west. It stretches almost 3.5 kilometers.
Washington Square
Washington Square is the historic center of Newport, truly the heart of the city. This beautiful triangle-shaped square is where all the streets converge. At the center of the square lies the lovely green Eisenhower Park, and nearby are many of the city's key sites. On its broad eastern side is the city courthouse, while on the narrow western side you'll find the Newport Museum and shop. The square is surrounded by an abundance of historic homes, excellent restaurants, and bars.
Click here for a guided private walking tour of all the historical gems of Downtown Newport…
Near the square are several important historic houses like the Old Colony House, which is adjacent to the courthouse. This is where the independence of Rhode Island was declared in 1776. Not far from the Old Colony House, on Broadway, you'll find the Wanton Lyman Hazard House, built in 1675 and considered the oldest standing structure in Newport. Just a bit north is the White Horse Tavern, a pub that began operating in 1673 and is regarded as the oldest tavern still running in the USA.
Museum of Newport History & Shop
The Museum of Newport History is now a historical museum showcasing the city's development and presenting exhibits from its past. The museum operates in the historic Brick Market building, the city's market hall built in 1762. In addition to the displays, you can purchase a wealth of memorabilia related to the city, including prints, paintings, and other souvenirs.
Address: 127 Thames St., Newport
Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
Touro Synagogue is just a short walk from the courthouse on the eastern side of Washington Square. It's a significant and historic synagogue. It was the first established in New England and in the territories of North America that later became the United States. The synagogue was founded in 1763 by Jews of Spanish and Portuguese descent, and it remains active today following the Sephardic prayer tradition.
Address: Touro St. 85, Newport
The Historic District of Bellevue Avenue
Down the road south from the synagogue, Touro Street intersects with Newport's main avenue – the beautiful Bellevue Avenue. The long avenue stretches south to the island's tip, lined with numerous mansions, some genuinely historic and ancient. Along this avenue, the wealthy of New England from the late 18th century let their imaginations run wild. You can see countless facades of grand palaces with elegant architecture.
In the heart of the avenue, at its intersection with Mill Street, you'll find the charming Touro Park, home to the Newport Tower. This ancient tower is what's left of a windmill that was built in the mid-17th century. Opposite the tower, on the east side of Bellevue Avenue, sits the Newport Art Museum. This lovely museum features a collection of American Impressionist painters from the region and a wing for rotating exhibitions. To the north of the museum is the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, the oldest active library in America, founded in 1750.
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Just south of Touro Park, beyond the intersection of Bellevue Avenue with Memorial Boulevard West that leads to the city's harbor, lies the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The hall is built on the historic courts where the US Open tournament began. This tournament is now considered one of the most important tennis events in the world and one of the four Roland Garros tournaments. The tournament started on the Hall's tennis courts in 1881 and only moved to its current location at Flushing Meadows, New York City, a hundred years later. The hall offers a fascinating museum display of the white game, including memorabilia from famous players.
Address: Bellevue Ave. 194, Newport
Click here for all the information about visiting the Tennis Hall of Fame…
The Cliff Walk
The Long Cliff Walk is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in New England, and certainly one of the most known and popular ones. The trail stretches over six kilometers from Easton Beach in the east, up to Bailey Beach at the southern tip of the island. The route also includes the coastline of the famous Breakers mansion/estate. The path runs along the low cliffs of the coastline, offering stunning views of the estate houses behind you and the Atlantic Ocean.
Click here to download the guide for a Cliff Walk tour in the app…
The Breakers
The Breakers is undoubtedly the most extravagant and powerful mansion among the estates of Newport's wealthy. It was constructed as the summer residence for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, the grandson and heir of the Commodore, the famous American tycoon, and the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family (the original Cornelius Vanderbilt). This colossal mansion was completed in 1895 and built in a Neo-Renaissance style, inspired by the magnificent palaces in Italy, under the design of the architect Richard Morris Hunt. Hunt designed many of the most impressive mansions in Newport, including the John N. A. Griswold House, the opulent Marble House, Ochre Court, and more. The massive four-story palace boasts no fewer than seventy rooms and is one of the few Newport mansions that is accessible to visitors.
Click here for a guided tour of all the Newport mansions + entry and tour of The Breakers…
The interior of The Breakers brings all the wealth and power of the family. With meticulous design, using very expensive materials, including artwork, furniture, and outrageously expensive decorative objects. The grand hall is the central chamber of the mansion, from which there is access to the luxurious music room where the balls were held.
Address: Ochre Point Ave. 44, Newport
Click here for the latest opening hours of The Breakers and to plan a visit…
Fort Adams State Park
Fort Adams State Park is located a ten-minute drive south of the city center. The fort itself is situated at the northern tip of a small peninsula west of the harbor. The massive fort was built in the mid-19th century, but today it belongs to the city, and a splendid urban park has been opened to the south of it. Throughout the park and the fort are numerous walking paths offering stunning views of the bay and the city.
