Find 10 great and fun things to do in Newport Rhode Island

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Rough Point

680 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 Phone: 401-847-8344

Experience the Life of 20th Century Heiress

Rough Point was the Newport home of Doris Duke – heiress, art collector, and Newport preservationist. Originally built by the Vanderbilt family in 1887 it later became one of Doris Duke’s homes. Still decorated as it was during her lifetime, the mansion is home to a remarkable collection of French furniture, European art, Chinese porcelains, and Turkish carpets; all collected during her world travels. The mansion features ocean views and landscaping design by Fredrick Law Olmsted, creator of New York’s Central Park. Rough Point opens of the season April 12, 2012. Tours last one hour and are led by knowledgeable guides.
 

Arp! Arp! to Starboard

From November 2011 through April 2012, Save The Bay offers seasonal seal watching tours aboard M/V Alletta Morris. Expert guides and binoculars are provided for an educational view of these seasonal marine visitors. Tours are offered on weekends and school vacations. A great activity for children during the slow days of winter. Boat departs Bowen's Ferry Landing, 18 Market Square, in Newport. Cost is $20 for a one-hour trips and $30 for two hours, with children under age 5 admitted free. Phone: 401-324-6020.

Blades Are A’Blazing in Newport

Newport welcomes everyone to hit the ice at the Sovereign Bank Family Skating Center at 4 Commercial Wharf in Newport. The 90-by-100-foot outdoor skating rink located in the heart of Newport's downtown shopping and waterfront district. Group rates and skating lessons are available. Open daily; hours vary. Check the skating rink website. Phone: 401-846-3018

Breakers Mansion Welcomes Families and Kids

The Breakers , the historic Vanderbilt summer cottage at 44 Ochre Point Avenue in Newport is offering a famil-oriented program that allows youngsters and parents to imagine themselves witnessing the history made in this great Gilded Age chateau. Visitors on the tour will meet Vanderbilt family members and staff, as well as fanciful creatures like the friendly dolphin hiding under the grand staircase, the lions of the Music Room and the dragons in the Dining Room. Spend a summer day in the life of one of the Vanderbilt children and meet the masters of the kitchen, Monsieur Le Chef and his colleague, The Butler. Kids will love it. Information: 401-847-1000

Cinema for Elite Tastes

People who love movies: do yourselves a favor and get out of those multiplexes that look and feel like a walk through the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. New England has a healthy scattering of proudly small, independent movie theaters that show new releases along with independent films, shorts, and other cinematic art that doesn’t necessarily include exploding helicopter scenes. Among these is the Jane Pickens Theater at 49 Touro Street in Newport. This is a historic and glamorous movie house for a glamorous town. It presents a mix of first run movies, documentaries and art films. And when you walk out after the show, you have lovely Newport all around you. Phone: 401-846-5252

Cliffside Views Are Out of This World

The Newport Cliff Walk is a 3.5-mile elevated, winding path along Newport’s shoreline with breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay and the rocky coves below. The walk runs from Bailey's Beach to First Beach, with public access points at Bellevue Avenue, Ledge Road, Marine Avenue, Ruggles Avenue, Ruggles Avenue, Sheppard Avenue, Webster Street, and Narragansett Avenue. The walk skirts the edges of some of the city’s mansions, including Beechwood, Rosecliff, Marble House, The Breakers, Ochre Court, and Rough Point. The latter half of the cliff walk has unpaved sections and rugged paths. Phone: 401-845-5300.

Discover Newport’s Tumultuous History
from the Sidewalk

Learn about Newport’s fascinating Colonial history in the best way possible: by walking the streets of this old city in the company of an expert. Newport History Tours conducts several walking tours from spring through fall. The flagship tour, “Discover Colonial Newport,” tells stories of struggles for liberty by Newport’s people. “Pirates and Scoundrels” shows where pirates profited. “Old House ABCs” explores Newport’s architecture. “Newport’s Buried History” tour, describes the history of Newport’s people of color. “Tastes of the Working Waterfront” invites guests to taste their way through history. Tours depart from 127 Thames Street, Newport. Phone: 401-841-8770.

Farm Life, Preserved

Jamestown Island is such a beautiful place to walk, bicycle, or drive, you almost don’t need to do anything while you are there; just being there is enough. But people who are fascinated with traditional farm life should stop at Watson Farm on North Road in Jamestown. This beautiful 265-acre working farm, managed by preservationist group Historic New England, welcomes visitors to its two-mile walking trail and special farm events. Phone: 401-423-0005

Game, Set, Match

The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum at 194 Bellevue Avenue Newport presents a chronology of the sport's rich history, from its earliest origins through today’s champions and stars. Set in the historic Newport Casino, the museum chronicles the history of the sport and Newport’s role as the cradle of American tennis. The museum contains a diverse collection of memorabilia, art, fashion and more from the 12th century through present day. Also, From May through September the public is welcome to play tennis on the museum’s 13 grass courts, one clay court and three indoor hard courts. Phone: 401-849-3990.

Newport Vineyards

909 East Main Road (Route 138) Middletown, RI 02842 Phone: 401-848-5161 Fax: 401-848-5162

Newport Vineyards is a family owned winery, founded in 1978. Paul and John Nunes, whose local roots date back to 1917, purchased the winery in 1995. Since that time, the winery has grown to 50 acres of varietal and hybrid grapes. Visitors are offered public tours at 1 and 3 pm, seven days a week. These include a tour in the vineyards, a behind the scenes look at the winemaking process and a tasting of five wines. The winery features an art gallery and retail shop with wine accessories and signature clothing. Private tours and tastings for groups of ten or more are available. Newport Vineyards specializes in rehearsal dinners, corporate affairs and custom labels. The winery hours are Monday thru Saturday 10-5 and Sunday noon-5 year around. Receive a $2 discount off the admission price, valid for up to two adults by presenting this web page.

Rough Point

680 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 Phone: 401-847-8344

Experience the Life of 20th Century Heiress

Rough Point was the Newport home of Doris Duke – heiress, art collector, and Newport preservationist. Originally built by the Vanderbilt family in 1887 it later became one of Doris Duke’s homes. Still decorated as it was during her lifetime, the mansion is home to a remarkable collection of French furniture, European art, Chinese porcelains, and Turkish carpets; all collected during her world travels. The mansion features ocean views and landscaping design by Fredrick Law Olmsted, creator of New York’s Central Park. Rough Point opens of the season April 12, 2012. Tours last one hour and are led by knowledgeable guides.