Newport offers wonderful places to get out in nature settings

Newport, along with its nearby neighbors Middletown, Portsmouth, and Jamestown, is an island in the dynamic Narragansett Bay, so its places to observe nauture and plentiful and often connected to the sea. Some of the highlighrts include Norman Bird Sanctuary and Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refugein Middletown, the Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth (associated with the Newport mansions), and the historic Watson Farm in Jamestown, where visitors can watch a farm at work and attend seasonal events. The Rhode Island Audubon Society is active in the area, hosting people who love nature at its locations

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Dutch Island Wildlife Management Avenue

Newport, RI

This island's 94 acres of scrub and forest provide an opportunity to observe the coastal ecosystem. Several species of waterbirds, shorebirds, and wading birds can be found there. Access to the island by boat only.

Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge - Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Seapowet Avenue Tiverton, RI Phone: 401-949-5454

A 50-acre parcel of woods and salt marsh with a nature center and fine views of the Sakonnet River. The refuge has blinds for observing and photographing nature. From Providence take I-195 East to Rte. 24 South (in Fall River, MA). Travel Rte. 24 South to the Rte. 77 South exit. Follow RTE.77 South to Seapowet Avenue. Turn right onto Seapowet Avenue and continue down the hill to the refuge parking lot on the right.

Fort Wetherill State Park

Fort Wetherill Road Jamestown, RI Phone: 401-423-1771

Set on Narragansett Bay, the park is a popular spot for scuba diving. Offering spectacular views of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay, Fort Wetherill is popular for watching Tall Ship events and sailing races. Open year-round.
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Heritage Foundation of Rhode Island Park

Prudence Island Narragansett Bay, RI

Natural parkland set on 475 acres, featuring hiking trails, excellent bird-watching, and natural photography spots. The entrance to the property is on Broadway, which is in the center of Prudence Island.
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Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary

Prudence Island Portsmouth, RI Phone: 401-683-6780

National environmental preserve with a self-guided hiking trail and guided nature walks. The park has a picnic area, swimming, and boating areas. Accessible through a ferry from Bristol, RI. Open dawn to dusk, Memorial Day-Labor Day.

Norman Bird Sanctuary

583 Third Beach Road Middletown, RI Phone: 401-846-2577

This 450-acre refuge includes several wildlife habitats and seven miles of trails. The site also houses an on-site museum, educational area, and small gift shop. Spring and fall bird walks are held. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily, 9 am-5 pm.

Prescott Farm and Gardens

2009 West Main Road Middletown, RI 401-846-4152

Feel history come alive at this charming country setting with an 1812 windmill and other historic buildings. Explore the open green space and walking trails. Featured buildings are the Robert Sherman Windmill, the Guard House (mid-1700s), Hicks House (c.1715), a simple structure of two rooms and a loft; and Sweet-Anthony House (c. 1730), an excellent example of an 18th century, middle-class farmer’s house.
Prescott Farm’s kitchen and herb gardens are living laboratories that showcase period horticulture as well as contemporary gardening practices. The plant varieties grown in the gardens represent what many Aquidneck Islanders may have used for food, medicine and other purposes in the Colonial era. Although certain design features evoke the historic time period, the gardens are maintained using 21st century sustainable techniques.
Workshops are offered at Prescott Farm during the summer and fall each year. Past workshops have included: stonewall building, blacksmithing, open hearth cooking, a beehive tour and tasting, and wind energy past and present. Hours: Grounds are open daily dawn to dusk. See a schedule of upcoming programs at Prescott Farm and our other sites.

Purgatory Chasm

Purgatory Road Middletown, RI Phone: 401-847-7565

A geological phenomenon caused by a thin crack in the ledges on the east side of Easton Point. The fissure has formed over the centuries due to erosion from the sea.
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Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

Sachuest Point Road Middletown, RI Phone: 401-364-9124

Very near to Newport, this national site is a haven for many types of shore birds, and very popular with Southern New England bird watchers.

Sakonnet Point

Little Compton, RI

Sakonnet Point is an ideal location for bird watching. The Sakonnet Point Lighthouse can be seen from the beach at the point, but is not open to the public.

Sapowet Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Puncatest Road Tiverton, RI

This typical coastline habitat is home to several species of game birds and is stocked with ring-necked pheasant. The area also supports a wide variety of songbirds, shore birds, and wading birds. Great spots for bird watching.

Tunipis Pond

Little Compton, RI

Another good bird watching spot, particularly for the wide variety of duck species that collect there.

Watson Farm

455 North Road Jamestown, RI Phone: 401-423-0005

Open: June 1-October 15, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

Started in 1796, this working farm is set on 265 acres and features cattle, sheep, horses, chickens, and a garden. Trails and self-guided tours take visitors on a trip through the history and seasonal cycles of the farm. School programs and demonstrations are available. Open seasonally.

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