Find great and fun things to do in Newport Rhode Island

The oceanfront estate of heiress Doris Duke was built by Frederick Vanderbilt in 1887 with the grounds landscaped by Frederick Law Olmstead’s’ firm in 1890. It was then the largest summer house in Newport. In 1922, James B. Duke purchased the house then left it to his 12 year-old daughter upon his death. Upon her death in 1993, Doris bequeathed the estate to the Newport Restoration Foundation, which opened the estate as a museum in 2000. The house is decorated with French furniture, European art, Chinese porcelains, and Flemish tapestries. Guided and self-guided tours are open to the public from April to November. More information available on the Rough Point website.

More than a place about wine, for more than 20 years Newport Vineyards continues its traditions of outstanding wines for tasting, and adds Brix Restaurant, Taproot Brewing Co., The Marketplace, Tasting Room and Tank Room, and an expanded venue for public and private events. The vineyard is the largest grower of wine grapes in New England producing and bottling over 30,000 cases of estate-grown wine each year through sustainable farming methods on nearly 100-acres of historically preserved farmland. The region’s leading agritourism destination, the vineyards are alive with seasonal activities including music, comedy, and celebrations of every kind.

The Lady Next Door a vintage clothing and collectibles store on Water Street in Warren, is a condensed marketplace of the best and most interesting stuff from estate sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. Founded by a former prop master and set decorator for Trinity Rep theater group, the store, under newer ownership, offers delightful millinery, clothing, pottery, linen, toys and many other items. Fun browsing.

You and a Goat, With a Leash in the Middle Simmons Farm at 1942 West Main Road in Middletown is happy to share it goats, pastures and fields, and views by offering goat hikes for the public. Admission of $10-$40 is all it takes to acquire a goat to walk on a leash. Bring one or two kids age 9 or younger. Farmer Karla leads the hikes, which include views of Narragansett Bay at the top of the farm, a busy brook and open pastures. Greet the pigs and Galloway cows. Dress in layers with comfortable shoes. The hike ends at the farm stand with a warm cup of hot chocolate. Choose your date and time.

This is a great time for adults (only) who love downtown Newport and excellent food. The Newport Foodies Winter Stroll will run February through March 2021 on Friday and Saturday evenings. Guests will walk a total of three-quarters of a mile along Thames Street and will receive a three-course meal accompanied by selected wine pairings at three of Newport's exquisite restaurants: Tsk , Midtown Oyster Bar, and Bar and Board Bistro. Tours are intimate to make sure that our guests receive a personalized experience. Reserve and purchase stroll tickets online. Your hosts are Susan and Thomas Maxwell.

The Breakers, the historic Vanderbilt summer cottage at 44 Ochre Point Avenue in Newport, welcomes kids with a special family tour that welcomes and uses youthful imaginations. 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. This 45-minute experience can be enjoyed by youngsters while parents take “The Breakers Revealed” audio tour, which follows the same route and timing. 401-847-1000.

Save the Bay is a non-profit dedicated to protecting Rhode Island’s glorious Narragansett Bay. The organization also wants everyone to understand and enjoy the bay as much as the marine scientists do. This all leads to the Exploration Center and Aquarium, open to the public and located right ON Easton’s Beach, at 175 Memorial Blvd in Newport. Open year-round, this marine science center displays 40 species of animals from Narragansett Bay in touch tanks and dozens of exhibits. There is a new theme every month for activities like scavenger hunts, story hours, crafts, and science experiments. Build a future marine biologist in your family or come to simply slake your own curiosity. The third Thursday of each month is Feeding Frenzy, when you can help feed the animals. Admission is only $8. 401-324-6020.

At 240 acres, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown is important stopover and wintering area for migratory birds. Nature- and bird lovers know this rocky peninsula as the place to see colorful harlequin ducks, loons, eiders, gannets, and, in winter, snowy owls. A walk on the three miles of trails around Sachuest Point reveals several habitats, including salt marshlands and steep rocky shorelines around the perimeter. Elevated observation platforms along the trails provide unobstructed views. The visitor center is an ideal way to begin or end a trail walk; creative exhibits tell you all about the land and creatures you will be traversing. You can get a permit for nighttime fishing. Trail map. Brochure.

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, Rhode Island. This is a historic and glamorous movie house for a glamorous town and it is a fun thing to do on your next family vacation or romantic weekend getaway. 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. 401-846-5252.