Find great and fun things to do in Newport Rhode Island

Rhode Island > Newport > Things to Do and See > 60 Great Things to Do in Rhode Island

The pleasures of a visit to Newport are many and widely known. From its stunning harbor to gilded mansions, you’ll also find the International Tennis Hall of Fame, music fests, great dining and lodging and places to relax body and soul . Visit one of New England’s most popular vineyards, historic lighthouses, landmarks and homes and a revolutionary fort. Stroll Cliff Walk and romantic gardens, cruise the harbor and enjoy great places to swim, bike, experience wildlife and Newport’s provocative colonial history.

Save The Bay

Multiple Centers & Dock Locations Providence, Newport, Westerly, RI and Fall River, MA Phone: 401-272-3540

Hands-on fun on beautiful Narragansett Bay

Narragansett Bay is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth and Save The Bay connects you to it with hands-on and on-the-water experiences for families, groups, students and schools. Enjoy 360° views of harbor seals on winter Seal Tours. Get up close with hundreds of Bay critters year-round at the Exploration Center & Aquarium in Newport. Take in the beauty and history of Narragansett Bay on summer and fall Lighthouse Cruises. Enroll in week-long summer BayCamps that give K-12 students the perfect mix of fun and marine science education. Join Save The Bay in protecting and improving Narragansett Bay, keeping it swimable, fishable and accessible to everyone.
Boat tours depart from Newport, Westerly, and Providence RI.

Newport Vineyards

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

Raise a glass, have a laugh, enjoy the view

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 and celebrations of every kind.

Rough Point

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

Discover the Newport home of Doris Duke

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.

Learn to Sail in Newport Harbor

If you’ve had your fill of being mired on dry land while admiring sailboats skimming across Narragansett Bay, take the plunge and enroll in sailing classes in Newport Harbor. You are never too old to start, or old enough to stop; sailing is a life-long joy. Sailing schools offer a variety of levels of instruction. Sail Newport at 60 Fort Adams Drive in Newport offers sailing lessons for adults at all levels. 401-846-1983.

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goat hikes at simmons farm in midletown ri

You and a Goat, With a Leash in the Middle

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.

Pedal the Rails with Rail Explorers USA

Personal train travel is so last century, it seems. Amtrak aside, lots of train tracks are being torn up to make biking and hiking trails. But here's an exception. Rail Explorers USA offers, for your exercise and outdoor fun, the “rail explorer.” It is a comfortable, pedal-powered vehicle with steel wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, pedals for each seat – and it rides on railroad tracks. You can enjoy a scenic ride along Aquidneck Island and aside beautiful Narragansett Bay with Rail Explorers USA. All trips depart from 1 Alexander Road in Portsmouth. 877-833-8588

Fun Browsing & Shopping With The Lady

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.

Fish’N Tales and Fish’N Trips

Fish’N Tales Adventures, based at Bowens Wharf in Newport take guests out onto Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay in the 50-foot fishing vessel Northeastern. During the hour-and-a-half Lobstering Tour you can see how lobster traps are hauled and help bait traps and take care of the catch, On three-hour fishing trips, you might land black sea bass, scup and other species. Equipment is included and no saltwater fishing license is required. Reservations required. Tours are held May through October.

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Newport, Rhode Island - A Year Round Destination!

Get to Know Newport by Touring Local Restaurants

One of the most pleasurable ways to explorea new place is through its food. The Newport Foodies Stroll welcomes guests to this charming Colonial-era city by guiding them through a walk with stops at classic and well-loved dining spots. In less than 2 miles, guests will stop in at five locally owned restaurants near Lower Thames Street. The tour runs rain or shine May 1- October 30 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Tours begin at 11:30 a.m. and noon and last 2.5 to 3 hours. These have become so popular a winter stroll has been added. Details at the stroll website.

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, making this an adventurous outdoor activity and fun thing to do. Phone: 401-845-5300.

Immerse Yourself in Bird Life at Sachuest Point

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.

Visit Warwick, Rhode Island this Fall - Safe, Affordable, Convenient.

State

Blackstone Valley

Block Island

Providence Warwick

South County