A Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island: 7 Best Things to Do
Planning a weekend in Newport, Rhode Island?
There are few things I love more than visiting someplace new. But every once in a while, I stumble across a place that captures my heart so much that I could visit over and over again and probably never get tired of it.
One such place? Newport, Rhode Island. This iconic east coast town makes for the perfect weekend destination.
I have visited Newport several times since moving to New England. Each time I go, I try to do something different, but there are certain things I like to repeat (like the Cliff Walk!).
Here are my favorite recommendations on how to spend a weekend in Newport, Rhode Island.
⏰ SHORT ON TIME?
Here are my top three things to do in Newport:
1. Go on the Cliff Walk.
2. Take a Newport mansion tour.
3. Explore downtown Newport around Thames Street.
(And consider a food and history walking tour.)
🛌 WHERE TO STAY: Hotel Viking
Best Things to Do in Newport
1. Stroll along the Cliff Walk
Hands down, my favorite thing to do during a weekend in Newport, Rhode Island is the Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile, paved trail with panoramic views of the ocean on one side and historic, Gilded Age mansions on the other. If you do nothing other than this during your visit, you won’t be disappointed.
The Cliff Walk begins at Memorial Avenue and heads south until Bellevue Avenue. There are also entrances to the Cliff Walk along the way at Narragansett Avenue, Webster Street, Ruggles Avenue, Marine Avenue, and Ledge Road.
2. Tour One of Newport’s Famous Mansions
Newport is famous for its historic mansions that are protected by the Preservation Society of Newport County. You can purchase a pass to tour all of the mansions or just a single one. We chose to see The Breakers, the grandest and most popular of the mansions.
We purchased our tickets at the Newport Visitor Center where we had parked our car, but you can also purchase tickets on site. The mansion is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
OR TAKE IT EASY:
Book this five-star-rated Newport Mansions Trolley Tour that includes admission to The Breakers! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
➡️ Book your guided tour here ⬅️
During the Breakers tour, you can opt to use an audio guide or go without. I found the audio guide really interesting to learn more about the history of the Vanderbilt family that originally owned the home.
My favorite part of the tour was probably the backyard, with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
The Cliff Walk actually passes by the Breakers, so you could easily plan to do both the mansion tour and Cliff Walk around the same time. Exit the Cliff Walk at Ruggles Avenue for a short walk over to the Breakers.
Note: If you parked your car at one of the metered lots, there is a time limit of three to four hours. If you think you will be pressed for time, you may want to complete the Cliff Walk first and then drive over to the Breakers for free street parking.
3. Explore Downtown Newport and Thames Street
A weekend in Newport should definitely include a walk along Thames Street and the streets that run parallel to it. Here you will find a wide array of restaurants and shops in quintessential New England architecture.
I love to stroll through Queen Anne Square while enjoying Kilwins ice cream or sit on a bench overlooking the Newport harbor.
4. Cruise Around the Harbor on the Newport Harbor Shuttle
For $15 a person, you can purchase a Newport Harbor Shuttle pass that grants you hop-on, hop-off access to six stops around Newport’s harbor: Perrotti Park, the Lobster Bar at Bowen’s Wharf, Ann Street Pier, Fort Adams, and Goat Island.
The shuttle provides a fun and easy way to get around, with boats arriving at a specific time every hour. You could choose to get off at each stop or simply enjoy cruising around the harbor and taking in the sights.
5. Visit Fort Adams State Park
Fort Adams is one of the six stops that are part of the Newport Harbor Shuttle loop, but you could also drive here directly. It’s the largest coastal fortress in the United States, constructed between 1824-1857 and remaining active through World War II.
You can purchase tickets to tour the inside or simply walk around it, which is what we did. If you go during warmer months, be sure to stop for some fresh Del’s lemonade at one of the outdoor kiosks before beginning your walk. Then enjoy the stunning views of the Narragansett Bay from all sides.
6. Eat Lunch at the Oldest Restaurant in the USA: White Horse Tavern
Want to say you have been to the oldest operating restaurant in the United States? Then stop by the White Horse Tavern, which has been serving guests since 1673. It is a National Historic Landmark and also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Much of the original architecture has been preserved, such as the wooden ceiling beams and large fireplaces. It’s a great place to sit down for a delicious, locally sourced meal, while imagining the centuries of history that took place within these four walls.
Want to experience more of Newport’s food scene? 🍽
➡️ Take this highly-rated Newport food and history walking tour ⬅️
7. Stop by the International Tennis Hall of Fame
If you’re a tennis fan, you might enjoy visiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame, honoring the best tennis players around the world and celebrating the history of the sport.
The Hall of Fame includes a museum with more than 1,900 tennis artifacts, indoor tennis courts, and outdoor grass courts.
It costs $18 for adults to visit the museum (kids 12 and under can enter for free), but the tennis grounds are free to the public during business hours. The Hall of Fame is open every day from 10 am. to 5 p.m. except for tournament week July 10-17, 2022.
Best Place to Stay in Newport, Rhode Island
Hotel Viking
When my husband and I lived in Connecticut, we would typically visit Newport for a day trip. But one time, we decided to spend an entire weekend there and stayed at Hotel Viking, one of the prestigious Historic Hotels of America, which opened to the public in 1926.
Despite being classified as a luxury hotel, you can snag a room at a reasonable price, especially if you go during the off-season. (We stayed in February.)
The hotel is a charming blend of old and new, with its regal brick exterior, vintage-inspired decor, and modern amenities. It’s only a 5-10 minute walk to downtown Newport and the harbor.
The only downside is it seems the hotel now charges $40 for parking each night. (I don’t remember us having to pay when we stayed there in 2020.) There may be some free street parking close to the hotel after 9 p.m. but I can’t guarantee it.
➡️ Reserve a room at Hotel Viking now ⬅️
Best Places to Eat in Newport, Rhode Island
The Red Parrot
We’re creatures of habit here. The restaurant where we almost always eat in Newport is The Red Parrot, right in the center of town on Thames Street. They have the most amazing fish and chips!
I recommend asking for a table on the upper floor for a nice view of the town.
Kilwins
After filling up at The Red Parrot, you can walk to Kilwins for some delicious ice cream. My favorite is their toasted coconut flavor! Kilwins always makes me nostalgic for my home state of Michigan where the company is headquartered.
Picnic
If you stay at Hotel Viking, right across the street is a cute little cafe called Picnic, where you can enjoy yummy pastries and coffee.
Explore more of Newport’s food scene:
➡️ Take this highly-rated food and history walking tour ⬅️
Best Places to Park in Newport, Rhode Island
As is the case with many New England towns, parking can be a challenge, due to the dense populations and tight streets. Here are the best places we have found to park:
Downtown Newport
The Newport Visitor Center at 21 Long Wharf Mall has been our favorite place to park when exploring downtown Newport. You can also purchase your Newport mansion tour tickets here.
The Visitor Center parking is free from November 1-April 30 and $3 an hour or $20 a day from May 1-October 31. There is both metered and limited (usually two-hour) free street parking in town if you want to park near the center of it all.
However, it only takes about 10 minutes to walk downtown from the Visitor Center, and we have never had trouble finding a spot there.
Cliff Walk
Street parking is free near the Cliff Walk entrances but it can get crowded, so you might have to search around a bit for something to open up.
We have never had to wait too long, but there is also metered parking available near Memorial Boulevard at Easton’s Beach ($2/hour) and Narragansett Avenue ($1.25/hour) entrances if you want to find something quickly.
Metered parking is free from November 1-April 30.
Mansion Tours
There is free street parking available at all properties, with the exception of Hunter House, where there is paid street parking and a paid visitor lot nearby.
Wrap-up: Spending a Weekend in Newport
Somehow a weekend in Newport, Rhode Island feels effortless. Time seems to pass more slowly and for a brief moment, you are transported to a former era. Cobblestone streets, Gilded Age mansions, and historic brick storefronts abound.
“Too long, didn’t read” version of this post:
For an enjoyable and relaxing weekend, park your car at the Newport Visitor Center and walk over to Thames Street, where the main shops and restaurants are located.
My food recommendation is fish and chips at the Red Parrot restaurant. Hop on and off the Newport Harbor Shuttle Loop for a special way to explore the town’s attractions, including Fort Adams State Park.
After exploring in town, drive over to Memorial Boulevard and park at Easton’s Beach, then begin the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk along the shoreline with jaw-dropping ocean views.
You can exit the Cliff Walk at Ruggles Avenue to take a tour of the Breakers mansion, the grandest of Newport’s mansions. (Just keep an eye on the clock as parking is limited to three hours. You may want to complete the Cliff Walk first and then drive over to the Breakers for free parking.)
Newport is a New England gem, and I am fairly certain that if you visit once, you will want to go again.
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