Rhode Island’s City-by-the-Sea is yours to discover!
Newport Neighborhood Food Tour
Rhode Island Red Food Tours offers up the best of Newport’s culinary offerings in some of the best restaurants in town, giving visitors an opportunity to eat like the locals. Travel on foot through neighborhoods boasting centuries of historical significance. Enjoy the eclectic, locally-sourced, and celebrated cuisine of our quintessentially New England maritime vibe. Stroll along sidewalks of slate or historic streets paved with Belgian blocks as you listen to the stories of our culture, history, architecture, and our fiercely independent spirit.
Jamestown Arts Center’s Outdoor Arts Experience
Jamestown Art Center’s (JAC) Biennial 2022 outdoor art installations is titled “Passages.” The season kicks off with a Summer Soiree and gallery exhibit on July 1 and runs through October 31, 2022. According to the JAC website, “The concept for Passages was inspired by the Town of Jamestown on Conanicut Island, itself literally and physically defined by Narragansett Bay…Metaphorically, Jamestown’s passages refer to its evolving communities: first by native Americans, next by European settlers and colonial farmers, followed by immigrants from diverse backgrounds, families with vacation homes, and now, year-round residents.” Artists from around the country have been chosen to exhibit by Jamestowner's through a blind-jury process. JAC has made a installation site map available as well as parking tips.
The Cliff Walk
Take in sweeping ocean views and stunning Gilded Age “summer homes” as you trek along this iconic 3.5-mile path at the cliff’s edge. The Cliff Walk starts at Memorial Boulevard, just above Easton’s Beach and runs its course atop the craggy rocks, ending at the eastern border of Bailey’s Beach, known by locals as Reject’s Beach. March, 2022 saw the collapse of a section of the cliff-top path, necessitating a detour between the Forty Steps at Narragansett Avenue, and Webster Street, adjacent to Ochre Court, Salve Regina University’s administrative building. While the path is free and easy on the Memorial Boulevard side, it becomes less so upon approaching Ledge Road and Reject’s Beach. Sturdy shoes are strongly suggested as the south end is rocky and very close to the edge of the cliff.
Doris Duke’s Rough Point
Rough Point was the Newport home of Doris Duke who, at the age of 13, inherited her father’s fortune, as well as his large energy and tobacco concerns. This historic mansion, the former estate of Frederick W. Vanderbilt, along with other noteworthy properties, are overseen by the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF). NRF was founded by Miss Duke after she witnessed historically significant architecture being demolished to make way for progress. An impressive collection of Duke’s art found its home within the walls of Rough Point when she was negotiating with NYU’s Fine Arts Program, to whom she gifted her Fifth Avenue home. Special events and exhibits are open to the public, as are self-guided tours (using headphones and a smartphone app).
Bowen’s and Bannister’s Wharves
Located on Newport’s waterfront, these adjoining wharves offer up an eclectic variety of dining choices, year-round events, galleries, and shopping. Bowen’s Wharf hosts the yearly Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival, the Annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, and every December sees the Annual Tree Lighting. Bannister’s Wharf holds significant historical value for being the commercial and social hub of Newport in its earliest days. Admiral Perry and Ted Turner both came ashore from their victories upon the wharf, the former from a hard-fought battle upon Lake Erie, and the latter as he successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1977.
International Tennis Hall Of Fame
On Bellevue Avenue, housed in the former Newport Casino, the International Tennis Hall of Fame welcomes players from around the world and memorializes tennis pros like Helen Wills Moody Roark whose claim to fame is winning 180 consecutive matches; Althea Gibson, who, in 1950, became the first African-American to compete at the U.S. National Championships; and King Gustav V of Sweden, the International Tennis Hall of Fame's first Royal inductee.
Fort Adams
At the mouth of Newport Harbor lies Fort Adams State Park, offering a panoramic view of Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. Despite being an active site during five major wars, no shots were ever fired. Except for that time a drunken commander fired a cannonball at Newport City Hall, successfully taking out the cupola. In addition to various events like the iconic Newport Jazz and Folk festivals, visitors enjoy swimming, souvenir shopping and touring the fort.
Beavertail Lighthouse
Originally erected in 1753, Beavertail boasts the third-oldest lighthouse in North America. As they fled Newport in 1779, British troops burned the lighthouse, leaving it dark through the remainder of the Revolutionary War. The original foundation is still visible about 100 feet in front of the base of the current structure. Beavertail Light used technological advances to improve safety for seafarers, one of which was the beehive-shaped Fresnel lens which allowed the whale oil-fueled light to be seen from approximately twenty miles offshore. Favoring the whale oil lobby, clean manufactured gas was shot down, leaving the light keeper to continuously wipe sooty grease from the lens.
Newport Mansions
On and around Newport’s Bellevue Avenue are some of the most ostentatious examples of early American wealth and privilege. Meticulously restored, these “summer homes” are dripping in gold leaf and boast furnishings and building materials imported, at great expense, from around the world. The Vanderbilt's, the Astor's, and other extremely wealthy families played perhaps the world’s most dazzling game of one-upsmanship. In the Spring of 2022, HBO commenced filming for The Gilded Age at the Elms and the Breakers. Numerous movies have been filmed in the Newport Mansions, including True Lies and The Great Gatsby. Other cities like to think they have mansions. Newport stands much taller of above all US cities in regard to ocean front domiciles of the rich and famous.
Book Your Private Yacht Charter with Sail on Hope San
Choose from our 2 hour, 4 hour, sunset cruise or full day sailing excursion options to see Newport Harbor and other nautical points of interest from the sea!
Originally erected in 1753, Beavertail boasts the third-oldest lighthouse in North America. As they fled Newport in 1779, British troops burned the lighthouse, leaving it dark through the remainder of the Revolutionary War. The original foundation is still visible about 100 feet in front of the base of the current structure. Beavertail Light used technological advances to improve safety for seafarers, one of which was the beehive-shaped Fresnel lens which allowed the whale oil-fueled light to be seen from approximately twenty miles offshore. Favoring the whale oil lobby, clean manufactured gas was shot down, leaving the light keeper to continuously wipe sooty grease from the lens.
Newport Mansions
On and around Newport’s Bellevue Avenue are some of the most ostentatious examples of early American wealth and privilege. Meticulously restored, these “summer homes” are dripping in gold leaf and boast furnishings and building materials imported, at great expense, from around the world. The Vanderbilt's, the Astor's, and other extremely wealthy families played perhaps the world’s most dazzling game of one-upsmanship. In the Spring of 2022, HBO commenced filming for The Gilded Age at the Elms and the Breakers. Numerous movies have been filmed in the Newport Mansions, including True Lies and The Great Gatsby. Other cities like to think they have mansions. Newport stands much taller of above all US cities in regard to ocean front domiciles of the rich and famous.
Book Your Private Yacht Charter with Sail on Hope San
Choose from our 2 hour, 4 hour, sunset cruise or full day sailing excursion options to see Newport Harbor and other nautical points of interest from the sea!
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