10 Best Things to Do in Newport

The Breakers is a mansion you can tour to explore what the high life was like when the Vanderbilts established it in the late 19th century. Taking a tour of this historical landmark is a great way to gain valuable insight into what the upper class got to enjoy during the time period.

In addition to the mansions, you can also visit the stable and carriage house about half a mile away from the main house. Not only can you learn more about the property, but the stable house has an exhibit on the New York Central Railway. You'll find this mansion near Easton Bay southeast of city centre.

The Cliff Walk is an iconic walking path along the eastern shore of Newport where you can see the natural beauty of the water as well as Gilded Age mansions. The walk stretches for 3.5 miles, and about two-thirds of it has easy conditions. The trail features several rocky parts when visitors get close to the shore.

Travellers will need to be careful here when traversing these areas. Making the effort is certainly rewarding, however, as the views along the water are breathtaking. The entire walk shows off some of the best of Easton Bay.

Ocean Drive is a scenic part of Ocean Avenue that offers spectacular views of not only the pristine coastline but also of the impressive homes along the shore. The road is wide and without any sharp turns, making driving easy and allowing you to relax and take in the sights. Aside from the drive itself, you can enjoy a variety of other attractions.

The drive has been turned into protected parkland, so you can enjoy biking, picnicking, fishing, and kite flying when the winds are kicking. Ocean Drive is located on the southern end of the peninsula a short drive south of city centre.

The Marble House is a Gilded Age mansion from the late 19th century that has since been turned into a historic museum that you can visit. The Beaux Arts architecture tends to stand out, but the interior manages to be even more opulent than the exterior design.

This property also features a tea house that's modelled on Song dynasty temples from the 12th century. You can see it all for yourself a short drive south from city centre near the edge of Sheep Point Cove.

Fort Adams State Park is a 200-acre protected nature area that offers a variety of outdoor activities around Narragansett Bay like swimming, boating, picnicking, and sports. The park is most widely known for its rugby pitch that's often used by the Newport Rugby Football Club.

This park also contains the remnants of Fort Adams. You can explore this historical site to learn more about the fort that was active since the mid-19th century. All of this can be found east of city centre on the other side of Brenton Cove.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a museum where you can learn all about the major players and contributors to the sport and see their memorabilia. You'll find an extensive collection of equipment, apparel, and trophies on display in addition to videos and photographs of iconic moments and matches.

Within the museum, you'll find much more than just exhibitions. Being a part of a former casino building, this museum has plenty of space, which they've used to construct an indoor tennis facility. You'll find it all city centre just east of Aquidneck Park.

Thames Street is the centre of Newport's city centre area where you'll find shops, bars, and restaurants offering a wide variety of items and cuisine to enjoy. This 1.5-mile-long stretch of road features several pubs like Brick Alley Pub along with exotic restaurants like Thai Cuisine at Thames Street and Sumo Sushi Japanese Restaurant.

The shops are quite appealing, as you'll find a variety of well-known chains and local stores offering clothes, jewellery, and glassware. You'll find Thames Street on the western edge of city centre near Newport Harbour.

Brenton Point State Park consists of 89 acres of protected land where you can go for a lovely stroll along the water or across vibrant grasslands amongst other activities. Kite flying is quite popular thanks to the frequent winds and wide-open space. In fact, this park hosts the annual Newport Kite Festival.

In addition to hiking and kite flying, fishing is also quite popular here. In fact, the popularity of fishing is the only reason the park is open after dusk. You'll find this park southwest of city centre on the edge of the peninsula.

Easton's Beach is a popular coastal destination in Newport with inviting waves and pristine white sands that the whole family can enjoy in addition to other beach amusements. The waves are relatively calm in some areas, but other spots offer intense enough waves for some thrilling surfing opportunities.

Apart from the sand and surf, this beach features an iconic 1950s carousel that's still available for riding. You can find it all just a short walk east of city centre between Easton Bay to the south and Easton Pond to the north.

Bowen's Wharf is a comprehensive shopping centre that shows off the best Newport has to offer with shops, restaurants, scenic tours, and impressive art galleries. Amongst the wharf's shops, you'll find the standard souvenir and clothing stores along with more unique shops offering handmade crafts.

The restaurants typically focus on seafood, but you can also find a steakhouse and a French restaurant. Don't forget to check out the local boat tours that can show off some of the best sights around the harbour and beyond. Bowen's Wharf is located on the western edge of city centre along Newport Harbour.