Location: Portsmouth
Top Things to do in Portsmouth
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Portsmouth, United States
Portsmouth is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, USA. The population was 17,389 at the 2010 U.S. Census. Portsmouth is the second oldest municipality in Rhode Island, after Providence; it was one of the four colonies which merged to form the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the others being Providence, Newport, and Warwick.
Restaurants in Portsmouth
1. Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyard is a premier Rhode Island destination that enlivens the senses, delights the mind and allows the spirit to be recharged by the alchemy of the earth's abundance.
Reviewed By donbo55 - Appleton, Wisconsin
The grounds at this winery are beautiful and calming. The wine tasting offers up seven samples, cost $14, and lets you keep the glass. The pours were quite generous. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable about the wines. I asked about the black panther statues on the grounds and learned they are a sign of protection.
The red blends were OK but I especially enjoyed the white wines. Siren, a crisp vidal blanc, was my favorite.
2. Green Animals Topiary Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
Green Animals is the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States.This small country estate in Portsmouth was purchased in 1872 by Thomas E. Brayton, Treasurer of the Union Cotton Manufacturing Company in Fall River, Massachusetts. It consisted of seven acres of land, a white clapboard summer residence, farm outbuildings, a pasture and a vegetable garden. Gardener Joseph Carreiro, superintendent of the property from 1905 to 1945, and his son-in-law, George Mendonca, superintendent until 1985, were responsible for creating the topiaries. There are more than 80 pieces of topiary throughout the gardens, including animals and birds, geometric figures and ornamental designs, sculpted from California privet, yew, and English boxwood. Today, Green Animals remains as a rare example of a self-sufficient estate combining formal topiaries, vegetable and herb gardens, orchards and a Victorian house overlooking Narragansett Bay.
Reviewed By BostonYF - Boston, Massachusetts
This was my second visit. Garden lovers can find many beautiful flowers, plants, and interesting vegetables in addition to the "Green Animal." If you are from local, I strongly recommend a membership. With it you can visit this garden as well as many famous mansions such as the Breaker and the Marble House. The current price for a couple's membership is $80 for a year.
3. Colt State Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 370 reviews
Reviewed By WIJRD - Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
We did a "drive thru", Having not been here previously it was a very rewarding experience to have visited. There are many walking/biking paths. Lots of places to pull over to the water's edge and enjoy the view, the breeze, the days sunshine; or to go fishing or have a picnic. Colt state Park is a GEM to have in the community. I lok forward to returning.
4. Fogland Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Matt D - San Francisco, California
This beach is located far from the busy areas of places like Newport or New Bedford. It's a long, sandy beach with gentle surf perfect for kids, wading, or just relaxing. Nice views and soft sand, lots of boat and water sports traffic to watch, a playground and picnic tables.
5. Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
Blithewold, named in Yankee Magazine's 2010 Best 5 Public Gardens in New England is located on Narragansett Bay, 25 minutes east of Providence and 60 minutes south of Boston. Blithewold, a 33-acre summer estate with grand views of Narragansett Bay, is nationally significant in American history as one of the most fully developed and authentic examples of the Country Place era. The property features a 45-room mansion filled with family heirlooms framed by a series of lovely gardens that range in character from mysterious to exotic and from poetic to practical. An exceptional collection of rare and unusual plants, specimen trees, an accessible greenhouse, and whimsical stonework project a character that is romantic, fresh and inspiring - and unique to Blithewold. Come...and be inspired.
Reviewed By DebEM2017 - Rockville, Maryland
Really enjoyed touring this lovely mansion in Bristol, RI. This estate has all of it's original furniture and a great history. Strolling through the gardens which take you down to the bayside is a treat.
6. National Museum of American Illustration
Overall Ratings
5 based on 346 reviews
The National Museum of American Illustration (NMAI) is situated in Vernon Court, a Gilded Age mansion (1898). Vernon Court is on the Natl. Register of Historic Places with interiors inspired by the palace at Versailles. The NMAI focuses on original illustration artworks created to be reproduced in books, periodicals, advertising and in other print media. Featured artists include: Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, Howard Pyle, JC Leyendecker, Jessie Willcox Smith, NC Wyeth and 150 others. Free parking for museum visitors is available in our lot located on Victoria Avenue.
Reviewed By queentut1 - Scarsdale
...and it can be found in Newport, Rhode Island. In a setting almost impossible to imagine, the greatest illustrators are showcased in a golden age environment that seems as if it were created just for them. I naively thought I would be seeing framed prints of the great masters of the genre--oh, no. Here we have absolutely priceless ORIGINAL paintings of these giant artists! The Maxfield Parrishes alone will floor you. The sheer grandeur of the floor to ceiling murals, originally owned by a private business, grace every single wall in a magnificent garden room. I could easily have stayed in that one room for hours, but there is so much to see and appreciate that, as one reader said, you must plan carefully. And other gigantic Maxfields can be found right on the walls of main entrance areas, and tantalize the viewer by continuing up the off limits staircase. I only wish the second floor was made available to the public. The museums opens at 11, and you can easily stay there the whole day if you are a fan of the great illustrators. There is much to learn, and so much to savor. The gorgeous mansion alone is a work of art. Add to this the lovely gift shop--with even more original illustrations surrounding it, you will be in heaven. Tip: if you are in Newport for a day trip, or even if you just want to maximize your time, bring your own lunch. The time is too precious to waste on finding an eatery when there is so much to see. One thing for sure, if you love this art, you will feel like you have visited paradise!
7. Milk and Honey Bazaar
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By KathLimerick - Limerick
Recently went into this little find to purchase some honey for my Mom's raw throat. To my positive surprise, there was local raw honey available. Hadn't much time, but was delighted to see so many other wonderful products, also, including some great cheddar from England and fresh sourdough breads. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Only passing through as live elsewhere now, but what a gem!
8. Newport Car Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 48 reviews
Newport Car Museum celebrates the Art of the Car and is an immersive and interactive museum. The private collection of some 50 automobiles focuses on six decades of modern industrial automotive design and celebrates cars as works of art. From the 1950s to the present, separate exhibits of Ford Shelby Cars, Corvettes, World Cars, Fin Cars and Chrysler Mopar.
Reviewed By Diane A
While checking into our hotel room, I just happened to spot the brochure for the Newport Car Museum among the others on the rack. Knowing my husband would enjoy seeing muscle cars after a mansion tour, I grabbed the pamphlet for more information. The outside of the building was very commercial looking, but inside was a thoroughly decorated, modern museum with various projection screens, displays, simulators, and seating areas. Knowing nothing about cars, it was still a great place to visit with the mini documentaries running in various rooms. The museum was a short 10-15 minute drive from our Newport hotel. The $18 admission fee was a fair price for all this site had to offer.
9. Hope Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Reviewed By Bob S - Cincinnati, Ohio
Bristol's claim to fame is they have the longest continuous running 4th of July celebration in the USA starting c 1777. Bristol is a peninsula and has about 22,000 permanent residence. It is a typical, small seaport town and fun place to visit.
10. Tiverton Four Corners
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By SLRS5 - Cambridge, Massachusetts
A laid back corner that extends several blocks in each direction. Some galleries, antique stores, misc other stores, eateries,(nothing fancy), places to just be. In the summer there is some festival or other just about every weekend. This is not a glitzy Newport type place. Much more mellow, laid back and uncrowded. No tour buses here. Locals. People with vacation homes, some passing through (actually it doesn't go anywhere....
Good area for bike riding.
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