Location: Newport
Top Things to do in Newport
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Things to do in Newport, Rhode Island (RI): The Best Historic Sites
Once the summer playground of America's wealthiest families, Newport remains a popular vacation destination at any time of year. The famous mansions, each more opulent than the last, offer detailed tours and give a fascinating glimpse into Gilded Age extravagance. While the town rightly emphasizes its history with a variety of museums and tours, Newport also has a vibrant, contemporary side, made manifest in quirky shops and great restaurants.
Restaurants in Newport
1. Ochre Court
2. The Preservation Society of Newport County
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 137 reviews
Society dedicated to the preservation of 9 of Newport's mansions.
Reviewed By WmECamp - Detroit, United States
We have been supporters since 2008. What they strive to do is preserve the history of the Guilded Age and before. Newport has such an interesting past. It needs to be seen to be appreciated.
3. Common Burying Ground and Island Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By lou1776 - Long Island, United States
This cemetery has been on my list of cemeteries to visit for a while due to my personal goal to visit all the Signers of the Declaration of Independence's graves. There are two cemeteries here combined into one, and there really isn't a clear division from the outside until you're in the middle and notice a fence. The two people of interest for me here were William Ellery and then Commodore Matthew Perry, hero of the war of 1812 who is buried in what seems to be the direct middle of the cemetery. We tried to find old maps, the sections of the graves prior to going, but for two people very used to wayfinding with cemetery maps, this place proved to be a huge challenge. Perhaps the office has better, updated maps marking the notable burials but they were closed at the time of our visit. Caution to drivers too, we didn't have an issue but there aren't many paved roads so drive cautiously in the cemetery. There are several one ways and the roads are narrow.
4. Newport Tower
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By 215rickp - Sherrard, United States
We scheduled a visit with Jim Egan who owns the museum across from the Tower. He started with an explanatory tour around this iconic Newport structure. That alone was very enlightening, but afterwards we went into the museum & were blown away by his extensive knowledge, study & conclusions about who built the Tower. I strongly urge anyone visiting the Tower to set up a tour with Jim. You won’t regret it!
5. Trinity Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
A Newport church where George Washington once attended.
Reviewed By DebLB55
We stayed at an inn close by so we could see the beautiful steeple lit at night. It was open during the day to go in. It is a very pretty inside. If you haven't seen an old New England Church with box pews, you need to visit. Even if you have, it is very nice and fun to find out about some of the historical families that worshipped there.
6. Touro Synagogue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 475 reviews
Dedicated in 1763, this is the oldest synagogue in the United States.
Reviewed By professor0517 - Dedham, United States
This is truly an historical experience, looking into the past of those early American inhabitants of the Jewish faith. It sheds light on the "immigrants" who came to America from all walks of life. For the family.
7. Redwood Library & Athenaeum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Chartered in 1747, the Redwood Library & Athenæum is a museum, rare book repository, the nation's oldest public Neoclassical building and the oldest operating lending library still in its original structure. Designed by Peter Harrison and built in 1750 the library contains over 200,000 titles in its Circulating and Special Collections, another 751 titles forming the Original Collection which were purchased by the founders, and an exceptional collection of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century portraits by such artists as John Smibert, Robert Feke, Charles Bird King, and Gilbert Stuart. In addition there is a range of sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts. Lectures, gallery talks, and musical events are scheduled throughout the year, and unique gift items and used books are available in the gift shop. Tours given Monday through Friday at 10:30am and 2:00pm, Saturdays at 10:30am.
Reviewed By kaitlino454
The librarian was very resourceful and did a great job providing us with a brief history and answering the questions we had about the space. Admission is free for Ocean State Library card holders. Otherwise a $10 fee is charged to enter.
8. Fort Adams State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,102 reviews
Managed by the Fort Adams Trust, a 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization, in partnership with the RI Department of Environmental Management, this National Historic Landmark is now open to the public. The Fort Adams Trust provides public and private guided tours and youth group overnights. Additionally the Trust hosts weddings, lobster bakes, private site rentals and a variety of special events throughout the year. Most notably Historic Fort Adams is the home of the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals each summer.
Reviewed By gladysbarros66 - Connecticut, United States
Vacationing near home this year or should I say Daycationing. We took an hour and a half drive from CT to Newport the Saturday after Labor Day. Our first stop was Fort Adams. There was plenty of parking, clean restrooms. Even with masks and social distancing it was a very relaxed setting. Families were walking, picnicing, kids playing, and other families fishing. You could walk around the outside of the Fort and it's a big Fort. There is a walking path along the water which is breath taking. You can watch the boats of all sizes sail by or you can just take in the beauty of the rocks and water. So if you don't like the hustle and bustle of downtown this is the place to be, even if only for a few hours.
9. Marble House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,729 reviews
Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. It was a summer house, or "cottage", as Newporters called them in remembrance of the modest houses of the early 19th century. But Marble House was much more; it was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport's subsequent transformation from a quiet summer colony of wooden houses to the legendary resort of opulent stone palaces. Mr. Vanderbilt was the grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who established the family's fortune in steamships and the New York Central Railroad. His older brother was Cornelius II, who built The Breakers. Alva Vanderbilt was a leading hostess in Newport society, and envisioned Marble House as her "temple to the arts" in America. The house was designed by the architect Richard Morris Hunt, inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The cost of the house was reported in contemporary press accounts to be $11 million, of which $7 million was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Upon its completion, Mr. Vanderbilt gave the house to his wife as a 39th birthday present.
Reviewed By KimGTravels - Pacific Grove, United States
Designed by the famous architect Richard Morris Hunt for Alva and William Kissam Vanderbilt, Marble House was considered the finest and most opulent home at its completion in 1892, and influenced the building of the future grandiose estates during the Gilded Age. The Vanderbilts, Astors & Morgans raced their yachts on Narragansett Bay while America's social elite enjoyed approximately eight weeks of lavish entertaining and events each July & August. Presented as a gift to Alva from her husband for her 39th birthday, the unfortunate couple ultimately terminated their marriage. Designed with similar exterior aspects of "The Whitehouse", this 50 room mansion is considered one of the top three, and is a must visit. The grand flowing marble staircase; gilded & painted details; massive chandeliers; sculptures; stained glass windows and Gothic fireplace; ornate plasterwork & ceilings; this estate is a remarkable work of art & craftsmanship. Over 500,000 cubic feet of marble was used in its construction, which provides an enviromental cooling element to this lavish property. A Chinese Tea House was erected in the back garden, but later moved from the cliff area to a safer position on the property. American socialite Cornelius Vanderbilt II, older brother of William, ultimately constructed the stately and much larger "Breakers" nearby in 1895, but I prefer the more "intimate" feeling of Marble House, which is available for special occasions, should your budget allow.
10. Isaac Bell House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 102 reviews
The Isaac Bell House is one of the best surviving examples of shingle style architecture in the country. The house was designed by the firm of McKim, Mead and White in 1883 for Isaac Bell, a wealthy cotton broker and investor. After passing through a succession of owners, the Isaac Bell House was purchased by the Preservation Society in 1996, and is today designated a National Historic Landmark. The Isaac Bell House was remarkably innovative when it appeared in 1883. It is a combination of Old English and European architecture with colonial American and exotic details, such as a Japanese-inspired open floor plan and bamboo-style porch columns.
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