What to do and see in Newport, Rhode Island (RI): The Best Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers

August 12, 2021 Jacquiline Delozier

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. America's Cup Charters

Excellent
91%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 85 reviews

America's Cup Charters

America's Cup Charters is Newport, RI's premier sailing company chartering the legends of the America's Cup trophy. We’ve been chartering the America's Cup legends since 1986. We also offer daily ticketed sails for individuals. Our fleet includes the illustrious Intrepid - the two time winner of the coveted America's Cup trophy, Weatherly - winner of the America's Cup and also one of the few yachts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Heritage - 1970 Cup Contender & IOR Racer, and Onawa, the timeless beauty vintage 12M. This can be an interactive hands-on experience, no sailing experience necessary, or a casual relaxing sail. Each yacht has a captain and two crew members on board to interact with our guests. We give people the chance to feel what it's like to be part of an America's Cup experience. The protected waters and predictable breezes of Narragansett Bay make for a comfortable racing and cruising experience.

2. Sailing Excursions Adirondack II

Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,063 reviews

Sailing Excursions Adirondack II

We sail from early May to late October. Our spacious 80' pilot schooner, the Adirondack II will take you for a sail on Narragansett Bay. Our 90-minute sails start around 11 AM. Our boat is Coast Guard certified and equipped with a bathroom. Sit back, relax and enjoy the quiet beauty of the coastal scenery while the wind fills the sails and our crew gives a light narration of Narragansett Bay and the mansions we sail by.

3. Sightsailing of Newport

Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 892 reviews

Sightsailing of Newport

Sightsailing of Newport offers daily sailing cruises, tours and private sailing charters in Newport aboard the sailing vessels Aquidneck, Sightsailer and Starlight. Aquidneck and Sightsailer were built specifically to take people sailing who have never sailed before. Both are very smooth sailing; seasickness is never an issue. Both offer tickets for public sails and are available for private charters. Aquidneck is an 80' schooner. She is comfortable, stable and offers a relaxing sailing experience. She sails comfortably with up to 49 guests. Sightsailer is a 46, comfortable yet racy sloop, which gives a greater sensation of sailing than Aquidneck. She sails comfortably with up to 13 guests. Starlight is an O'Day 34' sloop that offers the feel of sailing on a private yacht since it sails by private charter only with just 2-6 guests. Starlight is luxurious and comfortable.Aquidneck sails 7 days a week from May-October.Sightsailer and Starlight sail 5 days a week (Thursday thru Sunday)in July and August and weekends only in June and September.

4. Schooner Madeleine

Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 367 reviews

Schooner Madeleine

Enjoy our Scenic Day Sails and Champagne Sunset Sails through Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay aboard our classic sailing yacht Madeleine. We offer sailing harbor tours and sunset sailing cruises aboard a 72-foot schooner sailing yacht Madeleine, which was specifically designed and built to carry passengers easily and safely sailing through the local waters of Newport. The sailing yacht Madeleine maintains 19th century sailboat style with a 21st century sailing yacht comfort and convenience.

5. 12 Meter Yacht Charters

Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 391 reviews

12 Meter Yacht Charters

Set Sail aboard the America's Cup 12 Meter yachts of Newport, Rhode Island! 12 Meter Yacht Charters offers customized group charters and daily sailing cruises aboard our 70 foot America's Cup 12 Meter contenders. Participate in the sailing or just sit back and enjoy the sights! Our professional team has over 100 years of combined sailing experience - let them share their passion for 12 Meter sailing with you!

6. Sail on Hope San

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 104 reviews

Sail on Hope San

Charter our classic yacht to see Newport and Narragansett Bay. Sail on a wooden yawl from 1958 and enjoy the day. sail for 2, 4, 6 hours or all day. Privat sailing tours for up to 6 guests.

7. Newport Helicopter Tours

Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 224 reviews

Newport Helicopter Tours

The only way to experience Newport, Rhode Island. Private helicopter tours since 2000. Open year round. Great for all ages. See all of the Newport Mansions from above and more. Visit our website for all our exciting tour options. This is one of the best things to do in Rhode Island. IMPORTANT - Our FLIGHT LOCATION is at 211 Airport Access Road, Middletown, Rhode island. It's 10 minutes away from Downtown Newport .

8. Island Style Parasail

Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 112 reviews

Island Style Parasail

Soar high above the coast of beautiful Newport, Rhode Island while enjoying the breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay. Our team takes great pride in your safety and enjoyment. All of our captains are coast guard certified with a master license and 15 yrs experience. With top notch safety gear and regular boat maintenance we aim to show you a thrilling yet enjoyable and safe ride...Come Fly with Us!

9. Rail Explorers

Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,451 reviews

Rail Explorers

Rail Explorers: Rhode Island Division. Take a tour with Rail Explorers and experience the magic of the railroad like never before! Ride the rails on our pedal powered 'rail explorers' - a unique activity suitable for everyone. Family activity - fun, mild exercise and time outdoors. Great views, train lovers and everyone else will enjoy this ride on the rails.

10. Scooter World

12 Christies Lndg, Newport, RI 02840-3455 +1 401-619-1349 [email protected] http://www.scooterworldri.com
Excellent
63%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
5%
Terrible
15%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 41 reviews

Scooter World

Newport's number one spot for all of your rental needs. Featuring the largest and newest fleet of Scoot Coupes, Yamaha Zuma Scooters, Giant Bicycles, And the all new Polaris Slingshot. Locally owned and operated, we provide superior knowledge of the area to make the most of your Newport experience.

Reviewed By CAG1007 - Suamico, United States

My family of 4 had so much fun renting the scoot coups! What a great & fun way to see the city of Newport. The staff was very friendly, they explained how to operate the coups in detail, they were super easy to use, and were so much fun! We rented them for 1 hour which was more than enough time to drive Ocean Drive and get out plenty of times for pit stops. I would highly recommend!!!

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.