Julia & Andy
Things To Do
Cliff Walk
This scenic 3.5-mile walkway hugs the edge of Newport's shoreline and snakes by the backyards of many of the town's most glamorous mansions. Many visitors start at Easton's Beach or The Breakers mansion and head south to Bailey's Beach. Along the way, you'll catch a glimpse of other famous homes like the Marble House and Rough Point.
Thames Street
Nestled just steps from the waterfront, Thames Street has been Newport's main commercial drag since the 18th century. Here you'll find a collection of local shops like Thames Glass and Newport Fudgery, as well as more conventional stores. There's also a great dining scene, ranging from budget-friendly seafood spots to finer establishments, such as Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant and Bouchard Inn & Restaurant. This area also claims a high concentration of colonial homes, dating back to the late 17th and early 18th centuries that are worth exploring. And be sure to take some time to visit Trinity Church. This religious site was completed in 1726, and its cemetery acts as the final resting place of some of the city's earliest settlers.
The Breakers
Newport's mansions are remnants of the lavish lifestyles of America's wealthiest industrialists in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Of all of Newport's famous homes, The Breakers mansion is the cream of the summer cottage crop. Commissioned in 1893 by railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt II, The Breakers is a Renaissance-style "summer cottage" inspired by the palaces in northern Italy. Its opulence knows no bounds.
Fort Adams State Park
Overlooking Brenton Cove in Newport's Fort Adams State Park, this historic military compound was once used to defend Newport's harbor from potential enemies. Once it was gifted to the state of Rhode Island in 1965, the fortress reopened as a historic landmark. Today, visitors can wander the fort's halls and underground tunnels while taking in views of the harbor and Narragansett Bay.