Newport, Rhode Island Itinerary: How To Spend 3 Days Here

Newport is one of the most beloved Rhode Island towns and a very popular East Coast destination. Located on Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay, this harborside city is overflowing with charm and history.

A quick weekend here is a perfect way to experience some of the city’s highlights.

Read on for my Newport, Rhode Island itinerary. This closely follows a weekend I spent here during a New England road trip and includes everything to know for spending 3 days in Newport.

Newport, Rhode Island Weekend Itinerary

Newport Itinerary: Day 1

Walk Bowen’s Wharf

Newport’s ample waterfront is lined with wharfs, the most famous of which is Bowen’s Wharf.

This popular tourist attraction sits on Newport Harbor and is full of shops, outdoor restaurants and bars with live music, and boats ready to take eager tourists out on the water. 

The energy here is really fun, making this a great starting point for a weekend in Newport. We simply walked the shops and checked out the bars, but if you’re hungry, there are numerous dining options here as well.  

Walk Thames Street 

Located near Bowen’s Wharf is Thames Street. This is the main hub running through town and is lined with shops, restaurants, and bars that carry on for blocks on end. 

While in Newport, plan to walk Thames Street at least once. Be sure to leave plenty of time to explore side streets and the quiet marinas surrounding Thames, I really enjoyed getting off the beaten path here.

Since Thames Street and Bowen’s Wharf are so close, it’s easy to see both in one day. And again, whenever you’re hungry, there are plenty of restaurants in this area for a quick bite or a sit down meal.

Sunset Sailing Tour 

To wrap up the first day in Newport, go for a sailing tour in the sailing capital of the world.

There are tons of tour companies offering sunset cruises out of Bowen’s Wharf. We chose to tour with Sailing Excursions, Inc Schooner Adirondack II.

The 1.5 hour sail provides great views of bayside mansions, Fort Adams — a 19th century military post — Newport Bridge, and beautiful old lighthouses, all from the calm waters of the Narragansett Bay.

Cozy up with a blanket and cocktail while enjoying the magic of sailing. 

Newport Itinerary: Day 2

Tour Breakers Mansion 

Our second day in Newport began with a tour of the gorgeous Breakers Mansion.

This summer cottage was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt in the late 1800’s and is jaw-dropping in its grandeur. Built right on the ocean, with no detail left to spare, the historic home is absolutely astounding.

This is one of the most popular things to do in Newport and for good reason, The Breakers Mansion is the number one tourist attraction in Rhode Island.  

Mansion tours are self guided. Upon arrival you’ll download an app which provides an audio tour as you walk through the home.

You’ll need headphones to listen to the tour, but if you forget, they also have pamphlets outlining the details of each room throughout the visit. 

The internet service within the mansion is subpar, so be sure to download the app and tour audio prior to entering.  

Newport Mansions

We only toured The Breakers, but you could fill your entire day touring more mansions if you wish. Each mansion here has its own story to tell and the finishes are more grand than I can put into words. 

This is because Newport, RI was a summer hot spot for the United States’ wealthiest during the late 1800’s, in addition to the Vanderbilts, the Berwinds and the Oelrichs family also had homes here, for example. Their opulence is still on display today thanks to the well preserved Gilded Age Mansions which line Bellevue Avenue.  

Those who can’t get enough of The Breakers, be sure to tour other popular mansions along Bellevue Avenue such as: 

• Marble House
• Rosecliff
• Rough Point
• The Elms

Note: Many of the areas mansions are ran by The Preservation Society of Newport County. They offer individual tickets to each mansion or bundles if you wish to tour more than one.

Newport Trolley Tours

Another popular thing to do is the Newport Trolley Tours.

There are a number of trolley tours available which take visitors along Ocean Drive and Bellevue Avenue. The guides will point out famous summer cottages, like those I previously mentioned, while sharing facts and history regarding the homes. 

Most tours include a guided trolley tour plus admission to one mansion.

Consider booking a tour through Viking Tours, which allows you to choose from admission to The Breakers, Marble House, or Rosecliff. 

Go For A Walk Along The Newport Cliff Walk 

Following The Breakers mansion tour, we followed the famous Newport Cliff Walk.

The cliff walk is a 3.5 mile trail along the rugged Rhode Island coastline. Since it runs parallel to famed Bellevue Avenue, it offers excellent views of the coastline to the east and historic mansions to the west.

Thanks to these beautiful views, the walk is one of the best things to do while visiting Newport.

The trail is 3.5 miles in each direction, but it’s possible to arrange a ride at the end of the trail or take a trolley back into town if you’d rather not walk 7 miles. 

Important Note: The trail is very rugged and runs close to the rocky shores in some sections. This walk is not for those with mobility issues. Wear proper attire, including good footwear.

Tips For Hiking The Cliff Walk:

• Wear proper footwear, some sections are very rocky and can be wet.
• Bring water and snacks.
• Pack sun protection – hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. 
• It takes most about 2 hours to walk one direction, keep in mind you may be stopping for lots of photos.
• The northern half of the walk is paved and easier to walk, the southern half gets very rugged. Consequently, it’s more common to find people on the north end than the south. 
• There are exit points along the trail. More-so on the north end, the south end has very few exit points.  

Ocean Drive

For those who want to see the historic mansions but would rather not walk (or, if you have time to do both, as we did) I highly recommend driving Ocean Drive. 

The famous roadway meanders through a picturesque neighborhood dotted with hilltop mansions, and offers a peek at the ocean here and there.

We really enjoyed driving aimlessly through the area while imagining what life must’ve been like here over 100 years ago.  

Brenton Point State Park 

Ocean Drive’s southernmost point is encompassed by Brenton Point State Park. I also recommend stopping here while touring the area.

The park offers wide vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and plenty of open space, hiking trails, and rugged coastline for the public’s enjoyment. 

During our quick stop we walked the coastline and enjoyed the views.

Following our visit, I learned the free park is much-loved for kite flying. There’s often kite rentals and food trucks on site. Additionally, if visiting in early July, check out the Newport Kite Festival held here annually.

Sunset Drinks At Castle Hill 

Located just off Ocean Drive, near Brenton Point State Park, is the highly popular Castle Hill Inn. Their famous restaurant, The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn, is a great place to watch the sunset over the Narragansett Bay.

Cozy up on the grassy hill or one of the Adirondack chairs while enjoying cocktails and various light fare. Be sure to grab a reservation beforehand, it gets quite busy.  

Tip: While here, consider a short walk to the Castle Hill Lighthouse. 

Alt Option: Sunset At Second Beach

Those looking for something a little more low key, consider catching the sunset at Second Beach instead. This is one of the most popular beaches for sunbathing and surfing and an excellent spot to catch a quiet sunset. 

Be sure to grab a scoop from Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream Middletown before heading over to the beach.

This is what we did instead of sunset drinks at Castle Hill, it was a great way to spend a quiet evening, and I look forward to visiting Castle Hill during another visit.

Newport Itinerary: Day 3

Spend The Day At The Beach

Have a beach day during your final day in Newport.

Rhode Island boasts some of the most desirable beaches in the country, and Newport is no different. Beautiful sand, incredible scenery, what more could you ask for in a summer trip?

The city beaches have very creative names: Second Beach, Third Beach, and First Beach (also referred to as Easton’s Beach).

Each beach has ample parking, however, even with plenty of spaces, parking does fill quickly. Be sure to arrive at the beach no later than 10 am to avoid parking hassles and to snag a good spot on the water.

Tip: Cool off with Del’s Frozen Lemonade during your beach day.

International Tennis Hall Of Fame

Feel free to scrap the rest of this itinerary and spend the entire day at the beach if you wish.

If not, check out the International Tennis Hall of Fame during your final day in Newport.

Formerly a local casino with a rich tennis history, and in danger of being demolished, the Tennis Hall of Fame was successfully sanctioned by Jimmy Van Alen in 1954. 

Today, the museum has excellent exhibits honoring more than 250 inductees, historic grass courts (open to the public to play!), and a gorgeous historic theater dating back to 1882. 

Located right in downtown Newport, this is a fantastic stop for those who love to play.

Newport Vineyard

Wrap up the final day in Newport with local wine from Newport Vineyard. 

This 60-acre vineyard in nearby Middleton, RI — just 15 minutes from Newport — is in a beautiful setting. 

Not only is the wine delicious, but it also has an excellent eatery and local brewery on-site, making this a great option if some people in the group aren’t as keen on wine. 

Advance reservations are recommended, especially during summer months.  

Where To Eat In Newport 

There’s tons of excellent places to dine out in Newport, below are some popular options:

• Brick Alley Pub
• Forty 1° North
• Clarke Cooke House
• The Landing
• The Black Pearl
• Pasta Beach 
• Diego’s
• Midtown Oyster Bar
• White Horse Tavern (10th oldest operating restaurant in the world and the oldest in the United States)

Tip: It’s best to make a dinner reservation if possible, wait times can get very long during peak summer season. 

If you need food on the go or want to stock up on late night snacks for the hotel, check out Shaw’s Supermarket or Stop & Shop.

Where To Drink In Newport

These are some of the top spots for drinks in Newport:

• The Roof Deck at The Vanderbilt
• The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn
• The Chanler at Cliff Walk
• Surf Club
• The Deck
• Speakeasy Bar & Grill
• One Pelham East
• The Dockside
• O’Brien Pub
• The Fastnet Pub

Where To Stay In Newport 

Some popular hotels in Newport, RI include:

• Cliffside Inn
• Castle Hill Inn
• The Attwater
• The Chanler At Cliff Walk

For more ideas, check out Top Hotels In Newport, Rhode Island.

There are some vacation rentals throughout Newport available via Airbnb and VRBO.

Those looking for budget-friendly options, consider vacation rentals in Middletown. It’s only 15 minutes from the heart of Newport, 10 minutes from Second Beach, right by Newport Winery, and it’s much quieter than Newport. 

What To Pack For Newport, RI

For a summer weekend in Newport, Rhode Island I packed the following items:

• 3 t-shirts 
• 1 tank top
• 1 pair of jean shorts
• 2 summer dresses (or something nice for dinner, mansion tours, etc.)
• Hiking attire, including tennis shoes and hat
• Swimsuit and beach gear
• Light jacket, cardigan, and linen pants (Newport is surrounded by water, so nights can get quite cold compared to the warm days, I changed into something warmer each evening)
• Tennis shoes for sightseeing

Getting To Newport

Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD), near Providence, RI, is the nearest major airport just 25 miles north of Newport. From here, drive, taxi, Uber/Lyft, or take a city bus into Newport. 

From Boston to Newport, RI, you can drive which requires just over 1.5 hours.

Otherwise, there are bus and train options. Take the Amtrak from Boston into Providence then take the city bus into downtown Newport. This requires about 2 – 2.5 hours each direction and there are frequent train and bus times throughout the day. Also check the Peter Pan Bus schedule between Boston and Newport, which takes about 2 hours.

From New York City to Newport, RI you can drive, it takes about 3.5 hours.

There’s also an Amtrak train departing from NYC’s Penn Station and arriving in either Providence or Kingston. From there, take the city bus into downtown Newport. The train runs multiple times throughout the day and the entire trip, including bus time, requires about 4 – 4.5 hours each direction.

Getting Around Newport

Once in Newport, a car is not necessary to get around. Downtown Newport (surrounding Thames Street and Bowen’s Wharf) is walkable for most. 

However, there are destinations such as the mansions, beaches, Castle Hill Inn, etc. which are anywhere from 2 – 5 miles from Bowen’s Wharf. For these destinations consider bike rentals, ride share apps, trolleys, or the public bus system. 

Parking In Newport 

Parking is a nuisance the closer you get to Thames Street and Bowen’s Wharf. You’re unlikely to find any street parking available in this area, but there are paid lots which will run about $30 for the day.

We chose to park about a .5 – 1 mile off Thames, near the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Street parking was relatively easier to find in this area. Keep an eye out for parking signs though, most areas have time limits or require permits at certain times, etc.  

Keep in mind, traffic can get really bad in downtown Newport, so pack your patience. If visiting during a summer weekend or holiday, plan to find parking early in the day. 

When Is The Best Time To Visit Newport, RI? 

Summer offers the best weather, if you want to enjoy beach activities this is the best time of year to visit. The warmer months also draw the largest crowds.

If you wish to visit Newport with smaller crowds, consider a trip during spring or fall.

Winter can be a great time to snag an affordable accommodation and see the sights without throngs of people, but know it can get quite cold here, and some businesses close this time of year.

As you can see, there’s so much to do during a weekend in Newport. I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your trip and have the best time!

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.

Looking for more ideas? Check out my additional Rhode Island guides below or head on over to Discover Newport.

More Information For Your Trip To Newport, Rhode Island:

• Top Things To Do In Newport, Rhode Island
• Top Hotels In Newport, Rhode Island

More Ideas For Your Rhode Island Travels:

• Watch Hill, Rhode Island Guides

Additional Information For Your New England Vacation:

• Connecticut Guides
• Massachusetts Guides
• New Hampshire Guides
• Vermont Guides
• Southern New England Road Trip: 9-Day Itinerary