Top Things to Do in Newport - Best Attractions, Tours and Events for 2024

Mention Newport, and most people think of mansions. And while Newport's mansions are truly magnificent things to behold and tour, there are countless other things to do in Newport. Being a tourist town, events and festivals in Newport happen throughout the year, not just during the summer. Over the years, Newport has grown from just a summer playground to a year-round destination, and as such events and festivals are happening virtually every month of year. These festivals can range from food festivals to music festivals to ethnic festival celebrations, each offering visitors a fun experience while in Newport.

For the history buff, Newport is home to the largest collection of colonial homes in the country, and wandering the streets of Newport today is much like it was hundreds of years ago. Many of Newport's streets are very small, oftentimes one-way because the entire city grew in the pre-industrial era before automobiles. You can take history tours, visit local museums and even take a guided ghost tour of Newport's oldest (and most haunted) homes.

Culturally, Newport is a vibrant hub of art, museums, libraries and a true melting pot of cultures from all over the world. Its prominence as a seaport for hundreds of years brought newcomers from all over the globe, and it's reflected in the homes, activities and annual festivals the city has to offer. From Revolutionary War exhibits and recreations at Fort Adams to the National Museum of American Illustration, there are so many things to do that reflect Newport's amazing history since its founding almost 400 years ago.

The outdoor enthusiast will find that the Atlantic Ocean provides the perfect backdrop for all sorts of things to do. As the sailing capital of the world, Newport's harbor and Narragansett Bay are ideal for exploring the coastline by water, taking in the views of the city from a whole new perspective. Modern day ocean sports also thrive here, like surfing, jetskis, fishing and parasailing. Venture a little away from the ocean, and you'll find idyllic hiking trails through vineyards, rocky coastline and Newport's famous Cliff Walk.

If you love wine, you've come to the right place. There are 4 local vineyards within an hour's drive of Newport, 2 just minutes from town. There you'll find wine tours, tastings and facilities that hold special events and weddings throughout the year. The climate in Newport is indeed quite special, with the moderating effect of both the Gulf Stream current as well as the warm ocean water surrounding the island. The result is some of the best wine produced in the country.

Music festivals in Newport attract hundreds of thousand of people each year, and for good reason. Newport's famous Folk Festival and Jazz Festival are true icons in the world of music festivals, having played the beautiful ocean lawn and surrounding waters of Newport harbor since 1954. Its sister festival, the Newport Folk Festival, has taken place at the same beautiful Fort Adams location on the ocean since 1959. Besides the fun-filled crowded lawn in front of the stage, boats of all kinds fill the harbor just beyond the lawn to take in a full weekend of music. Probably one of the most fun events of the entire year.

When it comes to food, Newport is at the epicenter of festivals for the area. Whether you want to experience the famous Great Chowder Cook-Off at Fort Adams State Park in June, or the Oyster Festival on Newport's seaside wharves in May, there's a food festival to suit your tastes from early Spring through Fall. Other notable festivals include the Greek Festival on Thames St in downtown Newport and Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival in the fall. Check further down this page for a complete list of events happening each month.

In addition to all these things to do everyday, there are many other Newport RI events happening throughout the year. We strongly encourage visitors to pick up a local paper upon arrival in Newport since many of the less-publicized events will be listed for your reference. There may be plays, concerts and festivals in the paper which can offer a more intimate entertainment experience. At any given time, there are many different events going on simultaneously. Here we've listed our favorites that happen just about the same time every year. Check the individual websites for specific dates and times.