Helpful Info
About Newport

The first passenger airline company in the U.S. started in Newport for service to New York

If you intend to spend a good deal of time in downtown Newport, try to get accommodations as close to town as possible. Because of its age, Newport was designed as a walking town and parking can be hard to find. Try to walk between destinations and don't forget that cabs are plentiful and cheap around town.

Getting Around Newport, RI / Parking Options

Bike and Scooter Rentals

More Info on Biking/Scooter Rentals

RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority Bus Service)

RIPTA is the public transportation for RI and can be convenient for getting to/from Newport if you do not want the hassle of finding parking in the area. Since Newport is a colonial city, much of it was built long before the advent of cars. This can make parking a problem on busy summer weekends. Ample parking is available at the visitors center on America's Cup Ave, conveniently located as you enter Newport off the Newport/Jamestown Bridge.

>> See RIPTA's Schedule

While in Newport, RIPTA also offers a convenient trolley service, great for a scenic ride through the mansions, cliff walk, Bellevue Ave, and more. With frequent schedules and stops, it can be a very easy way to make your way around the city during your visit.

>> See RIPTA's Trolley Schedule for Newport

Parking In Newport

Public Pay Lot Parking

1. Gateway Center is the largest lot with surface and garage parking available. It conveniently serves downtown, Newport County Convention and Visitor's Bureau , and RIPTA transportation services. The RIPTA Trolley is a great way to avoid traffic and park conveniently.
2. Mary Street Lot is located just off Thames Street. This large surface lot provides residents with 3 hours free parking (with resident sticker), has public restrooms and is located downtown 1 block from the waterfront.
3. Long Wharf lot is a metered lot with 24-hour operation and 9 hour limits. It is located off of America's Cup Ave at the Long Wharf Mall.
4. Touro Street lot is nestled between the Jane Pickens and Opera House Theaters off Washington Square. It is located directly behind the Brick Alley Pub. This pay and display lot also has spaces marked in yellow for free resident sticker use.

Meter Parking

Metered parking can be found throughout downtown Newport and by Easton's Beach. Rates are $.25/15 minutes, using either debit cards or change. The meters are operational from May 1 through October 31st, from 9am and 9pm in most areas. Pay and Display parking is available at Touro Lot and at Washington Square. These units act the same as regular meters, but also take credit cards, and require that a receipt be visible inside the windshield.

Smart cards are available for meters in the downtown area. Smart cards allow you to use the time you select with a debit card, and eliminate the need to carry change. They may be purchased at:

• Newport County Convention and Visitor's Bureau (Gateway Center, America's Cup Avenue)
• Harbormaster's Office, Perrotti Park
• Newport Mansions Store (Bannister's Wharf)
• Tax Collector's Office, City Hall
• The Music Box, Thames Street
• Bowen's Wharf Information Booth
• Buskers Irish Pub (Thames Street)
• Coffey's Citgo (at Touro and Spring Streets)

Residential Parking

Stickers for residents are available at the Collections Office. Starting in March you can purchase these with appropriate documentation. Sticker parking areas are noted with signs defining hours and areas affected. Most residential parking areas are available to the general public during the day but after 6pm, you must have a sticker/guest pass or your car will be ticketed. This program is in place to ensure that our city residents have a place to park their vehicles at night, near their residences. Sticker parking is in effect May through October. Many side streets are covered, so look for the signs.

Beach Parking

Beach parking is available for a daily parking fee from Memorial Day through Labor day, with rates posted at Easton's beach entrances.

Free Parking

Various locations exist without meter parking, especially a block or more from the downtown areas. Spring Street is just one block up from Thames Street and offers many free parking spots.

Towing and Snow Emergencies

If your car is missing, it may have been towed, especially if you were parked in a no-parking zone such as a fire hydrant or driveway entrance. All vehicle tows, whether the cars are towed by the police or a contracted tow company, are logged in a police log. To contact the Police Department Dispatch Desk and/or verify the tow log, please contact (401) 847-1306 and a clerk will assist you.

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