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Newport Rhode Island is located on Rhode Island’s largest island – Aquidneck Island – which is one of the most popular summer vacation spots New England.
If you're planning a road trip of the region, Newport RI is definitely one of the top places to visit on the east coast of USA because of the city’s cultural events such as the Newport Jazz Festival.
Newport also boasts beautiful colonial mansions and historical sites that you can explore on guided tours, so if you’re a history buff and love architecture, you’ll definitely love spending time in Newport RI. To give you an idea of what's on offer in Newport, I put together a list interesting attractions and places you don't want to miss in Newport RI:
Bellevue Avenue
Bellevue Avenue is, without a doubt, one of the top attractions in Newport RI and one of the most visited districts in the city. Many of Newport’s top mansions and attractions are located on this street alone and they include:
International Tennis Hall of Fame
If you’re a sports fan, in particular tennis, you’ll enjoy visiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame and see interesting memorabilia such as rackets, trophies and clothes worn by tennis stars such as Roger Federer and John McEnroe.
Newport Art Museum
The Newport Art Museum is located just a short walk down the road from the Tennis Hall of Fame, towards Touro Park.
The museum boasts many 18th-19th century collections and various exhibitions on display produced by local artists that you can also buy. If you’d like to learn more about the artworks, the museum also offers interesting guided tours.
National Museum of American Illustration
The American Illustration Museum has the largest collection of Illustration art in the world featuring artists’ works such as Maxfield Parrish and Norman Rockwell.
Newport Cliff Walk
If you’re visiting Newport RI solely for the mansions, you’ll find many of them along the historic trail called Cliff Walk, which runs along the beautiful Newport coastline.
You can access Newport Cliff Walk from various access points, though the best ones are Ledge Road and Marive Avenue. Along Cliff Walk you’ll find many mansions from the Guided Age. A few worth visiting include:
Belcourt Castle
Belcourt Castle is located on the south end of Bellevue Avenue, not far from Rough Point, and it is best places in Newport to see how the wealthy of the day lived
There are cool antiques and interesting artifacts on display such as gold armors and salt chairs that you can marvel at. Belcourt Castle is also a popular attraction in Newport RI for ghost tours, especially during Halloween, as the castle is said to be haunted by ghosts.
Rough Point
Rough Point is located a short walk down the road from Belcourt Castle and it’s another Newport estate that is open for tours, though only available as guided tours. You can tour the first floor of the mansion and see personal items belonging to the owner.
Rough Point may not be one of Newport’s grandest mansions but it features a bridge over the cliff, which offers memorable views of the ocean.
The Breakers
The Breakers (pictured) is Newport’s grandest mansion boasting over 70 rooms that are lavishly decorated, and it's certainly one of the most popular places to visit in Newport RI since you can tour the house independently.
The Breakers is located opposite Salve Regina University and also offers great ocean views and it’s open daily for guided or self-guided tours which include walks of the stunning grounds.
Marble House
Marble House is located a short walk from the Newport Mansion Store and it's another great example of gilded age mansion boasting also a lovely Chinese tea house.
Marble House is the only mansion built closest to the cliff, so the views of the ocean are even more stunning.
Beechwood Mansion
Beechwood Mansion is located a short walk from Rosecliff and it’s definitely one of the mansions to add to your list of places to visit in Newport RI since you can enjoy reenactment tours with actors dressed in 1920’s costumes.
Norman Bird Sanctuary
If you’re traveling with the family and are looking for fun places to visit in Newport RI with kids, Norman Bird Sanctuary is such place!
The sanctuary has fun programs for small kids, as well as fun family activities such as nature nights on Fridays and day outings on Saturday mornings.
Museum of Newport History/ Historical Society
The Museum of Newport History is located opposite Eisenhower Park, and it’s one of the best places in Newport RI to book walking tours of the city with knowledgeable guides.
If you’re visiting Newport RI on a short day trip, booking one of these guided walking tours is one of the best ways to see much of Newport in a short period of time.
Artillery Co of Newport
Artillery Co of Newport is one of the gems in Newport RI that you don’t want to miss visiting when in town, especially if you’re interested in seeing cool artifacts. The museum is located nearby Eisenhower Park and boasts many 18th century military artifacts such as naval cannons and military uniforms.
Fort Adams State Park
Fort Adams State Park is another great place to add to your list of places to visit in Newport RI because of the wonderful views you can get of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.
Besides enjoying the views, you’ll be able to tour Fort Adams and all its areas which include underground tunnels. Fort Adams also houses the Museum of Yachting.
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