Newport Rhode Island is often known for sailing, picturesque restaurants, beautiful Mansions, historic properties, and an active late-night scene. But there is so much more to this seaside city, including lots of things to do in Newport RI with kids. Newport is one of the best places to include in the summer as part of a New England road trip.
I grew up in Newport County Rhode Island and always loved going to Newport. Whether you are looking for a quintessential ocean experience, or want to see things unique to Newport, there are many different options for what to do in Newport RI with kids. Here are our favorites.
Disclosure: On a recent trip, I experienced a few of these top things to do in Newport RI with kids at no cost. I grew up in the area, so many of these things were part of my childhood. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us.
Things to Do in Newport RI With Kids
Newport is a destination in itself, but many choose to combine it with a trip to Boston or Cape Cod. It’s also the perfect place for a weekend getaway if you live within easy driving distance.
Newport For Kids: The Newport Mansions Run by the Preservation Society
I may be biased because I spent years working in the gift shop of the Breakers, the most popular of the Newport Mansions. But I absolutely recommend a trip to the Newport Mansions during your Newport family vacation. These gilded age mansions provide a unique viewpoint into the history of some of the most wealthy families living in the United States at that time.
A few years ago, I returned to the Breakers with my kids and did the new children’s audio tour. They absolutely loved it. The Breakers was the summer residence of the Cornelius Vanderbilt family and is a great place to visit. While years ago it was a guided tour, they now offer self guided tours.
The tour is narrated by a personified version of the historic mansion, who speaks about everything they’ve experienced. It was several years ago, but my kids still talk about the “talking house”. It’s not necessarily something you would immediately assume is a good family-friendly Newport activity, but my kids really liked it and felt it was one of the best things about our trip.
The other Newport Mansions run by the Preservation Society of Newport County (including Marble House) also have audio tours, but no specific children’s tours. They are still stunning, but younger kids may not fully appreciate them. It’s especially impressive when you realize these historic mansions were originally summer cottages!
Here are all of the historic homes operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County:
- The Breakers
- Rosecliff
- Marble House
- The Elms
- Chateau-sur-Mer
- Kingscote
- Isaac Bell House
- Hunter House
- Chepstow
- Green Animals Topiary Garden (located in nearby Portsmouth, RI)
Newport Gulls Games
Baseball fans will love watching the Newport Gulls, a collegiate baseball team. The Gulls play during the summer, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, right in downtown Newport (across from the visitor’s center on America’s Cup Avenue).
Tickets are only $1 for kids under 12, and are $5 for adults, making it a fun, affordable thing to do in Newport with kids. If you choose to purchase a ticket online, it’s a flat fee of $5 per ticket.
Parking on game night is $2 at the Visitor’s Center lot (with a valid game ticket), or, if you are staying downtown, it’s a quick walk. Free parking is pretty rare in downtown Newport, so $2 is the next best thing. Outside food isn’t permitted at the field, but concessions are offered.
Shopping in Newport RI With Kids
My daughter and I love shopping, and Newport has tons of great places to shop. From the Brick Market Place to the Wharf area near Newport Harbor, (Bannister’s Wharf and Bowen Wharf), you’ll find tons of quaint shops and art galleries. Shops are located started in the Thames Street area through America’s Cup Avenue.
Some of the shops are of the chain store variety, while others are unique boutiques and gift shops or kitschy souvenir shops. If you enjoy shopping, definitely spend some time wandering around these boutiques.
Rail Explorers
Rail Explorers are one of the newer activities in the Newport area. Officially located in Portsmouth, RI (still on Aquidneck Island in Newport County), Rail Explorers are pedal-powered and run on unused train tracks.
All of the Rail Explorer trips are guided tours, and reservations are recommended. Quad and tandem explorers are offered, and if you have an uneven number, you can also book a VIP seat with the guide.
Rail Explorers run from April through November, and in July and August, two different routes are offered. The Southern Circuit is a special July and August-only trip that runs at 8:30am and 6:30pm.
Both routes are about 90 minutes, although Rail Explorers recommends that you reserve about two hours. Expect it to take about 20-25 minutes by car to get to the check-in point in Portsmouth from downtown Newport.
Sailing Excursion
You can’t leave Newport without riding on a boat, and Classic Cruises of Newport offers rides on both the Schooner Madeline and the speedboat Rum Runner II. During our recent trip, we took an afternoon trip on the Madeline, a 72-foot schooner.
Our ride was especially windy, and the captain recommended a morning or early evening sailing tour for those who prefer a smoother sail.
If you do take a ride on the sailboat, I’d suggest sitting towards the interior of the ship for a more secure spot. You may want to consider this only for older kids, as the ride may be too rough for younger kids.
You can reserve your spot on either of the ships online, and boarding is right on Bowen’s Wharf in the downtown area of Newport.
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Tennis fans will love visiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which is located on Bellevue Avenue in Newport. Audio tours and guided tours are offered at different times during the day, and there are some special features that will appeal specifically to children. There are also grass courts available for rental.
Kids 12 and under are offered free admission, while adult admission is $20. During mid/late July, the Hall of Fame is home to the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, so definitely check the schedule before planning your visit. The Hall isn’t open to the public during that time.
Newport Beaches With Kids
Newport is known for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the area, so if your visit takes place during the summer, definitely plan a beach day. There are several sandy beaches in the surrounding area. If you are driving, arrive early, as many of the parking lots fill up early.
Easton’s Beach, also known as First Beach, is the only ocean-front beach in Newport. It’s located right near the Cliff Walk and is also home to the Save the Bay Exploration Center and Aquarium. This aquarium offers over 40 species that are native to the Narragansett Bay area, including a touch tank.
Fort Adams State Park
Fort Adams State Park has beautiful views of Narragansett Bay and is home to an impressive fortress. In addition to standard state park features, like picnic areas, seasonal concessions, and a visitor center, the park also offers guided tours. For families with older kids, consider taking the 2.25-mile walk around the park to see the exterior of the fortress.
Fort Adams State Park is also home to some live music festivals. These include the popular Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival.
The actual ride to Fort Adams State Park is a scenic drive that is beautiful in the summer. Be sure to take in the view. Start your ride at Ocean Drive by Bellevue Avenue.
Norman Bird Sanctuary
During my recent trip to Newport, RI, I stayed at the Paradise Farmhouse right on the property of the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Officially located in Middletown, RI, about 15 minutes from downtown Newport, the 325-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary offers seven miles of trails for all ability levels. Guided hikes and specialized programs are also available.
If you have older children, consider hiking to Hanging Rock, a popular puddingstone rock formation that offers beautiful views. It’s a challenging walk, so make sure your kids are old enough (and are wearing appropriate footwear).
Cliff Walk/Purgatory Chasm
The Newport Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile walking trail, passes by some of the popular sites in Newport, including the Newport Mansions. It is a beautiful place for a leisurely stroll and is one of the most popular Newport activities with kids. There are several access points, and you can turn around at any point, so you don’t need to complete the full 3.5 miles roundtrip.
Down the road in Middletown, RI is Purgatory Chasm RI (not to be confused with the larger attraction in Massachusetts with the same name). If you’ve got older children, it’s a beautiful spot to stop off and admire. There’s a small lot to park in, and it’s a short walk down to the viewing area.
Trolley Tours
Want to take a guided tour of Newport, RI? Newport Trolley Tours offers a variety of options, including mansion tours and scenic tours. You can purchase tickets online (up to 48 hours ahead of time) or at the Newport Visitors Center. Discounted tickets are available for children.
Where to Eat in Newport
During your Newport vacation, you’ll definitely want to visit some of the delicious restaurants that Newport has to offer. While there are lots of great options, one of my favorites is the Top of Newport Bar + Kitchen located on the top of the Hotel Viking. (one of the best hotels in Rhode Island).
Go on a Monday where you can enjoy Craft Burger & Draft Beer specials, or on a Tuesday, where you can enjoy Taco-Rita Tuesday. Another fun rooftop spot is at the Grace Vanderbilt which offers absolutely stunning views of Newport.
Bowen’s and Bannister’s Wharves offer many delicious restaurants, including Diego’s, a Mexican restaurant with lots of outdoor seating, and the Wharf Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar, which boasts a full menu of tater tots.
One of my all-time favorites is the Brick Alley Pub in Brick Market Place. They offer a huge menu with lots of options. Another great pick is Pasta Beach, located on Memorial Drive in Newport. It’s a small restaurant, but they have delicious pasta, as the name would indicate.
You can also find ice cream, snacks, fresh seafood, and other delicious food at many of the restaurants along America’s Cup Avenue.
If you’d like to head out of Newport, Newport Vineyards, which is actually in Middletown, RI, offers two restaurants, as well as beautiful vineyard grounds. Visit during one of their evening events, where you can enjoy a glass of wine or wine tasting out by the vines.
To learn about more activities in Newport and the surrounding area, visit the Discover Newport website.
Have you been to Newport? What are your favorite things to do in Newport RI with kids?
