Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Newport?

Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Newport?

Many travelers spend two to five days in Newport during their visit. After all, the seaside town has plenty to explore such as the beaches, the famous sights and museums, and the historic old town.

Newport is a charming coastal town in the state of Rhode Island. It has a longrunning history and it's filled with historic mansions that date back to the 1800s. The town's colonial past is heavily influenced by it's maritime roots and today the town is filled with yachts and boating enthusiasts.

Do you have one or two weeks to visit Newport? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one week enough time in Newport?

One week is more than enough time to see everything that Newport has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend two to five days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the beaches, the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the restaurant scene at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.

How to spend a week in Newport

The beautiful beaches await you in Newport, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Tucked in along the rocky coastline are many beautiful sandy beaches. You'll find popular and active beaches where you can lounge in a chair and people watch, as well as more secluded spots where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. The largest beach is Easton's Beach (also known as First Beach). Surfers and boaters enjoy Sachuest Beach (or Second Beach), and a less popular, but very rewarding beach is also King Park Beach.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Afternoon Grand Tour | Gansett Cruises in Newport, RI ($38)
  • Evening Voyage with Gansett Cruises in Newport, RI ($45)
  • Lighthouse and Mimosa Cruise of Narragansett Bay from Newport ($42)

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. Find a waterfront restaurant and enjoy fresh seafood and a charming atmosphere. Many restaurants are influenced by the town's Portuguese and Irish roots. You'll find classic pubs as well as brunch cafes and traditional taverns.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Newport Neighborhood Food Tour ($89)

Newport is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The town's downtown are compact and fun to explore on foot. There is a nice concentration of shops, restaurants, hotels and sights.

Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Newport a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The historic mansions and local museums educate visitors on the town's maritime past and colonial roots. Some of the more popular places to visit include The Breakers, The Elms Mansion, The Marble House, and Chateau-sur-mer Mansion.

This town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. There's a lively atmosphere in the evening with many pubs, taverns, and bars that keep the energy high.

Public transit in Newport is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. There are buses operated by RIPTA. You can visit most of the attractions in the downtown area by catching a ride on one of the classic green and gold hybrid trolley buses.

The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The Historic District is filled with colonial buildings and impressive mansions. There are cobblestone streets and a charming loop through the town's Old Quarter.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Newport Walking Food And History Tour ($95)
  • Newport Cliff Walk Self-Guided Walking Tour ($10)

Newport is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The coastal setting and charming architecture give it a lot of character.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Newport Sightseeing Boat Tour aboard Rum Runner II ($40)
  • Newport Cliff Walk Self-Guided Walking Tour ($10)
  • Newport Sunset Sail on Classic Sailboat ($55)

Shopping in Newport is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Walk along the charming cobblestone streets and pop in the many local boutiques and shops.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

Perhaps the most famous place in Newport is Thames Street, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

The small-town atmosphere of Newport is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It's a seaside town with colonial charm and character.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Private Newport, Rhode Island City Tour ($90)
  • Newport Downtown Historic Audio APP Self Guided Smart Phone Tour ($7)
  • Ocean Drive Historic District: A Newport Self-Guided Driving Tour ($10)

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

After you've explored most of Newport, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

Is 2 weeks enough time in Newport?

Two weeks is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Newport. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. You could also use Newport as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.

Newport, Rhode Island Newport, Rhode Island

How to spend 2 weeks in Newport

With 2 weeks in Newport, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Newport. Plenty of amazing options are available.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Newport. Plenty of amazing options are available.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Newport. Plenty of amazing options are available.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Newport. Plenty of amazing options are available.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Newport.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Newport, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

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