Explore Newport's storied mansions, past and present history-makers, as you take in walkable wonders just outside your door. World-class waterfront shopping, nightlife, cultural attractions, and dining abounds. Take your pick of chef-driven restaurants with outdoor patios, rooftop bars built for seaside sunsets, and Adirondack chairs on sprawling lawns that stretch out to the harbor.
From kid-friendly to fisherman-friendly, Newport's stretches of coastline are some of the most envied in New England. Families adore Easton's Beach (aka First Beach), King Park is picnic perfection, while Fort Adams is ideal for history buffs looking for outstanding views (and the fish tend to bite here, too). For hikes galore, head to Sachuest Point or the famed Newport Cliff Walk, and for beach fun with the kiddos, head over to Gooseberry Beach.
Newport is home to the many historic and cultural attractions, including Saint Mary’s Church, where U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy wed Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy in 1953, and the famed Hammersmith Farm, childhood home of Jacqueline Kennedy, and the location of their wedding reception. It is also the location of Touro Synagogue, the oldest synagogue building still standing in the United States, where George Washington once extolled the virtues of the freedom of worship, and Redwood Library and Athenaeum, the nation’s oldest lending library. Newport is also well known for the Newport Mansions, the meticulously maintained “summer cottages” from the Gilded Age, Salve Regina University, and Naval Station Newport, a vital naval base along the East Coast.
Salve Regina University is a private university in Newport, Rhode Island founded in 1934 by the Sisters of Mercy. Its 80-acre historical campus, bordering the coastal Newport Cliff Walk, is set on seven contiguous Gilded Age estates with 21 structures of historic significance. The university is home to the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy. Salve is also a member of the NCAA Division III athletics.
A vital and historic base in Newport, the Naval Station houses both the Naval War College and Naval Justice School, and is one of the most important and highly regarded bases in the United States Navy.
Water adventures and recreation abound in New England, and Newport is ideal for exploring a variety of sailing and outdoor activities. As the host of America's Cup for many years, Newport Harbor continues to be regarded as the sailboat racing capital of North America, still today. In fact, Newport expects to open the National Sailing Hall of Fame, a museum and education center that promotes sailing by preserving America's sailing legacy, in May 2022.
