12 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Newport, Rhode Island - Updated 2024

Linda
Linda 
Updated
| 5 min read

Nestled on Aquidneck Island in New England, Newport is a city in Rhode Island state. It is famous for some of the best historical buildings and sites to visit. Some of the most recommended places to tour in Newport include The opulent Breakers mansion, The Marble House, which is a Beaux-Arts style mansion, The Cliff Walk Beach, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which is a historic sports club, and if you are looking for something that will engage you for some time you can try a two-hour Newport Harbor sail aboard former American cup yacht or a Newport Harbor sightseeing cruise. Just choose among the hotels or Vrbo rentals for your accommodation needs first and you’re good to go. Come and check out these best non-touristy things to do in Newport, Rhode Island.

1. Enjoy a sightseeing trolley ride

A trolley ride is always a fun thing to do. Enjoy a three-hour-long ride as you journey back in time exploring the scenic views and getting to see the Marble House, Rosecliff or the Breakers. Get an amazing overview of Bellevue Avenue and the Ocean Drive as you get to enjoy the privilege of visiting the spectacular coastal scenery and the exclusive neighbourhoods onboard a cosy trolley, as you get to learn some of the facts and history of Newport.

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Newport Viking Trolley Tour with The Breakers and Marble House

Duration: 4 hours

235 reviews

2. Take a ghost walk in the Old Town (from USD 20.0)

If you believe in the supernatural and you are not afraid of trying to capture a glimpse of a gust then taking a ghost walk in the Old Town might just be the thing for you. This tour will take you approximately one hour to complete and it is not for the faint-hearted. This tour is one of the most popular tours in Rhode Island and it is always flocked with believers. You will get to visit some of the most haunted and oldest locations in Newport, where you will get to capture some sightings on your camera or phone.

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Olde Town Ghost Walk

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

5 reviews

3. Enjoy the serene atmosphere and beautiful views at Gooseberry Beach

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The small Gooseberry Beach, which is set in a cove, offers the perfect escape from the crowds in Newport. The public beach boasts clean sand and low tide, making it an ideal place for enjoying a quiet time. While here, you can enjoy some quick bites from the snack bar. Furthermore, to ensure public safety, a lifeguard is stationed every day between 9am and 5pm.

However, keep in mind that the beach does not allow walk-on access and charges a 30 USD fee to park your vehicles.

Gooseberry Beach

Address: Newport, Rhode Island

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4. Spend a day at Brenton Point State Park

Brenton Point State Park, Newport Rhode Island
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kenneth C. Zirkel used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Brenton Point State Park is an 89-ac (36 ha) coastal park providing some of the most magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. Apart from the landscape, locals visit the park for recreational activities, such as fishing and picnicking, making it one of the top attractions in Newport, Rhode Island.

For the comfort of the visitors, restroom facilities are available on the premises between May and October. To make it even better, the park is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry companions along to enjoy the charming outdoors.

Brenton Point State Park

Address: Ocean Drive, Newport, RI 02840, United States

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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5. Enjoy a refreshing massage at The Bodhi Spa

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Once in a while, it is good to spend some time just alone doing something that you have planned to do but hardly ever find the time to do. Enjoying a refreshing massage at The Bodhi Spa is one of the ways of relaxing your body. Did you know that other than relaxing your body, massages help reduce muscle tension? You can also decide to take one of the therapeutic massages offered to enhance your physical and emotional well being and also to reduce your muscular tension while leaving you rejuvenated and feeling fresh and ready to tackle anything that comes your way.

The Bodhi Spa

Address: 654 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840, USA

Website: The Bodhi Spa

Opening hours: Fri - Mon: 9am - 9pm; Wed & Thu: 9am - 9pm; (closed on Tues)

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6. Eat noodles at Boru Noodle Bar


Enjoy some personal time as you visit the Boru Restaurant to grab some delicious noodles. The aroma emanating from the kitchen will excite you, making you smile and giggle by yourself before asking for the menu. There are different options that will always satisfy you and as you wait for your sumptuous bowl of noodles to be prepared, you can order one of the amazing bites just to prepare your pallets for an amazing private meal before retiring to the comfort of your bed.

Boru Noodle Bar

Address: 36 Broadway Newport, Rhode Island

Website: Boru Noodle Bar

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11:30am - 10pm; (Closed on Mon)

Price: 11 - 30 USD

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7. Stroll along Newport Cliff Walk

Newport Cliff Walk
Source: Photo by Flickr user Eric Savage used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Sometimes taking a walk alone helps to clear your thoughts and other times it can help relax your body. Enjoying a nice relaxing stroll along the Newport Cliff walk is one of the ways to go about it. What makes the Newport Cliff walk one of the best locations to enjoy a stroll is a calming element as you find your way to the historic mansions and privately owned home overlooking the coastal stretch. The ocean beach and the beautiful flowers will always be a perfect sight. Afterwards, you can reward yourself and satisfy your cravings at one of the seafood restaurants or waterfront dining spots in the area.

Newport Cliff Walk

Address: Newport, RI 02840, USA

Website: Newport Cliff Walk

Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset

Price: Free

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8. Check out the Swiss Village Farm

SVF Foundation
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Johnston, Frances... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Open only once a year, visiting The Swiss Village Farm could just be one of the best things to do on your free time, so you need to keep an eye on an opening day because if you miss it, you have to wait for another year and maybe by then you may not have the chance to visit this amazing place. There is a total of 15 places that you can visit in the Swiss Village in Newport, Rhode Island. This includes the infirmary, large conference rooms, workshops, procedures laboratory, animal facilities, and offices.

Swiss Village Farm

Address: 152 Harrison Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA

Website: Swiss Village Farm

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9. Visit Carey Mansion

CareyMansion
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user MccullarsJ used under CC BY 2.5

Constructed in the 1920s, Carey Mansion also known as Seaview Terrace is located on Ruggles Avenue, just near the Cliff walk in Newport. It was a privately owned mansion, used as a student dormitory and housed an academic facility, but it recently changed into a private residence. This historic building has so much to offer and you do not have to be a tourist to enjoy sightseeing at this amazing and historic building. A couple of photos of this amazing property will not hurt either.

Carey Mansion

Address: 207 Ruggles Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA

Website: Carey Mansion

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10. Drink while enjoying the views of Newport Harbor at Fluke Wine Bar

Editor’s note: This establishment is permanently closed.


Enjoying a drink while at the same time enjoying scenic views and feeling the breeze on your face is always a relaxing thing to do. You don’t have to visit popular sites or engage in active activities to enjoy yourself. The Fluke Wine Bar and Kitchen is the perfect place to be. Not only will you get amazing drinks to sip as you relax, but you can also decide to spend the better part of your day just chilling, and if by any chance you get hungry, you can order one of the delicious meals on the menu.

Fluke Wine Bar

Address: 41 Bowens Wharf, Newport, RI 02840

Website: Fluke Wine Bar

Opening hours: Thur: 5pm - 12am; Fri & Sat: 4pm - 12am; (closed on Sun - Wed)

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11. Explore Audrain Automobile Museum

Audrain Building Newport
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kenneth C. Zirkel used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you are a fan of the automobile industry then checking out the Audrain Automobile Museum would make for one of the more unique things to do in Newport, Rhode Island. Get to see some of the most amazing and highly valued vehicles and learn about their history and evolution to modern day vehicles. You will get to see different vehicles manufactured by different companies and if you are a fan of motorcycles, there’s no need to worry because you will find exhibits that will blow your mind. This museum opens daily, giving you the chance to visit any day you are available.

Audrain Automobile Museum

Address: 222 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840

Website: Audrain Automobile Museum

Opening hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm (daily)

Price: Adults: 15 USD; Seniors: 10 USD; Students: 10 USD; Children (6 - 17yrs): 8 USD

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12. Marvel at the Belcourt Castle


Belcourt Castle is one of the amazing historic sites to visit. It was built in 1894 and it has a Gothic décor and French Renaissance. This amazing piece of architecture was famous for its huge stables and carriage incorporated to the main house. The building is nestled on Bellevue Avenue and it has a total of 60 rooms. The tour in this amazing building may be a lengthy one, but it’s worth your time as you get to see some of the best historic artefacts in the museum.

Belcourt Castle

Address: 657 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA

Website: Belcourt Castle

Opening hours: Fri: 11am - 4pm; Sat: 11am - 5:30pm; Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed on Mon - Thur)

Price: Adults: 17.50 USD; Children: 8 USD

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The perfect activity

You don’t have to move all over the county as a tourist to visit places you have never seen. Newport has so much more to offer, including romantic things to do for couples. As it is said, charity begins at home, there are so many things to do but little time to do them all. At least now you have a bucket list of non-touristy things and activities in Newport that you can check off your list.

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Frequently asked questions about the best non-touristy things to do in Newport


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Linda is a free-spirited writer with an insatiable love for exploration, a passion for discovering new places, and a strong desire to experience new things while constantly seeking to learn....Read more

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