Big Weekend in Newport 50+ Fun Things to Do

Saturday, October 03, 2020

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Team

The weather is expected to be beautiful in Newport this weekend and the folks at Discover Newport have identified a range of great things to do to have some great fun.  

Take a look.            

On the Water Boating & Sailing

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12 Meter Charters: Sailing available for private charters and ticketed sails. The fleet of America's Cup 12-Meters charters now includes Columbia the 1958 America's Cup winner, Nefertiti designed by legendary sailor Ted Hood, and American Eagle a 1964 contender and Ted Turner's 1979 Fastnet winner. Tickets & info visit 12Meteryachtcharters.com (401)851-1216. Newport

• Adirondack II: Step aboard a classic Schooner for ticketed day sails, romantic sunset sail, or private yacht charter. All harbor tours are 90 minutes and beverages provided. Visit Sail-newport.com (401)847-0000 for info and tickets.  Newport
• Amazing Grace Harbor Tours: One Hour scenic cruise offers close-up views of the Newport Bridge, Rose Island Lighthouse, Fort Adams, and the Mansions, spectacular panoramas of the bay.  For tours and ticket info visit AmazingGraceNewport.com. (401)847-9190 Newport
• America's Cup Charters: Sail on America’s Cup-winning yachts.  Step aboard the illustrious 2-time America’s Cup winner Intrepid, or her 1970 competitor Heritage.  Take the helm of JFK’s favorite, the 1962 Cup winner Weatherly. Onawa, a 1928 classic beauty, rounds out our fleet of four 12 Meters yachts.  Our fleet is available for Private Charter for your guests or buy a daily Ticketed Sails with others.  For reservations (401)849-5868 or AmericasCupCharters.com Newport
• Schooner Aquidneck: A majestic Tall-Ship sailing experience. Daily scheduled public sailing, sunset sails, and private charters. View seaside estates, world-famous yachts, the rocky shoreline against the picturesque city of Newport. Visit Sightsailing.com or call (401) 849-3333. Newport
• Schooner Aurora: Climb aboard the 101’ Schooner Aurora, tall ship, where you’ll witness breathtaking views of Newport and Jamestown as you sail around Narragansett Bay. Public sails offered:  Lobster Boil & Sunset Sail (Wednesday & Sunday) thru 10/11, Wine & Cheese Sail (Monday)thru 10/12, Friday Night Live Sail thru 10/9, and Mimosa & Bloody Mary Sail (Sunday morning) thru 10/11. Schooner Aurora is perfect for Rehearsal Dinners, Pre & Post Wedding sails, Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties & Corporate sails. Call (401) 849-6683 or online at Newportexperience.com. Newport
• Coastal Queen: Come aboard the new vessel and enjoy a one-hour Scenic Bay Cruise around magnificent Newport Harbor. Wine & Cheese Tastings, Scenic and Sunset themed cruises. masks required. Visit ConanicutMarina.com for tickets & info. (401)423-9900 Newport.
• Fish' n Tales Adventure: Weekends come aboard the fishing vessel Northeastern on a memorable adventure in Narragansett Bay.  Choose either a Lobstering or a Fishing trip. Board vessel on Bowen’s Wharf.  No dogs allowed. Check Fishntalesadventures.com for tickets info. (401)619-4431 Newport
• Gansett Cruises: Offering daily 90-minute narrated boat tours & sunset cruises on Narragansett Bay. Enjoy a scenic tour of Newport and Jamestown, with complimentary local food and drink.  Visit Gansettcruises.com (401)787-4438 for ticket info. Newport
• Madeline: Offering 90 min harbor tours aboard our Classic 72- foot schooner. Scenic day and champagne sunset sails. For tickets and info  visit CruiseNewport.com .  (401)847-0298 Newport

 

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  Prov-Newport Ferry

  Providence-Newport Ferry: Ferry departs daily from Providence at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 8 pm. Arrives in Newport at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm and 9 pm including weekend service to Bristol. Schedule changes on and after Labor Day.  To check schedule and make reservations visit Ridethebayri.com in advance as capacity will be limited. 800-262-8743 Newport
• Rum Runner II: A restored 1929 rum runner motor-yacht. Get a taste of the prohibition era. Visit CruiseNewport.com or call (401)847-0298 for tickets and info. Newport
• Sail Newport:  Try Sailing at Sail Newport. Our J/22 Sailboats are ready to rent, so call the Sail Newport Dock Office at (401) 849-8385.  SailNewport.org for details. Newport. 
• Sightsailing of Newport: Offering daily sailing and private charters aboard three different vessels. Visit Sightsailing.com for tickets, tours, and availability of our boats.  (401) 849-3333 Newport

 

 

On the Land

• Fort Adams Tours: Open Daily for Self-Guided Tours on weekdays from10am-3pm, and weekends Saturday 10am-2pm, Sunday10am-4pm. Guided Tours on Saturday & Sunday at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Info and tickets at FortAdams.org (401)841-0707 Newport
• Ghost Tours of Newport: Take a 90- minute lantern-led evening stroll down historic Newport’s shadowy lanes, and discover the ghosts, ghouls, and legends of our haunted city by the sea. Minimum groups of 15 people or less, masks required. Tours offered Thursday thru Monday at 8:00 pm. Full schedule and tickets available at Ghostsofnewport.com.  (401)841-8600 Newport
• The International Hall of Fame Tennis Club: Newly resurfaced grass courts are open to the public.  Call 401-849-4777 to reserve your court time. TennisFame.com Newport
• Newport Foodies Stroll: The stroll offers a 1.75mile walking food tour. Learn about Newport and try the cuisine from five of the best locally-owned restaurants. The tour runs rain or shine from Wednesday thru Saturday. All tours begin at 11:30am and last 2.5-3 hours. For info & tickets call (401)619-3019 or visit Newportfoodiesstroll.com.  Newport
• Newport History Walking Tours/Newport Historical Society: Walking tours on Fri & Sat at 11am: Discover Colonial Newport on Oct. 2 &23.  Road to Independence, Oct. 3, People of the Past, Oct. 9, Common Burying Ground on Oct. 31.  Visit NewportHistory.org for info, and advanced tickets. (401)846-0813 Newport
• Newport & Narragansett Bay Dinner Train: Various themed tours available, Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays at 6pm.  Visit Trainsri.com for tour tickets and info. 401-295-1203 Portsmouth
• Newport Travel Tours: Enjoy a fully narrated 90 min. tour “Best of Newport” scenic overview covers over 100 points of interest.  Or the “Best of Newport Plus” 3-hour tour with a mansion.  Visit TourServicesNewport.com for schedules &themed tour tickets. (401)207-6762 Newport
• Rail Explorers: Tours daily, visit RailExplorers.net for times and reservations. Booking ahead is strongly recommended, limited seats available, tours sell out quickly. 877-833-8588 Portsmouth.
• Scooter World: Offering a variety of vehicles to rent ranging from bicycles to the new 3-wheeled scooter, & Scoot coupes. Daily 9 am-7 pm. Visit ScooterWorldRI.com. (401)619-1349 Newport
• Viking Tours of Newport: Take a 90-min. narrated tour of Newport’s historic buildings, restored homes with over 150 points of interest. The rugged beauty of Ten-Mile Ocean Drive to the mansions along Bellevue Avenue. Tours offered daily. Visit VikingtoursNewport.com. (401)847-0659 Newport

 

In the Air

Newport Helicopter Tours: Offering charters, themed tours; mansion, island, lighthouse, sunset island and more. COVID -19 Health safety protocols in place.  Guests required to wear masks. Reservations at NewportHelicopterTours.com or (401) 843-8687. Middletown

Sky Dive Newport: The Premier skydiving center in New England. We strive to provide our guests with the safest, highest quality skydiving experience available at the most competitive price possible. Open daily from 9am to sunset. For reservations and information visit SkyDiveNewport.com or call (401)845-0393.   Middletown

 

In Nature

• Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium: Open Thurs-Sun from 9:30 -3 pm. Advanced registration for timed ticket entry is required, visit ASRI.org. Nature Shop open from 9:30am-4:30pm, tickets not required.  Trails and the Pollinator Garden remain open from dawn to dusk. (401) 949-5454 Bristol
• Blithewold Mansion: Your self-guided visit includes unlimited strolling through the Gardens and Grounds. Interpretive panels throughout the property tell the story of the Van Wickle family and the estate they loved.  Visit Blithewold.org to pre-register for timed tickets. Mask required. Visitor Center Gift shop & bathrooms open Tuesday-Sunday.    (401)253-2707 Bristol
• The Blue Garden: The notable gardens created by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. remain a unique expression of landscape art. The 60-minute tour is only open on Thursdays. Prior reservations required, and to check availability & purchase tickets visit theBlueGarden.org/visiting before your visit. Parking is very limited.  Face coverings required. No public restrooms available. Newport
• Cliff Walk: Newport's most popular coastal trail is open. When walking the Cliff Walk, keep 6ft distance or more, from other walkers.  We ask that you carry out any trash you bring, and please pick-up after your dog and keep them on a leash. Note: Cliff Walk restrooms are open daily from 8am to 7pm, cleaned hourly.  Face masks required Newport.
• Coggeshall Farm Museum: Open Thurs-Sun from 10 am- 4pm. Set on 48 acres of coastal farmland the farm recreates the daily experience of tenant farmers on a late 18th-century salt marsh farm through live interpretation, historic structures, heirloom plants, and heritage-breed animals. For tickets & info visit CoggeshallFarmMuseum.org KIDS FREE admission till Labor Day. (401)253-9062 Bristol
• Colonial Jewish Walking Tours/Touro Synagogue: Walking tour offered on a day by day basis in September at 11:30 am and are limited to 6 people per tour.  Tours take approximately 45 minutes.  Visit Tourosynagogue.org or call (401)847-4794.   Newport
• Escobar’s Highland Farm Corn Maze: Get lost in our new 8- acre corn maze. Open Fri- thru Sun from 10am until dusk. This 21st year’s corn maze design is a tribute, a nod to our local farmers, who have been hit hard by the COVID pandemic. Dogs permitted if leashed. Advance tickets can be purchased online and receive a $1 discount, only cash is accepted at the corn maze.  For tickets & info visit Escobarfarm.com (401) 683-1444 Portsmouth
• Green Animals Topiary Garden: Open daily from 10 am until sunset, last admission at 6 pm. The oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States. The 7-acre estate overlooks the Narragansett Bay. It contains a large collection of topiaries including eighty sculptured. Visit NewportMansions.org for more information.  Portsmouth (401)847-1000
• Newport Equestrian Trail Rides: Offering a beautiful beach trail ride! Take a 1-2hour trail ride, with miles of beach that you can ride along the water’s edge at this time of year! More information call (401)837-4188 or visit NewportEquestrian.com Middletown
• Norman Bird Sanctuary: Trails open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Buy trail passes online at NormanbirdSanctuary.org or by phone (401)846-2577 before hiking. NBS staff in Welcome Center. Masks required, maintain six feet of distance between other parties. No public restrooms available. $3. No dogs allowed.  Middletown
• Bird walks at the Norman Bird Sanctuary: Check out the many bird species, from soaring red-tailed hawks to tiny hovering hummingbirds. Learn how to identify common year-round residents and seasonal migrants.  All bird levels welcome. Binoculars helpful but not required. FREE, no registration required.  Meet in main parking lot. Sun. Oct. 4 and 18 from 8-10am (401)846-2577
• Stroll the Gardens and Grounds: The Newport Preservation Society of Newport County’s specialty tour.  Visitors can NOW picnic on the historic landscapes of The Breakers, The Elms and Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth. Tickets include outdoor only access to the three locations. Visit NewportMansions.org for more information. (401)847-1000
• Quonset View Farm: Pick your own pumpkin, weekends in October from 9am-5:30pm. Located at 895 Middle Road (401) 683-1254 Portsmouth
• Rocky Brook Orchard: Now Open-Pick your own apples U-pick hours; Sat-Sun. 10am-4:30pm. Seniors 9-10am. No pets allowed. Visit Rockybrookorchard.com (401)851-7989 Middletown
• Sweet Berry Farm Market & Cafe: Pick your own apples. Open daily from 9am-6pm (401)847-3912 Visit SweetBerryFarmRI.com Middletown
• Touro Synagogue Grounds: Public access to the grounds and outdoor history presentations by guides. Sun-Thurs 11:00 AM to 2:00PM. Presentations limited to 15 people; no on-site bathrooms available.  Synagogue and Loeb Center buildings remain Closed. Reservations not necessary, no fee to view grounds but donations accepted. 401-847-4794 Newport 

 

Beaches

Easton's Beach/First Beach: Beach parking will remain in effect until Oct. 31, with self -pay parking kiosks.  No lifeguards on duty, restrooms and snack bar will remain open through the Columbus Day weekend- Oct. 10, 2020.   Bathhouses, carousel, and aquarium are closed.  CityofNewport.com. Newport

Sachuest Beach/Second Beach: Open daily, no Lifeguards will be provided. Main pavilion will be closed to the public. Beach patrons are asked to follow the “carry in, carry out” policy and to take their trash with them. Visit  MiddletownRI.com for more info.  Middletown

 

Arts & Culture

Jamestown Arts Center: New Exhibit: Case Rising a contribution to the potential change we hope to see in America, we hope the exhibition will stand as a strong testament to Rhode Island’s commitment and resolve to be a part of that change. Open Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 11am to 3pm and Thursdays 4-7 pm. or by calling Exhibition Director at (401)285-6925. Admission to the JAC galleries is free. Max of 10 visitors at any one time.

Newport Art Museum: Enjoy our new and continuing exhibitions, beautiful campus, and historic buildings. Art offers a wonderful respite from the daily stress and anxiety. Please take note of our new safety guidelines before arriving. Open Tues-Sat 10 AM to 4 PM and Sundays from 12 noon-5 PM. Masks required. Newportartmuseum.org (401)848-8200 Newport

 

Cider Mills, Breweries & Vineyards

• Greenvale Vineyards:  Tasting room closed but offering curbside take-away and wine deliveries within 35 miles of the vineyard. Grab and fill a picnic basket, take-away a bottle of wine and reserve your picnic spot in the vineyard Fri-Sun. Call 401-847-3777 info. Greenvale.com Portsmouth.

Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling: Tasting Room and Pavilion have been updated to allow more space and are now open at 50% capacity. Reservations required & no walk-ins are allowed. Our new hours are Mon-Thurs 12 - 7 pm Fri- Sun 12- 8 pm. NewportCraft.com (401)849-5232 Newport

·       Newport Vineyards: Welcome back to the vineyard. Now offering Winery Flight Tastings with table reservations in the Tank Room and Outdoor Patio.  Indoor Tasting room is still closed.  Brix restaurant is offering take out for both beer, wine, and food with curbside pickup.   Call in at (401)848-5161 or visit NewportVineyards.com. Looking for a gift, be sure to check out the great shopping in their Marketplace. Middletown

·       Sowams Cider Works: Tastings now available in our Outdoor Seating Area, Thursday, Friday & Saturdays from 2pm-8pm, Sun from 12-5pm. Reservations Required. Visit SowamsCiderWorks.com or call (401)252-6104 Warren

·      ​Taproot Brewing Co: Taproot Beer tasting flights, “glasses”, pints and Brix Outdoors bites, now available. Mon-Sat 11am-8pm; Sunday 11am-6pm.TapRootbeer.com Reservations are required. (401)848-5161 Middletown

*Best to visit the attractions website as schedules, times, tours, and ticket info as they are subject to change.

For more info visit our website DiscoverNewport.org for a round-up of the many special events throughout our nine coastal communities.

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