Newport Family Summer Getaway

Newport in summer is an amazing place to bring your family. The sheer variety of attractions and things to do guarantees that everyone will find something to love.

EDUCATIONAL

Start with educational attractions that appeal to visitors of all ages. While all of the Newport Mansions offer insight into America’s Gilded Age, The Breakers is the most iconic and a top choice for families. The mansion offers a Family Audio Tour designed specifically for children, encouraging them to imagine daily life inside the Vanderbilt summer “cottage.” Adults can listen to the standard self-guided audio tour, which follows the same route and pacing, making it easy for families to explore together while enjoying age-appropriate storytelling.

Another must-visit attraction is the International Tennis Hall of Fame, located in downtown Newport. The museum traces the history of tennis through interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and multimedia displays. Visitors can learn about the sport’s evolution and its most influential players through engaging, family-friendly experiences.

For those interested in military history, Fort Adams State Park sits at the entrance to Newport Harbor and was once designed to be the most heavily armed fort in the United States. Visitors can explore portions of the fort on a self-guided basis or join an hour-long guided tour that spans from the ramparts at the top of the fort down to the underground tunnels. The park also offers expansive views of Narragansett Bay and the Newport Bridge.

Families can continue their educational journey at the Newport Car Museum, which showcases a private collection of more than 95 automobiles spanning seven decades of automotive design. The museum presents cars as works of art while highlighting innovation and industrial history. Additional features include racing simulators, a collection of Mid-Century Modern furniture, and full accessibility throughout the facility.

OUTDOOR FUN

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in and around Newport and Aquidneck Island. A popular stop for families, especially those traveling with young children, is Green Animals Topiary Garden in nearby Portsmouth. It is the oldest topiary garden in the United States and features more than 80 sculpted trees and shrubs shaped into animals and whimsical figures.

From Portsmouth, visitors can continue their outdoor adventure with Rail Explorers Newport. This seasonal attraction offers pedal-powered rail bike tours along a former railroad corridor, providing scenic views of Narragansett Bay in a relaxed, eco-friendly setting.

On the return trip toward Newport, travelers can stop in Middletown at Norman Bird Sanctuary. This nonprofit wildlife sanctuary and environmental education center spans approximately 325 acres and includes more than seven miles of walking and hiking trails through grasslands, forests, wetlands and coastal habitats. It is a popular destination for birdwatching, nature walks and family-friendly outdoor exploration.

Newport’s beaches are open seasonally and provide a variety of coastal experiences. Easton’s Beach, also known as First Beach, is the city’s most well-known and family-friendly option, offering a wide sandy shoreline, restrooms, concessions and a historic carousel. Sachuest Beach, commonly called Second Beach, located in Middletown, is popular for swimming, surfing and bodyboarding, while Third Beach in Middletown offers calmer waters that are well suited for families, paddleboarding and kayaking.

Additional outdoor highlights include kite flying and sweeping ocean views at Brenton Point State Park, scenic coastal walks along public access points throughout Newport, and sunsets along Narragansett Bay.

TOURS

Newport offers a wide range of guided tours that provide insight into the city’s history, culture and coastal heritage. The Newport Historical Society presents seasonal and year-round walking tours that explore Newport’s past with expert guides. These tours include themed experiences such as colonial history, Revolutionary War stories and neighborhood explorations, departing from the Museum of Newport History at the Brick Market or the Colony House in Washington Square. Reservations are recommended as group sizes are limited.

Visitors interested in the city’s spookier side can also take ghost tours that run throughout the year. These after‑dark walking tours mix local folklore with haunted history as guides lead groups through Newport’s historic districts, sharing eerie tales from more than three centuries of the city’s past.

For a narrated overview of the city, Viking Trolley Tours offers sightseeing tours aboard classic, open-air trolleys. These guided tours provide an accessible introduction to Newport’s landmarks, neighborhoods and waterfront, making them popular with first-time visitors.

Spending time on the water is an essential part of the Newport experience. Sailing options include scenic schooner cruises aboard vessels such as Aurora, Madeleine and Adirondack II, which offer daytime and sunset sails through Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. Visitors looking for a more hands-on experience can also book fishing excursions with Fish’n Tales Adventures, which offers chartered trips suitable for both beginners and experienced anglers.

FOODIE FUN

Newport is a fantastic destination for families who love to eat well and have fun doing it. With so many casual, kid-friendly restaurants, every meal can feel like part of the adventure. Start the day at Hungry Monkey, where the colorful vibe and creative breakfast dishes are a hit with kids, or head to Mel’s Cafenio for hearty comfort food and breakfast served all day. Corner Café is perfect for families who want variety, offering a mix of Irish, Portuguese and West Coast flavors alongside classic American favorites. Annie’s on Bellevue is another easy all-day option, conveniently located near the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Audrain Car Museum.

For lunch, make it a true New England experience at Flo’s Clam Shack Drive-In in nearby Portsmouth, where fresh seafood, quick service and waterfront views keep things relaxed and fun. Back in downtown Newport, Drift Cafe on Thames Street is great for a lighter midday stop, with smoothies, bowls and breakfast items still on the menu — plus outdoor seating for easygoing people-watching.

When it’s time for dinner, families can’t go wrong with Brick Alley Pub, a beloved local favorite serving pub-style comfort food, fresh local seafood and plenty of kid-approved choices. Red Parrot adds a festive twist with Caribbean-inspired American cuisine, a solid kids’ menu and a fun photo op with Russell, the six-foot parrot. If you’re staying near Middletown, Mission Middletown keeps things simple and crowd-pleasing with burgers, hot dogs and other classics in a laid-back setting.

And of course, no family trip to Newport is complete without dessert. Kilwins draws kids in with chocolates, fudge and ice cream, Cupcake Charlie’s offers cupcakes, cake pops and vegan and gluten-free treats, and Cold Fusion Gelato serves all-natural Italian gelato and sorbet, plus dairy-free options. With so many welcoming, family-friendly spots, Newport makes it easy to keep everyone happy at every meal.