Aquidneck Island port community turned charming coastal city
Since it was settled in 1639 at the southern point of Aquidneck Island, Newport has grown from a coastal commercial hub into a leisure- and tourism-focused city with over 25,000 residents. Today, it’s best known for its palatial Gilded Age mansions and its walkable waterfront shopping and dining district. "There's so much to do and see when it comes to Newport," says Connor Dowd, a Realtor and Rhode Island resident. "On top of being an extremely historic area with some beautiful architecture, you've got food, beaches, museums and big events." As its "sailing capital of the world" nickname would suggest, Newport also has multiple boat access points on the Narraganset Bay waterfront. But what attracts visitors and residents most is how close these amenities are to each other. "The walkability of Newport is attractive for many of my clients," Dowd says. "When you're downtown, you don't have to drive to many different places, and this is a plus, especially when it gets busier during the summer."
Raise a glass and savor the sights and flavors of waterfront dining at Bowen's Wharf in Newport.
Take in a breathtaking aerial view of one of the magnificent mansions in Newport, RI.
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Cape Cods, true Colonials and more
Homes here date from the 17th century to today. The Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, built in 1697, is one of a few surviving Colonial homes in the city. Washington Street contains historic properties, including Colonial-era homes originally built by the Quakers. "I call this area The Point, and it has some of the oldest homes with incredible designs," Dowd says. Houses to the east have more modern additions but still feature classic New England architecture, including Cape Cods and Victorians. Some larger homes have also been converted into condos, creating multifamily units. The grandest homes on the island, collectively called the Newport Mansions, are found along Bellevue Avenue. Some are open to the public for tours, others are private residences. The 3.5-mile Cliff Walk trail follows the coast, offering a view of the ocean and many of the most prominent historic properties.
"You're looking at anything from $800,000 to $3 million, depending on how close you are to the water and which part of Newport you're in," Dowd says. According to the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, the median sale price is $1,362,500, nearly $900,000 above the median for the state. The market moves slowly here; homes are listed for an average of 73 days before going under contract, and there were less than 20 closed sales between January and August 2024.
This early 18th century colonial home is nestled among other historic homes in Newport, RI.
Fall in love with Newport's historic charm, where colonial homes create an inviting atmosphere.
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Boutique retail and restaurants in Narragansett Harbor
High-end shopping and dining establishments are clustered between Thames Street, Spring Street and Broadway, close to the Newport Visitor Information Center. "There's so much going on there, great places to try out," says Dowd. The Long Wharf Mall, an open-air plaza on the Narragansett Harbor, features boutique retail and coastal pub-style eateries. On Bellevue Avenue a few blocks east of the wharfs, there’s the Newport Art Museum, the Audrain Auto Museum and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Tennis Club, located in the Newport Casino athletic complex, hosted the first U.S. Open Men’s Singles Championship in 1881. While the contest outgrew Newport by 1914, the club’s courts — grass, clay and hard — are still in use today, open to both members and the public.
Breathe in the salty sea air as you explore Newport’s delightful Long Wharf Mall.
Enjoy Japanese cuisine and boba teas at Yagi in Newport's vibrant neighborhood.
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Battery Park and Easton Beach
Easton Beach, also known as First Beach, is a swimmable, sandy beach on Easton Bay. Occasionally, beachgoers report there being too much seaweed for swimmers. The snack bar and carousel are currently under renovation and are set to reopen in 2025. In the meantime, food trucks, restrooms and the playground remain available. The Cliff Walk trail is accessible from the east end of the beach. At Battery Park, locals walk their dogs or enjoy a glass of wine while watching the sunset. The city's western coastline is dotted with several marinas, including Newport Yacht Club and Newport Marina. True to its reputation as the Sailing City, Newport is known for its regular regattas. The annual Newport Regatta, held every July since 1984, draws sailors from around the country as participants and spectators.
According to Dowd, there are "too many events to list" in Newport. "There's always something happening, but some of the big ones are the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Folk Festival," he says. But the Newport Jazz Festival is what he calls the "mother of all events.” The multiday annual event started in 1954 and is held at Fort Adams State Park, on the southwest side of the island.
Experience the breathtaking natural beauty of Newport as you stroll along the Cliff Walk.
Soak up the sun with friends and families at Easton Beach, situated in Newport, RI.
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New high school building set to open in 2025
There are four schools in the Newport Public Schools system, including the Newport Area Career & Technical Center. The district earns a B-minus grade from Niche. Rogers High School features Career & Technology Program subjects ranging from cosmetology and visual arts to construction technology. Its Army JROTC program has been around for more than 100 years. The city broke ground on a new high school building in 2022, a project that is expected to be completed in September 2025.
St. George's School is a private, co-ed boarding school in nearby Middletown. Founded in 1896 as an Episcopal school, St. George's gets an A-plus from Niche, while the co-ed St. Michael's Country Day School, in Newport proper, gets an A-minus.
Salve Regina University's campus is on the east side of Newport. The private, Catholic university offers nearly 50 undergraduate programs and nine graduate programs. The U.S. Naval War College is on a small island at the northwest end of the city. The military college has been a fixture in Newport since 1884, and the Navy is the largest single employer on Aquidneck Island, thanks to a separate Naval training facility.
The Claiborne Pell Elementary School educates young minds in the Newport neighborhood.
Rogers High School in Newport has a hub and spoke design and is getting a new front building.
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Two ways off the island: ferry or bridge
Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority, or RIPTA, provides bus service throughout Newport and the surrounding island. Several routes include stops at Newport Hospital, one of the city's largest employers. There are only two ways off the island: by bridge or ferry boat. Rhode Island Route 138 runs west across Narragansett Bay from Newport toward Jamestown. The Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is in Warwick, about 26 miles northwest. On the north side of the island, the Sakonnet River Bridge connects east to Tiverton. Providence is about 37 miles, or an hour’s drive away, crossing the Sakonnet River Bridge and heading north to Interstate 195 in Massachusetts. Seastreak Ferries operates boat service between Providence and Newport between June and October.
Take the local RIPTA public transportation to Providence, near Newport City Hall in Newport, RI.
The Pell Bridge towers in Newport are among the tallest structures in Rhode Island.
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Low crime rates compared to Providence, flooding a risk
An FBI report states that there were 68 violent crimes and 537 property crimes committed in Newport in 2019. That's a decline from the previous year, when the FBI reported 85 violent and 600 property crimes. In August 2024, the Newport City Council agreed to the use of Flock license plate reader cameras in several areas. The city is also in the process of installing speed and traffic light cameras.
In general, Newport experiences four seasons: warm summers and chilly winters with some snow, though it's been several years since a heavy snowfall. Given its coastal location, flooding can be a concern here. Neighborhoods such as Ocean Drive, Historic Hill and Fifth Ward, in the west and southwest parts of the city, are at the highest risk of taking on water during storm surges. According to First Street flood maps, most of the city's risk is restricted to road access rather than residences.
Easton's Beach may be the most popular Newport beach and the Old Beach neighborhood is adjacent.
Municipal departments are represented with trucks at Newport's Broadway Street Fair.
Michele is an experienced, full time, licensed RI Realtor with decades of business experience and is eager to assist you in successfully purchasing or selling real estate with a high degree of competence, integrity and trustworthiness.
She loves all the variables in selling real estate, whether it be a small farm in Hopkinton, an oceanfront dream home in Narragansett, or a condo in northern RI, she can help you with your real estate needs. Michele's primary concentration is in the South County area which is essentially the entire southern part of the state and specifically Narragansett, North and South Kingstown, Charlestown, Richmond, Hopkinton and Westerly, yet she is ready, willing and able to assist anywhere in the state. She spent 28 years raising her family in the northern part of the state and is comfortable anywhere in this incredibly beautiful state. Thinking of relocating? Say YES to South County! Come see some of the most beautiful beaches the country has to offer.
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