The Newport area offers a wide array of incredibly diverse beaches. Whether you crave kid-friendly amenities, wave-riding thrills, or a quiet patch of sand, the seven spots below cover every mood—each within a short drive of Newport.
Easton’s Beach (First Beach)
Newport’s signature oceanfront starts where Memorial Boulevard meets the Cliff Walk, giving sun-seekers instant access to both sand and mansions. Day parking runs $25 on weekdays and $35 on weekends in 2025. The classic Twin Lobster Rolls that once drew lines at Easton’s snack bar now live exclusively at Salty’s, the concession arm of Second Beach, but there is a food truck service for Easton’s Beach and it even offers mobile ordering. Check out more on their site.
Gooseberry Beach
Tucked inside a rocky cove on Ocean Drive, Gooseberry is privately owned yet welcomes the public for a daily fee and offers a snack bar, rest-rooms, and on-site parking. Calm water and tide-pool boulders make it a hit with younger kids. Book parking online early, spaces sell out fast in peak season.
Fort Adams State Park Beach
History and harbor views converge on this 225-foot sandy pocket beneath America’s largest coastal fort. Parking and entry remain free, and lifeguards patrol during summer daylight. After a dip, follow the 2.5-mile Bay Walk loop for bridge panoramas or pay for a fort tour.
Longing for a trip to Newport? Check out hotel availability here!
King Park Beach
On Newport Harbor’s southern bend, King Park blends a small pebble beach with a lawn, playground, and rest-rooms. Concerts at the Rochambeau statue add live-music sunsets to the picnic lineup.
Second Beach (Sachuest Beach) – Pictured Above
Stretching nearly a mile along Sachuest Bay, Second Beach pairs soft sand with Rhode Island’s most dependable warm-season surf, according to Surfline’s spot guide. Dawn lessons and board rentals operate from Island Surf & Sport’s Surfer’s End cabana. Parking mirrors Middletown’s 2025 rate ($25 weekdays, $35 weekends), but you can skip the toll on RIPTA’s free Route 68 shuttle (service resumes 21 June 2025, circles roughly every 30–40 minutes, and stays fare-free through 31 October 2025). Salty’s concession midway down the boardwalk still slings those famed Twin Rolls.
Third Beach
Just east of Second, Third Beach trades surf for serenity. Resident-only lots keep crowd density low, though walkers and cyclists enter free year-round. Sheltered water suits paddleboards and kids’ swim lessons, and transient moorings can be reserved via Dockwa for boat-in picnics.
Hidden Nooks (Bailey’s, Hazard’s, Peabody’s)
Several picturesque coves along Ocean Drive are privately controlled; non-members may admire them only from roadside pull-outs. Respect local signage to avoid trespass fines.
Getting Around & 2025 Practicalities
- Transit: RIPTA’s Hop-On Hop-Off Routes 67 & 68 are free May 23–Oct 31; Route 67 arrives every ~20 minutes, while Route 68 runs about every 30–40 minutes.
- Parking Fees: Newport and Middletown both post $25–$35 daily rates; Third Beach remains resident-sticker-only. ripta.com
- Dogs: Most public beaches allow leashed dogs only at dawn during peak season—check municipal pages before arrival.
- Leave No Trace: Both towns enforce carry-in/carry-out trash rules after 6 p.m.; help keep the sands pristine.
