Newport is brimming with opportunities for family fun, extending far beyond its renowned Gilded Age grandeur. The city offers a diverse array of attractions where children can explore, play, and learn, creating cherished memories that parents will equally enjoy. From sandy beaches and whimsical gardens to interactive museums and outdoor adventures, Newport provides engaging experiences for every age and interest.
Easton’s Beach (First Beach)
Easton’s Beach, locally known as First Beach, is Newport’s largest public beach, featuring a 3/4-mile stretch of sand with Atlantic-facing surf. It is a classic destination for a day of sun, sand, and waves, perfect for families looking to relax and play by the ocean.
The beach is conveniently located on Memorial Boulevard, right at the start of the famous Cliff Walk. In addition to the beach and boardwalk, Easton’s Beach hosts an annual Summer Concert Series, providing evening entertainment. Historically, the beach featured a carousel and snack bar, but these facilities have been removed due to after structural deterioration. The City of Newport is currently working on a new vision for the beach, focusing on sea level rise and resilience. In the meantime, there will be food trucks that will service Easton’s Beach. You can even mobile order here.
The beach is a super popular spot for families and it’s close to a lot of hotels in Newport, so you may choose to walk there. There are also casual dining options just across the street from the beach such as Tickets Bar & Grille and Atlantic Grille.
Newport Mansions (with Children’s Audio Tours & Green Animals Topiary Garden)
While often perceived as formal historical sites, many Newport Mansions offer features that make them surprisingly family-friendly, especially with specialized tours and unique gardens.
Children’s audio tours are specifically available at The Breakers and Marble House, designed to engage younger visitors with fun and accessible perspectives on the opulent estates. Additionally, the Green Animals Topiary Garden provides a whimsical and imaginative outdoor adventure, featuring over 80 sculpted trees and shrubs in various animal shapes that delight visitors of all ages. The mansions are generally open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Green Animals Topiary Garden operates daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM during its seasonal opening (typically May to September, then weekends). Admission is included in Newport Mansions ticket packages, with children aged 5 and under receiving free entry, and youth aged 6-12 benefiting from discounted tickets.
To enhance the experience, visitors should download the Newport Mansions audio tour application for the children’s tours and remember to bring their earbuds. Green Animals Topiary Garden is an excellent outdoor option for active children.
Save The Bay Hamilton Family Aquarium
The Save The Bay Hamilton Family Aquarium is a new, interactive marine science center that is perfect for children and adults alike to learn about the diverse marine life of Narragansett Bay through engaging exhibits and hands-on touch tanks.
The aquarium is located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. It is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. General admission is $15 per person, while children aged 2 and under are admitted free of charge. Discounts are also available for seniors and military personnel, and the aquarium participates in the “Museums for All” program, offering free admission to SNAP EBT cardholders. The aquarium is designed with accessibility in mind, being “Sensory Inclusive Certified” and featuring “Accessible Touch Tanks” with lower sidewalls to accommodate visitors using wheelchairs. The aquarium’s focus on “hands-on, interactive” experiences and “touch tanks” directly caters to children’s learning styles, making complex marine science concepts tangible and enjoyable.
Rail Explorers
Rail Explorers offers a truly unforgettable scenic ride along historic Aquidneck Island and the spectacular Narragansett Bay aboard custom-built, pedal-powered rail bikes. It provides an eco-friendly and active adventure for the entire family.
The attraction is located at 1 Alexander Road, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, just north of Newport. Rail Explorers operates seasonally from mid-April through October, with varying schedules: during spring and fall, there are typically four tours a day, four days a week, while in summer, operations expand to six tours a day, seven days a week. This unique, active way to experience scenic landscapes and coastal views is an adventure that combines exercise with sightseeing, making it perfect for energetic children and adults alike. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak season. Rail Explorers offers a truly unique “pedal-powered” experience that stands out from traditional tours. This active mode of sightseeing appeals to families seeking more than just passive observation, combining physical activity with scenic views.
Longing for a trip to Newport? Check out hotel availability here!
Norman Bird Sanctuary
The Norman Bird Sanctuary is a sprawling 325-acre wildlife refuge and environmental education center, featuring 7 miles of hiking trails that wind through diverse habitats and offer beautiful ridge vistas. It provides a serene escape into nature, ideal for families looking to connect with the outdoors.
The sanctuary is located at 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown, Rhode Island, just outside of Newport. The sanctuary features a Universally Accessible Trail that meets ADA standards, ensuring that visitors with mobility devices can fully participate and enjoy nature. Service dogs are permitted, but other pets are not allowed to protect the wildlife. This peaceful setting is perfect for hiking, bird watching, and general outdoor exploration. Children can enjoy discovering the various trails and learning about local wildlife.
Fort Adams State Park
Beyond the historic fort itself, the expansive Fort Adams State Park offers vast open spaces, scenic walking paths, and breathtaking views, making it an excellent destination for families to enjoy the outdoors.
The park is located on Fort Adams Drive in Newport, Rhode Island. It is open from sunrise to sunset. Activities within the park include the Fort Adams Bay Walk, a 2.5-mile loop around the perimeter offering stunning views of Newport Harbor and the Newport Bridge, as well as opportunities for picnicking, kite flying, and youth overnights. Park entry is free, though tours of the historic fort have separate fees. The park offers plenty of room for children to run around and play, combined with stunning vistas of the harbor and bridge, and a chance to explore military history. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the open spaces, as the Bay Walk is perfect for a leisurely stroll with ample photo opportunities.
Newport Car Museum (Family-Friendly Focus)
The Newport Car Museum, a vibrant institution showcasing over 95 classic and modern cars presented as works of art, is surprisingly engaging for all ages, with something to spark interest in every family member. The museum is located at 1947 West Main Road in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Children often find cars fascinating, and seeing such a diverse collection of unique and beautifully restored vehicles in one place is captivating. The museum’s modern design enhances the visual experience, making it enjoyable even for those not typically interested in automobiles. The museum serves as an excellent indoor activity option for a rainy day.
International Tennis Hall of Fame (Family-Friendly Focus)
The International Tennis Hall of Fame, a dynamic museum celebrating the history of tennis, is located in the historic Newport Casino and offers interactive exhibits that can engage younger visitors effectively. The Hall of Fame is situated at 194 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. The museum offers interactive displays and exhibits specifically designed to make the museum experience fun and educational for young visitors, including a “Roger Federer Experience” featuring a hologram. Children can enjoy the interactive elements, learn about famous athletes, and even try out some tennis activities.
Family Fun in Newport
| Attraction | Age Appeal | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Easton’s Beach | All ages | Sand, surf, boardwalk |
| Newport Mansions | 6+ (audio tours) | Grandeur, kid-friendly audio |
| Green Animals Topiary | All ages | Whimsical animal hedges |
| Save The Bay Aquarium | All ages | Touch tanks, marine life |
| Rail Explorers | Active families | Pedal-powered rail bikes |
| Norman Bird Sanctuary | All ages | Hiking trails, nature |
| Fort Adams State Park | All ages | Open space, bay views |
| Int’l Tennis Hall of Fame | 5+ (interactive) | Tennis history, holograms |
