Parking in Newport Made Easy: Closest Lots by Attraction

Newport, Rhode Island is a traveler’s paradise with its stunning Cliff Walk, bustling Downtown area, and opulent mansions. However, all of the picturesque views and Gilded Age mansions attract a lot of tourists each year, which also means that parking in Newport can be quite stressful. This guide breaks down parking options based on these key attractions, so you can focus more on the adventure and less on where to leave your car.

1. Cliff Walk Parking

Easton’s Beach Lot: A Walk to the Cliff

• Location: Easton’s Beach, Memorial Boulevard
• Cost:
  • Weekdays: $25 per car
  • Weekends and Holidays: $35 per car
• Hours: Weekdays 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Weekends 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Why Choose This: Located near the starting point of Cliff Walk, it’s the perfect spot for beach and trail enthusiasts. It’s very close to Bellevue Avenue.

Paid Parking Spots at Narragansett Avenue

This is our favorite location for parking in Newport when accessing the Cliff Walk. It is technically on-street parking, but its well away from residential apartments and stores so its really only used by others going to the Cliff Walk. The masses do not know parking is available here and the focus is mainly on parking on Memorial Blvd and Easton’s Beach lots.

• Location: End of Narragansett Avenue, near the Cliff Walk
• Notes: These spots are particularly useful for those who plan to explore only a segment of the Cliff Walk. Parking here is metered at $2 per hour (up to four hours) via the pay-by-plate kiosk or Passport app.

2. Parking in Newport – Downtown / Thames Street

Newport Gateway Center Lot: Heart of the City

• Location: 23 America’s Cup Avenue
• Cost:
  • Off-Season: Free
  • Peak Season: $5/hour, $40/day
• Hours: 24/7
• Special Features: Main transportation hub with buses and trolleys available.

Mary Street Lot: Where Convenience Meets Budget

This is our favorite lot to use when parking in Newport. It puts you right in the center of the action of downtown Newport, right off of Thames Street, and during the offseason, it’s free. Although it has a perfect location, it does seem to be missed by many tourists, so its a bit of a hidden gem.

• Location: Between lower Mary Street and lower Church Street
• Cost:
  • Off-Season: Free
  • Peak Season: $3/hour, $20/day
• Hours: 24/7
• Extra: 120+ spaces and public restrooms available during peak season.

Touro Street Lot and Long Wharf Lot

• Touro Street Location: Entrance on Clarke Street
• Hours for Touro: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM, 3-hour limit

• Long Wharf Location: Accessible from America’s Cup Avenue
• Note: The Long Wharf Lot is closed for the 2025 summer season due to pump-station construction—check city updates before planning to park here.

Dearborn Street Lot — Lower Thames’ New 2025 Option

Tucked just off Lower Thames at 42 Dearborn Street, the new surface lot behind Emmanuel Church gives visitors a much-needed alternative while the Long Wharf lot is closed for pump-station work.

• Location & Access: One short block west of Thames Street; the entrance is on Dearborn St. and clearly signed. The lot is flat, well-lit, and a two-minute walk to restaurants like Scales & Shells and the IYRS waterfront.
• Rates & Hours: Operates on the City’s pay-by-plate system at the standard downtown rate of $1.50–$2.00 per hour, 9 a.m.–12 a.m. (May 1–Oct 31). Use any kiosk or the Passport Parking app; resident sticker holders still enjoy three free hours.
• Capacity & Tips: Spaces are limited (roughly three dozen), so arrive early on peak summer evenings. Because the lot is church-owned, Sunday morning availability can be reduced during services. If it’s full, free 30-minute grace periods at nearby curb meters let you loop back without penalty.
• Why Choose It: It’s the closest official lot to Lower Thames’ south-end bar and dining cluster and a convenient fallback when Mary Street fills. Plus, proceeds support the church’s upkeep through a city–church partnership launched this season.

Metered Parking in Downtown

• Cost: $1.50 – $2.00 per hour, 3-hour limit

3. Mansions and Museum Parking

The Newport Mansions offer a glimpse into the opulence of yesteryears. Good news: All of the major mansions have free parking, either across the street or directly adjacent to the building.

• General Parking Info: Most mansions, including The Elms, Rosecliff and Rough Point, have adjacent parking lots.
• Special Note for The Breakers & Marble House: Parking for these mansions is available across the street.
• Hunter House and The Breakers Stable & Carriage House: Only street parking is available for these two sites.

Tech-Savvy Parking: Apps and Tips

• Passport Parking App: Manage your parking fees and extend times remotely.
• Pro Tip: Always check if nearby businesses offer parking validation. Some of the lots in-season will offer parking validation if the lot is shared by non-tourist stores. For example, the Bellevue Gardens Shopping Center off of Bellevue Ave, near Memorial Blvd., is home to CVS.

Public Transport and Other Alternatives

• Free “Hop-On Hop-Off” Trolley: This is one of the best ways to avoid the stress of parking in Newport. It runs from May 23 to Oct. 31, 2025. Park at the Newport Transportation Center for $5 with a RIPTA voucher. This is great as the routes cover basically all of Newport and means that you can leave your car behind without missing out on any tourist hot spots. Make sure to check times and exact routes that are running that day before using this service.

Handicap Parking Accessibility

• Free Parking in Newport: Vehicles displaying a valid disability placard or plate park free at metered spaces and city lots without time limits, but must still follow any 24-hour or safety restrictions.

During the summer months is when parking in Newport is the most chaotic. If parking stresses you out, try to book your hotel near where you want to spend most of your time. We breakdown some great options here, including walkability for each accommodation. There’s nothing better than being able to walk to a restaurant, bar, or mansion without having to worry about where you’re going to park and if there will be spots available. For more Newport travel tips, click here.