Sun, Sand, and Sailing: 7 Classic Newport Summer Activities

Newport truly comes alive in the summer months, transforming into a vibrant hub where sun-drenched days meet the refreshing embrace of the Atlantic. The city’s picturesque coastline, gentle breezes, and deep maritime heritage create the perfect backdrop for a myriad of classic summer activities. From relaxing on sandy shores and exploring tidal pools to exhilarating sailing adventures and lively festivals, Newport offers an quintessential New England summer experience. This guide highlights seven must-do activities that promise to fill your summer visit with unforgettable moments of sun, sand, and sailing.

Activity 1: Hit the Beaches

Newport boasts a beautiful coastline with several public beaches, each offering a unique experience for sun-seekers and water enthusiasts.

• Easton’s Beach (First Beach): As Newport’s largest beach, Easton’s Beach, locally known as First Beach, is a popular choice for families. Located on Memorial Boulevard at the start of the famed Cliff Walk, it features a 3/4-mile stretch of sand with a boardwalk and Atlantic-facing surf. Amenities include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, a playground, picnic tables, and concession stands offering local favorites like twin lobster rolls. Surfboard rentals are also available. Parking fees apply from April 1 to November 30, ranging from $25 on weekdays to $35 on weekends/holidays, with season passes available. Visitors should be aware that the snack bar and carousel building were recently taken down, and the city is undertaking a visioning process for the beach’s future, with workshops planned for June 2025 to address environmental risks and enhancements.  
• Gooseberry Beach: Nestled in a quiet cove along Ocean Drive, Gooseberry Beach is known for its calm waters and minimal waves, making it an excellent family-friendly option. While open to the public, walk-on access is prohibited; visitors must arrive by bike, scooter, or purchase a daily parking pass ($30 per car). Lifeguards are on duty seasonally (9 AM – 5 PM), and a snack bar, restrooms, and beach chair/umbrella rentals are available.  
• Bailey’s Beach (Reject’s Beach): A very small beach located at the intersection of Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive, sometimes referred to as “Reject’s Beach.” This public section of sand offers a tranquil slice of Newport’s exclusive shoreline, accessible only by foot or bike. It’s a great spot to relax and watch the surf away from crowds. 
• Sachuest Beach (Second Beach) & Third Beach (Middletown): Just outside Newport in Middletown, Sachuest Beach is the largest and boasts the greatest surf, popular with families and surfers. It features fine sand, concessions, bathrooms, and showers. Third Beach, set in a cove, offers low surf and is favored by windsurfers and kitesurfers. Parking fees apply at both from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day.  

Activity 2: Go Sailing or Take a Boat Tour

Newport’s identity as the “sailing capital of the world” means that getting out on the water is a quintessential summer experience. A wide array of sailing cruises and boat tours cater to every preference, from leisurely sightseeing to active sailing experiences.  

• Sailing Cruises: Operators like Sightsailing Newport and Newport Classic Cruises offer diverse options. Sightsailing, the oldest locally-owned company, provides Morning Mimosa Sails, Day Sails, and Champagne Sunset Sails, along with private charters. Newport Classic Cruises boasts a fleet of classic boats, offering ticketed cruises and private charters for various events, all providing panoramic views of Newport’s landmarks.  
• Narrated Harbor Tours: Gansett Cruises offers 60-70 minute narrated harbor tours and sunset cruises on a classic motor yacht, departing from Bowen’s Wharf. These tours include complimentary Del’s Soft Frozen Lemonade and a cash bar, providing a comfortable way to learn about Newport’s history and legends from the water.  
• Lighthouse Tours: For lighthouse enthusiasts, Save The Bay offers “Ultimate Lighthouse Tours” that span 7 hours, viewing up to 20 lighthouses in Narragansett Bay, including a stop at Rose Island. For a unique aerial perspective, Newport Helicopter Tours offers a “Lighthouse Tour” soaring over Beavertail Lighthouse.  
• Sailing Lessons & Rentals: For those eager to learn, Newport Sailing Lessons offers daily lessons and charters on a 30ft Pearson sailing yacht. The MWR Coasters Harbor Island Marina also provides sail and powerboat training, along with rentals for qualified individuals, requiring a valid boating certification and check-ride.  

Activity 3: Try Paddleboarding or Surfing

Exploring Newport’s calm bay waters by paddleboard or kayak offers a unique and active way to experience the coastline. Rhody Surf handles the rentals at Easton’s Beach.

• Rental Rates: Surf boards are $20 per hour ($35 for 2 hours), SUPs (Stand-up paddle baords) are $25 per hour $40 for 2 hours), and boogie boards are $20 for half-day or $30 for full-day.

Activity 4: Go Fishing

Newport’s coastal waters are a haven for anglers, offering abundant opportunities for both inshore and offshore fishing. The local waters are rich with species such as fluke, sea bass, porgies, tautog (blackfish), cod, and striped bass, promising a rewarding catch.  

• Charter Options: Numerous fishing charter services operate out of Newport, catering to various preferences. Sara Star Fishing Charters, a family-owned business celebrating 30 years in 2025, offers half-day, 6-hour, and 8-hour tautog charters, as well as offshore tuna and shark fishing trips. They provide all necessary gear, bait, complimentary snacks and beverages, and even fillet and ice the catch. Archangel Charters is another option, offering half-day and full-day inshore and offshore fishing, along with sunset cruises and lighthouse/mansion tours.  
• Pricing: Half-day charters can start around $650 for 5 people. Full-day inshore charters can range from $1200-$1400, while offshore tuna/shark trips can be $1500-$1800. Sara Star Charters offers half-day trips at $130 per person (5-person minimum) and private 8-hour tautog charters for $1100.  
• Booking & Tips: Reservations are highly recommended for all charters. Captains often tailor trips to clients’ needs, providing a personalized and professional experience. Many charters offer conservation efforts, such as tag-and-release programs for large stripers.  

Activity 5: Attend a Summer Festival

Newport’s summer calendar is packed with world-renowned festivals and events that draw crowds from near and far, adding a vibrant energy to the city.

• Newport Folk Festival: Held annually at Fort Adams State Park, the Newport Folk Festival is a legendary event with a storied history dating back to the mid-1950s. For 2025, it is scheduled from July 25-27. Check their site for ticket information.
• Newport Jazz Festival: Also held at Fort Adams State Park, the Newport Jazz Festival is another iconic event that has been breaking ground since the mid-1950s. In 2025, it is scheduled from August 1-3. Check their site for ticket information.
• Other Summer Events: Beyond these major festivals, Newport hosts a variety of other summer events, including the Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival (May) and the Rogue Comedy Festival (May). Various local festivals, art fairs, and food festivals are often held at Bowen’s Wharf.

Activity 6: Explore Coastal Parks & Trails

Newport’s coastline offers stunning natural beauty that can be explored through its numerous parks and scenic trails, providing opportunities for both active recreation and peaceful contemplation.

• Cliff Walk: This 3.5-mile path is world-renowned for its unique combination of panoramic ocean views and glimpses of Gilded Age mansions. The northern half is paved and easy, while the southern end offers rugged terrain for adventurous hikers. It’s free and open from sunrise to sunset.  
• Brenton Point State Park: Located on Ocean Drive, this 89-acre park offers commanding views where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic. It’s ideal for picnicking, kite flying, bird watching, and exploring tide pools. Parking is free.  
• Fort Adams State Park: Beyond its historical fort, this park features the 2.25-mile Fort Adams Bay Walk, offering unmatched views of Newport Harbor and the Newport Bridge, especially at sunset. It’s also popular for picnicking, fishing, and boating.  
• Norman Bird Sanctuary (Middletown): A sprawling wildlife refuge with 7 miles of hiking trails through diverse habitats, including unique gardens and beehives. It’s a haven for bird watchers, with an ADA-compliant Universal Trail. Admission fees apply, and dogs are generally not permitted.  
• Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge (Middletown): This 242-acre coastal refuge is an important stopover for migratory birds, offering relatively flat and easy trails with scenic ocean views. Admission is free, but dogs are not permitted.  

Activity 7: Enjoy Outdoor Dining with a View

Newport’s culinary scene truly shines in the summer, with countless restaurants offering alfresco dining experiences that pair delicious food with breathtaking views of the harbor and ocean.

• Waterfront Restaurants: Many establishments along Bowen’s Wharf and Bannister’s Wharf offer outdoor patios with perfect views of the harbor, especially as sailboats and super yachts fill the slips.
• Castle Hill Inn: The Lawn Terrace at Castle Hill Inn provides an upscale alfresco dining experience with spectacular ocean views, perfect for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch. Reservations are recommended.  
• King Park: For a more casual and budget-friendly option, King Park offers benches, covered picnic tables, and barbeques with a beautiful, unobstructed view of the Newport Bridge and Newport Harbor, ideal for a sunset dinner.  
• Midtown Oyster Bar: The outside deck on the second floor of Midtown Oyster Bar is highlighted as a prime cocktail spot, offering great drinks and a perfect view of the water and Thames Street.  
• Vineyards & Breweries: Beyond the immediate waterfront, places like Newport Vineyards, offer outdoor seating with scenic views of their farm properties, providing a unique setting for enjoying local wines and craft beers.  

These activities, from the tranquil beaches to the lively festivals and diverse on-water excursions, encapsulate the quintessential Newport summer, inviting visitors to fully embrace the sun, sand, and sailing that define this iconic New England destination.