Newport County Travel Guide

Photo: Kelli Westfal/Shutterstock

Perched gloriously on the southern tip of Aquidneck Island and bounded on three sides by water, Newport is one of the great sailing cities of the world and the host to world-class jazz, blues, folk, classical music, and film festivals. Colonial houses and gilded-age mansions grace the city. Besides Newport itself, Newport County also encompasses the two other communities of Aquidneck Island—Middletown and Portsmouth—plus Conanicut Island, also known as Jamestown, to the west, and Tiverton and Little Compton, abutting Massachusetts to the east. Little Compton is a remote, idyllic town that presents a strong contrast to Newport's quick pace. Narrow and scenic Mount Hope Bridge carries traffic north from Aquidneck Island to Bristol, the most charming of the three towns that make up the East Bay region, which is encompassed entirely within Bristol County, one of the nation's smallest geographically.

Hotels

Newport County Hotels

Fodor's local writers visit every hotel we recommend. Look for our discerning Fodor's Choice picks or search by price and location.

Restaurants

Newport County Restaurants

Find the best Newport County restaurants in every price category with our top picks.

Hotels

Newport County Experiences

  • Newport's Social Scene in the Gilded Age

    To truly appreciate a visit to Newport's mansions, you need to understand the players—those who built and lived in these opulent homes—and... Read more

  • Newport Off Season

    Summer in Newport can be described as bustling, even hectic, but the off-season takes on a serene, romantic character. Crowds dissipate, parking... Read more

  • Filming in Rhode Island

    Rhode Island is no stranger to the big screen. With a reputation for beautiful, diverse scenery, Little Rhody has become a bona fide movie star... Read more

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