Newport History Tours
Newport History Tours are a collaborative program of The Newport Historical Society and Newport Restoration Foundation. Stroll through exquisitely preserved living neighborhoods and be transported back to the heyday of this thriving colonial metropolis. Hear stories of revolution and ruin, struggles for religious liberty, and remarkable entrepreneurship among Newport’s diverse people. These two non-profit educational institutions are your sources for authentic Newport history. Join expert guides as we open wide the doors of history and invite you to explore Newport’s central place in American history.
Discover Colonial Newport Inside & Out
Discover the remarkable story of early Newport—and its central role in American history—on this stroll through Historic Hill. This introduction to Newport history includes a visit inside one colonial landmark. View full schedule.
Newport’s Buried History: Slavery and Freedom Tour
On this stroll, hear inspirational stories about Newport's people of color. Inside the c.1697 Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, see what investigations in the attic have revealed about the lives of enslaved Newporters. Then tour a burying ground featuring beautiful and unusual gravestones made in memory of African men, women, and children in the 1700s. View full schedule.
Old House ABCs Tour
Starting with a 1699 Meeting House and ending amid the Victorian splendor of lower Bellevue, this interactive walking tour features 300 years of architectural gems, in one of the best-preserved cities in the country. Learn to identify styles & date houses, spot interesting building elements, & pick up preservation techniques to apply to your own house or community. View full schedule.
Tastes of the Working Waterfront Tour
Taste, touch & smell your way through history on this tour of the Lower Thames Street neighborhood. Chocolate, spices, and rum flavored old Newport's kitchens and commerce. Explore the wharves where these goods were made and traded. Please note—this tour begins at the NRF Store, 415 Thames Street. View full schedule.
Pirates and Scoundrels Tour
Hear memorable stories of Newport's swashbuckling past on a tour inside the Colony House and through the historic Point neighborhood. See where notorious scoundrels were put on trial and punished, and find out why this colony was sometimes known as "Rogue's Island." View full schedule.
Rum and Revolution Tour
From colonial taverns to Prohibition, this interactive walking tour is an entertaining & informative history of drinking. Newporters have gotten drunk - and very rich - on rum, a critical aspect of the seaport's history. Through jovial, authentic history-telling, learn about the changing role of alcohol in our culture. View full schedule.
