Newport Harbor Walk

Newport Harbor’s history spans well over 300 years. This Colonial shipping hub, U.S. Navy center during the Wars, resort to the Industrial Barons, and past home of the America’s Cup races offers an abundant variety of historical and waterfront scenery.

Just as visitors to Newport can enjoy the fabulous Cliff Walk on Newport’s south-eastern shore and Ten Mile Drive [Ocean Drive], on Newport’s southern shore … they can walk along the harbor waterfront community on Newport’s north-western shore.

Newport’s Harbor Walk is a community effort in which neighborhood groups, residents, the Newport city’s park division, businesses, and a variety of non-profit public interest groups are working together on this long term goal to establish this walk along Newport’s waterfront. See Earth Day Event, King Park Walkway Improvement Project, and North Trust Historical Marker Sign Dedication for the process in action.

Harbor Walk North covers Newport’s historic residential Point Section which was the original colonial center of the city and waterfront. While the British managed to destroy Newport’s colonial waterfront by breaking up and burning the wood docks for heat during the War for Independence, this section of the city has retained a surprisingly large number of colonial homes dating in the 1700s. Combined with a number a Victorian gems, this area of Newport is architecturally rich.

The full Harbor Walk North tour starting at Perrotti Park is just under three miles.

Harbor Walk South [Main Harbor] covers Newport’s “Active” harbor with a wide selection of boating, sailing, entertainment, history, and night-time action. Here’s the typical New England waterfront that now mixes everything from T-shirts, to trendy boutiques, to antique shops, to “Chowda” tasting, to lobster tank looking, to tall ship sailing, to learning how to pour brass marine fittings and bend oak ribs.

While Harbor Walk South is about 2 miles from Stone Pier at King Park to Perrotti Park, the harbor explorer is exposed to multiple diversions … this is not an area to be rushed. A walking round trip is about four miles.

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1) Washington Street/Point Neighborhood
Washington Street and the Point neighborhood were once home
to the boat builders, craftsmen, merchants, fishermen, sea captains and sailors. The neighborhood offers a rich array of colonial-era homes. Public streets extend to the water’s edge in the form of driftways to provide public access for Dinghies, kayaks and paddle boards to the harbor. Along Washington Street, notable public access points include: Van Zandt Pier – located at the intersection of Van Zandt Avenue and Washington Street, the pier offers water access for fishing and swimming; and Battery Park – located at the corner of Battery and Washington Streets, the park offers views of Narragansett Bay and is a great place to watch the sunset.

2) Goat Island Causeway & Storer Park
Linking Newport to Goat Island, the Causeway is a popular fishing spot, notably for catching squid in the early Spring. Storer Park sits at the east end of the Causeway, and offers basketball courts,
benches, and fine views of Narragansett Bay and Newport-Pell Bridge. On-street metered parking is available and the Newport Visitor Center parking facility is nearby.

3) Louis Jagschitz Pier (RI Department of Environmental Management-State Pier #9)
State Pier #9 is the only state-owned commercial fishing pier in Newport and many inshore lobster boats and offshore draggers are viewable to the public. An onsite retail fish market offers customers the freshest catch of the day straight off the docks. (401) 465-9669

4) Mary Ferrazzoli Park 
Mary Ferrazzoli was a steadfast advocate for public access to the Newport waterfront & the founder of Newport’s Friends of the Waterfront, a volunteer organization focused on long-term protection of public access. A park established by the City of Newport honoring her efforts is located at the corner of Washington Street & Long Wharf, offering benches that overlook the harbor. A historic marker provides the story of her legacy and an overview of the Harbor Walk. www.newportwaterfront.org

5) Newport Gateway Visitor Information Center
The Visitor Center, at 23 America’s Cup Avenue, is open daily from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information specialists staff the visitor center where free maps and brochures are available for local events, attractions, lodging, shopping, and dining. Tickets for many attractions and events can be purchased there. For more information, visit www.discovernewport.org
6) Perrotti Park & Harbormaster Information Center
Located on America’s Cup Avenue, this small park along Newport Harbor is the site of ferry and cruise ship passenger checkpoints, tender docks and a public information desk with restrooms located in the Harbormaster building. The Newport Harbor Shuttle water taxi provides transportation around Newport Harbor. www.cityofnewport.com

7) Seamen’s Church Institute
The Seamen’s Church Institute was established in 1910 to provide a safe haven with overnight facilities on land for servicemen and seamen. This historic building boasts a chapel, maritime library, meeting rooms, and the Aloha Café. Wireless internet access and public computers are available in both the lounge and library. www.seamensnewport.org

8) Bowen’s & Bannister Wharves
This 18th Century commercial wharf area provides options for upscale dining, art galleries, strolling views of yachts and water traffic, open air tanks of lobster and shellfish at the Aquidneck Lobster Company, and unique shops. Excursion cruises around the harbor can be boarded here, and both the Jamestown/Newport Ferry and the Newport Harbor Shuttle water taxi stop at this location. www.bowenswharf.com;www.bannistersnewport.com

9) Newport Armory – Maritime Center & Ann Street Pier
The City of Newport opened the Newport Maritime Center in the ground floor of the Armory building to offer amenities for transient boaters and visitors to the Newport. Facilities include lockers, restrooms with showers, laundry, vending machines, a lounge with televisions and internet access, and visitor information. Ann Street Pier provides public access as well as temporarydinghy and small craft docking for visitors to Newport. The dock is operated by the City’s Harbor Division and offers limited space for transient short term tie up of vessels up to 40 feet in length. Mariners may hail the Ann Street Pier Dock master on VHF Ch. 09 for availability. www.newportmaritimecenter.com

10) International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS)
This marine restoration school has not only become known for
training fine craftsmen and technicians, IYRS is a vibrant maritime center enjoyed by the public. Its doors are open to all those who want to see how craftsmen train. IYRS is also home to important restoration projects with accompanying exhibitions that draw visitors from around the world. Among other on-going IYRS projects is the crown jewel of the collection, the classic yacht Coronet. First launched in 1885, this 133-foot yacht was one of the most elegant sailing yachts of her day, and is currently on display during restoration in a temporary building that provides an elevated viewing deck & descriptive signage for visitors.www.iyrs.org (401) 848-5777.

11) Coddington Wharf Park
This small park offers shaded benches for respite and contemplation with unobstructed views of the Harbor, King Park, and Fort Adams. Coddington Wharf Park was created through a partnership between the neighboring condominium residents, the City of Newport, and
Newport’s Friends of the Waterfront

12) King Park & Old Stone Pier
As the southern anchor of Newport Harbor, King Park offers many recreational opportunities. It offers an open grassy area, picnic benches, barbeque pits, pavilion, playground equipment, a beach area, and a boat ramp. Parking is available along Wellington Street, but resident stickers may be required at certain times of the year. The Rochambeau Statue and Memorial is a monument to French nobleman and General Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau, who was a key commander of the French forces and assisted the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

13) Fort Adams State Park 
Just a short drive or a Harbor Shuttle ride across Newport Harbor stands the largest coastal fortification in the United States. Visit this engineering and architectural masterpiece to see where the soldiers lived, enter the casemates, explore the tunnel system, and climb the bastions for excellent views. The fort hosts special events including military reenactments, renowned jazz and folk festivals, classic vehicle shows, dance performances, a Bay Walk along the perimeter of the fort, a zip line and geocaching locations. Fort Adams is available to book weddings, corporate events, and civic gatherings.www.fortadams.org (401) 841-0707 This site is proposed as the future home of the tall ship Oliver Hazard Perry. www.ohpri.org (401) 841-0707

Fort Adams Bay Walk 
This 2.25 mile walk around Fort Adams takes walkers past the west wall of the Fort, gun batteries, post cemetery, Eisenhower House, Sail Newport, and along the water. Directional signs are posted along the walk.

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Cliff Walk
Beginning at Memorial Boulevard, this 3.5-mile scenic walkway,
passes through 64 private properties and overlooks the rocky bluffsof the Atlantic Ocean as well as many of the famous Newport summer mansions. The pathway is paved and handicapped accessible between Memorial Boulevard and Ruggles Avenue. South of Ruggles Avenue, caution must be taken due to rocky conditions. Parking is available on Narragansett Avenue, Memorial Boulevard, and Easton’s Beach (First Beach). www.newportcliffwalk.com

Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R)
Several states including Rhode Island have placed way-finding markers to guide tourists and hikers to the location of Colonial roads followed by the allied armies in 1781 during the Revolutionary war.

Newport Harbor Shuttle Water Taxi
During the summer months, the Newport Harbor Shuttle makes seven (7) stops around Newport
Harbor: Perrotti Park, Bowen’s Wharf, Ann Street Pier, IYRS, Sail Newport, Fort Adams State Park,
and Goat Island/Marina Café. The Harbor Shuttle departs every hour on the hour from Perrotti Park
while in service. Call 401-662-0082 for information about schedules and fees or go online, www.newportharborshuttle.com

Jamestown/Newport Ferry
Conanicut Marine Services
offers a water taxi service from Jamestown to Newport. Stops offered include Conanicut
Marina, Rose Island, Ft. Adams, Bowens Wharf, and Perrotti Park. For more information, call (401) 423-9900.www.jamestownnewportferry.com

Public Restrooms
Gateway Visitors Center, Harbor Master’s building in Perrotti Park, Seamen’s Church Institute, Armory/ Ann Street Pier, King Park, Mary Street parking lot (near Trinity Church & Queen Anne Square)

Information
Gateway Visitors Center, Perrotti Park, Bowen’s Wharf, Bannister’s Wharf, Armory/ Ann Street Pier, International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS)

GeoCaching
Look for caches around Newport Harbor for a true walking adventure. www.GeoCaching.com

Newport Police: 120 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840,
Dial 911 or (401) 847-1212

Newport Harbormaster: Perrotti Park at 39 America’s Cup Avenue. Office hours are Monday through Friday 0800-1600. The office phone number is (401) 845-5815. The Harbor Division monitors VHF. Channel 16. The working frequency for the Harbor Division is VHF. Channel 14

Newport City Hall: 401-845-5300, www.cityofnewport.com
Friends of the Waterfront: www.newportwaterfront.org
Maps of the Newport Area: www.citimaps.com/newport/maps.html
Discover Newport: 1-800-976-5122 www.discovernewport.org
Newport County Chamber of Commerce: 401-847-1600www.newportchamber.com
RI Coastal Resources Management Council: 401-783-3370
www.crmc.ri.gov
University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center & Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program: (401) 874-6224 www.seagrant.gso.uri.edu

Newport Harbor Walk Map	Newport Harbor Walk Map with Fort Adams

Friends of the Waterfront, Inc., PO Box 932, Newport, RI 02840
www.newportharborwalk.com