Newport History Tours

Let us introduce you to Newport’s five centuries of American history.

Walk the Footsteps of History with Newport History Tours

Newport History Tours, an initiative of the Newport Historical Society, is Newport’s leading tour group and has been recognized for its excellence by multiple media and hospitality experts, including Yankee Magazine. Led by experienced and knowledgeable guides, these tours offer a captivating journey through Newport’s storied streets.

Inside a square mile, Newport holds untold treasures for you to explore, including some of the nation’s most consequential colonial landmarks.

Discover our city’s rich past through notable historic buildings and a beautiful seaside backdrop on walking tours that celebrate the many voices that make up our history, including the Black and Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands we occupy and whose unwilling labor built the community through which we walk and learn, together.

Curious about the people, places, and moments that shaped Newport? So are we. The Newport Historical Society is committed to preserving and celebrating Newport history, and our tour guides are here to learn and share it with you.

NOTE: All tours meet at, and depart from, the Colony House in Washington Square, Newport.

Explore All Experiences

  • Discover Colonial Newport

    Take a walk through the heart of 18th century Newport, which boasts more colonial properties inside a square mile than any other city in America. Explore well-preserved architecture of the time and learn about the diverse community that shaped this historic seaport town. This tour lasts approximately 75-90 mins, and is offered on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11 am.
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  • Golden to Gilded

    From Newport’s consequential colonial Golden Age to the glamour of our Gilded Age summer colony, discover the transformation of the city and its people. This tour lasts approximately 75-90 mins, and is offered on Sundays and Thursdays at 11 am.
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  • Road to Independence

    The road to Yorktown started here. Explore the tumultuous era of riots, rebellions, and shifting alliances that shaped Newport’s outsized role in the American Revolution. This tour lasts approximately 75 mins, and is offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 11 am.
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  • Creative Survival: Newport’s Black History

    Black history and culture are integral to Newport's story. Discover the history of Newport’s people of color, enslaved and free, and explore the places where enslaved people lived and labored, along with landmarks where free African Americans built their enterprises and supported a new local industry. This tour lasts approximately 90 mins, and is offered every Monday at 2 pm.
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  • Common Burying Ground

    Step back in time as you explore one of Newport’s oldest cemeteries. Unearth fascinating stories of the people from all walks of life who shaped the city’s history and marvel at the artistry of the stone carvers who memorialized them. This tour lasts approximately 75-90 mins, and is offered the third Saturday of each month at 2 pm.
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  • French in Newport

    In 1780, 12,000 French soldiers and sailors lived among Newport’s citizens, forging bonds and making critical contributions that turned the tide in America’s fight for independence. Discover how the Franco-American alliance was forged right here in Newport and its vital role in securing American freedom. This tour lasts approximately 90 mins, and is offered the first Sunday of each month at 2 pm.
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  • In George Washington’s Footsteps

    Follow in the footsteps of George Washington on this immersive tour through Newport’s Old Quarter. Visit the historic sites where Washington stayed, dined, and strategized during his visits to Newport, a critical foothold for Patriots in their pursuit of American independence. This tour lasts approximately 75-90 mins, and is offered the second Saturday of each month at 2 pm.
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  • Holiday Lantern Tour

    Tradition and nostalgia come alive on the Holiday Lantern Tour. Stroll Newport’s historic streets by lantern light as you uncover the fascinating stories of early American holiday traditions, and how they inform the spirit of the season today. Grab a cup of cider to stay warm and discover how Newporters celebrated—or sometimes didn’t—during this evening walk. This tour lasts about 75 minutes, and is offered seasonally in November and December. Check back for more details!

  • Legends and Lore

    Did the British raid town records when they withdrew from Newport during the American Revolution? Is there a secret underground tunnel on Touro Street? Did an artist on Mill Street discover the tomato? This tour teases out truth from fiction in these and other infamous Newport tales. This tour lasts approximately 60-75 mins, and is offered the fourth Saturday of each month at 2 pm.
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  • Newport’s British Occupation

    As the sparks of the Revolution ignited in 1777, 7,000 British and Hessian soldiers invaded Newport. The war had begun. The crown’s occupation lasted for nearly 3 years and completely reshaped the people and places that defined Newport. Explore the sites and stories of the soldiers and citizens affected during this time. This tour lasts approximately 75-90 mins, and is offered the first Saturday of each month at 2 pm.
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  • Point Neighborhood

    Home to craftsmen, merchants, religious dissenters and more, discover the iconic Point neighborhood’s rich colonial history and the enduring architecture that makes this community so distinctive today. This tour lasts approximately 90 mins, and is offered the fourth Sunday of each month at 2 pm.
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  • Rogues & Scoundrels

    Uncover the secrets of notorious pirates, daring privateers, and cunning criminals as you walk through the very streets where they lived and plotted. Discover why early colonial Rhode Island earned the nickname “Rogue’s Island” and learn about the colorful characters and bold escapades that shaped its past. This tour lasts approximately 75 mins, and is offered the second Sunday of each month at 2 pm.
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  • Rum & Revolution with Rum Tasting

    From a thriving colonial rum trade through temperance and Prohibition, follow the changing role of alcohol in Newport and New England and cap things off with a toast to local history. This tour lasts approximately 75 minutes and it concludes at Stoneacre Brasserie to enjoy a historically inspired rum drink or mocktail along with a small bite. Tour participants must be 21+. This tour is offered every Friday at 3:30 pm.
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  • Private Tours

    Looking for something unique and tailored to your interests? The Newport Historical Society can customize engaging and dynamic walking tours tailored for every audience: school trips, corporate outings, family reunions, and other group events, including private tours. Private tours and group tours are available seven days a week. The cost is $50 per person, with a minimum charge of $250, and accommodates up to 15 participants. A minimum of 2-3 business days’ notice is required to allow time for scheduling. Payment for private tours is required when reservation details have been finalized.
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  • School Group Tours

    We highly encourage school groups to take advantage of our private tours, offering a unique and educational experience tailored to your students’ needs. To discuss options and receive a customized quote, please don’t hesitate to email tours@newporthistory.org, or call us at 401-846-0813 ex. 152.
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