One of the best ways to see Newport, this tour will allow you to stroll through the city’s oldest neighborhood, discover its hidden architecture and learn about the people who labored here to establish a legacy of liberty. Expert guides lead participants on a guided walk through the Old Quarter, past many of Newport’s land mark 18th century sites. Newport's storied history still thrives in the Old Quarter and you will be able to experience the area’s living history in its galleries, shops, taverns, restaurants, and on the vibrant streets of this timeless arts-and-culture neighborhood. Stately trees and striking 18th and 19th century buildings, including the country's largest collection of Colonial houses, line the town’s charming narrow streets. The heart of this city by the sea is packed with museums, places of worship, and other fascinating sites.
In Newport, 17th century English settlers started a community based on religious toleration, which lead to a thriving, cosmopolitan city. Colonial Newport, the de facto capitol of Rhode Island, was rich with ideas as well as commerce, and busy with creative and scientific exploration. It attracted craftsmen and artists, and citizens with the wherewithal to patronize them. Distinctly American originals, such as Newport's Goddard-Townsend craftsmen, the finest furniture makers in America, flourished in Newport. In the 19th and 20th centuries, wealthy Americans, along with gifted artists, writers, and architects, made Newport their summer resort during the Gilded Age.
At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to visit the Newport Historical Society's Museum and Shop at the Brick Market (please note that there is a suggested donation of $4 per adult and $2 per child over the age 5 if you wish to visit the museum). This award-winning institution provides people of all ages an engaging introduction to the area's rich history and the beauty of its architecture. Glimpse the lives of the people --past and present-- who have made Newport one of America's most historic cities.
