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Fourth of July Fun

Fourth of July Fun!

                For anyone visiting Newport during the week of the Fourth of July, walk around the wharf and for certain the skies will light up for you. Among the many colorful option for celebrations the highlight will be Newport’s fireworks display: Wednesday July 4th at 9:15pm over the entire Harbour. Portsmouth (a short 15 minute drive from Newport) hosts their fireworks the same night, and are set off from Escobar’s Farm at 9:00pm (you will recognize their name as contributors to Rhody Fresh milk and the host of the popular Corn Maze in the fall).

If you wish to get a jump on the celebrations then plan to see the fireworks show, Sunday, July 1st set off by Jamestown, our neighbor to the west. Those will also be viewable from Newport Harbor, at 9:00pm. 

Make this year memorable with your family, and get extra close to the action by joining one of our boats in Newport Harbor during the shows. Our staff at the Pilot House Welcome Center will be happy to give you more info or assist with ticket sales.

For sail boats you can join one of 12 Meter Charters or Sightsailing’s boats, and for motor boats we have Gansett Cruises, as well as the Jamestown Ferry.

12 Meter will have two boats going out, both nights (Sunday the first and Wednesday the fourth). Their sail will start at 7:45 and go for two hours, and for this special trip on the racing style sailboats the cost is $169 per person.

 Gansett Cruises will go out from 8:30 to 10:00 for $30, and for this special viewing all ages are the same price.

 Sightsailing’s Schooner Aquidneck will be going out at 9:00pm for two hours, for $40.

All trips will have refreshments offered, if not included, and will allow you to view the whole fireworks show from the Harbor, which is where they get fired off from.

For those who wish to watch from dry l and, Fort Adams is a popular viewing spot, as well as Perrotti Park, folding chairs and blankets are recommended.

Restaurants on this side of the harbor with water views are 22 Bowens, Diego’s, The Lobster BarThe Mooring, Salt Water at Newport Harbor Hotel, and FlukeSmokehouse may not have the same views- but it is close by and serves up traditional cookout/barbeque cuisine. Call for reservations during the show, or just before you hop on a boat!

If fireworks aren’t your thing, America’s oldest Fourth of July Parade is just a couple towns over in Bristol, RI and that begins at 10:30am.

The Fourth also marks the first day of the Newport Music Festival, where over 60 classical concerts will take place over the next 18 days at various locations including some of the Mansions. The Discover Newport blog has  full list of experiences to be had, including walking tours and more. Looking forward to seeing you on the waterfront! — by Molly Henshaw