Newport’s Colonial History: A Walking Tour Off the Beaten Path

Newport, Rhode Island is inextricably linked to religious freedom and the prosperity of maritime trade. On this walking tour, you’ll explore one of early America’s five largest settlements, and find out how this harbor town flourished into a commercial powerhouse that rivaled Boston, New York, and Philadelphia before the Revolution. You’ll also hear stories about religious dissenters, wealthy merchants, and the darker legacy of the Atlantic slave trade, all reflected in Newport’s colonial architecture.

The tour begins at Newport Harbor, the economic engine that powered the city’s growth in the 1600s. You’ll weave through historic Thames Street and the Point neighborhood, where you’ll find one of the highest concentrations of colonial-era homes in America.

As you make your way to Washington Square, the civic heart of colonial Newport, you’ll hear about Roger Williams’ revolutionary idea that “forced worship stinks in God’s nostrils,” and how it shaped Rhode Island’s founding principles. The tour ends at Touro Park, home to the mysterious stone tower that’s sparked centuries of debate about its origins, and inspired Viking legends.

During this 60-minute exploration, you’ll have a chance to:

• See the White Horse Tavern, operating since the 1670s and among America’s oldest
• Learn about the Great Friends Meeting House where Quakers first gathered in the late 1600s, and how their beliefs influenced early abolitionist movements
• See the impressive brick Colony House, where the Declaration of Independence was read from its balcony
• Admire Touro Synagogue, designed by Peter Harrison and testament to Newport’s religious diversity
• See Vernon House, where George Washington stayed while meeting with French allies during the Revolution
• View Trinity Church, modeled after the designs of Sir Christopher Wren

By the end of this tour, you’ll have a sense of how Newport’s commitment to religious freedom and maritime commerce created one of colonial America’s most prosperous and diverse communities.