Free Summer Activities in Newport

While Newport, with its grand mansions, upscale boutiques and gourmet restaurants, doesn't necessarily translate into free activities, there is actually a bounty of free summer activities around every corner of this seaside resort. For instance, there are volleyball games on Easton's Beach, surfing the ocean, and walking the scenic Cliff Walk, just to name a few. But for the 2007 summer season, there's one free activity that promises to top all others. It's Tall Ships Rhode Island 2007 and there's great excitement already as the City-by-the-Sea prepares to host this free event of immense proportions.

Tall Ships Rhode Island 2007 takes place from June 27-July 1 with more than 25 tall ships docked and open for tours along the Newport Waterfront. The international celebration of sail training and sea education features tall ships from throughout the U.S. and the world, including the Bluenose II from Canada, the Cisne Branco from Brazil, the Dewaruci from Indonesia, the Gorch Fock II from Germany, the Prince William from the United Kingdom, the Urania from the Netherlands, the Tarangini from India, and the Gloria from Colombia.

In addition to free tours of the Tall Ships, visitors can enjoy exhibits, arts, crafts and native dress of each participating country, as well as live performances in the International Village, all for free. Other free activities that are part of Tall Ships Rhode Island 2007 are a street parade of crew and cadets and a fireworks display. The festival closes with a spectacular Parade of Sail from 12:30pm-3pm on July 1 as the ships leave Newport under full sail, weather permitting.

Once the tall ships leave and Newport returns to its usual summer pace, visitors can enjoy some of the more traditional summer activities that can be had for free. One way to enjoy the diverse art culture of Newport is to take in Gallery Night, held every second Thursday of each month. On this night, there is free admission to all galleries and free parking at the Newport Visitors Information Center, 23 America's Cup Avenue, or the Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Avenue. Strollers are given a map of participating galleries offering an array of art exhibits, including award-winning photography, fine arts, hand-blown glass, wood block prints and international handcrafts. During Gallery Night, many of the art galleries host receptions, new exhibits, or invite artists to talk about their works.

Another fun and free spectator summer activity in Newport is Launch Day at the International Yacht Restoration School. Onlookers can see how graduates of the International Yacht Restoration School fare as they launch and sail the classic wooden boats that they have been working on restoring all year. The 2007 fun and unique event takes place June 2 at the school's waterfront campus at 449 Thames Street in Newport. It's a great event for observing fine workmanship and a variety of wooden boat styles.

On the same weekend, artisan work of the non-floating kind can be enjoyed at the Newport Artisans' Fair. It's the perfect venue for browsing the eclectic offerings of more than 30 of the region's best-known artists and artisans. The 2007 fair is scheduled for June 2-3 at the Elks Lodge on the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Pelham Street in Newport. Admission is free.

Especially for families, there's Family Day at Fort Adams. The 2007 Family Day is Saturday, June 9, from 11am-4pm at Fort Adams Parade Field in Fort Adams State Park off Harrison Avenue in Newport. The festive day features an array of activities, games and entertainment for families of all ages. Among the planned entertainment are clowns, puppets, a rock climbing wall, temporary tattoos and live musical groups. The rain date is Sunday, June 10. Admission and all activities and events are free for all.

For classic car buffs, top collectors from throughout the U.S. will be bringing their classic cars to the 2007 William K. Vanderbilt, Jr. International Concours d'Elegance from July 26-29, at the Newport Mansions. Modern racing legends Sir Stirling Moss and Dan Gurney are scheduled to lead the celebration of all things automotive, including grand classic autos from all eras. While there are various displays, galas and appearances by legendary drivers throughout the weekend that have an admission price, you can catch, for free, the tour of historic autos as it parades along Newport's picturesque roadways on the morning of Friday, July 27. Grab a spot along Bellevue or Ochre Point Avenues for the best viewing. Call 401-847-1000 for the exact time of the Tour d'Elegance.

Sports fans can catch the Bud Light Big Shot Volleyball Series on July 28-29 at Easton's Beach, 175 Memorial Boulevard in Newport, or view the Ida Lewis Distance Yacht Race on August 10 starting at 3pm. The race can be viewed offshore in the coastal waters of Block Island Sound and Rhode Island Sound.

For wine connoisseurs, take a free, self-guided tour at two vineyards and wineries located in the Newport area, just six miles away in neighboring Portsmouth. Newport Vineyards and Winery is located at 909 East Main Road and Greenvale Vineyards is located at 582 Wapping Road, just off East Main Road. Both vineyards provide a glimpse into growing grapes by the sea and in New England's changing climate.