Summertime in Newport is pure bliss – sunshine, ocean air, outdoor dining, cocktails at sunset, mansions overlooking the cliff walk, and stunning beaches – there’s nothing like it. Here in Boston, we are fortunate to be able to jump in our car and visit this beautiful seaside community.
As we get ready to celebrate another summer with some of our favorite brands and venues in Newport, Rhode Island, we thought it might be helpful to share some tips on overcoming one of the only headaches you may encounter when visiting Newport … the parking!
“Newport, Rhode Island is one of the most beautiful spots in New England, so of course it gets flooded with visitors in the summer and fall months,” said Dan McNutt, Owner, UPP Rhode Island, one of the city’s largest parking lot operators in Newport, Rhode Island. “That’s why we have worked hard to create an easy and efficient parking service here in Newport. And one thing is for sure, knowing where to park can make or break your Newport visit.”
With years of experience in the parking industry, Dan McNutt has worked hard to create a positive parking experiences for every community his business works with.
In summer, especially weekends, Newport tends to be congested with traffic and on-street parking is difficult to find. Visitors quite instinctively attempt to park at the Newport Visitors Information Center at 23 America’s Cup Avenue which serves as the City’s primary public transportation hub, including access to discounted public transit. Visitors Center patrons can receive up to 1/2 hour free validated parking. But that parking lot can fill up quickly and what limited on street metered parking the city does have can fill up quickly.
Below is a list of all the parking options.
NEWPORT GATEWAY CENTER LOT – 23 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport
The Gateway Center serves as Newport’s main transportation hub, with buses and trolleys departing regularly. Park your car in the lot and get on a trolley to travel throughout town worry-free.
Note: The Visitor Information Center is currently closed due to Covid-19, hopefully it will reopen soon in time for this summer, however the Newport Visitor Information Van is located just outside the building and stocked with brochures on shopping, dining, events, things to do, maps and more.
The Gateway Parking Lot can only accommodate a limited number of recreational vehicles and no vehicle over 24 feet long is allowed. Tall vehicles and vehicles with roof-carriers must use the Bolhouse St. entrance due to the height restrictions at the America’s Cup Ave. entrance.
COST: Off Season – November 1 – April 30: Free, High Season – June 1 – October 31: $2 for the first half hour; $1.50 for each additional half hour. Maximum per day $24.50, Residents – 3 hours free, once per day. (Valid Resident sticker required)
HOURS OF OPERATION: Daily: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
MARY STREET LOT – Located between lower Mary Street and lower Church Street
The Mary Street lot offers more than 100 parking spaces, plus a public restroom open daily in season, and operates on a Pay & Display system; pay at the display stations and place your receipt on the dashboard in your car.
COST: Off Season – November 1 – May 31: Free. Summer Season – June 1 – October 31: $3 per hour; $20 per day; $30 overnight (good until 9:00 AM the following day), Residents – Up to 3 hours free, once per day. (Valid Resident sticker required)
HOURS OF OPERATION: June 1 – October 31: 24 hours; Restrooms close at 8:00 PM.
EASTON’S BEACH LOT – Easton’s Beach, Memorial Boulevard
The Easton’s Beach lot is accessible from Memorial Boulevard. Due to the pandemic, parking capacity is limited.
COST: High Season – Memorial Day – September 1: Residents Seasonal Parking passes: Residents $50 Seniors $30. Non-Residents $15 per car weekdays. $25 per car weekends and holidays
HOURS OF OPERATION: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
TOURO STREET LOT – The Touro Street parking lot is accessible from Clarke Street and offers 30 available spaces. Parking is limited to three hours. The lot runs on a Pay & Display parking meter which accepts coins, bills and credit cards. Simply select the number of hours you will be parked, make your payment and then place the receipt on your dashboard.
COST: Off Season – November 1 – May 31, 2020: Free, High Season – June 1 – October 31: $1.25 per hour, Newport Residents: Up to 3 hours free, once per day. (Valid Resident sticker required)
HOURS OF OPERATION: Daily: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
LONG WHARF LOT – The Long Wharf parking lot is accessible from America’s Cup Avenue, and, like Touro, is a small lot of approximately thirty spaces. Parking is available for a maximum of nine hours per day. Payment is operated by a Pay & Display machine, which accepts coins, bills and credit cards. Simply select the number of hours you will be parked, make your payment and then place the receipt on your dashboard.
COST – Off Season – November 1 – May 31, 2020: Free, High Season – June 1 – October 31: $1.25 per hour
HOURS OF OPERATION: Daily: 24 hours
METERED PARKING – Off Season – November 1 – May 31: No fee for parking at meters, but a 3 hour limit is in effect until 6:00 PM daily. High Season – June 1 – October 31: Metered parking is in effect 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily.
COST: Downtown meters: $1.25 per hour, 3 hour limit, Beach meters on Memorial Blvd: $2 per hour, 3 hour limit. All meters accept coins or credit cards.
METERED PARKING AT CLIFF WALK – Parking for Cliff Walk and Forty Steps is located at the end of Narragansett Avenue with a pay-by-plate parking meter. The Pay Station is located next to the restrooms. Metered Parking is in effect from 9 AM – 9 PM and is $1.25 an hour. Enter your license plate number and make your payment – there’s no need to put a receipt on your dashboard. Machine accepts credit cards, dollars and coins. Restrooms are open daily from 8 AM – 7 PM.
HANDICAP PARKING – Handicap parking is free in designated handicap spaces on public streets. The meters do not need to be fed and parking stickers are not required.
FREE PARKING – Various locations throughout the city exist without metered parking if you can find an available space, including Spring Street, one block up from Thames Street, Broadway and Wellington Avenue, located on lower Thames.
Now that you know where to park, here are a few of our favorite Newport destination venues:
MIDTOWN OYSTER BAR
THE LANDING
DOCKSIDE
LOBSTER BAR