The entertainment and film industry turn to Aardvark Antiques on Thames Street for inspiration and decorating themes. Interior decorators, architects and landscape artists favor Aardvark for antiques and Newport architectural design ideas. You can see these iron railings, fountains, carousels and horses, stained glass, mantels and lighting in many Newport establishments and homes. Aardvark specializes in bronze furnishings for home and garden. Their main office and indoor and outdoor showrooms are located on the historic Newport waterfront.

The area of Tiverton Four Corners was placed on the National Historic Register in 1974. It is a rural village that dates from the 17th Century, and is a center for antiques, fine art, gourmet food, distinctive crafts, gifts and clothing. Pastoral landscapes and old-fashioned stone walls create a backdrop for shops and historic buildings, such as the 1865 Union Public Library, still serving the public. Four Corners is 1.5 miles from the beach and an hour drive from Newport, Providence, Boston, Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts.

The Newport Colony House was designed after an English Town Hall designed by Richard Munday; Munday also designed the Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House in Newport. An open marketplace is found on the first floor of the Colony House, with civic offices on the second. The design was intended to make what is now Washington Square into an elegant meeting place. The Colony House is the fourth oldest American state house that is still standing. The mayor of Newport announced the Declaration of Independence on its front steps. Tours by appointment. Donations accepted.

The Artillery Company of Newport is a ceremonial unit and museum of the Rhode Island Militia and Historic Military Commands. The unit provides honor guards and canon salutes for private and public veterans events and official local and state ceremonies. A museum of military uniforms and memorabilia is located at 23 Clark Street. This collection, one of the most extensive in the country, includes uniforms worn by His Royal Highness Prince Phillip and Lord Louis Mountbatten, both of Great Britain. Guided and self-guided tours are available. Admission is by donation.

The Norman Bird Sanctuary is the perfect venue in Newport for bird watching, hiking and family outings. Located just beyond Newport's Third Beach, the park blends ponds and woodlands with ocean breezes and sandy terrain. Trail maps and public restrooms are available at the entrance to the park, along with ample parking. There are over seven miles of trails, allowing visitors to bird watch from designated posts or enjoy views of the sea from the rocks and hills. Admission is free.

Enjoy the passing sailboats and the beautiful view of the Newport mansions along the shoreline at Sachuest Wildlife Park; Sachuest is about a mile from the center of Newport in Middletown and is a perfect place to spend a few hours enjoying nature. Both fishing and swimming are allowed, but the steep rocks surrounding the park make it difficult to do both. Pets are allowed as well and the trails are easy to manage; maps are available at the entrance to the park, along with restrooms and limited parking.

Easton's Beach is locally known in Newport as "First Beach" and is a favorite spot for tourists, events and tournaments of all kinds throughout the summer season. The beach is long and narrow, providing a great place to stroll across the town line into neighboring Middletown. The boardwalk has parking, public bathhouses, concessions stands and even a carousel. The beach is known to have red kelp warnings that often prevent swimming and make walking and wading difficult.

Sachuset Beach, sandwiched between First and Third beaches, is referred to as "Second Beach." Surrounded by reedy dunes, the beach is not accessible from the main road so unless traveling by foot you will have to pay for parking to collect seashells. Water sports are allowed. On a clear or cloudy day you can spot a few die-hard surfers who claim that this beach has the only surf worth riding in Newport.

Episcopal Sunday worship is held at 8 am and 10:30am, and 10am in summer at Trinity Church parish founded in 1698. This church is said to be one of the finest ever built, composed of the only three-tiered center aisle wine glass pulpit found in America. George Washington worshipped here in Pew 81. Other noted visitors include Queen Elizabeth and the Archbishop of Canterbury, who visited in 1976. Tiffany stained glass windows are valued at $3 million, the organ tested by Handel before sent from England. Donation.

Dedicated in 1763, Touro Synogogue is America's oldest synagogue. Descendants of Sephardim from Spain and Portugal seeking freedom from persecution founded the congregation in 1658. Peter Harrison, a known colonial architect, designed the synagogue. It is one of the best examples of 18th-century architecture in America. Friday services are held in the synagogue at 6p in winter, and 7p in summer. Saturday services are at 8:45a. Tours are conducted every half-hour Monday through Friday; in winter, tours are Friday at 1p and Sunday from 11a-3p. Donations accepted.