10 Best Things to Do in Portsmouth, Rhode Island

© fox17/stock.adobe.com

Green Animals is the oldest topiary garden in the United States. It is part of the small, seven-acre country estate in Portsmouth that was purchased in 1872 by Thomas E. Brayton from Fall River, Massachusetts. The estate has a white Victorian summer residence, several farm outbuildings, a pasture, a vegetable garden and a topiary garden created by the property gardener and superintendent Joseph Carreiro and his son-in-law. They created about 80 topiaries throughout the property gardens, mostly animals, birds and ornamental figures sculpted from yew, California privet and English boxwood. Brayton’s daughter Alice lived on the estate from 1939 until her death. She left the topiary garden to the Preservation Society of Newport.

380 Corys Ln, Portsmouth, RI 02871

© St. Mary's Episcopal Church

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church was built on 88 acres of land in Portsmouth known as the potter Farm, donated to the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island by Miss Sarah Gibb of Portsmouth, through a deed of trust. Designed by a famous English architect Richard Upjohn, the church was completed and consecrated in 1852. The Rectory, designed in Rhode Island colonial style, was added in 1936, and in 1970 the Gibbs House was built in honor of Sarah Gibbs to serve as an administrative center. Beautiful, light New Parish House was completed in 2012 to house common meeting areas, classrooms, workshops, kitchen and administrative offices. The beautiful, multi-windowed Chapel looks out on the St. Mary's campus and is surrounded by the stained glass windows from the original St. George's Church.

324 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871, Phone: 401-846-9700

© Escobar's Highland Farm

Located on Aquidneck Island, in Portsmouth, RI, close to Newport, Escobar’s Highland Farm is a working dairy farm where visitors are invited to see and experience farm life in a modern community. Like so many other farms, in order to survive, Escobar’s farm had to adapt and diversity. Besides selling milk to the local community, they now also offer tours of the farm and diverse family entertainment, sell Christmas trees and offer visitors to pick their own pumpkins at the Pumpkin Patch. But, the main attraction is their eight-acre Corn Maze, designed by Brett Herbst. This year’s theme is the wizarding world.

133 Middle Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871, Phone: 401-683-1444

© Cindy's Country Café

Cindy's Country Cafe is a small family-friendly café in Portsmouth where, since it opened its doors in 2003, locals go for a true country breakfast and lunch. Their extensive menu includes such treats as open-faced meatloaf sandwich, gingerbread pancakes smothered in homemade apple cobbler and the classic Newporter Breakfast. Everything is made fresh, from the best ingredients, hot for each customer. There is also a daily menu with special, and it is worth checking out what new delight the chef came up every morning. If you are a boater, you can count on Cindy’s Country Café to supply you with all necessary provisions.

1324 W Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871, Phone: 401-683-5134

© Clement's Marketplace

Clements' Marketplace is a family-owned business established in 1980 under the name Portsmouth IGA. by Donald and Barbara Clements. The name was changed in 1990. Since its beginning, Clements' has become an important part of the Portsmouth community, supplying fresh and traditional foods. The market covers almost 11,000 square feet and, besides fresh produce and flowers, offers fish, meat, baked goods, pizza, dairy products, groceries, sliced deli products, natural products and prepared foods. To assist their customers, the Marketplace now offers services such as Shipping UPS and Federal Express, helium balloons, laminating, postage stamps and free knife sharpening.

2575 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871, Phone: 401-683-0180

© Newport Car Museum

The Newport Car Museum has a treat in store for all petrol heads, speed freaks and other car enthusiasts. The museum is housed in a former missile manufacturing facility, where it is home to an impressive private collection of more than 85 automobiles of all shapes, sizes and vintages. Showcasing more than 7 decades of automotive innovation and design, the museum treats each exhibit as a work of art. Enthusiasts can feast their eyes on vehicles made all over the world including a large collection of American cars produced by the Big Three, namely Chrysler, Ford and General Motors. Select McLaren, Lamborghini and Mercedes models are also on display.

Newport Car Museum, 1947 W. Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871, 401 848 2277

© Hola53/stock.adobe.com

Newport Polo remains proud to have been the very first polo club in America, established in Portsmouth in 1876. For the last 30 years the club has hosted the annual Newport International Polo Series where teams from all around the world come to compete. Spectators also come from near and far to spend a fun day out watching the skilled players maneuvering their beautiful horses as they attempt to efficiently hit the ball. The annual International Polo Series runs from the beginning of June to the end of September. If you would like to dress up and join the spectator crowd you can check the schedule online and book either individual game tickets or a season ticket.

Newport Polo, 250 Linden Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871, 401 846 0200

© Greenvale Vineyards

Nestled along the banks of the picturesque Sakonnet River, Greenvale Vineyards combines wonderful vistas with wonderful wines, promising visitors an exceptional experience. The vineyard is family owned and operated and is dedicated to producing limited quantities of outstanding wines. The estate offers a variety of experiences for visitors – you can bring blanket and a picnic to enjoy in the designated picnic area or choose to enjoy the wines at the outdoor wine-tasting area which offers seating with a view towards the river. There is also an indoor tasting room. The vineyards are open daily and wine can be enjoyed by the glass or tasting flight, or purchased for off-site consumption.

Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871, 401 847 3777

© mikeosphoto/stock.adobe.com

You can add a dash of light and energy to your Portsmouth visit when you stop by to see the latest exhibition at the Portsmouth Arts Guild Center. The guild was formed in 2003 to offer local artists the opportunity to meet, exhibit their work and inspire each other to try new artistic endeavors. Membership of the guild is open to all artists and you will find works by painters, sculptors, photographers, fabric painters and more. The guild hosts monthly exhibitions as well as art lessons, workshops and demonstrations. You can check their website to see what will be on during your visit.

Portsmouth Arts Guild Center for the Arts, 2679 East Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 02871, 401 215 0122

© Portsmouth Publick House

Combining the best of local craft beers with a relaxed atmosphere and delicious, freshly prepared food, the Portsmouth Publick House is a popular meeting place for locals and visitors. The restaurant is family-owned, located in the heart of Portsmouth and is open for business 7 days a week. The Raw Bar offers fresh local oysters, little necks and shrimp cocktails, as well as sharing platters every day. Other menu favorites include their Lobster Roll, Seared Ahi Tuna, salads, burgers and fresh local linefish. There is something to suit all tastes, 24 craft beers on tap and both indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Portsmouth Publick House, 600 Clock Tower Square, Portsmouth, RI 02871, 401 682 2600