10 Cool Things to do in Newport for under 20 Bucks

The Bar at the Chanler is a richly decorated bar inside The Chanler at Cliff Walk, a lavish mansion-turned-hotel on the edge of the sea that makes one of the best hot toddies in the state, according to Travel + Leisure. (117 Memorial Blvd.)

Grab an outside table at The Black Pearl restaurant, and you can eat that classic chowder while overlooking picturesque Newport Harbor. Note that reservations are not accepted on the patio. (Bannister’s Wharf)

Examine the grapes and get a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process at the 60-acre Newport Vineyards. Tours and tastings are offered daily. A one-hour tour and tasting costs $12, $15 with a Newport Vineyards glass. (909 East Main Rd., Middletown)

With gorgeous mansions on one side and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean on the other, it’s no wonder the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk is so famous. The path, designated as a National Recreation Trail in 1975, runs behind beautiful properties such as Marble House and Rosecliff. Don’t forget to make a stop at The 40 Steps, a centuries-old gathering spot, which is less than a mile from the start of the walk. (intersection of Memorial Blvd. and Eustis Ave.)

Hike alongside the Atlantic Ocean at this state park, located about 10 minutes from the city. You can also bring a picnic lunch and kite and relax on the green space, open year round from sunrise to sunset. “The view is absolutely beautiful,” said Gina Simeone, of the State of Rhode Island Division of Parks & Recreation. (Bathrooms are open May 1 to Oct. 31.)

Spend the day discovering how the elite lived during Newport’s Gilded Age by touring a gorgeous Newport mansion. Wealthy families like the Vanderbilts built these mansions, with names like Marble House and Rosecliff, as summer “cottages.” A one-day ticket to most mansions costs $17.50; the famous Breakers mansion is slightly more at $24. (various locations)

Walk the halls of the historic Vernon Court, an 1898 Gilded Age mansion and home of the National Museum of American Illustration. Currently on exhibit: “Norman Rockwell and His Contemporaries,” best known for his ledgendary 20th century covers of the Saturday Evening Post. And the kids will love “My Little Pony: Under the Sparkling Sea by Mary Jane Begin.” (42 Bellevue Ave.)

At this museum, tennis fans can check out the grass courts where the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships were held in 1881. The museum also has more than 1,900 pieces of tennis history and interactive exhibits. There’s even a Roger Federer hologram. (194 Bellevue Ave.)

Freshen up your wardrobe for a fraction of the price at the Vintage to Vogue consignment store. “We have sale racks right now where we’ve got $150 items on a rack and everything is $20 or less,” said owner Shana Gaines. Parents of teens: You can snag a prom dress for less than $20. (489 Thames St.)

Browse antiques at this 6,000-square-foot indoor market inside the historic Newport Armory, built in 1894. The market has more than 70 dealers and 100,000 items, 3,000 of which are nautical in theme. (365 Thames St.)