Thames Street

Nestled just steps from the waterfront, Thames Street has been Newport's main commercial drag since the 18th century. Here you'll find a collection of local shops, like Thames Glass and Newport Fudgery, as well as more conventional stores like Express. There's also a decent dining scene ranging from budget-friendly seafood to ritzier entrees, like those served at the Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant.

This area also claims a high concentration of colonial homes, dating back to the late 17th and early 18th centuries that are worth exploring. And you should also take some time to visit Trinity Church. This religious site was completed in 1726, and its cemetery acts as the final resting place of some of the city's earliest settlers.  

"If you want to do the entire walk, you definitely want to set aside time," says one TripAdvisor user. "Thames Street is very long. You can't help stopping to look at the stores and historic buildings." You'll also want to wear comfortable walking shoes, even if you're planning a shorter stroll; the cobblestone streets and the sometimes-unkempt redbrick sidewalks aren't high-heel friendly.