Overview
Middletown lies south of Portsmouth and north of Newport, Rhode Island. This geographical location is what gave this town its name. Middletown was founded in 1743 when unjust taxation and a growing population caused freeholders in Newport to petition for independence. In 1731, the land that Middletown occupies was set apart and the town began.
Today, Middletown is a small yet bustling community. There are many places to eat and sleep as Middletown provides a port to many tourists to Newport. Middletown has very interesting history including Nicolas Cage's purchase of the "Grey Craig" (a very large home) in August 2007.
5 sights · 5 things to do · 14 places to eat · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Middletown
Norman Bird Sanctuary
Daily 9AM-5PM. A 300-acre sanctuary for deer, fox, over 300 species of birds. Marked nature trails of up to 1.1 mi each (no pets permitted on trails). Lovely coastal views. $4.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
A large, 242 acre refuge that is ideal for brisk walks and scenic views. Many, roughly 1.1 mile long trails some follow the shoreline for calming walks. Sachuest is a great area for bird watching. Saltwater fishing allow…
Newport Vineyards
They have public tours from 1-3PM so it is convenient to stop by after lunch. If you prefer going at a different time you can still visit their wine shop and have a wine tasting. They sample award winning wines and have …
Sachuest Town Beach
Known as Second Beach to locals, this is the largest beach in this area. Here you can find great surf, fine sand, showers, and a concession stand. Seasonal parking passes are available in the beginning of the summer seas…
Third Beach
This beach is known for its calm surf, which is perfect for water sports and small children. There are no public bathrooms or concession stand offered at this beach, but parking is available.
Flaherty Charters
Charter a fishing boat.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 24°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Mar and Oct. (climate data from nearby Newport)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- NPT Newport State Airport, Newport — 1 mi away. Directions
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 16 mi away (major hub). Directions
To get into Middletown, or anywhere on Aquidneck Island, you can take one of three bridges: The Newport Bridge (Claiborne Pell Bridge), from Jamestown, Rhode Island, The Sakonnet River Bridge, from Tiverton, Rhode Island, or the Mount Hope Bridge, from Bristol, Rhode Island.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Newport Vineyards, Sachuest Town Beach
- Lunch Anthony's Seafood & Restaurant
- Afternoon Newport National Golf Club, Potter’s League for Animals
- Dinner Atlantic Grille
Day 2
- Morning Norman Bird Sanctuary, Third Beach, Flaherty Charters
- Lunch Becky's Real BBQ
- Afternoon Skydive Newport, Island Cinemas 10
- Dinner Custom House Coffee
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
To get into Middletown, or anywhere on Aquidneck Island, you can take one of three bridges: The Newport Bridge (Claiborne Pell Bridge), from Jamestown, Rhode Island, The Sakonnet River Bridge, from Tiverton, Rhode Island, or the Mount Hope Bridge, from Bristol, Rhode Island.
By plane
Get around
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) offers (in season) daily trolley/bus service to all major points of interest in Middletown.
See
See Sachuest Town Beach
Known as Second Beach to locals, this is the largest beach in this area. Here you can find great surf, fine sand, showers, and a concession stand. Seasonal parking passes are available in the beginning of the summer season.
See Third Beach
This beach is known for its calm surf, which is perfect for water sports and small children. There are no public bathrooms or concession stand offered at this beach, but parking is available.
Do
Do Skydive Newport
Skydive Newport offers exhilarating and breathtaking experiences. With highly trained staff and exceptional safety equipment, Skydive Newport makes sure all experiences are as safe as possible. The jump areas include over the various beaches in Newport as well as Narragansett Bay. Tandem jumps are $210 per person. Photos and videos may also be taken and purchased ($80 per person for photos only, $120 for photo and video).
Buy
Shop Island Sports (sporting goods)
Eat
Eat Atlantic Grille
Great service, a relaxing environment and good food.
Eat Flo's Clam Shack & Raw Bar
A great place for fish and chips - or any fried sea food (Bar upstairs). Open during the spring - Thursday and Sunday from 11AM - 9PM, and Friday and Saturday from 4PM - 9PM.
Eat Frosty Freeze
Frosty Freeze is a great place to grab a delicious Ice Cream treat. They are open from 1 April, through 30 September - a schedule they have stayed true to for the last 51 years. They have a wide variety of both soft serve and 'hard' serve ice cream - as well as shakes, sundaes, and anything else you might expect at an ice cream shop. They are located right off of East Main road, and have a small area with picnic tables to sit at. Get there early, because the line usually stretches around the side of the building on a summer night.
Eat Del's Lemonade of Middletown
Del's lemonade has been around for some time. While all stores don't carry every flavor, Del's has 'on tap' Lemon, Watermelon, Cherry, Peach/Mango, Blueberry, Light Lemon, Grapefruit and Pomegranate lemonades. This is not regular lemonade, but closer to a 'slushy' - having the flavor mixed in with chopped up ice chunks (and often times pieces of actual lemon). They have trucks and carts that are located all over Aquidneck Island - where you can pick up a lemonade to cool off.
Eat Tito's Cantina Mexican Grill
Check out Tito's Tacos for some great tasting Mexican food. This place has a great menu and has a bar. As soon as you walk in, you can feel the Mexican vibe - eat delicious chips and salsa while you wait for your food and cool down with a tasty drink of your choice.
Eat Aquidneck Pizza
Aquidneck Pizza is available for private parties, or is simply open for a meal whenever you need one. Open late - until 3AM on the weekends, and 11PM all weeknights. They also deliver their full menu to all of Newport and Middletown. Some favorites to check out are the buffalo chicken pizzas, curly fries and any kind of sub!
Eat Coddington Brewing Company
A great place for dinner - very upscale, and great food and beer. They make their beer on site, and have a decent sized selection to choose from, something for everyone to like. It is a good spot for family outings, or a night out with the spouse. Highly recommended.
Eat Blue Plate Diner
A very popular diner that serves all-American food that is well-prepared and fresh. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner along with a wide variety of tasty desserts. Prices are average in comparison to other eat-in restaurants. Very friendly atmosphere and retro look.
Eat Ching Tao Restaurant
Ching Tao is home to very fine, authentic Chinese cuisine. The atmosphere is very charming and the service is polite and quick. The portions served are large and satisfying. Deliveries can be made and are free of a delivery fee for purchases of ten dollars or more. Alcohol is also served here.
Eat Pizza Hollywood
Pizza Hollywood is a local favorite when it comes to pizza places. The pizzas served are well-prepared and very flavor full. The choices of pizza toppings are extensive and the pizzas themselves are priced similar to most mainstream pizza shops (such as Dominoes). Pizza Hollywood does make deliveries.
Eat Siam Square
Delicious Thai food at reasonable prices. Has all the classic Thai dishes served in a comfortable atmosphere. Closed on Mondays.
Sleep
Stay Paradise Motel
Stay Sea Whale Motel
Stay Residence Inn by Marriott
All-suite hotel, 2 miles from downtown Newport, offers separate areas for sleeping, living, eating, and a fully equipped kitchen. Indoor swimming pool & whirlpool. Free hot breakfast buffet daily, social events M-Th, beer and wine bar, summer barbeques, and free internet.
Nearby
Newport
City / town · 127 listings · 2 mi away
Jamestown
City / town · 48 listings · 4 mi away
Brenton Point State Park
Park · 1 listings · 5 mi away
Dutch Island
Park · 6 mi away
Portsmouth
City / town · 19 listings · 6 mi away
Little Compton
City / town · 26 listings · 7 mi away
North Kingstown
City / town · 60 listings · 8 mi away
Quonset Point
City / town · 4 listings · 8 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.