$1,075,982Average Value$784Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Thames St. traffic in Fifth Ward can get heavy during rush hour so locals opt for walking.
Tourists flood Thames Street in the summer
On Thames Street, souvenir shop windows advertise “Newport, RI” tee shirts and tourists book 15-minute tarot readings in second-floor walk-ups. Here, having an ice cream cone in hand is just as common as a shopping bag. Traffic picks up in the Fifth Ward during the summer season — roughly between Memorial Day and Labor Day — and driving means making way for pedestrians in flip-flops and beach cover-ups. Parking can be challenging during this time of year, but the town issues resident stickers to year-rounders. Along with the Thames Street shopping district (also known as the Fifth Ward), Newport is known for its beaches and long-standing ties to the country’s wealthiest. At the end of the 19th century, the area became known as a summer playground for Gilded Age magnates like Cornelius Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan, men who built 60,000-square-foot “cottages” overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; today these mansions are popular tourist attractions. According to AnnaLeigh Bowser, a team leader at the Newport Preservation Society, “The Breakers” brings in the most visitors, and it’s been in operation as a historical site to tour since 1948. “There’s also a regular lecture series. We’ll sometimes host concerts.” In the winter, when the mansions, souvenir shops and clam shacks close their doors for the season, life in Newport’s Fifth Ward quiets down, and pubs like O’Brien’s are repopulated by self-proclaimed “townies” rather than tourists.
Condo units in remodeled mansions and single-family cottages
In the Fifth Ward, each home has a history — some date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and it’s not uncommon to see plaques identifying original owners, ship captains and military men who walked Newport’s streets 200 years ago. Narrow one-ways are lined with multi-story cottages, Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and Victorians. Gilded Age mansions stand alone on quieter streets, and many of these older houses have been divided into condominiums. A one-bedroom space can sell for under $400,000, and some larger units with water views fetch upwards of $1 million. Single-family homes tend to hover between $700,000 and $2 million, and many properties on the higher end of the spectrum have undergone extensive internal remodelings that include central air conditioning and open floor plans. In the Fifth Ward, buyers are paying for location: proximity to Thames Street and the harbor. Homes with rooftop decks overlooking the water have been known to sell for upwards of $2 million.
Fifth Ward is flanked on it's west coast with large, waterfront condos and mansion properties.
Fall in love with Newport's historic charm, where colonial homes create an inviting atmosphere.
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Hungry customers line the windows at Willy's Weiners on Thames St. in Fifth Ward.
Irish pubs and Italian eateries on Thames Street
One of the benefits of living in this Newport neighborhood is access to Thames Street shops and restaurants. Lexi Anderson, a Fifth Ward resident and former substitute teacher in the Newport Public Schools recommends O’Brien’s for its pub fare and pool tables. “On almost any given day in the summer, you can find the outdoor patio pretty full. There’s even a fountain with rubber ducks kids can fish for and a lively crowd drinking and dancing on the weekend,” she says. O’Brien’s also hosts karaoke and trivia nights during the week. Harvest Market is a go-to place for picking up iced coffee and a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on the weekends, and reservations are recommended at Mamma Luisa Ristorante Italiano, which has been perfecting its pasta dishes for decades. Summer evenings are spent window shopping with an ice cream cone from Sprinkles in hand, and residents can pick up groceries at the Stop & Shop in Bellevue Plaza or at A Market in the Bellevue Gardens Shopping Center. There’s also Ash Mart, which Anderson calls “a local classic convenience store” on Carroll Avenue.
Grass courts at the Tennis Hall of Fame and A-list artists at music festivals
At the Tennis Hall of Fame, visitors learn about the history of the sport and check out high-tech temporary exhibits like the Roger Federer Hologram. The museum’s outdoor grass courts, which were the site of the first-ever U.S. Open in 1881, are open to non-members and members alike, although the latter are guaranteed unlimited time. Sit in the stands for the Infosys Hall of Fame Open in July. There’s also the historic Jane Pickens Film and Event Center, which screens blockbuster movies and hosts touring bands. The Folk and Jazz Festivals bring thousands of music fans to Fort Adams State Park each year, and A-listers like James Brown, Nina Simone and Dolly Parton have all performed on the famous outdoor stage overlooking the Pell Bridge. Come June, celebrate Pride in Downtown Newport. Watch the bike parade, drag performances and pick up unique gifts from local vendors.
Bellevue has some incredible shops and amenities like the Tennis Hall of Fame, and Audrain.
Fort Adams near Fifth Ward is the premier outdoor event space in the Newport area.
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Morton Park is a beautiful, well-maintained open space for a walk in fresh air in Fifth Ward.
Merry-go-rounds, Little League and Yacht Clubs
In the Fifth Ward, condensed residential streets and business centers are accented by parks. Anderson recommends Morton Park, located at the end of Thames Street behind Ash Mart. “I grew up walking there and playing in the trees and on the old merry-go-round,” she says. King Park is located right on the water. “It’s home to some of the Newport Little League’s baseball fields, and there’s also a gazebo where a summer concert series is held. People come to listen to live music in the sun.” Some locals also belong to the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, and kids and adults can take sailing classes in Newport Harbor.
Rogers High School in Newport has a hub-and-spoke design and is getting a new front building.
Senior Projects at Rogers High School
Fifth Ward students can enroll in Newport Public Schools. There’s Claiborne Pell Elementary, graded a C by the educational review site, Niche, Thompson Middle, which earned a C-plus, and the B-rated Rogers High, where students are expected to complete a “Senior Project” in their final year. After hours of mentor-guided research in subjects of their choice, 12th-graders present in front of a panel. Private school options in the area include St. Michael’s Country Day, which was awarded an A-minus, and St. George’s, known for its ocean views and A-plus Niche score.
The Pell Bridge Towers near Fifth Ward are among the tallest structures in RI.
Pell and Mount Hope Bridges connect Aquidneck to mainland Rhode Island
Although restaurants and stores are within walking distance for most residents of the Fifth Ward, Route 138 and the Pell Bridge offer easy passage off of the island. There’s also the Mount Hope Bridge to the north, which connects Aquidneck to East Bay Rhode Island; RIPTA bus 60 follows this route, stopping on Broadway, passing by Newport Hospital and crossing the Mount Hope Bay on its way to Kennedy Plaza. Residents will typically book flights out of T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, but there’s also Boston Logan International, which offers more nonstop options 70-plus miles away.
Important to know: noise along Thames and free parking during the off-season
During the summer months, Thames Street can get noisy. Afternoons are punctuated by car horns and chattering tourists. Groups of college students and Bachelorette parties can be heard leaving The Dockside (a club on the water) late a night, and restaurant patios host live bands. However, according to Bowser, there’s free parking during the off-season, a benefit year-rounders take advantage of.
Thames St. traffic in Fifth Ward can get heavy during rush hour so locals opt for walking.
In the summer, tourists and local residents flood the streets of Fifth Ward and Newport.
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Fifth Ward Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Fifth Ward, Newport sell after 50 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Fifth Ward, Newport over the last 12 months is $1,150,000, up 31% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Under construction and nearing completion, this re-envisioned three-level home showcases a thoughtful transformation from a traditional raised ranch into a contemporary residence designed for comfort, luxury, and everyday functionality. The 4-bed, 2.5-bath main house showcases elegant white oak hardwood floors throughout. The main level offers a custom kitchen with high-end appliances and an
Discover a rare offering in one of Newport's most desirable downtown locations. This thoughtfully updated multi-family property includes three distinct spaces across connected addresses: 602 Thames Street, 604 Thames Street, and 4 Dixon Street - combining residential versatility with commercial potential in the LB zone. The street-level storefront at 602 Thames offers excellent visibility and
Welcome to this exceptionally well maintained first-floor 2 bed 1 bath condo situated on a quiet residential street in the 5th Ward. Just a short walk from all that Newport has to offer. Completely renovated in 2011, this charming residence features custom kitchen cabinetry, granite countertops, newer appliances, hardwood flooring throughout, and a tastefully updated bathroom. The stunning 3
**Charming Historic Condominium in the Heart of Newport** Discover your perfect retreat in this beautifull one-bedroom condo, nestled within a stunning converted historic home dating back to 1880. With only 11 units in total, you'll enjoy a sense of community and exclusivity on estate-like grounds perched high on a hill. Step inside to a grand porch entry featuring soaring 12-foot ceilings and
YEARLY FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED AVAILABLE NOW- NEWPORT DESIREABLE THAMES STREET APARTMENT LOCATED IN THE FIFTH WARD. Third floor 2-bedroom 1 full bath apartment has plenty of charm with high ceilings and upper-level loft. The apartment has a great open feeling which consists of a large living room with spiral stairs to the upper-level loft area, updated eat in kitchen, two bedrooms and a full
Charming Mansard Style Victorian located in the Desirable Fifth Ward! AVAILABLE SUMMER 2026. This immaculate fully furnished 4-bedroom, 2-bath home was just completely painted inside and out. Central Air installed throughout in 2025. The Foyer is enhanced by the beautiful antique wood door with stain glass, hardwood floors and high ceilings. The main level has a nice open floor plan which
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