20 Aug Castle Hill Lighthouse in Rhode Island: Best Sunset in Newport

The best place to watch the sunset in Newport, Rhode Island is at the Castle Hill Lighthouse. I guess that would be considered an opinion, but I have not heard of or seen a better spot! Picture this. You are sitting on a bench along the Rhode Island coastline with a lighthouse just to your left, and the sun is setting directly across from you. As you watch the sun disappear beyond the horizon, the sky turns a variety of colors, for example orange, yellow, and pink, and reflects off the water.

Contents:

1) Quick Facts

2) Location + Logistics

3) Best Time to Visit

4) Background

5) Trail to Castle Hill Lighthouse

6) Additional Castle Hill Attractions

7) Additional Newport, RI Attractions

1) Quick Facts – Castle Hill Lighthouse in Rhode Island

1. The Castle Hill Lighthouse is located at the southwestern point of Newport, Rhode Island.

2. You can visit the lighthouse 24/7, and there is no entrance fee.

3. The best time to visit the Castle Hill Lighthouse is at sunset during the summer season.

4. There is a short dirt trail leading from the parking lot (aka the Garden Lot) to the lighthouse.

5. Additional attractions at Castle Hill include the inn, restaurant, and venue space.

Castle Hill Lighthouse just before sunset

2) Location + Logistics

The Castle Hill Lighthouse is located in Newport, Rhode Island. More specifically, it is located in the southwestern corner of Newport just off of Ocean Avenue. For reference, it is a 12-minute drive from downtown Newport / Thames Street.

Looking for another northeast weekend destination? I recommend Acadia National Park in Maine. The park boasts rewarding hikes, stunning overlooks, and a cave-like spot on the coastline that produces a sound similar to thunder. Moreover, do not forget to check out the cute, coastal town of Bar Harbor for delicious lobster rolls.

Nearby Airports

Unfortunately, there is no airport within the town of Newport. Do not worry, though, for there are two nearby international airports. First, the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is 55 minutes north of the lighthouse. It is located in Providence, which is the capital of Rhode Island. Second, the Boston Logan International Airport is two hours northeast of the lighthouse. It is located in East Boston.

While the Boston airport is double the distance compared to the Providence airport, it offers greater flight options since it is a larger airport. I flew into the Providence airport for my trip to Newport, though I have to say the flight times were not the most convenient. My flight to Newport landed around 1am after an hour and a half of delays. Furthermore, my flight out of Newport took off around 5am in the morning. (Note: cost was a factor in my final decision of flights as I tried to stick with reasonable prices).

How to Get There – Castle Hill Lighthouse in Rhode Island

There are a few ways to travel around the town of Newport and to arrive at the Castle Hill Lighthouse. First, you can drive to the lighthouse (with your own car or a rental car). Parking is available for the lighthouse free of charge. More detailed information on parking is below. Second, you can use a ride share service such as Uber or Lyft. One thing to note if you are using a ride share service – have them drop you off at the Garden lot, which is listed as “Castle Hill Lighthouse Parking” on google maps.

Please note that walking to the lighthouse is most likely not a viable option. For example, it is a one hour and 25 minute walk from Thames Street to the lighthouse. While a lot of Newport is walkable, the Castle Hill Lighthouse is a bit further out and thus not as accessible as other attractions. Additionally, the free bus that runs in Newport from June through October does not travel to the lighthouse.

Parking

Parking for the Castle Inn Lighthouse is a bit tricky since there are multiple attractions at Castle Hill as well as multiple parking lots. For example, there is the lighthouse, inn, restaurant, venue space, and marina. In terms of parking lots, there is one lot in the middle of Ocean Avenue and one lot at the end at the top of the hill. For the lighthouse, you can park at the Garden Lot, which is a grass lot in the middle of Ocean Avenue.

First, the parking lot at the top of the hill is complimentary valet parking only. However, parking here is generally reserved for patrons of the Castle Hill Inn, restaurant (The Lawn Terrace at Castle Hill Inn), or venue space. If you have an easygoing parking lot attendant, they might let you park here just for the lighthouse. Nevertheless, it is likely that they will ask you to turn around and park in the other lot down the road, known as the Garden Lot.

Second, the parking lot in the middle of Ocean Avenue is free. It is known as the Garden Lot, probably because it is a grass lot and is right next to a small garden area. There are a few signs near the entrance to the lot. One of the signs says that this parking area is the Garden Lot while another says parking is available here for the marina as well as the lighthouse. The signs are small, and it can be hard to read them as you are driving past the first time. If you miss the entrance, continue to drive up the road and then turn around before reaching the valet. Furthermore, this lot is shown on google maps as “Castle Hill Lighthouse Parking.”

Golden hour at Castle Hill Lighthouse

3) Best Time to Visit – Castle Hill Lighthouse in Rhode Island

Without a doubt, the best time to visit the Castle Hill Lighthouse in Rhode Island is during sunset. The sun sets across the water from the lighthouse, often painting the sky with colors of yellow, orange, pink, and red. Since the lighthouse is at the southwestern tip of Newport, you are not going to find a better sunset spot anywhere in town.

When watching the sunset, there are two main spots where people tend to congregate. First, there are large lawn chairs set up on the hillside in front of the Castle Hill Restaurant. However, you do not have a direct view of the lighthouse from there. Second, there are a few benches right beside the lighthouse. Even if no bench is available, I recommend you stand or bring a blanket to sit down. In my opinion, watching the sunset from right beside the lighthouse is the best option.

My appreciation for sunrises and sunsets has only grown over the years. How could it not when I have witnessed sunrises at places such as Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park and Antelope Island State Park in Salt Lake City, Utah?

Best Season to Visit

As with most locations in the northeast, the best season to visit is the summer season. For example, summer is the best time to explore Acadia National Park, hike to waterfalls in Rangeley, Maine, and book a walking tour of Portland. Unless you enjoy chilly and downright cold weather, then head to the Castle Hill Lighthouse in Rhode Island in summer.

For reference, the average peak temperature in Newport in the summer is 81.5 Fahrenheit (27.5 Celsius). Moreover, this peak usually occurs in mid-July. On the other hand, the average high in Newport is in the low 60s Fahrenheit (~15.6 Celsius) for the months of May and October. The shoulder seasons can thus still be a good time to visit if you do not mind packing a sweater or two.

Watching the sun begin to set at Castle Hill

4) Background

The Castle Hill Lighthouse is a granite structure standing at 34 feet (~10.4 meters) tall. It is built into the cliffside near the entrance to the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. Moreover, it has been an active lighthouse for over 130 years and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors can wander all around the lighthouse, but they are unable to enter the lighthouse.

History of Construction – Castle Hill Lighthouse in Rhode Island

The Castle Hill Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island is a beautiful attraction, yet its construction was not an easy path. The lighthouse was built in 1890, but that was only after approximately 15+ years of back and forth. The Lighthouse Board approved the construction of the lighthouse, then they changed their minds and disapproved of it, but then they changed their minds again and re-approved it. Nevertheless, further issues plagued construction due to difficulties with obtaining the land on which they desired to build the lighthouse. Eventually construction began, and the lighthouse was built in all its glory in 1890.

At first, the lighthouse’s flashing red light was from a fifth-order Fresnel lens. However, the lens has since been replaced and is now a 300-mm lens. The light has a range of 12 miles (~19.3 kilometers), and it was fully automated in the 1950s. In addition to a light, the lighthouse also has a fog horn.

In the early 2020s, the lighthouse was in dire need of some fresh paint. The Coast Guard was responsible for maintaining the lighthouse, but they did not intend to devote the resources to repainting. Therefore, Castle Hill Inn entered into an agreement with the Coast Guard where they stated they will maintain the lighthouse for a short period of time. Castle Hill figured repainting would be worth the expense as the lighthouse draws additional visitors to their property.

Peeking at Castle Hill Lighthouse through the trees

5) Trail to Castle Hill Lighthouse in Rhode Island

There are two ways to reach the Castle Hill Lighthouse. If you are only visiting the area for the lighthouse, then I recommend option two. However, if you do valet parking because you are eating at the restaurant or staying at the inn, then the first option is going to be the most convenient.

Once you reach the lighthouse, there are stairs down to the bottom of the lighthouse for a unique view.

Path Across From Castle Hill Inn and Restaurant

First, you can park in the Garden Lot and then walk up Ocean Avenue to the top of the hill. The Castle Hill Inn and Restaurant are on the right, and the valet parking is on the left. Walk straight to the end of the parking lot and then bank left to walk along the coastline. It might appear as though you are walking towards nothing but a bunch of trees. Nevertheless, there is a small sign directing you to the lighthouse once you reach the trees. Additionally, you can see a worn down path at that point, which leads straight to the lighthouse.

If you are already at the inn or restaurant, then you can easily walk along the coastline from there to reach the path to the lighthouse.

Path Across From the Garden Lot

Second, you can park in the Garden Lot, immediately cross the road, and then walk along the grassy path through the trees. As a note, the path starts directly across from the southern end of the Garden Lot. There is a small sign directing you to the lighthouse. Moreover, it is fairly easy to follow along the path as it has been worn down by previous visitors. For a fun fact, I saw a deer while I was walking back to the parking lot from the lighthouse.

While certain websites list the trail as 0.6 miles (~one kilometer) out and back from the Garden Lot, it is actually a bit shorter than that. My best estimate is that the trail is actually only 0.4 miles (~0.6 kilometers) out and back. An average person can thus walk the entire trail in 10 minutes or less. There is no major elevation change, but there is a slight incline on the way to the lighthouse.

Please note – it appears there is another path across from the Garden Lot that has a chain across it. Only walk along the appropriate path that includes signs pointing to the lighthouse. Most of the grounds are private property, and thus we want to respect the owners and only walk where allowed.

Taking in the views at Castle Hill Lighthouse

6) Additional Castle Hill Attractions

There is more to do at Castle Hill than just visiting the lighthouse. If you have extra time (and money), then consider the below.

First, there is a restaurant at Castle Hill called The Lawn Terrace at Castle Hill Inn. It is generally open from 11:30am to 8pm. Moreover, it is recommended to book a reservation in advance. The restaurant can book up at peak times, for example summer weekends.

Second, there is an inn at Castle Hill within the Agassiz Mansion. A variety of rooms are available, but keep in mind rooms can cost $1,000+ per night. If you are looking for a fancy getaway, then the Castle Hill Inn is for you. If you are looking for a budget stay, then I recommend looking elsewhere.

Third, Castle Hill boasts venue spaces for weddings and other events. For example, they offer ceremony locations at the Castle Hill Lighthouse, Chalet Lawn, and Chalet Terrace. While I am sure you have to pay a pretty penny to get married at Castle Hill, I am also sure you will have stunning views all around.

7) Additional Newport, RI Attractions

If you have an entire day to explore Newport, RI, then here are some additional attractions I recommend prioritizing. My partner and I did a weekend getaway to Newport, but we only had one full day in Newport. I have highlighted our top three favorite attractions below! Oh, and of course I included a few food recommendations as well.

First, the Cliff Walk Trail meanders along the coastline for a total of seven miles (~11.3 kilometers). You can walk the entire trail (out and back) in just over two hours. However, you can also walk just a portion of the trail and experience the same level of beauty.

Second, the International Tennis Hall of Fame details the history of tennis. You can read about as well as see the changes in tennis over the years through informational panels, a wall of old tennis ball cans, and tennis outfits. Moreover, the grounds hold over 10 tennis courts in a variety of surfaces: hard, clay, and grass.

Third, The Breakers Mansion is the most popular mansion to visit in Newport. It previously belonged to the Vanderbilts, and now visitors can pay $29 (per adult) to tour the mansion and grounds.

Fourth, time for some food recommendations! A visit to Newport is not complete without a lobster roll. Some of the best lobster rolls are at Anthony’s Seafood, Newport Lobster Shack, The Mooring, Castle Hill Inn, and Midtown Oyster Bar. Additionally, you must include a visit (or two) to Del’s Lemonade. They have been serving frozen lemonade since the 1940’s.

Front of The Breakers mansion

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Looking for more coastal views? Head to San Diego for some of the best: Sunset Cliffs in San Diego, CA.

While in San Diego, try to spot some sea lions: La Jolla Cove: Sea Lions, Coastal Trail, Kayaking, and More.