Rose Island Lightouse
Rose Island Lightouse
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Discover quaint, colonial charm with a stay at an historic lighthouse in Newport, RI. located one mile off the coast of in Narragansett Bay. Built in 1869, the restored lighthouse provides a rare opportunity to share in its history. Your reservation includes boat transportation.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
97 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
16
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Barry N
Coventry, RI3,221 contributions
Aug 2021
a great place to see up close thou you can not go in it as a visitor. We loved seeing it and getting the history of this lighthouse from a boat tour that left from New London,Ct. and it took us right up to the lighthouse or as close as a boat can get.
Great trip to all the local lighthouses. Thei history of this place goes way back and I found it very interesting and everyone should go and see them. The best way is the boat tours they have that are special for lighthouses/ The also have them that leave from Newport as well. This is of interest for the whole family.
Great trip to all the local lighthouses. Thei history of this place goes way back and I found it very interesting and everyone should go and see them. The best way is the boat tours they have that are special for lighthouses/ The also have them that leave from Newport as well. This is of interest for the whole family.
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aneemoon2013
West Kingston, RI1 contribution
Aug 2013 • Couples
Rose Island is an exceptionally beautiful spot! My husband and I spent a week as "the Lighthouse keepers" and loved it!!! We were lucky to have excellent weather and a full moon while we were there. (although I do plan to visit the island at different times of the year so as to experience how the island changes through the seasons). The sunrises, sunsets, views of the Newport bridge and viewing of the moon and stars was spectacular. We met people from all walks of life. The island is open to the public from 10 AM - 4 PM. and during our stay overnight guests included honeymooners, couples and families. The Rose island foundation also hosts various events on the island. There's plenty of opportunities to socialize but also to have quiet moments alone. We kayaked, swam ,fished, combed the beaches ,trekked around the island, had campfires and soaked up the ambience of such a quaint and lovely place. As the innkeepers we also (voluntarily) did odd jobs, collected the landing fees, raised and lowered the flag daily, welcomed visitors to the island and most importantly ran the generator nightly. The island does have a turbine (windmill) that stores energy however conservation of energy and water is essential. The generator, the turbine and solar panels charge the batteries which supplies electricity to the lighthouse consequently when the batteries run down it shuts down the power to the house thus the refrigerator in the lighthouse keepers quarters did not always maintain an optimum temperature. I suggest bringing a really good ice chest or cooler to keep items you want well chilled. it should be noted that running the generator restores power relatively quickly. I personally found not having TV and internet access blissful, and notably you can charge and use a cell phone. We never had any difficulty placing or receiving calls. I also recommend bringing a good pair of water/ walking shoes, and camera, additionally you may want to bring a good pair of binoculars as there are many sailing vessels that pass by the lighthouse. The east passage (a major shipping channel) runs alongside the lighthouse and goes from the sea to Providence therefore you will see large ocean going vessels transiting close to the Rose Island light. Everyone that we met from the Rose island foundation were always friendly, down to earth, helpful and professional. It was genuinely a pleasure to meet them. They do a lot of work to maintain this extraordinary place yet they always took the time to explain, accommodate or converse. Knowledgeable and personable it was ever delightful to see them. They truly enjoy their jobs ( how refreshing) additionally the same can be said of the crew of the Jamestown/Newport ferry. While we were there we had family and friends ranging in ages 79 to 7, elders, young adults, teens and children visited and without exception they throughly enjoyed themselves and plan to return. I most definitely will be returning. Ann Mooney
Written September 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doourock
Tampa, FL47 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
The light house staff are friendly and knowledgeable. The will talk with you for hours if you wish and oh did my wife talk. We really enjoyed this experience and the amazing view.
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve M
Philadelphia, PA1 contribution
May 2012 • Solo
This photos in this review were very misleading. I drove all the way from Pennsylvania to Rose Island Lightouse and there was no seagull sitting on a rock. I can't believe someone would photoshop a seagull on a rock, then have people travel across the globe to see something that doesn't exist. I'm very disappointed there was no white/grey seagull, Tripadvisor...please remove that photo before someone else makes the same mistake I did
Written August 31, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane D
Wakefield, RI175 contributions
May 2012 • Family
My husband and I stayed at the Rose Island Lighthouse in January 2011, and were very lucky to have beautiful mild weather. We opted for the "keeper's quarters" which is worth a little extra $$ since you have the upstairs apartment fully equipped with kitchen, full bath, wood-burning stove etc. The lighthouse has been restored and is worth the trip just to explore from the downstairs (museum area) to the tippity-top light. We explored the whole island including wandering through the brick building where torpedoes were stored during WWI and WWII. At the far end of the island we watched harbor seals sunning themselves! Because it was a weeknight in January, we had the place to ourselves - very peaceful and took us back a few decades in terms of the lifestyle (i.e. no tv, computers, etc). Fast forward to May 2012 and we returned, this time with 2 grandchildren (ages 10 & 11) in tow. It being Memorial Day weekend, we were certainly not alone!! We again had the upstairs keepers quarters, but this time around, there was a small wedding on the island (so romantic) and the wedding couple stayed over in the Foghorn Room (a lovely quaint building set almost right down onto the water). There were 2 other children (new instant friendships!) and 3 other adults who belonged to the other children. It was a very different experience than our first time, but a wonderful adventure all the same. The children (and adults) loved exploring the whole lighthouse, and children's feet running up and down stairs along with excited squeals every time they climbed up into the light at the top of the lighthouse made for a noisy time - but much fun all the same! The children went swimming and spent much time flying kites, skipping stones in the water, gathering rocks, shells, etc from the beaches, running & playing. They gulls, oystercatchers & other shore birds were nesting so parts of the island were off-limits but this did not limit our fun - in fact we got to see 3 little seagull chicks hatch before our eyes! After taking down the flag around sunset (one of the "keepers' chores") we roasted marshmallows and ate s'mores before retiring for the night to our apartment where we dug out a monopoly game to play. Next morning we cleaned up, packed and ate breakfast, then headed back outside to see the seagull chicks again, and then took the kayaks out on the water. They kids had a blast kayaking! If you have the opportunity to do this, do not hesitate - it is a wonderful experience and one you won't forget!
Written May 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa E
Ireland24 contributions
Jul 2015
There is something magical about a trip to Rose Island. I tagged along with a friend to see the place on a beautiful summer day and found myself utterly charmed by the place. Nestled at the foot of the Pell (Newport) Bridge, I had admired the lighthouse and island for years before setting foot on it...I was happy with that arrangement until a friend arranged the trip over and took me along.
It is amazing, there is a sense of having stepped out of the 21st century and into the past. Newport feels far away and the sense of peace and beauty there is indescribable. Leave your cell phone and tablet at home and immerse yourself in this enchanting place if you have the opportunity to do so.
The island is small and the lighthouse is open to visitors,The lighthouse museum is fully restored just as if the keepers still lived there. There is electricity produced by wind-power and a rainwater collection system. in fact, it can be rented for a night or a week. You can become a lighthouse keeper and a time traveller all at the same time.
It is amazing, there is a sense of having stepped out of the 21st century and into the past. Newport feels far away and the sense of peace and beauty there is indescribable. Leave your cell phone and tablet at home and immerse yourself in this enchanting place if you have the opportunity to do so.
The island is small and the lighthouse is open to visitors,The lighthouse museum is fully restored just as if the keepers still lived there. There is electricity produced by wind-power and a rainwater collection system. in fact, it can be rented for a night or a week. You can become a lighthouse keeper and a time traveller all at the same time.
Written March 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ConnecticutBonbon
connecticut73 contributions
Jul 2015
This is fun and interesting. All arranged thru the website and ferry co, you park in a designated lot in Jamestown, the ferry takes you to the island. We stayed overnight (benefits the Lighthouse foundation). When the lighthouse museum closes at 4pm, the island is yours, pretty much... they have 2 bedrooms, a bedroom in a separate building on the rocks, and an apt upstairs for the people who are the lighthouse keepers for a week. . I was alittle wary of this, but the other couple was very nice. And the keeper had a small quiet family, hardly ran into them. The ferry captain said it was haunted. Bring your own food in, cook on grill. Then when your ready to go back next day, raise the flag, the ferry comes to get you. I could keep goin, but check out their website.
Written December 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauryc
Wyoming, RI1,258 contributions
Jun 2015
This lighthouse sits out on a tiny island at the entrance to Newport Harbor. To reach it you must take the Jamestown/Newport Ferry, which is a great way to see the harbor itself! You have to pay $5 to disembark and then you're free to explore the island. You can see the lower level of the lighthouse but can't climb up to the top.
This lighthouse is also available for overnights. There are 2 accommodations, so at 4pm everyone except the overnight guests have to leave the island. The overnighters act as lighthouse keepers, and have some chores to do.
Also on this island are the remains of a WWII torpedo storage facility.
This lighthouse is also available for overnights. There are 2 accommodations, so at 4pm everyone except the overnight guests have to leave the island. The overnighters act as lighthouse keepers, and have some chores to do.
Also on this island are the remains of a WWII torpedo storage facility.
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lynn11561
Cranston, RI48 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
The Jamestown/Newport Ferry makes this a great day trip. The island is small, but there's hardly ever anyone where you happen to be at any time while on the island. The help there is very friendly and informative. You can tour the lighthouse, museum and the island. Part of the island used to be off limits, but now you can walk around the whole island.
Written August 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat S
Boise293 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
TAke the ferry over; it is totally refurbished back to its original state; you can spend the night in one of the rooms in the lighthouse. We were able to go up to the top of the lighthouse and outside at the top. Totally terrific view; staff is overly informative and friendly. In June the birds were nesting which was interesting. Would definitely do it again
Written June 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would like to be a lighthouse keeper for a week...
Written December 5, 2020
how is possible that the hotel changed me to a handicapped room without me knowing it?
Written August 3, 2015
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