Visit the Sailing Museum
The Visitor Experience at The Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame
Explore sailing through exciting hands-on activities and exhibits that are fun for the whole family!
A personalized journey through six thematic areas begins with the selection of a boat. For sailors, they can select from one of seven on the screen; while those experiencing sailing for the first time will be given the option of a short quiz to help them select a boat. For all, this boat will become their avatar throughout their museum experience, guiding them through the interactive elements, several of which will be specific to their selected boat.
Create Your Journey
Select from one of seven boats to tailor your museum adventure, delivering an experience that is yours alone. Collect virtual rewards as you complete activities, design a boat, or create your own burgee and take it home with you.
Take on the Competition
High-tech exhibits with built-in ‘stealth learning’ share the ins-and-outs of the sport like never before, challenging you to build your skills and teamwork.
Bring History to Life
The oldest competition in sport, predating the modern Olympics, get to know the legends who shaped the sport since 1851, test your knowledge, and revel in one of sailing’s many great moments.
Museum Hours & Tickets
The museum is open from 10am to 5pm daily.
Upcoming Special Hours
This Summer, starting July 1, the Museum has extended hours on Tuesdays, staying open until 7:00pm. Plus, Rhode Island residents can enjoy free admission from 5:00–7:00 PM every Tuesday with photo ID at entry.
Museum hours are adjusted on the following dates to accommodate special events:
- Thursday, July 24, closing early at 4pm
- Friday, August 1, closing early at 4pm
- Saturday, August 2, closing early at 4pm
- September 24 & 25, Hall of Fame Induction
Visitors should plan on a minimum of 45 to 90 minutes for their journey through the museum. The last admission is 4:15 pm, to ensure visitors have time to enjoy their museum experience.
The museum experience is self-guided, but we do offer private tours. Contact us for more information.
General admission tickets are available for purchase online or in-person. Discounted admission tickets must be purchased in-person.
| General Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Member | Always free! |
| Adult | $18.00 |
| Senior (65+)/College Student | $15.00 |
| Youth (11-18 years) | $12.00 |
| Child (10 and under) | Always free! |
| Museums for All (purchase in-museum) | $2.00 |
| Military (see Blue Star Museum guidelines) | Free until Sep 1 |
Newport’s Sporting Ticket
Experience Sailing, Cars and Tennis
Newport’s three sporting museums have a joint-access ticket! Visitors and sports fans can visit The Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame, Audrain Automobile Museum and the International Tennis Hall of Fame for the price of just two museum admissions, at $39 per adult.
Don’t miss out on visiting all three wonderful institutions!
Directions & Parking
The Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame is located at 365 Thames Street, one of Newport’s busiest downtown streets. Centrally located, the museum is a 10-minute walk from most of the shops, restaurants and attractions in town.
Street parking is available throughout the city, but be sure to read the signs hours for Resident Parking or Metered Parking is in place. There are also multiple paid lots in and around Newport, including two just across the street from the museum.
Groups & Tours
The Sailing Museum & National Hall of Fame is a great destination for school and youth groups. We also welcome reunions, corporate retreats, club rendezvous and tour groups. Groups of 10 or more should contact us for a discounted price on their selected date and to organize the details of their visit. Upgrade your museum experience with a VIP guide or even a meet-and-greet with a Hall of Famer!
Accessibility
The museum is located across two floors. Elevator access is available and galleries are wheelchair accessible. Please ask any staff member for assistance.
Respectfully, strollers, bikes, scooters and skateboards are not permitted in the museum. Thank you for your understanding.
I think the best thing about sailing for me has been watching my four children (Casey, Patrick, Matthew, Scott) enjoy the sport as much as I did.
Timothy Patrick Hogan
Lifetime Achievement Awardee
Ferries & Shuttles
Harbor Shuttle
Access Newport without the Hassle of Parking
For those looking to avoid the traffic, park at the Newport Transportation Center, walk across the street to Perrotti Park and take the Harbor Shuttle to Ann Street Pier. The Ann Street Pier is located right behind the museum. Make a day of it with a hop-on hop-off ticket that connects several destinations around the Newport Harbor.
Seastreak Ferry
From Providence to Newport– FAST!
Experience the majesty of Narragansett Bay on your way to the charming New England enclave of Newport, R.I. Offering quick trips from Providence, Boston and more, Seastreak will spare you the traffic-jammed frustration and replace it with a relaxing and enjoyable cruise to Newport.
Jamestown Newport Ferry
A quick trip across the bay to Newport from Jamestown
The Jamestown Newport Ferry operates from May 21 through October 10 and has five Hop-On Hop-Off stops that include Jamestown, Rose Island Lighthouse, Fort Adams, Ann Street Pier and Perrotti Park. Take a quick one way trip across the bay or get round-trip tickets and beat the crowds in downtown Newport. The Sailing Museum is off Thames Street and the Ann Street drop off is right behind the building.
Museum Rules & Policies
The museum experience is located across two floors. Elevator access is available and galleries are wheelchair accessible. Please ask any staff member for assistance.
- Strollers, bikes, scooters and skateboards are not permitted in the museum.
- Only service animals as defined under the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are allowed.
- No smoking is permitted in the museum or on the grounds.
- Please be courteous of others and refrain from making calls or using your cell phone on speaker in the museum.
- We encourage you to try all the interactive exhibits, but please do not touch the artifacts, artwork or exhibit cases.
For the security of our visitors, staff and collection of artifacts, the following are not permitted in the museum:
- Food, drink, e-cigarettes, backpacks/oversized bags, strollers and any other objects or possessions the staff deems potentially harmful to artifacts and other guests.
- Tripods and live video are not permitted in the galleries.
COVID-19 Precautions
- The Sailing Museum follows all local and CDC recommendations to ensure the health and safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers. Based on regulatory guidance, we will continue making adjustments, which may change without notice.
- In addition to cleaning and disinfecting routines, the museum is equipped with UVC air purification systems throughout the building.