Forty Steps Newport

Forty Steps (40 Steps) is an iconic location in Newport, Rhode Island located on Cliff Walk. The original flight of 40 rickety steps was built down to the bottom of the cliffs of Cliff Walk in 1880. The steps had no actual purpose because there is no beach at the bottom. They did, however, become a gathering place for the servants, with music and dancing breaking up the monotony of labor at the gilded-age mansions.

The staircase became a popular tourist attraction over time. The steps were redone sometime in the early 1990s to make them safer and more attractive. The Forty Steps Restoration Fund provided the new granite steps.

There are few spots better than 40 Steps to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean and watch the waves crash against the rocky coast today. The iconic Cliff Walk in Newport features a staircase that leads down to the beach. The steps are free to access and open to the public.

Newport is home to many great spots to explore and we recently blogged about the 12 Best Photo Spots In Newport, Rhode Island. You can find more great spots on the GoXplr Rhode Island Map at goxplr.com/map/rhode-island!