Newport Yachting Center
20 Commercial Wharf
1 show hosted
About this venue
The show is anchored at the Newport Yachting Center, a waterfront venue on Newport Harbor that is Rhode Island's premier mooring field and marine service facility. NIBS spans over 17 acres across 7 interconnected show sites in historic downtown Newport, including the Newport Yachting Center, Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, Oldport Marine, Bannister's Wharf, Bowen's Wharf, Market Square, 'Below Deck' at Hammetts, and Perry Mill Wharf. The layout combines in-water docks with on-land exhibits. Key zones include Perry Mill Wharf (boats up to 80 feet, engines, electronics, retail pavilions, and the Windward VIP lounge), the Brokerage Basin (yachts from 30 to 125 feet), and the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina (sea trials). Amenities include restrooms, food vendors, water refill stations, and recycling/composting stations, with Information booths on Commercial Wharf and Market Square.
Parking
The recommended parking is at Easton's Beach, 175 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI 02840. A parking pass is $42 per vehicle, valid for any one day (Thursday–Sunday). Continuous, complimentary shuttle bus service runs to and from the boat show entrance (approximately 1.5–1.6 miles) from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm all four days. Passes can be purchased at the beach entrance on arrival (limited availability) or, as recommended, in advance online. Handicapped parking and shuttle service are available at the Easton's Beach lot.
Getting there
The nearest airports are T.F. Green Airport (PVD) in Providence and Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston. Renting a car or using ride-sharing services is convenient for getting around Newport.
Ferry options serve the show from points north and south:
- Jamestown–Newport Ferry: An express ferry on show days with special pricing (including family 4-packs), free parking in Jamestown, and a free shuttle from the Jamestown lots to the ferry terminal.
- Providence–Newport Ferry (Seastreak): Drops off at Perrotti Park, within walking distance of the boat show.
For drivers, park at Easton's Beach and use the complimentary show shuttle. Note that in 2026 the show overlaps with the Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival (Sept. 18–20), so plan transportation accordingly.
Nearby hotels
onPeak is the official hotel provider for the Newport International Boat Show, offering discounted rates at conveniently located hotels with no booking fees and flexible policies; reservations can be made through the show's onPeak booking portal. Because Newport is a popular destination that fills quickly in the fall, organizers strongly recommend booking accommodations well in advance. The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina and Hammetts Hotel sit directly on show sites in downtown Newport, placing guests within walking distance of the wharfs.