Got to go? 12 public bathrooms to come to your rescue in Newport

Savana Dunning, Newport Daily News
·4 min read

Picture this: You’re in downtown Newport. Maybe you just finished a day at the beach, enjoyed a Del’s Lemonade, had a nice dinner somewhere on Thames Street and had a couple of drinks on Broadway.

You’re having a nice time with the family when you realize … you have to use the restroom. Your partner has to use the restroom. The children have to use the restroom. The whole party has to use the restroom.

But where? And how?

The point is, sometimes you have to answer nature’s call. Here are some places in Newport where you can take care of business for free:

Harbor Master’s Office (Perotti Park)

How to access:The restrooms are just to the left of the entrance.

The Newport Harbor Master's office at Perotti Park offers public bathrooms.
The Newport Harbor Master's office at Perotti Park offers public bathrooms.

Type:Two gendered restrooms with multiple stalls.

Amenities:No diaper changing stationAir-powered hand dryer

Newport History Museum

How to access:Walk inside and go straight back toward the stairs. The restrooms are to the left, just before the staircase.

Type:One single toilet all-genders restroom

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Amenities:Paper towelsNo diaper changing station

Newport City Hall

How to access:There are restrooms on each level of city hall, but the easiest to access are on the ground floor and first floor. The ground-floor restroom is just to the right of the entrance, which is behind the large stone staircase outside leading to the entrance of the first floor. The first-floor restroom is up those stairs and immediately to the right.

Type:One single toilet all-genders bathroom

Amenities:Paper towelsNo diaper changing station

Newport Police Station

How to access:Enter the lobby of the police station and ask the clerk for access to the restroom. They will buzz you into the bathroom. If you visit after hours, you can use the dispatch phone to request access.

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Type:One single toilet all-genders bathroom

Amenities:No diaper changing stationAir-powered hand dryer

Newport Public Library

How to access:If you enter from Spring Street, there are two gendered restrooms just before the staircase to the right which may or may not be open. If they aren’t, take the stairs or elevator up to the first floor and the restrooms should be near the entrance to the parking lot.

Type:Two gendered restrooms with multiple stalls.

Amenities:Diaper changing station (Women’s)Paper towelsFeminine Hygiene Products (Women’s)

Note: The bathrooms close 10 minutes before the library does.

Bowen’s Wharf

How to access:Walk through the car-accessible entrance on America’s Cup Avenue (just after the pedestrian entrance with the anchor) the restrooms are just to the left.

Public bathrooms available at Bowen's Wharf.
Public bathrooms available at Bowen's Wharf.

Type:Two single toilet, all-gender bathrooms.

Amenities:Diaper changing stationAir-powered hand dryer

Sailing Hall of Fame

How to access:Enter the main Armory building entrance on Thames Street. The restrooms are slightly down the main hall and to the left.

The National Sailing Hall of Fame purchased the Armory building on Thames Street in Newport in 2019.
The National Sailing Hall of Fame purchased the Armory building on Thames Street in Newport in 2019.

Type:Two gendered restrooms with multiple stalls.

Amenities:No diaper changing stationAir-powered hand dryer

Newport Maritime Center

How to access:The Maritime Center entrance is in the back of the Armory building. Once you go through the entrance, the restrooms are down the main hall, the women’s restroom is to the right and the men’s is down a little further and to the left.

Type:Two gendered restrooms with multiple stalls and two single-toilet all-gender restrooms.

Amenities:No diaper changing stationPaper towelsShowers

Easton’s Beach

How to access:The restrooms are in the second building. Follow the signs that say “Public Restrooms.”

The early morning sun peeks through a window at the Easton's Beach Rotunda.
The early morning sun peeks through a window at the Easton's Beach Rotunda.

Type:Two gendered restrooms with multiple stalls.

Amenities:Diaper changing stationAir-powered hand dryerShowers

Cliff Walk (40 Steps on Narragansett Avenue)

How to access:The restrooms are at the entrance to the Cliff Walk on Narragansett Avenue.

Type:Two single-toilet all-gender restrooms.

Amenities:No diaper changing stationAir-powered hand dryer

Mary Street Lot

How to access:The restrooms are at the southern end of the lot.

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Type/Amenities:The restroom was “closed for the season” when the reporter visited in mid-May.

King Park

How to access:The restrooms are next to the playground.

Type/Amenities:The restroom was “closed for the season” when the reporter visited in mid-May.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Public bathrooms in Newport from downtown to the beach