Newport Attractions

Touro Synagogue

The oldest Synagogue still standing in the United States, the Touro Street building, was designed by Peter Harrison and dedicated in 1763. The synagogue has, in its time, been used as a venue for town meetings and for sessions of the state supreme court. George Washington, who visited Newport in 1781, attended a meeting in the synagogue and afterwards sent a letter to the congregation, which has become regarded as a classical expression of religious liberty in America - a copy of the letter is displayed on the wall of the synagogue, which has been designated as a National Historical Site.

Address: 72 Touro Street; E-mail: info@tourosynagogue.org; Website: www.tourosynagogue.org; Telephone: (401) 847 4794; Transport: Bus to Newport's Gateway Center; Opening time: Open for guided tours beginning every half hour. Daily except Saturday 10am to 5pm (1 July to 3 September); Monday to Friday 1pm to 3pm, and Sunday 11am to 3pm (4 September to 31 October, and 30 April to 30 June); Sundays 11am to 3pm, and only one tour on Fridays at 1pm (17 December to 27 February); Admission: Tours: $5