International Tennis Hall of Fame

The International Tennis Hall of Fame occupies the Newport Casino, a shingle-style complex designed by McKim, Mead and White and completed in 1880 as a social club for the summer colony. It is one of the most architecturally charming museum settings in the country, with courtyards, a theater and a set of grass courts that have been in use for well over a century. The first national tennis championships were held here in 1881, which gives the site a genuine claim to being a birthplace of the American game. The museum itself tells the history of tennis through memorabilia, photographs, trophies and the stories of the sport's Hall of Fame members. Exhibits trace the evolution of equipment, fashion and style, and celebrate the great champions across eras. Visitors can also see the historic Casino buildings and, in season, the grass courts, which are a rarity in the United States.

You do not need to be a tennis fan to enjoy the visit. The Casino is a piece of Newport's social history, built by James Gordon Bennett Jr. after a disagreement with another club, and its architecture is a showcase of the shingle style that defined American summer resorts. The courtyard and the grounds make a pleasant place to walk, and the shops and restaurants nearby fit easily into a day on Bellevue Avenue.

For fans, the draw is the sport. The Hall of Fame honors champions from Billie Jean King to Arthur Ashe, and the exhibits give a sense of how tennis changed over a century and a half. The museum is also home to the annual Hall of Fame Open, a professional grass-court tournament held in summer, which lets visitors watch professional tennis in an intimate setting. If you are planning a trip around the tournament, book tickets and accommodation well in advance, because the town is busy and rooms fill quickly.

On ordinary days, plan about two hours, including time in the museum and the grounds. Court-time availability, public programs and seasonal events vary, so check the schedule for current details, particularly if you hope to play or watch a match on the grass. The location on Bellevue Avenue makes it easy to combine with a stroll along the shops, a lunch on the avenue or a visit to a mansion. Families often find it a welcome break from house tours, because the exhibits are visual and the open spaces give children room to move.

Even if you never pick up a racquet, spend time in the courtyard and on the porches of the Casino. The shingle-style architecture, with its generous verandas and inner courts, is a textbook example of the American resort building that defined the Newport summer. Children often like the interactive elements and the chance to see the courts, and tennis players may be able to arrange play when conditions and schedules allow.

Look for the theater, which dates to the original building and has hosted performances over the decades, and check the calendar for exhibitions, talks and tournament weeks. Bring a hat and sunscreen if you plan to watch grass-court play outdoors, and check whether the shop and cafe are open on the day you visit. Ask staff about guided tours of the Casino, which add architectural detail.