ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEWPORT, RI…
As the summer begins to fade away and the cold weather looms around the corner, I decided there was no time like the present to finally take a trip to the coastal town of Newport, Rhode Island. While most New Englanders head to Cape Cod to spend their lazy summer weekends, Newport is just as easy to get to from Boston and offers more unique experiences than the typical New England beach town.
Set on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island, Newport is one of the most vibrant summer getaway destinations in the Northeast, marked with bustling crowds, yacht-filled harbors, opulent mansions and best of all, a special storybook-like feel that you can sense all throughout town. Famous for hosting America’s Cup, the oldest international sailing competition, and establishing America’s first polo club, Newport is filled with a rich adventurous history.
If I had to describe Newport in two words they would be: charmingly posh. While there’s no question that Newport is an upscale town marked by its wealth and adventurous spirit, the vibe is anything but pretentious. The town is inviting and welcoming, and offers something for everyone no matter the background.
DAY TRIP ITINERARY
1. BREAKFAST AT BELLE’S CAFE
Start the day with a rich coffee and waterfront breakfast at Belle’s Cafe in the Newport Shipyard. This is rated one the best brunch spots in Newport so make sure you get there before 10am to avoid wasting precious hours waiting for a table (unfortunately you can only make reservations for parties of 8+). ⇢ I ordered the delicious avocado toast and washed it down with a yummy grapefruit mimosa (the french toast was also amazing – I kept trying to steal bites off my friend’s plate).
Tip: If the line is too long at Belle’s, check out Corner Cafe or CRU Cafe, which are both neighborhood favorites for breakfast.
2. BOAT CRUISE FROM BOWEN’S WHARF
After breakfast, walk over to Bowen’s Wharf for a morning cruise through one of the many boat companies based in Newport. I was unsure how the weather would turn out and waited until the last minute to buy cruise tickets – the only boat that wasn’t fully booked the night before the trip was the Scenic Bay Cruise on the Coastal Queen. Don’t get me wrong, the cruise was an absolute blast, but the Coastal Queen was less dreamy (and more ferry-ish) than a sailing yacht would have been. If you have the ability to book a week in advance, definitely check out the Lighthouse & Mimosa Cruise on the beautiful Rum Runner II sailboat – all the locals rave about it!
On the Coastal Queen we were able to see so many of the beautiful sights of Newport. We cruised past Ford Adams, the Eisenhower and Kennedy compounds, a number of spectacular estates (including my favorite one which is set on its own island), and the historical lighthouses of Narragansett Bay. The boat ride was an incredible way to start off the day and learn more about the town’s history.
3. STROLL AROUND TOWN & SHOP ON THAMES ST, BELLEVUE AVE & BROADWAY ST
After a relaxing two hours on the water, there’s no better way to explore the town of Newport than meandering through the cobblestone streets, grabbing a famous Del’s lemonade, and doing some shopping! Newport is full of unique shops and boutiques offering everything from contemporary art and wellness products to coastal home goods and casual fashion. My favorite is Frazzleberries, an adorable gift and home decor store that offers everything Newport.
4. MANSION TOUR OF THE BREAKERS
When I told my East Coast friends I was visiting Newport, they said that if I only do one thing on my trip it should be a tour of the spectacular mansions located in the south end of the city around Bellevue Avenue. When I first strolled down the famous street, I immediately felt transported into a fairytale — all I needed was a fairy godmother and a puffy blue dress to feel like Cinderella. Bellevue Avenue is a posh part of town whose landscape perfectly frames the myriad of “summer cottages” concentrated there; but let me tell you these so called cottages are anything but humble.
If you’re in Newport for the day, you likely only have time to tour one of the beautiful mansions; when that’s the case, beeline it to The Breakers, the most grandiose of all the Newport mansions and the symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s fortune and social status during 19th and 20th century America. This place is shock-to-your-system extravagant; and I’m confident that your jaw will hit the floor the moment you reach the front gates. After you finish the tour of the mansion’s interior, head to the immaculate back lawn to soak up the Great Gatsby-esque vibes while enjoying a stunning view of Easton Bay.
5. DINNER AND DRINKS DOWNTOWN
After a long day of exploring Newport, head back to the heart of town to sip on a refreshing Cucumber Cooler with the lively crowd at the The Landing, while enjoying live music and views of the Newport Harbor. While the scenery and entertainment at The Landing is great, the food is mediocre at best; instead, opt for any of these fabulous restaurants below for dinner:
- The Mooring • Upscale “catch of the day” seafood spot located only a three minute walk from The Landing and with great views of the Newport Harbor.
- Midtown Oyster Bar • Traditional New England seafood restaurant located in the center of town and home to Newport’s largest working raw bar. This is a cozy place to soak up some Newport history rather than water views.
- Clarke Cooke House • Located right in Bowen’s Wharf this place offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and gives its guests the option of sophisticated dining upstairs in The Sky Bar or casual dining downstairs in the Bistro & Candy Store. Locals highly recommend The Sky Bar for a romantic date night on the summer porch.
- The Grill at Forty 1° North • Offers an intimate fine dining experience with dockside lounge seating and gorgeous views of the Newport Harbor. This is the perfect spot if you’re looking for relaxed yet elegant ambiance.
- The Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn • A Forbes Four Star Restaurant with an exquisite prix fixed menu with Mediterranean influences. Sip some bubbly while enjoying spectacular sunset views on Narragansett Bay.
5. TAKE “THE DRIVE” ALONG OCEAN DRIVE
Before you head home, make sure to leave enough time to take what the local’s call “The Drive” around Ocean Drive. This is a gorgeous ten-mile scenic route that takes you along the southern coastline of Aquidneck Island past the major yacht clubs, Fort Adams State Park, Gooseberry Beach, and a number of stunning homes that rest on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
Tip: If you’re coming from Downtown Newport, you can begin the drive at the intersection of Thames and Wellington. However, if you’re closer to the Newport mansions you can begin at the very end of Bellevue Avenue where Ocean intersect Coggeshall.
If you have any extra time left in the day, this is also a great spot to go for a bike ride or lay out on the rocks and take in the view.
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