Newport, Rhode Island is the perfect summer destination for a long weekend. It is a coastal town with plenty to do downtown. Newport is steeped in history from the Gilded Age. It became a popular vacation spot for the elite of the time. Therefore, the wealthy families built mansions in town.
Things to Do
Newport Mansion Tours
A group of mansion tours are open to the public through the Newport Preservation Society. Over the past two trips, we went to The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House. The Breakers is likely the largest and most well known. It was built by the Vanderbilt family and has a lot of interesting history beyond the gilded age. My favorite was Marble House which was also built by the Vanderbilts. The use of stone was very impressive and the tea house in the rear yard is a fun bonus. If you have time, there are Adirondack chairs on the lawn which offer a great view of the coast and other houses. The Elms is not set on the coast but has amazing gardens that are definitely worth a visit.
Be sure to bring your headphones. You can take a guided audio tour through the Newport Preservation Society App. The app gives general background and has separate specialty tracks for more information. As a fan of the The Gilded Age TV show, it was fun to hear about the parts of the mansion that were used for filming. The mansions are such well preserved examples of the architecture and interior design from the time that the show has used multiple spaces in the mansions.
The Cliff Walk
As a disclaimer, I didn’t do the Cliff Walk. My husband did it while I was getting ready for my friend’s wedding. There are a few paved sections of the Cliff Walk but a lot of it includes walking on Boulders. This isn’t a great option for those with mobility issues but it does offer the ability to see the backside of the mansions including some of the private homes.
Rhode Island Beaches
There are plenty of beaches around in Rhode Island. If you are looking for a sand beach, head to Middletown or Narragansett. There are a few small beaches in Newport but it seems like you have to pay quite a bit to enter.
Restaurants
There are plenty of restaurants in town. If you visit on a summer weekend, it is best to have a reservation. Try to arrive early as there is limited parking in town and tons of traffic.
Midtown Oyster Bar
Midtown oyster bar is a great option for lunch. We had sandwiches and the restaurant’s house stout. The inside has a historic feel.
The Red Parrot
Across the street from Midtown Oyster Bar is the Red Parrot. The red Parrot has a bunch of seafood offerings some of which have an island style twist. The Red Parrot offers a bunch of frozen drinks and has a full bar menu.
The Landing
The Landing is located in Newport Harbor and offers great views. Our friends had their rehearsal dinner on the 2nd floor so we can’t speak to the regular menu but we had an awesome time enjoying their deck. It is definitely worth a stop for a drink.
Harvest
There are a bunch of cafes in Newport. We tried Harvest for breakfast and enjoyed their sandwiches and coffee. They also have a bunch of pastry options. This spot is good for a small group because they have a lot of indoor and outdoor seating.
The Coast Guard House
If you are willing to drive to nearby Narragansett, it is worth having dinner at the Coast Guard House. The building is the home of the first coast guard. The building is directly against the water. We sat upstairs and had great views of the waves crashing against the rocky shore. We loved the fresh oysters and lobster roll.
Where to stay
There are plenty of hotels in downtown Newport but they are typically not affordable. In general, you should expect to spend more on accommodations during summer months. We stayed in the next town over, Middletown. Middletown has a bunch of chain hotels within a few blocks. We stayed at the Hampton Inn and paid about $350/night as part of the hotel block. We also stayed in Narragansett in April for about $150/ night. I assume that it is much more during the summer. That hotel was close to the beach and the Coast Guard House Restaurant.
Getting Around
Downtown Newport is very busy during the summer months and has very limited parking. If you want to drive into town, it is best to try to go in the morning. In the evening, there is tons of traffic and people walking around. We chose to Uber from our hotel into town and it was worth it in our opinion. Once you are in town, the area is fairly walkable. I think that there are tour buses to get visitors to the mansions. There are also plenty of bike routes but keep in mind that the roads are very narrow.
Travel with Rebecca 