Newport, Rhode Island

Charming coastal town, perfect to live up to your East Coast summer expectations. Coffee shops, restaurants, bars by the water to enjoy a golden hour while sipping a refreshing cocktail.

Where to stay in Newport?

Newport is really very safe. Lovely place to walk everywhere. Prices are pretty much the same in every neighborhood, since Newport is a very small peninsula. What would make a difference is if you own a car or if you are walking. If you are walking you want to stay closer to the Wharf area. If you have a car you might want to stay in a beautiful place close to the water to enjoy the views.

There are so many cute inns. My favorite is Marshal Slocumm Inn: Average price per night is $200, location is perfect. The owner is very careful with the property. The entire house is gorgeous, it has a porch to drink wine, a beautiful garden, and the common areas are very homey and cozy.

What to do in Newport?

So much to see. Newport gives the illusion of being a small coastal town, but if you start exploring around you will find out there is way much more to it. Plenty of options to eat and drink.

Here are all my recommendations:

The Breakers Mansion:

One of the most famous estates from the Gilded Age. Visit first as soon as it opens to avoid crowds. Make sure to explore the gardens as these are the highlight. Tickets on their website: https://www.newportmansions.org/

The Elms:

Another mansion that posses exquisite exterior and interior. The Carriage House is popular for their food options and garden, you need to be a ticket holder to go to the cafe, reservations are encouraged during summer.

The Rosecliff:

This is a marvelous gem. Compared to the other mansions, this is relatively small, enjoyable still. They rent the venue to do events, and it also looks out of a movie.

Cliffside Walk:

This is a walk along the shoreline, it is all rocky, views are fantastic. From South End all the way to Memorial Blvd. Make sure to pick a distance you are comfortable with. There are many points in which you can end the walk and get out of the path.

Madeleine Sailing Boat:

A Newport classic. What a lovely time in this sailing boat at sunset. They offer a good selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic refreshments. https://sail-newport.com/our-boats/schooner-madeleine/

Gooseberry Beach:

The local beach. It is nice and serene. There is a cover of $45 during peak summer to park the car, I recommend to go by Uber and also avoid waiting lines if any. There is a snack shack to buy food and drinks. It is a very goodlooking east coast beach. On 4th of July and other special weekends is closed for only members use until 2.30 p.m.

Easton Beach:

This beach is more casual. It is completely open and on a normal weekends it is very easy to park. It has three parking lots that get easily crowded over peak summer, make sure you are there about ten a.m. It is a bit windy given its geography, it is a bit smaller so space is more reduced. There is no stall to buy food nor drinks, highly encourage to bring your own.

Second Beach:

Huge beach where you can see The Breakers Mansion on the background. There is a food shack and it is very well organized. Also very crowded during eak summer and parking lot gets full very quickly. Parking is about $45 and there are long lines to get in by car. Recommend to get there at 10 a.m.

Ghost Tour:

This is so fun (and funny). The guides put on their best character, and disguise, to perform at their best on this tour after dark through key spots of Newport. Ghost stories all over. Family friendly and definitely adds to a date night. Book here: ghostsofnewport.com

Food

Clarke Cooke House: This is a Newport staple. It is a whole ambiance situation. It is honestly fun at all times. It is fun to have dinner here, also lunch, it is fun to pop up for afternoon drinks or late at night (10/11 pm) when music is playing and everyone is buzzing around. My big favorite by far.

Dona Luisa: Italian. They serve the famous lemon sorbet in a real lemon.

Luke's Lobster Roll: This is a small stall in the wharf area. Get a lobster with chips and take it with you to the beach. The buns are so soft and the lobster with butter simply dissolves in your mouth.

The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar: The creme brule -if they still have it by the time you visit- is one of the best I've had. Great service. Commensals of all ages between 30 and 60.

The Reef:  Awesome sea food, right by the water, live music, great atmosphere. Nothing too fancy, just a casual spot.

White Horse Tavern: Another Newport staple, very loved, very popular, a little bit pricey. Guests dress up.

Newport sticks and cones: candy and Ice cream open until midnight.

The Vanderbilt Auberge: Enjoy a calm morning, with the rumor of the water, surrounded by gorgeous hydrangeas, smell of a coffee freshly brewed. Breakfast is the tie you want to be there for.

Cocktail hour:

The Pavilion: Located at the 41 North Hotel, with a view of all the yachts. Upscale and chic.

Black Pearl:

Casual spot at the wharf, very popular, mostly young people in their twenties.

Top of Newport at The Viking Hotel:

Nice rooftop, very viby during the afternoon, views of Newport.

Castle Hill Inn:

Huge lawn with beach chairs, and they allow people to sit on the grass and enjoy the ocean view with a glass of your preference from the bar while sailboats pass by.

The Lobster Bar:

Also a casual spot with plenty of seating space to have a nice lobster roll and a refreshing drink right by the pier.

The Chanler: Exquisite place to have a sunset drink or even a meal. The terrace and the back garden right by the water make it ideal so sit for hours. The whole decor in the entire place is stunning.

What to wear in Newport:

Here are my favorite outfits. Summer in the East Coast is linen, white long skirts, white button down shirts, stripes, anything in the shade of blue goes with the nautical theme, floral dresses. Newport gets very humid and if you have a mane like mine it will get puffy, recommend bringing anti-frizz spray and anything that helps to keep it under control. Sometimes it starts raining out of nowhere, it's good to carry a hat with you and check for the forecast just in case before you go to dinner in case you want to carry an umbrella.

Experiencing Newport is experiencing a real East Coast summer in all its splendor. Every summer I pay a visit and lways have the best time. Hope you get to enjoy your visit. Stay tuned for updates and new recommendations.