Newport trips and vacations
On the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island’s ritziest seaside destination is dripping with old-school glamor. A vacation in Newport isn’t complete without exploring its Gilded Age mansions, which give a fascinating insight into the lives of America’s 19th-century elites. Add sandy beaches, a spirited sailing culture and seafood fresh off the fisherman’s hook, and you have the ultimate coastal escape.
Newport vacation highlights
Walk through history
The historic Cliff Walk is a rite of passage on vacations to Newport. This short pathway packs in rugged coastal scenery on one side and impressive Gilded Age mansions on the other. Start at The Breakers, an Italian Renaissance-inspired palace built in 1895. Then explore Rough Point, the Gothic home of tobacco heiress Doris Duke, preserved as she left it when she died in 1993.
Hoist the sails
Newport’s boating history goes back centuries, and its harbor teems with old schooners, yachts and dinghies. Learn the ropes with a lesson at a local sailing school, or live the high life on a sunset cruise. Aboard a vintage schooner, you can sip champagne and look out for sights like Fort Adams and Castle Hill. Prefer to stay on dry land? Newport also has a brilliant sailing museum.
Where to stay
Downtown Newport is a dreamscape of 18th-century buildings and cobblestone streets. It’s also home to historic stays that’ll suit every budget. Rest your head at a luxury hotel in a grand colonial building, a cozy Victorian bed-and-breakfast or a budget guesthouse in an old jail. For pubs and patio restaurants, head to nearby James Street.
Things to do in Newport
Places to eat
Newport’s culinary delights come fresh from the sea and can be found everywhere from low-key seafood shacks to star-studded restaurants. Look out for Rhode Island clam chowder and ‘stuffies’ (stuffed quahog clams). Don’t miss the White Horse Tavern — originally opened in 1673, it’s the oldest operating restaurant in the US. Expect classic New England dishes in a colonial building. Reservations are essential.
Shopping
Stock up on gifts for your loved ones on Thames Street. This cobblestoned waterfront boulevard is home to the city’s best shops, from clothing boutiques to decades-old country stores, sailing outfitters and chocolatiers. For some retail therapy by the sea, Bowen’s Wharf is a great spot, offering a selection of souvenir shops and local galleries.
Beaches
Nicknamed ‘First Beach,’ Easton’s Beach is the first port of call for sun-and-sea-craving visitors. And with a wide stretch of sand, calm waters and plenty of food stalls (including the historic Flo’s Clam Shack), it’s easy to see why. If you prefer a quieter spot, Sachuest Beach (Second Beach) in nearby Middletown is where the locals go. The neighboring wildlife refuge offers great bird-watching.
