The Northeast Town Where You Can Live Like It's the Gilded Age
What was once considered a strictly summertime spot has become a year-round destination.
From the outside, Newport, Rhode Island has a bit of a posh, grandiose reputation. Railroad tycoons, oil magnates, and captains of industry and finance—from Vanderbilt to Baranski—made this city a popular summer getaway. The city still retains some of that high-society status, as it plays host to food and wine festivals, mansion parties, and regattas and galas annually. While all of these aspects are undoubtedly a part of the lifeblood of Newport, it doesn’t mean this coastal city isn’t for all. Quite the opposite. Newport can deliver no matter the time of year and the type of experience you’re looking to get during your weekend away.
The Classic Coast has seen a transformation over the last several years. What was once considered a strictly summertime spot has become a year-round destination. New restaurants teeming with James Beard-nominated chefs serving seasonal and local fare, stylish cocktail bars and breweries, seasonal festivals, and stunning architecture have breathed new life into Newport and the coastal cities surrounding it. The best part, all of it is either a bike ride, walk, or short drive away from wherever you decide to stay. An autumn visit to Newport is complete with fall festivals like the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, or Newport Restaurant Week. There are even pick-your-own orchards to load up on fresh, seasonal produce. While a winter visit will certainly be a chilly one, there’s no shortage of winter festivals. Stop in for the month-long Christmas celebration in December and the “best burger” contest in February, to get you through the cold months.
At just over 1,000 square miles, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States. And yet, Newport and its neighboring coastal cities feel downright big. Historical landmarks, bicycling along the bay, and indulging in a different, seasonal dish every night could take days, even weeks, if you were so inclined. However, if you’ve only got two days to spare, here’s how to make the best of them in the City by the Sea.
Travel Time
1 hour, 30 minutes from Boston, MA
1 hour, 40 minutes from Hartford, CT
If you only do one thing: Visit Newport Vineyards
No matter the time of year, there’s always a wine worth sipping on with a cheese and charcuterie board (or two), and Newport Vineyards in Middletown is an ideal place to do it. Sitting on over 100 acres of farmland and just a few minutes away from the downtown area, Newport Vineyards is setting a high bar for the kind of experience you want. While most expect a wine flight, a few wedges of cheese, and a take home glass, Newport Vineyards is a far more inclusive experience. In addition to making all of their wine on the premises, they also brew their own beer and grow their own produce in a greenhouse on premise.
Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the sunshine and sip on crisp whites and bubbly rosé, but the secret for vino success is to visit in the fall. It’s then you’ll get to witness the yearly grape harvest. However, no matter when you choose to stop in here, tours take place at the winery every day, three times a day, all year round.
After a tour of the vineyard—drink in hand, of course—a meal at the restaurant is an absolute must (if you’re planning in advance, make a reservation). Chef Andy Teixeira—a 2024 James Beard semifinalist—building some truly mouth-watering snack boards in the kitchen. He uses produce from his vineyard garden and greenhouse as well as local farmers. All the breads, the buns, and croutons for the unctuous mac and cheese? He makes those, too. Highlights of the menu include homemade pretzels, the Taproot Snack Attack Board brimming with homemade potato chips, candied bacon, pickled eggs, and smoked chicken wings. Come hungry because you won’t want to miss the BBQ brisket sandwich with scratch-made BBQ sauce on a pretzel bun.
Fill the weekend with
Bike rides
In addition to boat rides and sandy strolls along the beach, a biking adventure in and around Newport is a can’t-miss activity. Rent a bike or bring your own, and start your journey in Bristol at Colt State Park. Head towards Providence by biking the East Bay Bike Path. As you cycle along the shore of the Narragansett Bay, whizzing by coves, parks, marshes, and bridges, you’ll have the opportunity to take in all the beauty of the area one deep breath of fresh air at a time.
For a bike tour with a little more structure and a little less effort (if that’s what you’re looking for), pedicab tours are available to give you a chariot ride through the historic and scenic areas without sitting in traffic or even doing your own pedaling.
Mansion tours
As the home of the Gilded Age, it almost goes without saying that Newport is where to go to feel fully enveloped in historical wealth and culture. Some of the most famed mansions in the country reside in Newport. Thanks to the Preservation Society of Newport County, these mansions continue to be well kept and open to the public for tours and general gawking. The Breakers is the grandest of them all, as a summer home and symbol of the Vanderbilt’s wealth and status in America during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Visit The Elms, a summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind, who had their home modeled after a mid-18th century French chateau outside Paris. A few minutes away in Bristol is the home of the Blithewold Manor, Gardens and Arboretum—a 33-acre, 45-room summer estate on the Narragansett Bay. It boasts a place in American history as one of the most fully developed examples of the Country Place era.
If you’d rather have a properly put together tour rather than navigating the mansions yourself, book yourself a guided tour, either self-guided with an accompanying audio guide or led by expert guides to experience the Gilded Age in all its modern day splendor.
Strolls along the Cliff Walk
No matter the time of year, there’s nothing like a brisk morning walk with beautiful views to kick off the day, and the Cliff Walk is the ideal way to do just that. The walk is free and open to the public, making this a great activity. Take in the beautiful views without a hefty (or any) price tag. It’s even dog-friendly, as long as you keep your pup leashed and clean up after them.
The entire walk is 3.5 miles long, with flat as well as slightly rougher terrain, but there are ways to tailor the experience to your activity level of choice. For an easier route, traverse the northern half of the Cliff Walk starting at Memorial Boulevard just before Easton’s Beach—this route is complete with paved pathways and a flat path for an ideal walk, jog, or run scenario. Continue south until you reach the Forty Steps, which will lead you down just a bit closer to the crashing waves and briny sea breeze. If you’re a more adventurous walker, consider the path from Belmont Beach to Reject’s Beach, which has more uneven terrain and even some mild rock climbing. No matter which track you choose, the breathtaking panoramic coastal views are sure to make the experience a worthwhile one.
A visit to the International Tennis Hall of Fame
Andy Roddick, Martina Hingis, Andre Agassi. Do these names ring any bells? They should, considering they are some of the most famous tennis players of all time. These players, and hundreds more, are members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in downtown Newport. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a shrine to the sport and the athletes that have continued to grow and nurture the sport, attracting fans around the world to tune in whenever a big, or even not so big, match is on. The museum celebrates 262 members of the Tennis Hall of Fame representing 27 different countries. It is also home to images, videos, objects, art, and virtual experiences for tennis enthusiasts of all levels and ages to come and enjoy.
Where to eat and drink in and around Newport
For breakfast: The area in and around Newport is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to tasty treats. Starting with morning wins, The Beehive Cafe in Bristol has a menu full of comforting breakfast dishes. Butternut cornbread hash and light and fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes are guaranteed to satisfy, as well as a rotating seasonal menu of baked goods and coffees. Just a few blocks away is Folklore Provisions, where Chef Eli Dunn and his wife and business partner Rachel are serving up an absolute love letter to Azorean cuisine in the East Bay. The front of the cafe shows off an impressive lineup of freshly baked pastries, but for something heartier, turn to the full menu. There you’ll find a chourico and chips egg sandwich on a locally-made bolo bun, a rotating quiche of the day, and a ricotta toast.
For coffee and a light bite: The Nitro Bar is the spot for a caffeine boost that you’ll go back for time and again. The family run cafe has three brick and mortar locations around Rhode Island, and is serving up impressive craft lattes. Go beyond basic with a rotating menu of seasonal flavors from pumpkin spice and salted maple to cherry vanilla. They pair perfectly with their breakfast sandwiches, bowls, and freshly-baked pastries.
Just across the bridge in Jamestown, you’ll find incredible coffees, scratch made pastries, freshly-made sandwiches, and salads at Village Hearth Bakery & Cafe. This is a favorite of the area for its delightful bites as well as its dedication to supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
For lunch: For an unforgettable lunch in Newport between shopping and sailing tours, Yagi Noodles is a can’t miss. Chef Basil Yu is hand making all of the noodles for his ramen bowls from freshly-milled local wheat, and it may sound cliche, but you really can taste the love in each bite. The menu is inspired by American, Chinese, and Japanese comfort foods, and there’s really no wrong choice when ordering. Start with a plate of the squash blossom rangoons which are stuffed with crab and “dad’s rangoon mix,” and a gochujang chicken bao bun. Every bowl of noodles at Yagi is memorable and brimming with flavor and spice, but none quite as memorable as the Lobster Laksa. It’s loaded with lemongrass-marinated lobster in a curry and coconut-infused broth laced with fresh herbs and chili crisp for just the right kick of heat.
For dinner: For dinner, Giusto is where you want to be. Chef Kevin O’Donnell’s “freestyle Italian” menu is inspired and downright soulful. He pays homage to Italian cuisine but with a little something extra. The ingredients are familiar, the flavors comfortable, and yet each dish has a twist that sets it apart from your typical red sauce joint. Dishes are rotated seasonally, but thankfully some of the can’t miss bites are available year-round, including the Scotch meatball, the seafood lumache, and the calamari fried in a squid ink tempura batter. The Giusto family also owns Mother Pizzeria just down the road, where you can get a slice of pizza made with a homemade sourdough crust and fresh, seasonal toppings.
For sweet treats: Ice cream lovers, rejoice. Tizzy K’s in Providence and Warren is a can’t miss for that demographic who loves sweets, both in ice cream form and by way of childhood cereals. Elizabeth, aka Tizzy, and her husband hand make their cereal-infused ice cream by steeping the cereal in their ice cream base, straining it, and churning it to a creamy, decadent final product. Cereal flavors are always rotating, but no matter what you order, it will always be topped with crunchy cereal and a Rice Krispie treat square.
For drinks: Continue your night out in Newport at Newport Blues Cafe, a live music venue catering to any and all musical tastes, from classic and indie rock, to jazz, funk, and R&B. Grab tickets if your favorite artist is performing, but also feel free to walk-in, grab a table, and dance to the beats all night long. Just around the corner, feed your desire for craft cocktails at The Copper Club, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar above famed Wally’s Wieners on lower Thames Street. The best part? You can order a hot dog from Wally’s to enjoy alongside your craft cocktail.
Where to stay
Luxurious and historic lodgings:Located on a 40-acre peninsula along Ocean Drive, Castle Hill Inn is a luxury inn that feels like a cozy getaway from the hustle and bustle. Stay in the main building, or opt for a beach house or cottage in the sand on Castle Hill’s private beach. If you’re not looking to venture out for meals, eat on site. Castle Hill’s restaurant is serving local New England-inspired fare a la carte for lunch and dinner. Alternatively, put your trust in Chef Lou Rossi by opting for Aurelia, Castle Hill Inn’s six-course tasting menu.
With a name like Vanderbilt, you know this place is going to be the peak of luxury. The Vanderbilt is just a couple blocks off the water, giving all the best elements of downtown Newport with some relaxing harbor vibes as well. Your historic-inspired stay will be complete with a secret speakeasy-style bar inspired by Doris Duke, oyster hour in the dining room—Sunday through Friday—or perhaps a ride on the Vanderbilt yacht.
Resorts and modern stays: For a stay that really encompasses all that downtown Newport has to offer, Hammetts Hotel ticks all the right boxes and then some. The boutique-style rooms are comfortable and casual, and its location in the commercial wharf has you sitting pretty right in the middle of all the best shops, restaurants, and Newport attractions, including the Newport Yachting Center. Plus, the hotel is right nextdoor to Giusto, meaning a fantastic meal is never more than a few steps away.
Opened in the summer of 2020, The Brenton is one of the newer hotel properties in the area with an upscale, modern feel vibrating throughout. It’s right on the harbor at the corner of America’s Cup Avenue and Long Wharf. Once there, you can reach all the high points of downtown Newport by foot or, if you’re feeling active, by borrowing one of the hotel’s bicycles for a ride around the area.
Resort life is the best possible life, and Newport Harbor Island Resort is an ideal example of that. Located on Goat Island just off the coast, this is undoubtedly the most unique of all the hotel stays in the area. With room options that look onto the resort as well as out on the water, take a few moments to feed your hungry eyes before dinnertime. Have a meal at Torpedo Bar & Lounge filled with seasonal bites while you watch the fabulous yachts float on by, or forget about life for a while with a massage at The Spa.