Newport is pure magic; full of sailboats, sunshine, and the sea – it just doesn’t get any better! There are amazing coastal views, cute colonial homes, yummy seafood, and stunning mansions! It is a MUST visit spot! Not to mention, I got married in Newport! We put together a guide for you so that when you visit Newport, you can hit all the hot spots!!
This area is near and dear to our hearts so we hope you travel to Newport and love it as much as we do!! It really is the perfect location for a weekend getaway with your S.O. or friends!
THINGS TO DO IN NEWPORT
- The Mansions – One of the most popular things to do in Newport is to visit the Newport Mansions! The gilded mansions are a sight to see, and many of them host public viewings and tours. Katie went on a mansion tour as a young girl and fell in love. Fast forward many years later and she is planning a wedding at Rosecliff Mansion!! The major ones to visit are The Breakers, Rosecliff Mansion, The Elms, and Marble House.
- Newport Vineyards – We are huge fans of wine and love an afternoon full of wine tasting! Newport is New England’s largest grower of wine grapes…who knew?! Spend a day in the tasting room and then head outside to the patio to enjoy a relaxing day! If you are interested, there are tours of the winemaking process, as well.
- International Tennis Hall of Fame – If you are a fan of tennis, this spot is for you! You can also catch some tournaments here during the summer.
- Beaches – If you are visiting in the warmer months, you must head to the beaches! See below for a full overview.
- Cliff Walk – A visit to Newport, Rhode Island is not complete without walking along the Cliff Walk!! This 3.5 mile shoreline walk has public access and gorgeous coastal views. Most of the cliff walk runs parallel to the coast and the gorgeous gilded mansion properties. The walk begins at the west end of Easton’s/First Beach at Memorial Blvd., and the walk is generally pretty well mapped out along the route. It ends at Bellevue Avenue. Parking can be found either at the Memorial Blvd entrance or Narragansett Avenue.
- Ocean Drive – This 10-mile drive is absolutely breathtaking! The views are unlike any other and the scenic route is one of the best places in Newport to bike ride, run, picnic, fish, and swim! In the colder months, we like to walk the route for some steppppssss!
- Sailing – Newport is the “Sailing Capital of the World!” It hosted America’s Cup for over 50 years. It is still known for its sailing and is home to some of the world’s most luxurious yachts and boat shows.
- Shopping on Thames Street – If you are a fan of shopping, hit up the fabulous boutiques on Thames Street! They have everything from cute clothing boutiques to adorable home pieces.
WHERE TO STAY
Once you get to “The City by the Sea,” you’ll want to stay forever. For our anniversary weekend, we stayed at Hotel Viking! It is centrally located and the perfect spot for walking to the harbor or taking bikes for a ride to the mansions. Honestly, the amazing people at Hotel Viking made us feel at home and so comfortable.
We loved our stay and 100% recommend this incredible property to anyone visiting Newport!
ABOUT HOTEL VIKING
- High-speed WiFi
- Newspapers in lobby
- Heated swimming pool & hot tub
- Full-service spa & fitness center
- Complimentary drip coffee at Hill Market
- Complimentary bike rentals
- Egyptian cotton bed linens & pillow-top mattresses
- Renovated baths with rain head shower heads with terry robes
- Award-winning One Bellevue Restaurant
- Pet-friendly property
- Excellent croissants 😉
The hotel is going above and beyond to ensure guests are safe, during the pandemic.
Here is a detailed description of what they are doing to keep everyone, on property, healthy.
OUR STAY
We booked a one-bedroom suite for our anniversary celebration! I’m not sure if they knew we got married at Rosecliff Mansion but they put us in the Rosecliff suite for the weekend!!
I was SO touched 🙂
When we booked our reservation, they asked if were celebrating anything special – I told the hotel it was our first anniversary! Upon arrival, they sent champagne and treats to our room as a welcome gift
Hotel Viking went so above and beyond to make us feel special!
WHERE TO DINE
- Clarke Cooke House: This dining spot is a Newport institution! Whether you are looking for oysters in the restaurant or enjoying a cocktail in the bar area, Clarke Cooke house is always a go-to for any trip to Newport.
- One Bellevue: Enjoy a delicious meal at One Bellevue – top-rated wine selections, creative cocktails, and locally sourced ingredients from the award-winning culinary team.
- Black Pearl: The Black Pearl is located right in the midst of downtown and it has outdoor seating right on the wharf! You don’t want to pass up grabbing a cup of clam chowder here because it is just too good! We especially love this spot because of the patio and ambiance!
- Tallulah on Thames: If you are looking for a special culinary experience to wow your taste buds, head to Tallulah on Thames! The menu is locally sourced and mouthwateringly amazing!
- Dels: If you are in Rhode Island you must visit Dels! This delicious lemonade is iconic in RI and you just can’t leave without trying it!
We are huge fans of waterfront dining (+ outdoor dining during the pandemic) so we made a list of spots on the water for you:
- 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar and Grille
- Agave
- Black Pearl
- Cliff Walk Terrace
- Castle Hill Inn Restaurant
- Aquidneck Lobster Bar
- Clarke Cooke House
- Belle’s Cafe
I hope you enjoyed our recap!
If you’re planning a trip to Newport, feel free to reach out with questions!!
