Summer and the living is easy in Newport, RI!
One of the top places to experience the best of summer is on the East Coast of the United States. Along the Atlantic Ocean are beautiful white sand beaches, coastal villages, amazing seafood and memorable activities for all.
Newport is a charming city situated on Aquidneck Island in the state of Rhode Island. A few things that Newport, RI is known for are its elegant Gilded Age mansions; a yacht-filled harbor that hosts the America’s Cup every year, which is a sailing regatta; several great beaches along with amazing seafood restaurants; picturesque wineries and high-end shops and boutiques.
Overall, Newport, RI makes for the perfect summer getaway in the Northeast of the USA.
In August 2020, my mom and I did a mini summer getaway to Newport, RI. We previously visited Newport on a day trip during autumn 2019, but knew we had to experience all that this lovely New England city has to offer during summertime.
During this summer trip to Newport, RI, we got to enjoy the beauty on the water, sail along the Narragansett Bay, check out new seafood restaurants and wineries, see lavish mansions and more.
Newport is the perfect destination to spend a few days unwinding, exploring and simply having a great time by the coast! Discover the best boat rental in Newport, RI.
I am so excited to share my recommendations for the perfect summer trip to Newport, Rhode Island.
** This is a sponsored post from the Hammetts Hotel. I was hosted for two nights. This article is also in partnership with Sightsailing of Newport where I was hosted on a Morning Mimosa Sail.
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How to Get to Newport, Rhode Island:
Newport, Rhode Island makes for the perfect stop on an East Coast road trip.
It is also located less than two hours south of Boston, Massachusetts, over three hours northeast from New York City, around five hours northeast of Philadelphia and 45 minutes south of Rhode Island’s capital – Providence.
The closest airport to Newport is Providence T.F, which is a state airport and there is also a regional airport called Newport State Airport. If you are flying internationally, it will probably be easier for you to book a flight to and from Boston Logan International Airport and renting a car from there.
In my personal opinion, it is easiest to take your own car if you live in the Northeast or are doing a road trip. There are plenty of parking spaces in Newport. Please note that most of the parking in the city is paid or metered.
Other ways to get to Newport is by taking the Newport & Providence Ferry, which is a quick 1-hour ride that allows you to travel luxuriously by water.
There are also Amtrak connections as well if you plan to travel to Newport by train. The two connections closest to Newport are in Kingston, which is where the University of Rhode Island is located, along with Providence. Click here to learn more!
Staying at the Hammetts Hotel in Newport:
One of the highlights about my summer trip to Newport, RI was staying at the Hammetts Hotel, which is a beautiful, nautical and luxury boutique hotel that is centrally located on the iconic wharf in the city and in the heart of the downtown area.
The Hammetts Hotel is a true reflection of the city’s past, present and future.
The property has a beautiful design, modern amenities, picturesque views, stunning lounge areas, great places to eat and drink and a warm and welcoming ambiance. I honestly did not want to ever check out of this gorgeous boutique hotel because of how much I felt at home there.
I also LOVED how close and convenient it was to everything in the city!
During our two nights at the Hammetts Hotel, my mom and I stayed in the Marina King Room that faced the Newport Yachting Center marina. It was beautiful and there was nothing like waking up to a gorgeous view of the water and boats.
Since the hotel opened in late June 2020, the room was brand new (it even smelled brand new, which I loved) and it featured beautiful modern furniture and décor, a comfortable bed with luxurious Italian linens, a 55” television, en-suite bathroom, high-speed WIFI, Lockwood organic hand-crafted bath products, access to the 24/7 fitness center and complimentary morning coffee in the lobby.
I loved how the room had a reading nook where you could look outside and watch the sunset.
In addition to the Marina King Room, there are regular King Rooms; Queen – Twin Rooms that are perfect for a family; The Commerce Suite, which also has views of the marina; The Maritime Suite that also overlooks the water; The Exchange Suite, which has a view facing America’s Cup Avenue and is also ADA designed; The Mercantile Suite that also has a view of the pretty America’s Cup Avenue as well as Accessible Standard Rooms that come with either a king bed and a narrow day bed or a queen bed and a twin day bed.
Overall the Hammetts Hotel is one of the best and most gorgeous hotels in Newport, RI and I highly recommend booking your stay there!
The hotel pays homage to Newport’s working-class roots and the turn-of-the-century mercantile wharves. It is also modern and classic that features quality and simplicity. The grounds of the hotel are gorgeous as it is situated on a wharf.
There are lovely restaurants, shops and cafés surrounding Hammetts and there is even an outdoor deck called Quarterdeck that serves co*cktails and snacks. I enjoyed an Aperol Spritz while watching the sunset there. Wine, beer, mixed drinks and nonalcoholic beverages are also available.
You could also enjoy light Italian appetizers as well as a chilled lobster roll on a squid ink bun! In the evening, there are dreamy stringed lights that shine over the courtyard of the Hammetts.
The Hammetts Hotel also has an Italian restaurant called Giusto, featuring dishes made from Executive Chef, Kevin O’Donnell.
This incredible Newport luxury hotel also has a beautiful lobby with gorgeous furniture that you could sit in and enjoy a cup of coffee, read a book or even log in digitally and get work done.
There are also cozy lounge areas on both the second and third floors that overlook both the marina and America’s Cup Avenue.
This beautiful luxury hotel has a gallery that features different artwork and paintings from local artists and they also have great discounts and specials for future stays.
In addition, Hammetts Hotel has event spaces for weddings, corporate events, big parties, sport viewings and more.
Where to Eat in Newport, RI During Summer:
If you are seafood connoisseur like me, you will LOVE the food in Newport!
In the summer, there are many great outdoor restaurants that you could enjoy, whether it be on the water or in a lovely courtyard. In addition to seafood, you will also find Italian restaurants, Irish pubs, Asian fusion, Mexican eateries and more.
During a weekend getaway in Rhode Island, you must eat at these amazing Newport restaurants:
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar: My mom and I’s favorite restaurant in Newport, Rhode Island is The Mooring. It is located on Newport’s historic waterfront and it features some of the best seafood you’ll find in the city. It is a lively atmosphere that also offers an award-winning wine list, refreshing co*cktails and more.
We visited The Mooring during fall 2019 and on our most recent trip and it sure did not disappoint. I love the seafood ravioli with a rosé and the lobster and shrimp fritters (also called ‘Bag of Doughnuts’) are definitely a must-have appetizer. My mom always enjoys their scallops’ dish!
Pasta Beach: An Italian restaurant you must visit during your time in Newport is Pasta Beach!
Located on historic Bellevue Avenue, this charming restaurant is super “Instagrammable” inside as well as outside in their courtyard. It features cute wallpaper, bohemian décor and amazing pizza and pasta dishes along with salads, paninis, calzones and more.
I enjoyed the prosciutto di parma pizza pie with a rosé and my mom had the spaghetti pomodoro dish. Everything was delicious!
Midtown Oyster Bar: Another great seafood restaurant on historic Thames Street that you must visit during your summer getaway to Newport, RI is Midtown Oyster Bar. It features a cozy British pub vibe.
My mom and I sat inside and it reminded me of my time in the UK and Ireland. I had a few oysters as an appetizer and then savored the delicious spicy lobster pasta as my main meal. The dish consisted of lobster meat, pappardelle pasta, tomato-seafood broth, pepper and saffron. My mom enjoyed the baked sea scallops.
The Red Parrot Restaurant: For all the seafood lovers, it is also a MUST that you eat at The Red Parrot on Thames Street. The restaurant is known for their awesome drinks, lobster nachos and more!
My mom and I got lunch at The Red Parrot during our mini getaway and it was amazing. I had the lobster bisque with lobster quesadillas and my mom savored the lobster nachos. Everything was amazing!
Stoneacre Garden: Since we were having seafood for lunch and dinner almost every day during our trip, we couldn’t wait to switch things up.
My friends, I got a chicken dinner. Yes, you heard that right… A CHICKEN DINNER! I rarely ever get a meat dish when I go out to dinner, but I was craving it and Stoneacre Garden’s roasted organic chicken with summer succotash definitely hit the spot. My mom had the steak frites dish and enjoyed it as well.
Stoneacre Garden is a dreamy restaurant in Newport that offers farm-to-table dishes. I loved their whimsical al fresco dining experience that featured plants and stringed lights hanging from the ceiling in the outdoor patio.
Their sister restaurant is Stoneacre Brasserie, which features the same seasonal menu and offers a gorgeous brasserie ambiance. Stoneacre Garden is located in Swinburne Row and Stoneacre Brasserie is situated in Washington Square.
CRU Café: When it comes to breakfast in Newport, I recommend eating at CRU Café, which is located right off of Bellevue Avenue. It features a seasonal menu of delicious breakfast foods, light lunch dishes and a Southern-inspired dinner menu.
For breakfast, I had a delicious biscuit breakfast sandwich called The Casino that included eggs and smoked ham and my mom had the CRU Breakfast that included eggs, sausage, home fries and toast. It was a fulfilling breakfast and their coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice were also great!
Kilwins: There is nothing like cooling off to homemade ice cream on a summer evening or during a hot day!
Kilwins on Thames Street is the best place to enjoy homemade ice cream along with fudge, chocolate, coffee and other baked goodies and desserts.
I visited Kilwins on my last day in Newport and had their key lime pie ice cream. It was amazing!
Things to do During a Newport, RI Summer Trip:
Sight Sail on the Narragansett Bay:
One of my favorite experiences in Newport, RI during my summer getaway was sailing on the Narragansett Bay with Sight Sailing of Newport. If you’re wondering what to do in Newport, Rhode Island that will leave you with everlasting memories, I recommend booking a fun sailing journey!
They do daily sailing adventures on three beautiful vessels that take locals and visitors around Newport. On a daily sail, you could enjoy scenic views, have fun on a morning Mimosa tour, take an evening Champagne sunset cruise and do a private sail straight from Bowen’s Wharf.
During my time in Newport, I did the Morning Mimosa Sail on the Schooner Aquidneck sailboat. There was nothing like starting the day on the gentle Narragansett Bay with the sunbeams shining on my face and a Mimosa in hand.
What was great about our sail was that the complimentary Mimosas were bottomless and you could also bring your own food too whether you got it from a grocery store or did take out from a local restaurant.
Overall, I loved being on the water; watching the crew adjust the sails; seeing beautiful nature around the bay; spotting stunning lighthouses (click here to discover all of Newport’s lighthouses) and sailing past gorgeous homes and mansions such as Clingstone, which was a house built on a rock in the middle of the bay as well as Hammersmith Farm – where the wedding reception of Jackie O. and President John F. Kennedy took place.
We also sailed past Fort Adams, which was a former United States Army post and now a Rhode Island State Park as well as the iconic Pell Bridge that takes you into the city. Through each sail, you will also see vintage America’s Cup boats, luxury yachts and other pretty sailboats.
Sightsailing of Newport is the oldest locally owned sailing company in Newport, Rhode Island.
The captain, crew and staff members were all so friendly and ensured everyone was safe and happy. They also did a great job pointing out and explaining the different sights that you pass on the bay.
During the summer, the Morning Mimosa Sail is offered every day through Labor Day, but during the spring and fall months it is only offered on the weekends. They even have Early Bird Weekend specials where you could get $5 off the sail per person.
In addition to Morning Mimosa Sails, Scenic Afternoon Sails and private sails, another magical experience through Sightsailing Newport is doing a Champagne Sunset Cruise on either the Aquidneck, Sightsailer and Starlight sailboats.
During a Sunset Cruise, you will watch the Newport sky turn beautiful colors around the Pell Bridge. Not only is Champagne included in a Sunset Cruise, you could also enjoy beer and hard seltzers.
**Please be responsible if you decide to do a Morning Mimosa Sail or a Sunset Cruise. Even though complimentary alcoholic beverages are offered on these sails, it is not a “booze cruise”! All sails through Sightsailing Newport are family friendly.
They also offer private charters for families and friends who want to enjoy a sail on their own; bachelorette and bachelor parties; engagements and anniversaries; pre and post wedding sails and ceremonies; corporate events and company outings; birthday parties; graduation parties; retirement parties and more.
Starting our day on a sailboat was magical and my mom and I had so much fun!
When it comes to what you should wear on a sail during the summer, I recommend sporting a light dress, t-shirt or tank top and shorts. Don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses! I also suggest that you bring a light jacket (especially if you’re doing a sunset sail) because it could get a little chilly on the water.
Overall, the sail is smooth and stable and it is a highlight when you visit Newport, RI in the summer.
Enjoy the Sea at the Beach or on Ocean Drive:
One of the best ways to see the coastal beauty in Newport is by going for a drive, walk, run, bike ride, etc. around Ocean Drive.
Also known as the Ten Mile Drive, Ocean Drive Historic District encompasses the southern coastline in Aquidneck Island. “The Drive” starts at Collins Beach near Castle Hill Lighthouse and the U.S. Coast Guard Station Castle Hill and it goes around Brenton Point State Park, Kings Beach, Hazard Beach, Gooseberry Beach, Bailey’s Beach and ends at Bellevue Avenue.
Not only is Ocean Drive great for an actual scenic journey, it also offers plenty of viewpoints and makes for the perfect spot to fly a kite, picnic, fish and even scuba dive or snorkel!
All around Ocean Drive Historic District are beautiful homes, mansions and beach houses. There are cliffs that overlook the Atlantic Ocean, renowned yacht clubs, lighthouses and more.
If you want to go to the beach without crowds, Ocean Drive’s beaches are definitely for you! The beaches in this area are more secluded, quiet and relaxing. Please note that Hazard, Gooseberry and Bailey’s Beaches are all private, but you can sit at Kings Beach and walk around Brenton Point State Park.
(Make sure to grab a soft frozen lemonade from Del’s. They have locations all throughout Newport and Rhode Island in general and the one in the State Park is a food truck.)
Known as one of the Top 10 New England Beaches, Easton’s Beach is located at the start of Newport’s Cliff Walk (which I visited during my fall day trip to Newport in 2019) and it is also considered First Beach in the city.
Easton’s Beach is the most family-friendly beach in Newport because the water is usually low tide and perfect for swimming.
Another great beach to go swimming at is Sachuest Beach, which is known as Second Beach. It is a white sand beach that stretches down to Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge.
Go Wine Tasting at a Local Newport Vineyard:
A wonderful thing to do in Newport, RI during summer is visit a winery or vineyard.
There are three wineries in the Newport area and there are also a variety of breweries as well. The three popular wineries to visit in Newport are Newport Vineyards (which is the most popular out of the three), Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards (also known as the Alex and Ani winery) as well as Greenvale Vineyards, which is where we went during this lovely getaway.
I am grateful that the staff at the Hammetts Hotel recommended Greenvale Vineyards to us. I loved how beautiful and quaint it was!
Greenvale Vineyards is a smaller winery that is located on the Sakonnet River in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, around 20 minutes from downtown Newport. Overall, Greenvale Vineyards produces small quantities of renowned estate grown wines.
Not only does this charming winery offer a tasting room, they also have tables that are situated inside the vineyards!
During our time at Greenvale, my mom and I got a flight of four different wines. We did two red wines (2014 Greenvale Meritage and 2016 Cabernet Franc) and two white wines (2019 Pinot Gris Ramato and Vidal Blanc). We loved the Meritage the best and got a bottle of it to go.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to go to a brewery during our times in Newport, but two great ones to visit in and around the city are Taproot Brewing Co. and Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company.
Visit a Newport Mansion on Bellevue Avenue:
During the Gilded Age between the late 1800s and early 1900s, America’s wealthiest families such as the Vanderbilt’s, DuPont’s and Astor’s, to name a few, flocked to Newport and made it the residence for their summer homes.
A trip to Newport, Rhode Island would not be complete without visiting at least one mansion. Throughout my two times in Newport, I have seen three mansions so far – The Breakers, Marble House and The Elms.
During my fall day trip to Newport, I enjoyed visiting and learning the history behind The Breakers and Marble House. In the summer, I loved walking through the The Elms!
Please note that prior to visiting the mansions, you will need to purchase tickets to see them. There are a few places you could purchase your mansion tour tickets in Newport, but I recommend buying them online.
When my mom and I visited in the fall, we saw two mansions and then during our summer trip, we only saw one. The cost to see one mansion in Newport is $18 USD per adult and $8.00 USD per child between the ages of 6 through 17.
The Elms was the summer residence of the Berwind family of Philadelphia and New York.
Edward Julius Berwind made his fortune in the coal industry and chose Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer to design his home (The Elms) after the mid-18th Century French chateau d’Asnieres, which is located outside of Paris. The mansion was completed in 1901 at $1.4 million USD.
Inside of The Elms features Parisian and Venetian décor. As you walk through the mansion, you will be amazed by all of the ornate Renaissance furniture.
After you finish walking through the inside of The Elms, check out the Classical Revival gardens in the back that were developed between 1907 and 1914.
After both Berwind’s deaths, Mr. Berwind’s sister Julia took ownership of The Elms until her own passing in 1961. Shortly after, the mansion, along with many others in Newport, were sold at public auction.
Nowadays, The Preservation Society of Newport County owns the historical Gilded Age mansions of Bellevue Avenue. What is great about these elegant mansions is that you can visit them any time of the year. It’s one of the reasons why Newport is also one of the best winter getaways in New England!
(You could also see the beautiful exterior of these mansions on the Newport Cliff Walk.)
Walk through the Newport Art Museum:
A great museum to check out during a summer vacation to Newport, RI is the Newport Art Museum, which was founded in 1912.
Situated in the beautiful Griswold House, which was once the summer cottage of John N.A. Griswold, the Newport Art Museum features artwork from their original collection along with contemporary pieces from around the world.
It is a MUST to visit this museum during a trip to Newport. There is a lot of talented artwork to be seen and the house itself is beautiful to walk through.
Please note that it will cost you $15 USD per adult to enter into the Newport Art Museum, $10 USD for senior citizens, $8 for military and college students and it is free for children who are under 18.
Shop on Thames Street:
Thames Street is the heart of Newport’s downtown/waterfront area. It is where you could find restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, bars and pubs, boutique shopping, historic homes and more.
What is cool about Thames Street is that it is also considered the Irish section of Newport. You could find a lot of beautiful buildings with Irish flare. I recommend taking some time to stroll up and down Thames Street and stop in a few stores. They have everything from high-end fashion to boutique shopping and souvenir shops to home décor stores.
Newport is beautiful and there are a lot of other wonderful destinations that are similar. See below:
What to do in Mystic, CT
Long Weekend in Charleston
North Fork and the Hamptons
Planning a memorable USA trip? Find moreUSA travel tips here.
I hope you all enjoyed uncovering the best things to do in Newport, RI during a lovely summer getaway and reading about my experience staying at the Hammetts Hotel along with sight sailing along the Narragansett Bay. If you have any questions about my time in Newport, please email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
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Basic Facts of the United States:
Currency: United States Dollar, Capital: Washington D.C., RI State Capital: Providence, Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
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