The Perfect Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island

I’ll be honest, Newport, Rhode Island would not have been on my typical travel bucket list, but when my husband started taking quarterly trips to Providence for his new job, the wheels started turning. What was once unexplored territory quickly became the question of, “What quintessential New England towns are worth exploring?”

The Experience

Once you arrive in Newport, I would highly recommend a sailboat ride. We did one at sunset, but you truly cannot go wrong with any of them. Not only are you able to feel a lovely coastal breeze that sets the tone for the trip, but you are able to gain a new perspective of the quaint town that you are about to spend the next few days exploring.

So much of your exploration in Newport, Rhode Island will be wandering by foot through charming shops and hearing sea gulls overhead. It is a town that is easy to be immersed in, and you’ll spend much of your time looking out at the water. By kickstarting your adventure with a sailboat tour, you get to make the most of the town’s nautical culture, and you gain the perspective of looking in towards the town instead.

You’ll go around the perimeter of the island and have the opportunity to view things that may have not been on your original list of stops – a historic fort, for example.

Once on land, you’ll be able to make stops at iconic shops, boutiques, and art galleries – many of which are located within Bowen’s Wharf.

The History

As you continue exploring this new-to-you town, be sure to look for historical land markers that tell the story of the town. Newport, as the name implies, was a major 18th century port city. It was also a stomping ground for wealthy industrialist tycoons, and you will see traces of the gilded age wealth as you’re driving around. Ironically enough, every mansion you will see was once referred to as a “summer cottage” – though, these are much larger than any cottage I’ve ever referenced.

“Once you step inside The Breakers, you would think you were in Italy if you did not know any better.”

Perhaps the most famous of the mansions is The Breakers, which belonged to Cornelius Vanderbilt II. This building boasts 70 rooms and stretches just over 138,000 sq. ft. Once you step inside, you would think you were in Italy if you did not know any better. The decor, including the intricately designed tiled mural ceilings, are all inspired by the Italian Renaissance.

The Food

When in Newport, get the lobster. And the chowder. And the cinnamon buns.

Truthfully, Newport is a foodie paradise, which I would not have expected if I did not try it for myself. Make sure you make all dinner reservations early in advance, because places fill up fast! We were fortunate enough to grab last minute seating at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar on our first night by catching an opening at the bar, but otherwise, we would have been waiting for quite some time... if we had even been able to get a seat at all. Our order consisted of Lobster-Shrimp fritters, seafood pasta, and stuffed lobster. We capped off our meal with a key lime pie dessert, which, if I’m being honest, put the key lime pie of the Florida Keys to shame.

Another foodie favorite was the seafood chowder from the Newport Chowder Company. It’s award-winning, and I can tell why. It’s a creamy, New England chowder filled with seafood and just the right amount of dill. This stop has very minimal seating and may be better suited as a “grab-and-go,” but it is definitely worth the lunch stop – especially in chillier weather. To offer a word of advice from a local, one of my husband’s coworkers did inform us that we have to call it “chow-dah” to earn respect in the area.

Finally, we ended our trip with a stop at Co-Dough, the social media viral sourdough cinnamon roll shop located within a small market. To no surprise, the line stretched out the door when we arrived. We waited for about 45 minutes to get through the line, and I am so glad we did, because these are the best cinnamon rolls I have ever had in my life. It was definitely a sweet ending to a wonderful weekend in Newport, Rhode Island.

Whether you’re visiting Newport, Rhode Island as a foodie, a lover of nautical adventures, or a shop-a-holic, there is something for everyone. Ready to start planning your next Rhode Island getaway?