Best Things to Do and See in Newport, RI

Hunting for the best things to do and see in Newport, RI? You won’t be disappointed – the town is famous as a recreational haven for the nation’s wealthy elite, with yachts crowding the shore and palatial mansions sprawled along the clifftops. But you don’t need a trust fund to enjoy all the charm it offers. Before the city was classy it was colonial, and those 18th century bones make a great backdrop whether you’re exploring its history or its beer scene (which is thriving). There are world class restaurants, charming diners and dive bars to be enjoyed here, and no matter which half you consider yourself part of, you can follow this guide to get a taste of how the other half lives as you check out the best things to do and see in Newport.

Take a Mansion Tour

Even though everybody does it, you shouldn’t miss out on visiting the mansions found in town. Gilded Age castles inhabited by American royalty like the Fords and Vanderbilts, many of these decadent digs have been preserved as museums. You can book guided tours through the Preservation Society of Newport County, or take in the opulence from a distance by strolling (or morning-jogging) the Cliff Walk Trail. If you only see one venue, visit The Breakers, which was modeled after a Renaissance palace and is over-the-top even by Newport’s standards.

Eat Like a Local

You’ll find something that suits your temperament to eat in this town whether you prefer wearing Fendis or flip flops. To start your day right, trade the fancy brunch for solid diner fare at the ironically named Franklin Spa, where the menu is simple and the homemade portions are enormous, or at Gary’s Handy Lunch where the loaded omelets are a specialty. Grab lunch at The Mooring, where you can get your fried seafood fix while imagining what it would be like to own one of the yachts floating by. Then take a field trip just north of the city for dinner at The Red Dory, where you can nosh on creatively-presented local seafood on a casual porch overlooking the water.

Drink Like a Local

For a midday pick-me-up, get your highbrow caffeine fix at Empire Tea & Coffee, which roasts their own beans and serves creative espresso drinks. Climb the stairs to enjoy the view and a martini from The Roof Deck at Grace Vanderbilt, or sink into the cozy depths of Caleb & Broad for comfort food and craft cocktails. For something a little different, take a tour of Newport Distilling Company, where you can taste your way back in time to when Newport supplied rum to all the scalliwags and pirates on the high seas. End your night with a cold one and some live music at Pour Judgment, where the tap list is long and varied, or dance the night away at Fifth Element, which has a mean poutine.

Get Outside and Explore

Don’t stay cooped up in corniced halls the whole time you’re in town. If you’re visiting during the warm months (which you should), Newport has lots to offer out in the sunshine. Rent a bicycle to tour the mansions from the front on Bellevue Avenue, then charter a sunset harbor cruise aboard a yacht to see what this pretty city looks like from the water (pro tip: pretend you’re the captain). Back on shore, visit Fort Adams State Park, a 200 acre fort and recreation area that hosts live concerts in the evenings.

CHEAT SHEET

For more on the best things to do and see in scenic Newport, RI, also be sure to check out:

·       Town & Country – Newport Travel Guide

·       Thrillist – Things to Do in Newport, RI

·       US News and World Report – Best Things to Do in Newport