Newport, Rhode Island Luxury Travel Guide
Newport, Rhode Island, is a quintessential New England destination. Ocean breeze, extraordinary “summer cottages,” waterfront fine dining, iconic lighthouses, and gorgeous wharf walks make Newport a fabulous place to visit. Whether you’re a fan of sailing, tennis, seafood, pristine beaches, art, carefully manicured gardens, or romantic ocean drives, Newport, Rhode, Island is the ultimate destination for all of it. Here’s my Newport, Rhode Island, Luxury Travel Guide, featuring all of my favorite things to eat, see, and do in this historic coastal town.
How to Reach to Newport, Rhode Island
Sail and dock in the harbor, fly into the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) or Newport State Airport (UUU), or drive into town to reach Newport. It’s a gorgeous drive from most of New England.
How to Get Around Newport
Driving is the best way to get from point A to point B quickly, especially if you’re going clear across town. Still, I recommend parking and walking to make the most of your time downtown. Metered spaces and parking garages are available around town. Most hotels offer parking as well. There’s also public transportation, but I’ve never used it.
Best Time to Visit Newport
We love visiting in spring and summer to make the most of our time outdoors, visit the beach and gardens, and dine al fresco. Autumn and winter may be colder, but the prices are significantly lower, and museums, the mansions, and downtown are far less crowded.
Where to Stay
Castle Hill Inn
An iconic oceanfront property where we spent my birthday three years ago, this historic inn has fantastic fine dining, gorgeous views, and a cozy environment perfect for a romantic getaway. The sunsets here are unbelievable.
The Chanler at Cliff Walk
Located along the Cliff Walk, The Chanler is another of Newport’s 5-star hotels. If you’re a fan of Gilded Age history, this is the hotel I recommend for you, as each of its 20 rooms is uniquely appointed with historically accurate opulence.
Newport Harbor Island Resort
A fun, laid-back, coastal resort, Newport Harbor Island Resort has lovely bay views, great food and drinks, and is located away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Recently acquired by a new hotel group and given a major facelift, it’s a new entrant to Newport’s luxury hotels & resorts scene.
The Vanderbilt, an Auberge Resort
We’ve stayed at several Auberge Resorts nationwide, but The Vanderbilt is in a league of its own. If you love luxury, incredible hospitality, and the perfect blend of adventure and romance, this hotel is for you.
Fine Dining in Newport
Newport is one of the best places in New England to find great seafood. Here are our favorite places we’ve eaten in Newport.
22 Bowen’s
Located on Bowen’s Wharf, this seafood restaurant has a fabulous raw bar.
Afternoon Tea at the Chinese Tea House
If you love afternoon tea, you can’t miss this spot. They even have gluten-free & pescatarian options!
Cara at The Chanler
Check out the five or 8-course blind tasting menu, but call ahead and notify them of any dietary restrictions or allergies. They’re able to accommodate with enough notice and a very polite request.
The Dining Room at Castle Hill Inn
We dined here for my birthday when we stayed a few years ago. Everything was fantastic!
La Forge
This cute café is attached to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and serves amazing drinks.
Midtown Oyster Bar
Sit on the rooftop bar and enjoy water views as you slurp oysters and take in the maritime decor.
The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar
Their calamari was my husband’s favorite in all of Rhode Island, and that’s saying a lot because that man is a calamari fiend. They have plenty of gluten-free options, and everything is caught fresh daily.
Stoneacre Gardens
We’ve dined here several times over the years, and it’s fantastic every single time. They’re great at accommodating food allergies, and their specials are always amazing. I really love their GF General Tso’s Cauliflower for the table to share.
Torpedo Lounge
Whether you dine indoors or outside poolside, you’ll have a fabulous meal here. This is also where the hotel serves welcome drinks to new guests.
Vanderbilt
A fabulous restaurant inside a fabulous hotel.
Various Food Trucks
My Newport, Rhode Island, luxury travel guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning all of Newport’s fantastic food trucks! Find them at beaches, state parks, and parked around town.
Things to do in Newport
Newport has SO much to do. There are countless festivals, events, and fun things to do all year long. Below are some of my favorite things to do in Newport, Rhode Island.
Blithewold Manor & Gardens
This is my favorite manor and garden to visit during Daffodil Days, a festival that happens each spring when 1.5 million daffodils bloom around Newport.
Cliff Walk
A 3.5-mile path guides visitors around the cliffs of Newport past sprawling Gilded Age manors like the Elms, The Breakers, Rosecliff, and Marble House. My favorite place to start the Cliff Walk is Easton’s Beach.
Click here for a map.
Daffodil Days
This gorgeous daffodil celebration spans Newport and beyond. Admire millions of daffodils in one of New England’s most iconic cities.
Easton’s Beach
A fabulous beach with white sand, seashells, and quick access to the Cliff Walk. There are bathrooms, changing rooms, parking, and even seasonal food trucks, making it the perfect place to spend a day in the sun and surf.
The Elms
One of Newport’s iconic “summer cottages,” this 60,000 square foot mansion sits on ten acres of prime ocean front real estate. Tour the inside, stroll the gardens, and savor the unmatched views.
Green Animals Topiary Garden
If you love gardens, you can’t miss this. Technically, just outside Newport in Portsmouth, it’s the largest topiary garden in America.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame
Learn about famous tennis pros throughout the ages, admire their most famous and flashy outfits, watch (or play) a tennis match on the iconic grass courts, and finish your afternoon with a meal at La Forge.
Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival
This is my favorite festival in all of New England. Sample oysters, cocktail shrimp, chowder, lobster rolls, lobster tots, seafood nachos, and so much more from dozens of vendors around New England, all on Bowen’s Wharf. Entrance is free, and prices range anywhere from a couple of dollars per oyster to $35 for deluxe lobster rolls. Bring friends and loved ones and try a little of everything to discover new favorites!
Sailing
Charter a sailboat, or bring your own (BYOBoat) and explore Narragansett Bay in style. Here’s a list of sailing tours and charter ships.
Sailing Museum
Want to learn more about sailing? This interactive museum educates visitors about the ins and outs of sailing, the history of the sport in Newport, and allows you to try out your skills on sailing simulations that make learning fun. Oh, and you get a nifty snap bracelet (it’s your ticket and allows you to access the simulations) as a souvenir!
Shopping
Walk downtown to explore a variety of charming local shops. My favorites are located on Bowen’s Wharf, like the Kiel James Patrick store, Monelle Newport, Newport Schrimshanders, and more.
Safety
I’ve never once felt unsafe in Newport. That said, use common sense. Store valuables in a hotel safe or the trunk of your vehicle. Don’t leave valuables on tables or unguarded on the beach.
At the beach, follow the flag system. If the waves are high, stay out. Keep an eye out for sea creatures like sharks and jellyfish, both of which we’ve seen in the waters along Newport (they do live in the ocean after all!) Even so, you can have a safe, fun time in the water.
I know I mention rip tides in any coastal travel guide, but as you know, that’s because I’ve witnessed someone get dragged out by one, and they subsequently drowned before help could reach them. I never want that to happen to anyone else. If you’re caught in a rip tide, swim parallel to the shore, not against it; otherwise, you’ll exhaust yourself. Panicking only increases your risk of drowning, so be safe and work to swim out of it. If you’re not a strong swimmer, either stay on shore with a good book, or wear a life vest.
I hope my Newport, Rhode Island, luxury travel guide helps you plan the adventure of a lifetime.
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