3 Days in Newport, Rhode Island
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Newport is one of my favorite places, not only in Rhode Island, but all of New England. This charming coastal town offers a little bit of everything: gorgeous cruises, a beautiful harbor, one of the most scenic walking paths in the state, great local restaurants and shops, and stunning architecture. Since living in the Providence metro, I have taken advantage of easy daytirps to this charming historic city. It’s an easy weekend daytrip destination and I love everything about the city. While you could enjoy a daytrip from Boston, I recommend at least a weekend trip here to enjoy all the great attractions.
While Newport is most famous for being home to the iconic Mansions, there is much more to see and do. Although a 3 day trip is not enough to see everything, you can easily incorporate some of the best things to do into your itinerary. In terms of lodging, Atlantic Beach Hotel is a great affordable option, while The Hamilton Hoppin House and Burbank Rose are 2 quaint B&B options to consider.
Day 1
7:00am – Grab a delicious breakfast at Corner Café, a local favorite. This local gem serves homecooked food in a cozy setting. This is the place to go for breakfast! This restaurant tends to get very crowded (for good reason), so getting here early will help you avoid a lengthy wait. Menu highlight include a Portabella Scrambler, the Irishman Omelette, and Home Fry Fiesta. Everything is pretty walkable in this area and you could technically walk to the next attraction, Cliff Walk if you are up for putting in a lot of miles for the day.
9:00am – Take a scenic stroll along Cliff Walk, a stunning 3 mile long ocean stroll located right behind the famous Newport Mansions. This walk is incredible, with breathtaking views of the coast and opulent mansions throughout. Most notably, you will come across the famous Breakers Mansion, the extravagant Vanderbilt estate from the Gilded Age.
Many tourists pass right by this incredible walk even though it’s located directly behind the mansions. What a shame as it is one of the most amazing places in all of New England. The best place in the state to experience beautiful views of the coast, no question. You will want to bring your camera!
11:00am – Tour the historic mansions. The most impressive and famous of the bunch, The Breakers, was the lavish “summer cottage” of the Vanderbilts. Self-guided audio tours will guide you through the property’s extravagant 125,000+ square feet of luxury. There are several different ticket options: The Breakers only, The Breakers plus one, and any 5 properties (the best deal). You will want to give yourself a few hours to explore each of the houses. If the thought of paying money to see “how the other half lives” doesn’t sound like fun, you can always view the outside for free via Cliff Walk.
4:00pm – Let your feet take a much needed break! Stop for a coffee, tea and a light snack at Empire Coffee House. There are dozens of loose leaf tea varieties available, in addition to coffee and hot espresso drinks. Light snacks, such as scones and muffins are available to compliment your drink. If you are looking for a more filling lunch, check out Brick Alley Pub located just a short walk away.
6:00pm – Take a stroll around Newport’s historic Thames Street, one of the oldest used streets in the state. Thames is filled with unique restaurants, galleries, shops, and bars. It’s a nice place to take a stroll and the architecture everywhere you look is beautiful. It’s a step back in time and a refreshing change of pace from our modern world of chains and more chains everywhere.
7:00pm – Enjoy a home cooked dinner at authentic Italian gem, Mamma Luisa. Great food, classy service, and an elegant atmosphere make this one of the better date night restaurants int he city. They serve delicious ravioli and offer a full vegetarian menu which is a rarity for an Italian restaurant. The butternut squash ravioli is amazing!
Day 2
7:00am – This morning, we will head over to neighboring Middletown to check out Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge, one of the most beautiful wildlife refuges in New England. On the way, enjoy a delicious, hearty, home cooked breakfast at Blue Plate Diner. This 50’s style diner serves breakfast favorites with a spunky, hip touch. Everything on the menu is local and made from scratch! I love the old time jukebox, eclectic decor, and the omelet I tried was delicious and healthy.
9:00am – Take a relaxing nature walk at Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge. 2 miles of oceanfront trails will allow you to get in a great workout while you enjoy the scenery. This is one of the area’s overlooked gems for sure. The Ocean Loop trail is a perfect pick for bird watching and wildlife viewing. Deer sightings are very common – maybe a little too common as we had to pull a tick off our neck after a walk here one time (Lyme disease is unfortunately becoming more of a problem). Wildlife aside, the coastal and marsh views are absolutely beautiful. It’s one of my favorite places for a relaxing nature stroll.
11:00am – Right down the street from the refuge, you will come across Sachuest Town Beach, aka as Second Beach. This beach is right next to the more popular First Beach, which is adjacent to the Mansions and thus super popular with tourists. No matter what time of the year you visit one thing’s for sure: the views at this beach are spectacular! Also, the sand is incredibly smooth and water quite warm during the summer months. Not Florida warm, but tolerable enough for a swim on the hottest summer days.
2:00pm – Take a walk or bike ride over to Washington Square. This historic district features many prominent buildings with gorgeous architecture. I also recommend checking to see if any films/special events are taking place at the Jane Pickens Theater, originally built in 1834 as a church and later transformed into a theater in 1919. We saw Before Midnight and White Christmas at this amazing theater. Really, the historical significance and beauty of the theater alone warrant a visit, but luckily enough the films we saw are also fantastic.
4:00pm – Next up is an evening drive along Newport’s Ocean Drive, also referred to as “10 Mile Drive.” A beautiful cruise will take you along the beautiful Atlantic Coast, with breathtaking views of various mansions and historical landmarks along the way.
6:00pm – Take a walk over to Bowen’s Wharf, a beautiful waterfront dining and shopping destination. The views of the harbor are gorgeous. Here you will find plenty of unique shops, art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Beautiful cobblestone streets make you feel as if you have taken a step back in time.
8:00pm – Head over for a healthy dinner in a unique atmosphere at Salvation Café, located on Broadway Street. This eclectic restaurant offers a delicious assortment of entrees, which are sure to please everyone. Even better, the upstairs dining room features a unique ski lodge type atmosphere which I love. This laid-back section of the city tends to get less crowded than the more popular Thames Street. After dinner, be sure to check out one of the many pubs in the area. UPDATE: Salvation is unfortunately closed. Brick Alley Pub or Lucia Italian are great alternatives.
Day 3
8:00am – What better way to start your day off then a cup of joe with a great view? Coffee Grinder, located in Bannister’s Wharf offers outdoor seating facing the harbor. Relax on the Adirondack chairs outside on the deck as you watch the boats go by. Also be sure to pick up any last minute souvenirs at The Newport Mansion Store.
10:00am – Schedule a 90 minute Gansett cruise. Tour guides provide you with a fantastic history of the area, all while you enjoy the fabulous views in every direction. You are also treated to a Rhode Island treat (varies depending on time of cruise). This cruise is one of the best ways to simultaneously gain more knowledge of the area, take beautiful photography, and enjoy panoramic views. I enjoyed the views of the harbor, Castle Hill lighthouse, and the famous Pirates of the Caribbean ship.
12:00pm – Head right next door over to The Lobster Bar for a delicious seafood lunch on the outdoor patio facing the water. A raw bar, local seafood sandwiches and platters, seafood based salads and appetizers, and chowders are available. There isn’t much I can eat here as a vegetarian, but I love the views from the patio (plus, I always dine with seafood lovers).
Address Info
- Corner Cafe – Located at 110 Broadway
- Cliff Walk – Located at 117 Memorial Blvd.
- Newport Mansions – Located on Bellevue Avenue
- Empire Coffee House – Located at 22 Broadway
- Mamma Luisa – Located at 673 Thames Street
- Blue Plate Diner – Located at 665 W. Main Rd. in Middletown.
- Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge – Located at 305 Sachuest Point Rd. in Middletown.
- Sachuest Beach – Located at 474 Sachuest Point Rd. in Middletown.
- Jane Pickens Theater – Located at 49 Touro Street
- 10 Mile Drive – Starts on Bellevue Avenue near the Mansions.
- Bowen’s Wharf – Located at 13 Bowen’s Wharf
- Salvation Cafe – Located at 140 Broadway
- Coffee Grinder – Located at 33 Banister’s Wharf
- Gansett Cruises – Located at 18 Market Square
- Aquidneck Lobster Bar – Located at 31 Bowen’s Wharf
Tips for a great vacation
*Check Groupon for special discounts on restaurants, attractions, & hotels. Many hotels offer package deals which may include dining or spa discounts.
*There is no need to pay for a parking garage. There is plenty of free street parking available on the side streets. Just be sure to check the signs!
*Visit outside of the busy summer season for the best hotel rates and an overall more comfortable vacation vibe thanks in part to a dramatic drop in tourist traffic along with nicer temperatures. Spring and fall are your best bets.
