Newport is such
a fabulous place visit, whether it’s just for family fun or for corporate
meetings. There is so much to do, and you can see everything in just a few
days. Start off with a calming, scenic sailboat ride on the Narragansett Bay (perfect
for an off-site excursion at a corporate event). Take a hike on the Cliff Walk.
Tour the glorious mansions. Have an incredible seafood meal. Shop at adorable
boutiques. It’s all there. Whether you're looking
for waterfront accommodations, a great meal, lively nightlife, a unique shopping experience or just
somewhere to dock your boat, this is the place.
Vanderbilt Grace Hotel…
This hotel (that used to be a Vanderbilt family mansion) is
stunning… right off the pages of Architectural Digest! The location is perfect…
right near downtown and overlooking the spectacular harbor. You can walk just
about everywhere because you’re right on the end of the historical residential
areas and only one block from the Thames Street quaint shops, fantastic
restaurants, and cool bars. The warm and inviting, beautifully-decorated suites
are a generous size, with a bedroom, two bathrooms (with a invigorating
massaging shower head that is divine), a desk, living room area, refrigerator
and microwave. Generously sized and more than enough room for everyone. Relax
and enjoy the sunshine at their pool, which is so peaceful. The gym and spa are
charming. Have a great workout and then get pampered. End the day with a few
drinks on the rooftop bar while you watch the spectacular sunset…a perfect
ending to a perfect day. The staff and service are exceptional, helping in any
way they can. This is one place that you will absolutely want to come back to.
Cliff Walk…
If you love to walk, and you love the beach, you will
be in heaven on the Cliff Walk, a National Recreational Trail that can’t be
missed. This lovely 3.5 mile (7 miles round trip) walk will take you, at
points, past the jaw-dropping mansions on one side of you and breathtaking views
of the ocean on your other side. Most of the trail is smoothly paved, but
towards the end it gets a little rugged around the rocky shoreline, so be
prepared for a little more of a challenge at that point. You will travel
through tunnels, over a bridge, on long, winding pathways, and beautiful
vistas. You will pass by the 40 Steps, an attraction on its own. Many years
ago, 40 Steps was a popular recreation spot for the servants who worked at the
mansions. After their long, hard working hours they would gather here to dance,
listen to music, and watch the mesmerizing waves crash into the rocky Atlantic coast.
Take lots of gorgeous pictures of the stunning ocean, mansions, and picturesque
cliffs, rest if you need to on one of the many benches scattered along the
walk, breathe in the delicious salt water air, and get in some exercise at the
same time. Can’t ask for more than that on a walk. It’s best eye candy in Newport and it will rejuvenate you!
And if you can’t make it back for the full 7 miles, go 3.5 and take a cab back.
Just don’t miss out on this enjoyable trip.
The Preservation Society of Newport County conserves and
preserves the historic mansions of Newport. Whether it’s cleaning or restoring
valuable paintings, flooring, roofs, or furniture, they are meticulous in their
efforts. There are constantly projects being worked on. The opulence and
excessiveness inside and outside of these mansions will make your jaws
drop…they are so impressive. The architecture, art, and landscaping are truly
unimaginable until you see them for yourselves. The décor is insane and it’s so
interesting to see how this group of families lived during the Gilded Age era.
This way of life is gone and forgotten, until these tours transport you back in
time and provide you with insight into that era. Our favorites are Breakers
(summer house of Cornelius Vanderbilt), Marble House, and The Elms. We also
loved Rosecliff (you might remember it from the movies True Lies and The Great
Gatsby). There were many extraordinary parties there, and to this day there are
private events and wedding receptions held there. Most mansions have fascinating
audio tours that are very informative, a nice addition. You will enjoy hearing
stories about this amazing piece of history in our country and how different
things were back then, getting a firsthand view. Teens will love hearing about
some of their favorite movies being filmed in some. We also loved the Elms’
Servant Life Tour, which is so relevant as you glimpse into and hopefully
understand relationships better the servants and their employers. It’s actually
fascinating. You will even get to see the third floor’s staff quarters. To us,
however, Breakers is the most spectacular, the crème de le crème. Each mansion
is very different and you will certainly find your favorites. For a great meal,
try the Teahouse at the Breakers, with its exhilarating view of the ocean.
Restaurants…
There are endless choices, but we’d like to highlight a few.
Mamma Luisa’s…
This quaint, 2-story restaurant (changed over from an old
home) prepares authentic Italian food that is utterly mouth-watering. Not to
mention that their service is impeccable. It’s quiet and romantic, with lots of
charm and character. Some of
the standouts were: Butternut Squash Ravioli, Zuppa de Mare (a soup made with
delectable mussels and clams), awesome bruschetta, veal scallopini (best in
Newport), chicken parm (wow), pasta Bolognese (outstanding), and clams over
linguini with a fresh and spicy marinara sauce. All pastas are homemade, and the bread is perfect. The explosions of flavors will
delight your taste buds. End it with a delicious fruit tarte and you’re good to go! A
great night out, and a wonderful dinner.
Fluke Wine, Bar & Kitchen…
With a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere, this restaurant
offers everything you desire. They use local sources for most of their
ingredients so everything is fresh as can be. Their fois gras was whipped and
was as fluffy as cotton, the pan-seared fluke was perfectly cooked and so
flavorful, their crispy oysters were heavenly, prime ribeye steak was just right, the
scallops with broccoli was divine, the braised short ribs were… wow… and the chocolate
and banana brioche bread pudding was a great choice for dessert. The wine and
house cocktail list is terrific but for non-drinkers, the selections of
creative drinks is just as wonderful. Delicious food, great wine, and
spectacular sunsets over the bridge. It’s all you need for an incredibly
satisfying evening out.
Shopping…
Unique shops are scattered all around Newport but we especially love
the atmosphere of Thames Street. Along with
many historic colonial homes, Thames Street is home to shops, restaurants and
bars. Explore unique shops like
Thames Street Glass, Accidental Artist, Muse, Music Box and Aardvark Antiques. There’s a
reason why Newport is considered a shopper’s paradise, and this is a prime
example why… Bannister's Wharf is now home to the
Clarke’s Cook House and other great shops. The Clarke Cooke House has great
sushi at The Candy Store,
sophisticated dining on The Porch
and the most popular discotheque in Newport in the basement at The Boom Boom Room. Then there’s
always Ben & Jerry's to cure your ice cream craving, and the numerous
stores to cure your shopping craving. End up at the Coffee Grinder and relax on
an Adirondack chair while you enjoy an authentic Italian espresso while also
enjoying the harbor view. This is Newport Rhode Island at its finest.
A Schooner sailing cruise on the Aquidneck is a blast for all ages and something you need to be part of on your visit to Newport. Named after Aquidneck Island, the island where Newport, Rhode Island is located, Aquidneck was designed to carry guests in safety and comfort. She is 80 feet long and her beam of 17 feet provides a smooth, stable and comfortable sail. Since you sail in protected water and are constantly moving in fresh air, seasickness is never an issue. Teak benches and chair-height cabin tops provide comfortable seating and her uncluttered decks and wide beam enable guests to move about with ease. You will board this gorgeous boat, and then sail through Newport Harbor, into Narragansett Bay. You’ll pass the Newport Bridge sail and along the spectacular rocky shoreline of Newport's Ocean Drive, viewing stunning seaside estates, famous yachts and colonial towns. The sights are extraordinary. It’s a great experience and we loved it because you can either relax and enjoy the sites, or you can help raise sails and participate. Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay are two of the most beautiful bodies of water in the world with some of the best sailing conditions in the U.S. You'll see the major sights including Goat Island, where the U.S. Navy made most of the torpedoes used in WWII, Fort Adams, one of the largest forts on the East Coast, Hammersmith Farm, the summer Whitehouse of JFK and Clingstone, an iconic home perched on a rocky outcropping. Vintage America’s Cup boats, lighthouses, and weekly races are common sights. Their captains and crew all know the history of the bay and will point out the highlights on their fun and informative cruises! This will be one of the highlights of your stay in Newport.
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