Enjoy a picturesque weekend guide (Friday Night - Sunday) in the historic New England Costal Town of Newport, RI. This guide will provide you with the perfect weekend to enjoy all Newport has to offer with a recommended daily itinerary.
Pro Tip: Newport's busiest season is over the summer (End of June - August), but the town can be enjoyed year round. Just be aware some of the shops and restaurants, not all, are seasonal and may not be open. If planning to visit over the summer, all bookings and reservations should be made well in advance.
Upscale Option in Newport, RI steps away from the famous Cliff Walk. The Chanler is a high-end luxury place to stay that should be sought after for any romantic weekend stay. Each room is unique and comes with its own style. The elevated service is felt throughout your stay and is a perfect place to stay for a special weekend away.
Great place to stay steps away from the Downtown area. The hotel is relatively new that offers on-site dining, valet parking, and incredible views of the water.
Steps away from the downtown area, the Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa offers any amenity needed for a relaxing weekend away in Newport. The hotel also boasts suits for extended family stays. I personally enjoy staying here any time I can to take advantage of the Marriott Bonvoy program.
Start off your weekend the right way by enjoying a meal at America's Oldest Tavern in Newport, RI. The White Horse Tavern offers Upscale farm-to-table American cuisine in a historic setting dating to 1673.
Enjoy live Rock and Blues Music right on the main downtown strip of Newport. Located in an Old Bank this place is a great for enjoying music and dancing. You will likely see the lights and hear the music from the strip as you walk by.
Annie's offers a traditional small diner feel with great food. I recommend the pancakes to establish a strong foundation before a long day of walking around Newport.
Annie's is CASH ONLY so come prepared.
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If you are a Tennis fan, hop on over to the International Tennis Hall of Fame which opens at 10am, prior to beginning the Cliff Walk. I recommend starting the Cliff Walk near The Chanler and make your way towards The Breakers.
Enjoy the picturesque views of Newport along the famous Cliff Walk. The Cliff walk has various points to hop on and hop off, but I do recommend doing the complete walk at least once if you are open to the exercise. Please beware that certain parts of the walk are rocky (literally) so this may not be possible for all people. These areas can be avoided by departing from the cliff walk at various points.
At the end of the walk, you can either walk back to the downtown area or hail a ride (Uber or Lyft readily available) to your next destination.
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Target Arrival Time: 10am - 11am
Along the Cliff Walk, hop off at The Breakers to enjoy the most famous Newport Mansion. There are multiple Mansions originally built as "summer cottages" for the Vanderbilt's.
Book a self-led audio tour at The Breakers to take a step back in time at one of the most famous Newport Mansions built for the Vanderbilts. If you have time, check out the other mansions in Newport to see some of the other properties built for the Vanderbilts
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Target Arrival Time: 1pm - 2pm
After your tour you can either continue on The Cliff Walk and enjoy a unique experience for lunch at the Chinese Tea House which seems out of place from the rest of the town, or head out to Anthony's Seafood which is closer to the next recommended stop.
Enjoy fresh local seafood at Anthony's Seafood located just outside of the Newport area. Anthony's is a local retailer, but offers dining as well. I recommend the Clam Chowder and clam strips. Of course you can never go wrong by enjoying the lobster.
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Target Arrival Time: 3pm - 4pm
By now, you have seen Newport from the rooftops, from the downtown strip, and the coast. It is now time for a bird's eye view. Upon completion of The Cliff Walk (when you see fit), take a ride over to the Newport Helicopter Tour (weather permitting). I recommend the 30-Minute Island Helicopter Tour
Enjoy a birds-eye view of Newport and all that the picturesque New England town has to offer. I recommend the Island Helicopter Tour which will be about 30-minutes.
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Target Arrival Time: 4pm - 5pm
You have survived the helicopter ride and have taken in the breathtaking views, it's now time for a drink. Head over to the nearby Newport Vineyards to enjoy a flight of wine and small bite to eat before heading back for dinner.
Enjoy a flight of wines and a bite to eat as you overlook the Vineyard. Enjoy a small bite to eat and play some of the games offered, or just sit back in the shaded chairs and relax as you take in the views.
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Target Arrival Time: 7pm - 8pm
Newport offers a wide variety of food options.
For Dinner, if you are looking for a more casual place to eat with large portions and a large drink menu, look no further than Brick Alley Pub.
If you are looking for something more upscale then head over to The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar or the 22 Bowen's Wine Bar & Grille
All are located on the Downtown area and you can enjoy bar hopping post dinner, or head back to the hotel to get some rest after the long day.
One of my favorite places for a casual meal with large portions and a great drink selection. Enjoy the decorative environment and laid back atmosphere as you continue to question if you have one more bite in you.
Enjoy a romantic meal with beautiful views at The Mooring. My personal favorites are the Scallops and if you are in the mood for a little bit of everything, convince someone to join you and order the Bouillabaisse.
Beautiful upscale dining located right on the water. My personal favorite is the Salmon, but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
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Sunday Morning
Before you leave Newport, you need to go to The Corner Cafe for breakfast. It gets very crowded, but it is worth the wait. I recommended getting there early to try and beat the crowd.
Incredible breakfast spot with some Portuguese flair on the menu. Very homey place with a delicious food selection. I recommend The Beast or Cowboy Scrambler.
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After Breakfast you can walk around the shops or head to one of the above locations you want to spend more time at. I enjoy one last walk along the Cliff Walk or taking a drive around the coast to enjoy the views and houses before heading home.
Trip Extension Recommendation
If you have more time, I recommend combining this trip with a visit to Boston. You can do them in any order you would like depending on where you are coming from. A free weekend guide of Boston is here:
I am not a social media travel "influencer". I grew up deprived of traveling so my wife and I have made it a priority to make up for this through investing in experiences. I started planning together trips for us starting back in 2017 and found a passion for putting together the itineraries. I deeply enjoy learning all I can about each place we visit through research and accessing local perspectives when I can. I then thoughtfully plan our trip around the main attractions we want to see, as well as ensuring we eat well.
I joined Thatch to share these trips and tips with you so that you too can form incredible memories that last a lifetime.
