Year Round Travel Guide to Newport, Rhode Island

Updated November 2021

The DL: We visited Newport, Rhode Island during the offseason in November and everything about it was fabulous, I can’t wait to go back in the summer. The downtown and restaurants were still lively and weather was chilly some day but my guide covers things to do during any month you visit. Newport is a city set on Aquidneck Island and known for the annual America’s Cup which is a sailing regatta along with the many historical mansions you can find along the cliff walk.

What to Do:

• The Cliff Walk – my more in depth blog here, but this is a must.
• Visit one of the Public beaches
  • Easton  – on Easton Bay
  • Sachuest  – on Easton Bay
  • Gooseberry beach – on Easton Bay
  • Brenton Point State Park (not technically a beach but one of the best water view on the island)
  • Kings Beach – South Newport
  • Hazard Beach – South Newport
  • Baileys Beach – South Newport
  • Belmont Beach – South Newport

• Hiking
  • Second Beach – East Newport
  • Third Beach – East Newport
  • Hiking at Narragansett beaches
  • The Black Point Trail is a 2.1-mile trail
  • The Whale Rock Trail is another 2 mile trail

• Mansions
  • The Breakers
  • The Elm 
  • The Rosecliff 
  • The Marble House

• Shops
  • Bowens Wharf
  • Long Wharf 

Other things to do:

• International Hall of Tennis
• Visit the historic Castle Hill Inn – also stairs nearby that lead to the water 
• Newport car museum – Middletown
• Schedule a tour or grab a drink at Newport Vineyard
• Bike ride on the many trails
• Watch the sailboat classes at Fort Adams State Park 
• Walk down Broadway or Bellevuefor local shops and eats

Where to Eat

Breakfast/coffee:

• Coffee Grinder
• Nitro Cafe 
• Empire tea and coffee
• Cru Coffee
• Atlantic Grille
• Corner Cafe
• Scratch Kitchen
• Annies

Lunch

• Midtown Oyster – rooftop
• Black Pearl – outside area
• Brick Alley Burgers
• BRX Restaurant and Vineyard
• Red Parrot

Dinner

• Scales and Shell – nicer date night
• Flo’s Clam Shack – open only during certain season
• Anthony’s Seafoood
• Diegos – cheap mexican 
• Flukes
• Stoneacre Brassire
• The Lobster shack
• Wharf southern kitchen
• The Mooring Seafood Kitchen – good views of Naragansett Bay – date night
• Malt – Little bit of everything
• Red Parrot – Little bit of everything, pretty large portions
• 41 North – good spot for cocktails, the bar overlooks the bay
• BRX Restaurant and Vineyard
• Scarpetta at Gurneys
• 22 Bowens Wine Bar
• Pasta Beach – good vibes and gluten free pasta options
• Tavern

Rooftops:

• Gurneys Rooftop
• Lawn at Castle hill
• Rooftop at the Brenton
• The Chanler
• Auberge Vanderbilt
• 41 North

Where to Stay

You can get away with just taking an uber, trolley, walking etc. if staying downtown only but just know you might not be able to do some things on this list without a car.

We ended up staying in a house close to Atlantic beach that was across the water from the cliff walk and actually overlooked it. I have also stayed at the Club Wyndham Inn on the Harbor and it was fabulous – water views, small kitchen, walking distance to everything. Both options were good.

Looking for a day trip from Newport? Check out some of my day trip guides we took when visiting.