The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Newport, Rhode Island Now
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Visiting Newport, Rhode Island, is a delightful experience, offering a mix of history, natural beauty, cultural attractions, and coastal charm. Explore the Gilded Age mansions along the Cliff Walk, including The Breakers, Marble House, and Rosecliff. The 3.5 mile, 19th century Newport Cliff Walk, a famous and scenic walking trail, is considered one of the most spectacular shoreline walks in the United States—offering breathtaking views of the rugged coastline, the Atlantic Ocean, and the historic mansions that line the route. It’s a must-visit for anyone traveling to Newport, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and historic elegance. Established in 1747, the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, is the oldest continuously operating lending library in the United States and features a stunning historic reading room.
Source: Discover Newport
Newport, Rhode Island is also home to several beautiful beaches, including Easton's Beach (First Beach) and Sachuest Beach (Second Beach), where you can relax, swim, or surf. Stroll through the charming streets of the historic district, with its colonial-era architecture, boutique shops, art galleries, and a lively dining scene. Thames Street is a popular spot for shopping and dining. Explore the picturesque Newport Harbor, go sailing or take a harbor cruise to admire the boats and stunning waterfront views, especially during sunset. Be sure to stop by St. Mary's Church, the historic church where John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in 1953. The church is known for its beautiful architecture and stained glass windows. These are the top five reasons why Newport, Rhode Island should be on your bucket list.
1. A Foodie’s Paradise: The Cuisine + Cocktails
Gaze out over Newport’s most captivating view of the harbor at MainSail and Skiff Bar. Relax and unwind within the nautically inspired ambiance and enjoy creative, American cuisine infused with local flavors prepared with the freshest ingredients. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying two of their signature cocktails, the Spicy Watermelon Cucumber Margarita—concocted with Ghost Pepper tequila, fresh watermelon and cucumber juice and Ancho Reyes Verde, or the Mojito with Thomas Tew Widows Walk Lite Rum (local), fresh mint and muddled lime, fresh strawberries, cucumber or watermelon.
While enjoying the sunset over Newport Harbor, delectable dishes inspired by the New England coast await. Led by Executive Chef Noah Cain, the menu at MainSail features plenty of local and sustainably-sourced seafood highlighting local, thoughtfully sourced farm-to-fork cuisine. Favorite dishes include Seared Kvaroy Artic Salmon with crispy white rice, pickled white peaches and field greens, Tuna 26 with seared local yellowfin tuna, marinated lentil and spinach salad, grilled summer squash salsa verde, and preserved lemon, Crostini with roasted cherry tomatoes, whipped ricotta and basil, Eggs & Eggs with boiled egg, house mayonnaise, sesame seed, and bonito flakes, as well as Yellowfin Tuna Crudo & Jonah Crab Salad.
For dessert indulge on their decadent Strawberry Crumble with marinated strawberries, whipped cream, whipped ricotta, and streusel crumble. Validated parking for up to 3 hours is offered for restaurant and lounge guests.
2. Artistic Heritage: Galleries and Mansions Tell Tales of Elegance
The Newport Art Museum is one of the oldest continuously operating art museums in the United States and has a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The museum is situated in the historic John N.A. Griswold House, a grand mansion located at 76 Bellevue Avenue in Newport. The building itself is a significant architectural landmark, contributing to the museum's unique charm. The museum plays a vital role in Newport's cultural scene, providing a space for artists, art enthusiasts, and the community to come together and engage with the arts.
Source: Discover Newport
The museum's permanent collection features a diverse range of art, including American art, contemporary art, and art from the region of Newport and Rhode Island. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and works on paper. Visitors can explore both traditional and contemporary art styles. If you plan to visit Newport, Rhode Island, and have an interest in art and culture, the Newport Art Museum is a notable destination to explore the region's artistic heritage and contemporary creative expressions.
Source: National Museum of American Illustration
The National Museum of American Illustration collects, preserves, and exhibits original American illustration art from the Golden Age of American Illustration (approximately 1890-1950) to the present day. It celebrates the illustrators who have made significant contributions to American visual culture. The collection includes works by some of the most renowned American illustrators, including Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, and many others. The collection features a wide range of illustration styles, from advertising and magazine covers to book illustrations and posters. This is a hidden gem in Newport, offering a unique perspective on American art and culture through the lens of illustration.
3. Luxury Shopping: Boutique Bliss on Bellevue Avenue
There’s a reasons why Newport, Rhode Island is the “Best Walking City” in the United States. We'd say it's because these parts are filled with eclectic shops and boutiques, plus a whole lot of historic charm and architectural treasures. Peruse cobblestone streets and bustling wharves for the most unique finds. Thames Street is one of Newport's main shopping thoroughfares. It features a mix of boutique shops, souvenir stores, art galleries, and restaurants. You can find a wide range of items, including clothing, jewelry, home decor, and unique gifts.
Source: Discover Newport
Located along Newport Harbor, Bowen's Wharf is a charming shopping district with waterfront views. It offers a selection of upscale boutiques, specialty shops, and art galleries. You can find nautical-themed items, clothing, jewelry, and more. Bellevue Avenue is famous for its historic mansions, but it also boasts several upscale shops and boutiques. It's a great place to find high-end fashion, accessories, and home decor.
Source: Discover Newport
Another waterfront shopping area, Bannister's Wharf, offers a mix of shops, restaurants, and galleries. You can browse for clothing, jewelry, antiques, and maritime-themed items. Located in the heart of Newport's historic district, The Brick Market Place is a shopping complex with a variety of stores, including clothing boutiques, souvenir shops, and specialty food stores. Newport's shopping scene offers a mix of options, from upscale boutiques to more casual and eclectic shops.
4. Botanic Beauty: Preserving Nature
Let your imagination run wild at Green Animals Topiary Garden, in nearby Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Green Animals, the oldest topiary garden in the nation, also boasts more than 35 formal flowerbeds, geometric pathways, arbors, fruit trees, and vegetable and herb gardens. There truly is something for everyone at Green Animals. Recognized by the American Daffodil Society as one of just 28 official Daffodil Display Gardens in the United States – and one of only three in New England – the garden showcases more than 22,000 daffodils. There are 70 varieties representing all 13 divisions and 19 color codes with evocative names like Misty Glen, King Alfred and Queens Day.
Thirty-seven thousand tulips contribute more color during the spring before late spring perennials like columbine, lupine and coral bells give way to summer annuals, hydrangeas, daylilies and countless more unique specimens. In the fall, highlights include late-blooming mums, asters, daisies, dahlias and more. Home to more than 80 topiary animals and other figures for more than a century, Green Animals also blazes with colorful flowers from mid-April through October 1. The 7-acre property overlooks Narragansett Bay.
5. Architectural Grandeur: Gilded Age Opulence and Colonial Charm
The Gilded Age mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, also known as the Newport Mansions, are a collection of opulent, historic estates that were built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These mansions represent an era of immense wealth and extravagance, and they have become iconic symbols of Newport's history and architectural grandeur. The Gilded Age, spanning from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, was a period of immense wealth and social excess in the United States. Newport, with its picturesque coastal location and a thriving social scene, attracted many of the country's wealthiest families who built these mansions as their summer “cottages.” Perhaps the most iconic of all the Newport Mansions, The Breakers was the summer residence of the Vanderbilt family. It is a magnificent example of Italian Renaissance architecture and is known for its lavish interiors and stunning oceanfront location.
Built for William K. Vanderbilt, Marble House is renowned for its opulent use of marble throughout the interior. The mansion is inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles and is a symbol of excess and luxury. Modeled after the Château d'Asnières in France, The Elms was the summer home of Edward Julius Berwind. It features stunning gardens and a classical Beaux-Arts design. Known for its elegant ballroom, Rosecliff was inspired by the Grand Trianon of Versailles. It was commissioned by Theresa Fair Oelrichs and has been featured in several films, including “The Great Gatsby.”
WHERE TO STAY IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
Check into the Newport Marriott Hotel & Spa and check out one of the most vibrant luxury hotels on the water in Newport, Rhode Island. The nautically inspired hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites, enticing dining and a lobby perfect for mingling and relaxing. It is your front door to discovering the energy and excitement in downtown Newport. When you are done, ignite your senses with flavorful New American fare and breathtaking waterfront views in MainSail and Skiff Bar.
