With harbor views, historic mansions, and some of the best seafood we had all trip, Newport, Rhode Island completely lived up to the hype. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway, a mini-moon, or a longer New England road trip, Newport offers that rare mix of historic charm and modern style. In this travel guide, I’m sharing where we stayed, what we ate, what to do, and a few tips we wish we knew before going.
HOW TO GET TO NEWPORT
Newport is located on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island, about a 1.5 hour drive from Boston or 3.5 hours from New York City by car.
Our journey to Newport kicked off from Montauk (be sure to check out my Montauk Travel Guide!), which entailed a drive through Long Island to take the Cross Sound Ferry to Connecticut (you can bring your car on board). From there, it was a smooth one-hour drive to Newport.
Tip: If you’re visiting during summer weekends or a holiday, book ferries and accommodations early as they fill up fast!
WHERE WE STAYED
Newport accommodations can be expensive, especially during peak season. We were able to use hotel points to stay at the Newport Marriott, which gave us a great location—walkable to the Wharf, Broadway Street, and Thames Street.
While the hotel itself had more of a conference vibe than boutique charm, the rooms were clean, coastal, and super comfortable. And the central location made it a great home base for exploring on foot!
WHERE WE ATE
Newport was one of the best food stops of our entire East Coast trip. From Italian to oysters to the best tequila espresso martinis I’ve ever had, here’s what we loved:
Bar Cino
We started with Italian to give ourselves a break from seafood. Bar Cino had the perfect cozy-modern vibe, and the tapenades, salads, and mocktails were delicious.
The Mooring
My most-anticipated reservation of the trip! A classic New England seafood dinner with stunning harbor views. The oysters, tuna tartare, and crab cakes were incredible—and the staff surprised us with celebratory doughnuts for our mini-moon!
Springline Coffee
This was our go-to coffee shop—we went more than once! Located on Bannister’s Wharf, it’s perfect for a morning pastry and walk.
Giusto
This ended up being a major highlight. We couldn’t get a reservation, so we started with Aperitivo Hour at the bar and stayed straight through dinner. The appetizers were unforgettable, and their tequila espresso martini was next-level.
Cru Cafe
This is the only place I’d suggest skipping. It was super busy and the open-seating concept made for a bit of chaos. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing, but it didn’t live up to the hype for us.
WHAT TO DO IN NEWPORT
Sunset Champagne Sail
This was such a highlight. We booked a sail through Newport Classic Cruises, which left from Bannister’s Wharf just before sunset. The champagne was flowing, the views were stunning, and it was such a fun, relaxed way to take in the harbor.
Explore Thames Street & Broadway Street
Thames Street gets all the attention, but Broadway Street was one of our favorite surprises! Less touristy, fully of charm, and packed with cute spots for drinks and shopping.
Newport Mansions
We visited both The Elms and The Breakers. The Elms was quiet and peaceful, while The Breakers was stunning but packed with tourists. If you want fewer crowds, go early!
Cliff Walk
We ended up here a little unprepared clothing-wise—note: parts are paved, but others are rocky and uneven. Wear sneakers or sturdy sandals if you go. The coastal views are incredible!
Ocean Drive
A perfect way to wrap up your visit. You can drive the full loop in under an hour, and the scenery is gorgeous. Lighthouses, water views, and incredible homes.
Explore the Wharf
Lots of fun shops to pop into! We ended up buying a beautiful old map at Anne Hall Antique Prints and having it shipped home. Such a fun keepsake!
WHAT TO PACK FOR A SUMMER TRIP
Newport is an interesting mix of laid-back coastal and classic New England style. It can be hot during the day and chilly at night, so layers are key.
- Casual tops, shorts, and skirts for day
- Cute athleisure + sneakers for the Cliff Walk
- Summer dresses for exploring and dinner
- Sandals + comfy walking shoes
- Light jacket, cardigan, or linen button-down
- Swimsuit (for beach or hotel pool)
- Sunhat
- Crossbody bag or tote for walking around
Newport struck the perfect balance between refined and relaxed. We loved the mix of harbor views, historic homes, and modern restaurants. It’s a place where you can dress up for dinner one night and wear sneakers on a seaside walk the next. We can’t wait to go back and have even more time to soak up the views!
