If you aren't from the northeast or haven't watched HBO's the Gilded Age, you might not know much about Newport. But, you probably have heard of the Breakers or the America's Cup or a little event called the US Open (both tennis and golf) - all icons that call Newport home, at least originally. If you're reading between the lines, you can probably tell that Newport is an affluent little town. Though it was a prominent colonial port, it rocketed to its current status during the Gilded Age "cottage boom" when families like the Vanderbilts and Astors began building their opulent summer residences here to take advantage of the beautiful coastal weather and the bustling social scene. Though the construction of marble-bedecked estates eventually fell out of favor, Newport continued to be a favorite of the elites like the Kennedys and the Eisenhowers. With the presence of high society came the prominence of "country club" sports. Sports like golf and tennis have important history here, and Newport continues to host prestigious events to this day. But it's sailing that is really the identity sport of Newport. Hosting the America's Cup, a sailing race, for many decades is a major reason that Newport is known as the Sailing Capital of the World. Even if you aren't a sailor you can still enjoy the ocean with a skipper or simply at one of Newport's beaches. This historic town and its picturesque stretch of coastline make it easy to understand why the Vanderbilts of the world have long used Newport as an escape from the city. At an easy distance from New York or Boston, you too can easily enjoy a Newport getaway. You might not be summering in quite the same style or accommodations as the Vanderbilts, but the charms of the past still shine through when you explore Newport, a small town with a big coastal character.
VISITS: August 2022
THE BOTTOM LINE
So what's the big deal? Here's why Newport is worthy of a stop on your itinerary:
IF YOU WANT TO STEP INTO THE WORLD OF HIGH SOCIETY
From the earliest days of the United States, society members ranging from billionaires to Presidents have been vacationing in Newport. The opulent homes they left behind let you step back in time to get a taste of their lifestyle.
IF A SAILOR'S LIFE TRULY IS FOR YOU
Newport is regarded as the Sailing Capital of the World, and whether you have never set foot on a boat or are a seasoned champion, there's something here to explore. Learn about the sport onshore or try out the real deal on the waves.
IF THE WILLIAMS SISTERS ARE YOUR SPORTS IDOLS
Before the US Open became the US Open, it was the US Lawn Tennis National Championships which began here in Newport in 1881. The original venue has become the sport's int'l. hall of fame for modern tennis fans to explore.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A PERFECT LONG WEEKEND
Not only is Newport easy to get to from major destinations in the Northeast, it's full of just as many things to do as there are ways to relax. It's a picturesque retreat to escape the chaos of the city for a few days.
HOSPITALITY ATLAS
WHERE TO STAY
Trying to decide where to stay or looking on-the-fly for your next stop nearby? This guide gives an overview of the key neighborhoods in Newport, plus a selection of hotels, restaurants, and things to do for each. It then provides more detail for select hotels across the city.
Newport has a variety of accommodation options ranging from former mansions turned into hotels for those partial to the city's Gilded Age history to quaint B&Bs for those looking for a seaside getaway. Depending on what you're looking for (and what you're looking to spend), there's something for everyone. Click on the guide to learn more!
COMING SOON
CULINARY CONCIERGE
WHERE TO DINE & DRINK
From the oldest tavern in the United States to seafood shacks at the wharf to rooftop cocktails at sunset, there are plenty of dining options to explore in Newport. Be sure to try some local dishes - even if you've had clam chowder elsewhere in New England, Rhode Island has a distinct style.
This guide will break things down so you can check off your Newport cuisine bucket list and find the right place for the right occasion, from brunch to date night. Click on the guide to learn more!
PS: If you are looking for restaurants by location, click on the neighborhood guide to learn more.
COMING SOON
ACTIVITY PORTFOLIO
TOP THINGS TO DO
Photo: Unsplash*
OCEAN
DRIVE
If you want to see the scenic shore of Newport but find the Cliff Walk a bit adventurous for your taste, drive the Ocean Drive instead. You'll be able to see mansions, Fort Adams, the childhood home of Jackie Kennedy, Eisenhower's summer White House, beaches, and more along the way.
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SAILING
MUSEUM & HOF
Sailing is in Newport's blood. But, you don’t have to be an America's Cup sailor to get out on the water. Newport is home to the largest fleet of America's Cup 12-Meters in the world. Charter one to experience the sea firsthand and perhaps learn the ropes yourself.
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HISTORIC
MANSIONS
Beyond the Breakers, there are many other historic house-museums to tour in Newport. Other Gilded Age mansions were built for members of high society, but a variety of homes including Kingscote and Hunter House preserve architecture dating back as far as the Colonial period.
Photo: Unsplash*
INT'L. TENNIS
HALL OF FAME
Formerly the Newport "Casino," a club for the wealthy, this location was the first host of the National Tennis Championships, now known as the US Open. The historic building has been converted to house both a world-class museum and the International Hall of Fame.
QUICK GUIDES
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LAUNDRY LIST
There's a lot to see in Newport! Check out this list for a deeper dive into the top things to do as well as a broader set of options that are more off the beaten path, perfect for repeat visitors.
Click on each to learn more!
HISTORIC MANSIONS
The Vanderbilt's Italianate summer "cottage" is the biggest and grandest of all the Gilded Age Mansions in Newport
While formal, the Elms was known for its parties,. It was also high-tech as the 1st house in Newport with electricity
This High Victorian chateau was the most extravagant in Newport until the Vanderbilts began building here
One of the older mansions in Newport (c. 1748), Hunter House is an excellent example of Colonial architecture
See how the horses and the staff who cared for them lived in the Gilded Age with a peek into this posh stable
This homage to the Petit Trianon at Versailles was given to Alva Vanderbilt as a rather extravagant birthday present
Perched on a dramatic section of coast, this mansion was first built for a Vanderbilt then passed to the Duke family
Regarded as the first residence to start the "cottage boom" this Gothic Revival mansion was built in 1839
This Italianate "cottage" built for the Schermerhorn family is known for its collection of art & furniture
Colorful flowers and over 80 topiary figures decorate this whimsical garden overlooking Narragansett Bay
Tis another Versailles-inspired estate, this time modeling the Grand Trianon for silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs
Originally a bachelor pad for Oliver Belmont and his horses, this mansion is one of the most unique in Newport
Modern in its time, this mansion is a great example of shingle-style Victorian architecture built in 1883
This museum highlights 18th-century furniture, honoring the artistry and craftsmanship behind the pieces
ITINERARY
01
GILDED AGE GLAMOR
Spend your day hopping from one glamourous, Gilded Age mansion to the next. Many of the estates are clustered relatively close together, with quite a few connected by the scenic cliff walk. Pick out 2-3 that interest you most - there's a big variety beyond the Breakers - and you'll easily have a full day of touring. Make sure to plan for lunch!
02
SPORTING HISTORY
In the morning, visit the Sailing Museum & Hall of Fame, an interactive experience that educates visitors about the sport and America's Cup. Grab lunch at the nearby wharf. In the afternoon, take advantage of the Sporting Ticket and check out the historic Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum or the Audrain Auto Museum, or both if you're up for it!
03
SET SAIL
You learned about sailing and the America's Cup at the museum - now go experience it first-hand! Charter an America's Cup 12-meter and set sail on the waves. Sit back and relax or take the opportunity to learn some new skills. Don't worry if heeling over isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of other boats to get out and enjoy the water.
04
DEALER'S CHOICE
Dig deeper into what Newport has to offer. If you can't get enough of Newport's old mansions, check another couple off the list, perhaps the less visited Rough Point or Chateau-sur-Mer. If you're here to relax, take a trip to the topiary garden or spend a day at the beach. If you want more history, check out the art museum.
Photo: Unsplash*
JOURNEY BUILDER
ITINERARY ADD-ONS
Get away for the day with a day-trip nearby, or if you're not quite ready to cut your trip short, extend your itinerary and hop to another destination.
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BOSTON
Boston is a major gateway to Newport and well worth a visit. Some of the first grumblings of independence began here including the infamous Tea Party. Strong opinions (& strong accents) still color the city today; locals are fiercely loyal to their sports teams and several of the world’s top academic institutions call the area home.
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PROVIDENCE
Providence is the capital of Rhode Island, situated at the top of Narragansett Bay which makes it an easy gateway for visitors to hop on a ferry or take a short drive down to Newport or Bristol. It's also home to Brown University, an Ivy League school, and to the Rhode Island School of Design, a world-renowned school for the arts.
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NEW YORK CITY
New York is a little farther from Newport than Boston, but it's the biggest city in the US and comes packed full of things to do. Whether you want to hit the tourist sites like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Broadway, Central Park, etc. or simply eat your way through the city one Michelin star or $1 slice at a time, you'll find plenty to do!
MATCH MAKER
WHO SHOULD GO
SHOULD NEWPORT BE AT THE TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
BEST FOR:
COUPLES
MULTI-GEN
FAMILIES
SMALL GROUPS
GIRLS'
TRIP
SPEED
BALANCED
PHYSICALITY
VERY MINIMAL
COST
MODERATELY EXPENSIVE
with some more expensive dates
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Newport has plenty to do, so you could stay busy if you wish. But, part of its allure is its laid-back resort-town feel and you could easily lounge around and do next to nothing besides enjoy the scenery. You can craft your time here to your liking either way.
Unless you are a talented surfer or sailor seeking out the toughest seas, most of what you do here won't be more physically demanding than walking around.
COSTS
Given that Newport is a coastal town, costs vary by season. Here's what to expect to spend when booking a 4- or 5-star hotel:
-
Spring (March - May): $250 to $450 per night
-
Summer (June - August): $400 to $600 per night
-
Autumn (September - November): $300 to $500 per night
-
Winter (January - February): $200 to $350 per night
Keep a watch out for holidays and special events that will drive prices up. Check out the Date Selector below for more info!
All other costs are pretty typical for what you should expect to spend in the US outside of the big cities. If you're looking to cut down on costs for things to do, make sure to check out the Logistics Planner below for info on bundling tickets.
DATE SELECTOR
WHEN TO GO
WHEN SHOULD YOU PLAN TO EXPLORE AND FOR HOW LONG?
IDEAL STAY
LONG WEEKEND
(3-4 DAYS)
IDEAL SEASON
MAY TO SEPTEMBER
PLANNING TIME
SPONTANEOUS POSSIBLE
IDEAL STAY
I'd recommend a long weekend for the ideal trip. Newport is easy to access from other locations in the northeast which makes it ideally suited for a weekend escape. Not being a New England native, I didn’t realize just how much there was to do here at first. You'll have plenty to keep you busy, which makes it even better if you can squeeze in that 3rd or 4th day for a long weekend. You probably won't tackle it all in one trip and instead will want to return for trips, revisiting favorites and trying new things along the way.
IDEAL SEASON
Memorial Day to Labor Day is prime time in Newport. The official boundary of summer not only delineates your best chances for good weather to enjoy sailing or the beaches, but it also marks a true season for some of the local attractions. Notably, some of the mansions are closed to the public in the off-season and other highlights might have more limited hours. If you are interested in a specific house, make sure to check when they are open ahead of time; some of the mansions are only open in certain months. That said, the shoulder and off-season can be a beautiful and more affordable time to visit if you aren't looking to take in every tourist attraction.
PLANNING
Speaking from experience, planning a last-minute trip to Newport is very possible. We planned our quick trip just a couple of days in advance. That said, we couldn't get a reservation at the hotel we wanted and some of the restaurants only had availability at off-peak times / days. If you have specific places in mind, book at least a few weeks in advance.
LOGISTICS PLANNER
WHAT TO BOOK
WHAT PESKY DETAILS SHOULD YOU TACKLE BEFORE YOU ARRIVE?
AIRPORT
BOS (Boston)
~73 miles away
PVD (Providence)
~28 miles away
TRAVEL TIME
1.5H FROM BOSTON
3.5H FROM NYC
WALKABILITY
SOMEWHAT WALKABLE
CAR NEEDS
RECOMMENDED
GETTING THERE
You'll likely be flying into Boston (BOS), as it's the nearest truly major airport. From Boston, it's about a 1.5-hour drive (73 miles) to Newport. There's no direct train to Newport, so it will likely make the most sense to drive.
That said, you might also consider flying or taking the train to Providence, RI (PVD). Providence is a much smaller airport than Boston, but there are routes to many destinations east of the Mississippi. If you're already in the Northeast, the train might be a good option. For reference, the ride is about 35 min from Boston to Providence. From Providence, it's either a 40-minute (28-mile) drive or you can take the SeaStreak, a 1-hour ferry from Providence to Newport.
Note: The SeaStreak is seasonal, operating from June to October. Some flights into PVD are also seasonal.
GETTING AROUND
RENTAL CARS
Ultimately, you're probably going to get around via car. This gives you the flexibility to visit whichever sites you want, particularly the mansions, on your own schedule (your car can also double as storage since most of the mansions don't allow large bags). The good news is parking is relatively easy at the mansions. With a car, you'll also be able to enjoy the scenic ocean drive. Odds are have used a car to get to Newport anyways.
WALKABILITY
One place where you'll want to avoid a car is downtown. It gets incredibly busy and you can waste a lot of time finding parking. Find whatever space you can or ideally leave your car at the hotel if possible. Once you're there, the downtown area of Newport is quite walkable. Additionally, in the Bellevue-Ochre Point neighborhood, you can walk between several of the popular mansions. Others are a farther distance better tackled with a vehicle.
PUBLIC TRANSIT
If you are car-less, some of the mansions are connected to downtown via the public bus-trolley, but make sure to check the map first to make sure your stop is on the route.
WATER TRANSIT
Lastly, being the sailing capital of the world, it only makes sense that Newport would have some water-based transit options. The first is the Newport Harbor Shuttle, which has a hop-on, hop-off format that makes it suitable for cheap, easy sightseeing as well as getting around. It makes 6 stops (including multiple downtown, Goat Island, and two stops near Fort Adams) during a 1-hour loop around Newport Harbor. The Jamestown Newport Ferry is a similar hop-on, hop-off ferry that also makes stops downtown and near Fort Adams, but this route continues across Narragansett Bay to Rose Island and Jamestown.
TICKETS & TOURS
You’ll need tickets for all of the mansions but there’s not much need to book in advance (only select, seasonal houses and guided tours require this). You can purchase in-person, but it's arguably easier to do it online. I do advise booking a combined ticket for entry to multiple houses (many are run by the Newport Preservation Society). It ends up being a significant discount vs. paying individually, especially if visiting the Breakers. Tickets aren’t timed and can be used for multiple houses over multiple days. You have as many days as you want to use up your entries purchased. Depending on how often you plan to visit, you can also opt for a membership.
Entry into all Preservation Society houses comes with an audio tour on the Society's app. If you want more than just the audio tour, both the Elms and the Breakers offer guide-led tours that give a glimpse into the life of the staff.
Similarly to the combined mansion ticket, you should consider the Newport Sporting Ticket, which allows you to visit the Sailing Museum & HOF, the Tennis HOF, and the Auto Museum with a single, discounted ticket. You can visit the three museums on different days and have up to 90 days to redeem your visits.
SUITCASE PACKER
WHAT'S IN MY BAG
All photos in "What's in my Bag" Gallery: PTO Travel Pro*
MORE TO SEE
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