Things To Do
Cliff Walk
This is about our level of hiking. It's a paved walk along the edge of the sea and goes behind many of the iconic mansions of Newport. If the weather is good, this is a top recommendation, though you should double check it's open.
Charter Books
Every town in RI has at least 1 bookstore and this is one of our favorites in the state. We hope you take some time to visit their well-curated selections and find something fun to read.
Thames Street
This is the main strip of Newport and where you'll find the Newport Historical Society which leads great walking tours; as well as, amazing food and all of the tourist trap shops needed to satisfy souvenir hunting. Taking a few hours to walk the length of the street, along the wharves, and popping in and out of bars, restaurants, ice cream shops, and stores is a great plan for an afternoon.
Fort Adams State Park
Our wedding venue is the former home of the Superintendents of Fort Adams and sits within the park (so please block the venue from your view until day of if you do visit) just across the Newport harbor. This is where Newport folk festival is held every summer and is another great place for a walk by the water on a nice day. Tours of the fort are available and will give a fun perspective of the strategic importance of Newport from the Colonial era up until World War 2.
White Horse Tavern
This is the oldest operating tavern in America and has great food/drinks. We recommend the RI-style clam chowder or the lobster mac and cheese and a cocktail.
The Breakers
If you haven't been to Newport before it's worth visiting one of the great gilded age mansions. There are several to choose from, but The Breakers is the one if you haven't seen any and it is also where you can park and buy tickets to visit the other museums.
Groundswell Cafe + Bakery
Tivuhtin is a short trip from Newport and has several cool shops and restaurants. The bakery and cafe as well as the kitchen shop next door are great and if you catch it on a day when the leaves are turning it's a perfect New England fall setting.
Newport Vineyards & Restaurant
Technically in Middletown, Newport Vineyards has really excellent wine and beer as well as a James Beard nominated restaurant. Whenever we're nearby it's hard to resist stopping in for a drink or a meal.
Beavertail State Park
A short trip over the bridge to Jamestown there's a beautiful park and lighthouse for sightseeing as well as the remains of Fort Wetherell which was a small installation protecting Narragansett Bay during WWII. In nice weather this park is a good option for a beach day.
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Formerly the Newport Casino and featured in the HBO show The Gilded Age the building is a piece of Newport history as well as a home to sports history.
Mozz
Across from Newport Casino (now the International Tennis Hall of Fame), you can get some great Italian meats and cheeses for an afternoon charcuterie snack, or get a sandwich on fresh bread.
The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection (Bar)
A really nice place for a comfortable, fancy drink.