Newport, Rhode Island

Newport National Golf Club. Mitchell’s Lane Middletown. The Orchard course is a 7,200 yard par 72 links style course with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Sakonnet Passage. $125 weekdays, $150 weekends including cart. Was named Golf Digest’s ‘Best New Private Course’ (even though it is open to the public).

Walking/Running/Biking

The 3.5 mile Cliff Walk is one of the great trails in the country, weaving its way between the Mansions and along the Atlantic. Rail Explorers allows you to pedal the rails that track along the coastal tip of Aquidneck Island, which encompasses Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport. Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge  in Middletown is a 242 acre park with over 200 species of birds.

Spa

Bodhi Spa offers a fantastic hydrotherapy program , the art of healing through the application of water in any form; hot, cold, steam or ice. Hydrotherapy has been used by cultures around the world for thousands of years

International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. Bellevue Ave. Open 9:30am-5pm. Play on grass, clay and hardcourt courts from May-September. Visit the Hall of Fame and Museum. Great interactive displays including a Roger Federer hologram.

Amateur baseball rules with the Newport Gulls a summer collegiate league.

Newport Equestrian Academy, 287 Third Beach Road, Middleton. 1 1/2 hour private ride by the beaches $200.

Sailing Excursions offers private yacht charters, ticketed sails and sunset cruises. Click here for more boating options. Ameriica’s Cup Charters offers the opportunity to sail on an authentic 12 meter America’ Cup yacht. $100

Polo

Newport Polo, host of the Newport International Polo Series, is the home of America’s first polo club, est. in 1876. Saturday evening matches start with tailgate parties. Everyone is dressed in their preppy finest. Quite a social event.

Winery/Distillery

Newport Vineyards is a delightful tasting room with a brewery, restaurant and lots of events. Newport Craft Brewing and Distillery Co was found in 1999 by 4 college buddies. 10 beer on tap and you can sample spirits from the distillery side.

Clambake

McGrath Clambakes can provide an old fashioned clambake at the location of your choice; beach, vineyard, boat etc. Loads of fun.

Nearly a dozen good choices. Among the best; Aardvark Antiques. J.T. Connell Highway, Cottage & Garden, Bridge Street.

Behind-the-Scenes at the Elms. Bellevue Ave. What life was like in the mansions during the Gilded Age from the perspective of the servants. Viking Tours. Narrated tours, including the mansions, on an open trolley. Fish & Tales Adventures offers seal, lobster and fishing trips. Great for the whole family. Newport Neighborhood Food Tour, off the beaten path to sample some of Newport’s best foods. Rum Runner 11. Built in 1929 during the height of Prohibition for two New Jersey mobsters to elude the Coast Guard while smuggling cases. Cruise by Newport mansions and former speakeasies, lighthouses,  islands and many other points of interest along the waterfront. This is fun. Newport Jaquar Tours. A variety of destinations in a vinatge Jag. You can upgrade to a convertible too!

International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, Bellevue Ave… Artillery Company of Newport Armory and Military Museum. Clarke Street. Military uniforms and artifacts from all over the world. Museum of Newport History. Thames Street. History of the people of Newport. Closed Tuesdays. Touro Synagogue is a National Historic site, the oldest synagogue in America and the only one to survive the colonial period. The National Museum of American Illustration features the largest collection of its kind including the works of Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish. Audrain Automobile Museum has rare and seldom seen cars from 1899 to modern day, usually displays 15-20 cars. Check out the relatively new Sailing Museum.  Enjoy some of the best food of Newport with the Newport Foodies Stroll.

There are nearly 20 galleries in town. Some of the more prominent include; William Vareika Fine Arts. Bellevue Ave. Nationally recognized gallery of American art. Onne Van der Wall Gallery, Bannister’s Wharf. Newport and nautical photography. Roger King Gallery of Fine Art, Bowen’s Wharf. 19th and 20th century American art.

Newport Performing Arts Theater. Dance, music, comedy, theater, speakers and more. Firehouse Theater. Award winning improv comedy. Newport Contemporary Ballet. Classically trained contemporary ballet company.

February – Newport Winter Festival
March – St. Patrick’s Day Parade
April – Daffodil Days
June – Newport Polo Series;  Newport Film Festival; Secret Garden Tour
July – Newport Music Festival; Newport Regatta

August – Newport Folk Festival; Newport Jazz Festival
September – Newport International Boat Show
October – Columbus Day Parade
November/December – Christmas at the Mansions
December – Holiday Stroll

Breakfast

Franklin Spa, Spring Street, is a throwback to all the great breakfast counters of days gone by and a local favorite. Excellent hash, great prices. Other good choices: Annie’s on Bellevue (fresh squeezed OJ), Cru Cafe, fresh local ingredients. Breakfast all day and the Atlantic Grille, another local’s favorite, Aquidneck Ave. in nearby Middletown. Apple cinnamon stuffed French Toast, incredible omelets and six kinds of Eggs Benedict.

Brunch

In the colder months, go to the White Horse Tavern , the oldest tavern in the country for a fantastic a la carte brunch. Roaring fires, cozy rooms and a ghost or two. Sun. 11am-3:30pm. Ask for Table #10. An elegant alternative is the Conservatory at The Vanderbilt overlooking the resort’s lush gardens. Caleb & Broad. Start with the “Breakfast of Champions” featuring a mini broadway bloody, coffee cocktail and mimosa. Clarke Cook House, located on Bannister’s Wharf overlooking Newport Harbor is our favorite all-around restaurant for any meal and cocktails.

Lunch

22 Bowens, is good anytime. Excellent lunch menu served harborside. Raw bar. Good wine selection. Brick Alley Pub below, the Mooring on Sayer’s Wharf. Perfect waterfront location, awesome wine list and wonderful lunches with a seafood bent (think Lobster Roll!), @the Deck is hidden away on Waites Wharf, but is a local favorite. Sit outside on the deck and enjoy the weather and the water. White Horse Tavern. History, maybe a ghost or two. Wonderful setting. Fireplaces. Boat House. On the water. Called “One of the Best 100 Al Fresco” Restaurants in America by Open Table.

Burger

Brick Alley Pub. This institution seems to win all the awards for bar food; burger, nachos and so forth. Surprise! A Wine Spectator wine list. A real favorite of the locals.

Chowder

The Black Pearl . Barrister’s Wharf. Good place for a cocktail as well. The Moorings is a close second.

Oyster/Raw Bar

22 Bowen’s is a favorite for a number of reasons; the waterfront setting, amazing wine list and unusual interpretations of the standards.  Midtown Oyster Bar. in the center of town has a great selection of raw bar items as well as sushi.

Fried Clams

Absolutely no debate on this one. Flo’s Drive-In, off 138 on Park Avenue in Portsmouth. Only open in summer. Fanatical following. Local favorite.

Lobster

Newport Lobster Shack. Fish local waters and they serve only what they catch. Waterside location. Outside tables.

Cocktails/Martinis

This is a tough one, having sampled a few around town! In no particular order, the Candy Store at Bannister’s Wharf, the waterfront setting contributes, Topside Roof Deck. Amazing views. Champagne pairings. Roof Deck at the Vanderbilt. Fantastic views, drinks and food. When the weather doesn’t cooperate the Living Room at the Brenton Hotel is warm and cozy. Perro Salada has the best margaritas in town. Try also The Firepits at Newport Harbor Island Resort.

Sunset

This is where the locals come to escape the madness downtown during the summer.  Castle Hill Inn & Resort on Ocean Drive, about 5 minutes from town. Grab a cocktail at the bar and sit on the terrace or in one of the Adirondack chairs on the lawn. Also try the rooftop bar at the Grace Vanderbilt.

After Dinner Fun

Newport Blues Café . Thames Street. Blues, jazz, funk, R&B, Motown and reggae. Voted Best place for live music, Newport Life. One Pelham East. live music, dueling pianos,  DJs, and pub games. Smuggler’s Waterfront Bar is a great dive bar, on the water with live music.

Bike Rental

Ten Speed Spokes. Elm Street, a block from the Visitor’s Center. Good selection. $50/day.

Wine Shop

Great selection at Bellevue Wine & Spirits.

Sweet Tooth

The Newport Fudgery. Thames Street. Hand whipped fudge in 12 flavors. They’ll ship it too. Newport Creamery , Bellevue Ave and other locations. Have an Awful, Awful, a decadent ice cream concoction invented by this company 60 years ago.

Picnic Fixins

We like the Corner Cafe on Broadway. If you are staying at Castle Hill or The Chanler they’ll be happy to whip something up for you.

Shopping