Have a seaside escape in Newport, Rhode Island
For the quintessential New England experience, head to the Classic Coast


When packing for a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, be prepared with walking and boating shoes — it's likely you will be doing a lot of both. Get your steps in exploring the Newport Mansions, strolling along Cliff Walk and checking out the shops on Thames Street before hopping on a sailboat to glide through Newport Harbor and across Narragansett Bay.
Setting sail
No visit to Newport is complete without going sailing
Boating is a way of life in Newport. Once the home of the America's Cup races, the city is known as the Sailing Capital of the World, and visitors have ample opportunities to get out on the water. Newport Classic Cruises offers private yacht charters and ticketed and sunset cruises on historic schooners. For a narrated harbor tour, turn to Gansett Cruises, which operates sailings with knowledgable crews who are quick to share stories about Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. Sailings are out of Bowen's Wharf and Bannister's Wharf, both filled with restaurants, boutiques and galleries.
Back to the Gilded Age
Built in 1901, the extravagant Elms mansion was the summer home of coal baron Edward Julius Berwind
The 10 grand Newport Mansions, ornate edifices from the Gilded Age that were once home to some of the wealthiest people in the world, are now open to everyone. Take a self-guided tour of The Breakers, a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style residence built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, or silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs' over-the-top Rosecliff, complete with a heart-shaped staircase. For a fresh perspective, go on the special guided Elms Servant Life tour, which spotlights the hardworking employees who kept The Elms mansion running smoothly.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cliff Walk offers sweeping views of the water and Newport Mansions
Need a little fresh air? Make your way to the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, which passes the Newport Mansions and has beautiful ocean views. Most sections have paved pathways, but the terrain gets rough from Belmont Beach to Reject's Beach, so plan accordingly. If you want to see the coastline from the comfort of your vehicle, the 10-mile Ocean Drive passes the same sights, plus Brenton Point State Park, Fort Adams State Park and Gooseberry Beach.
A busy calendar
Bowen's Wharf is lit up every December during Christmas in Newport
Newport is a cultural center, with events held year-round. The annual Newport Jazz Festival celebrates its 70th anniversary this summer, the Newport Folk Festival marks its 65th, and in December, Christmas in Newport lasts the entire month as the Newport Mansions come alive with decorations and an illuminated boat parade takes over the harbor. The celebrations extend to the culinary world, with the Newport Mansions hosting an annual Wine & Food Festival in September and Bowen's Wharf presenting its Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival in May and Seafood Festival in October.
The flavors of Newport
Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar serves fresh catch daily
When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and when in Newport, head to the waterfront and enjoy some seafood. The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar is as "reliable as the tide," Boston Magazine said, and serves two-pound lobsters accompanied by poblano butter, pan-seared scallops, bouillabaisse and raw oysters. The Newport Lobster Shack is a fisherman's co-op that catches its own lobsters, sand crabs, whelk and rock crabs daily, selling the bounty to hungry diners who queue for steaming bowls of lobster bisque and hefty lobster rolls.
For a meal with a side of history, go to the White Horse Tavern, the oldest operating restaurant in the United States. Open since 1673, it still feels like someone from the Colonial era might walk in any minute. The clapboard walls, weathered floors and high beams add to the ambiance, while the menu is a blend of traditional and modern fare. Classic dishes include beef Wellington and beef bourguignon, with meat, seafood and produce coming from purveyors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Spend the night on Goat Island
The reimagined rooms at Newport Harbor Island Resort offer unobstructed water views
The comfortable Newport Harbor Island Resort on Goat Island recently underwent a top-to-bottom renovation, where no detail was overlooked. Fresh paint covers the walls while coastal decor, paintings by local artists and soft goods from area weavers fill the rooms. It is a true resort, with amenities ranging from a seasonal outdoor saltwater pool to a heated indoor pool to paddleboard and kayak rentals. When guests are ready to head into downtown Newport, all they have to do is walk to the property's 22-slip marina and board the water taxi.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The financial changes to expect in 'Awful April'
The Explainer As the new financial year begins, it brings changes for bills, wages and tax
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Sudoku hard: April 2, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Crossword: April 2, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Scottish hospitality shines at these 7 hotels
The Week Recommends Sleep well at these lovely inns across Scotland
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
7 ways to drink spectacularly across the United States this spring
The Week Recommends A bar for every springtime occasion
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
6 welcoming recipes for cooking and baking during your spring days
The Week Recommends You want it flavorful, and you want it exciting
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Spring's best new cookbooks, from pizza to pastries
The Week Recommends Pizza, an array of brownies and Cantonese-American mash-ups are on the menu
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
10 upcoming albums to stream in the hazy spring
The Week Recommends Ring in the end of the cold weather with some new music
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Video games to play this spring, including 'Split Fiction' and 'South of Midnight'
The Week Recommends A meta co-op game puts you in a game within a game, and a life simulator that can compete with the 'Sims' franchise
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
7 new and long-established musicals to see on tour this spring
The Week Recommends Even 'Les Misérables' is back on the road
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Museum exhibitions across the globe are in artful bloom this spring. These are 5 to experience.
The Week Recommends See treasures from ancient Japan, Versailles and the Forbidden City
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published