How to Plan a Weekend Getaway to Newport, Rhode Island Itinerary

As a Rhode Islander, Newport is our go to “staycation” destination since it is a short drive away from home but it still feels like a vacation. Whether you are visiting for a Newport Rhode Island weekend getaway or you are a local looking for a break, I’ve put together an itinerary based on my many trips to the City by the Sea. 



Summer is high season in Newport so if you are visiting from June through August you will need to plan in advance, especially if you want to stay downtown. You can also expect extra traffic getting around town so you may want to consider whether or not you want to drive and pay for parking or take the ferry from Providence or Jamestown. Not visiting in the summer? Check out these things to do in Newport in the winter .



Castle Hill Inn



Summer Newport, RI Weekend Getaway 



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If you are coming to Newport for a weekend getaway, this itinerary will walk you through a perfect summer itinerary for first-time visitors, starting with your arrival on Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.



Day One – Friday Evening Arrival







Depending on where you are coming from, you may not have time to fit in an activity on Friday evening, but if you get there in time for sunset, take a drive along  Ocean Drive  and stop at  Brenton Point State Park . Carefully cross the street from the parking lot and cop a squat on the rocks (or better yet, bring along a blanket or some beach chairs), and watch the sunset. 



Even better, book a table on  The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn  for dinner or stop at the bar for drinks and watch the sunset by the Pell Bridge from the Adirondack chairs on the lawn. If you can’t get a reservation at Castle Hill, I’d recommend trying to get an outdoor table at  Midtown Oyster Bar  or enjoy drinks and light bites at  The Roof Deck at  The Vanderbilt Hotel . 



Day Two – Saturday Morning







Start off with an early morning stroll along the  Cliff Walk , along the Bluffs behind the mansions, before the crowds arrive. You can park at the beginning near Easton’s Beach (First Beach), or on Narragansett Avenue at the 40 Steps entrance, where you can find paid metered parking from May 1 – October 31st. The entire Cliff Walk is 3.5 miles long, but there is currently a detour between Narragansett Avenue and Webster Street due to structural damage. 



Fort Adams  is another good spot for a waterfront walk, just keep an eye on the event schedule to avoid weekends like the Newport Jazz Festival or Folk Festival. For more of a hike, head over to the  Sachuest Point National Wildlife Preserve  if you are a bird watcher.



Once you have worked up an appetite, head back into town and line up for breakfast at the  Corner Cafe  or enjoy breakfast all day at the  CRU Cafe .



If this is your first visit to Newport, you shouldn’t leave town without checking out at least one of the famous  Newport Mansions , especially if you are a fan of  The Gilded Age  on MAX, as many scenes take place in Newport and parts of the show were filmed here, particularly at The Breakers.







The Breakers  was built between 1893 and 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II and the mansion was designed by renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt, drawing inspiration from Italian Renaissance palaces. Its opulent Beaux-Arts style boasts 70 rooms, each adorned with intricate details like gold-leaf ceilings, carved marble fireplaces, and stained-glass windows.



Stepping inside The Breakers is like entering a bygone era of extravagant living. If the U.S. had palaces, this would be one of them. On a self-guided tour, you can also see the kitchen and image life of the staff that it took to maintain such a palatial residence. 



If historic mansions isn’t what you are looking to do over a summer weekend, you could always hit the beach (but head to Second Beach because First Beach can be a seaweed-covered stinker) or visit something more up your alley like the  International Tennis Hall of Fame , the  Newport Art Museum or the  Audrain Automobile Museum .



Saturday Afternoon







For lunch, head over to  Bannister’s and Bowen’s Wharf,  where you will find plenty of options! Check out the new  Luke’s Lobster  stand for a lobster roll or enjoy a cup of famous New England chowder at  The Black Pearl.  I also love the Mexican food at  Diego’s  or fresh seafood at  The Lobster Bar . 



After lunch, take some time to browse the boutiques along the wharves and  Thames Street . Be sure to check out local brands like rope bracelets from Lemon & Line or nautical New England attire at Kiel James Patrick.







If you haven’t realized it yet, Newport is the Yachting Capital of the world. It would be a shame to visit the Classic Coast without getting out on the water. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to do so from private charters to group sailings. I’ve enjoyed afternoon sailings or sunset cruises on some of the historic schooners from  Sightsailing of Newport  or  Newport Classic Cruises . This is a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon or early evening.



The classic sailing yacht Madeleine offers a 90-minute day sail that takes you out into the harbor, past Fort Adams (where the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals take place), by Hammersmith Farm (where JFK and Jackie had their wedding reception), and down to Castle Hill Inn, at the point where the Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. 



Saturday Evening



Rooftop cocktails at The Vanderbilt



Newport is a great spot for a romantic getaway, and if you are celebrating a special occasion, there are many restaurants for a date night. My top pick would be  Cara at The Chanler , a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond restaurant that offers chef’s tasting menus using sustainable New England ingredients.



For something more historic, the  White Horse Tavern  is America’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, which opened in 1673. I particularly love this one in the winter, because of the fireplace, but the wood-beamed ceiling and candlit tables make it great for a date night.



Not looking for anything fancy and just want a good meal? You still have so many options including: Giusto (Italian), The Fifth Element (modern bar and grill), or the Clarke Cooke House (New England). 



For after dinner drinks, head to the Roof Deck at The Vanderbilt, Caleb & Broad, The Wharf Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar, Pour Judgement, Top of Newport at the Hotel Viking, or the Firepits at the Newport Harbor Island Resort. 



Day Three – Sunday Morning



Spa pool at the Vanderbilt



After breakfast, there are many ways to spend your last morning in Newport. To relax, hit the beach or avail yourself of one of Newport’s many spas. I’ve enjoyed the spas at Hotel Viking and The Vanderbilt, but the water journey at the hydrotherapy  Bodhi Spa  something extra special.



Sunday Afternoon







For one more taste of Newport, book a spot on a  Rhode Island Red Food Tour of Newport  or reserve a tasting at  Newport Vineyards  in nearby Middletown. More than a winery, Newport Vineyards also has a farm-to-table restaurant and an on-site brewery, Taproot Brewing Co. You can enjoy lunch, wine, and lawn games or live music in the vineyard.



For a totally different experience, you could also try a scenic ride on the pedal-powered  Rail Explorers , which offers tours along Narragansett Bay with views of Jamestown, the Mount Hope Bridge, Hog Island Lighthouse, and coastal woodlands. 



While you may feel it is too soon to say good bye to Newport, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend in Newport in the summer. 



Best Time to Visit Newport







Summer is the ideal time to visit the Yachting Capital of the world, with high season between June and August. If you prefer to visit in the shoulder seasons, the crowds will be thinner and the prices will be lower. Newport at Christmas is special and there is plenty to do in  Newport in the winter.



Things start to brighten up in mid-April, when over 1 million daffodils are in bloom across town. May brings events like the Newport Oyster and Chowder Festival.



In the summer, Newport Folk Festival takes over Fort Adams State Park during the last weekend of July and Newport Jazz Festival follows on the first weekend in August. Both are very popular events and you will have a hard time finding rooms and dinner reservations. But, if you want to attend the events, they bring in world class performers. Just buy your tickets well in advance!



In the fall, September brings the Newport International Boat Show and the Newport Mansions Wine and Food festival. Early November is Newport Restaurant Week and a great time to eat your way around Newport.



Where to Stay in Newport



While hotel rooms can be pricey in Newport in the summer, there are still a wide range of options depending on what type of weekend getaway you are looking for. Here are a few places that I’ve stayed and personally enjoyed:



Newport Marriott



Photo courtesy of the Newport Marriott



Located right next to the Visitor’s Center on America’s Cup Boulevard, the  Newport Marriott  is a great location for exploring Newport on foot, especially for those looking for an affordable getaway by using Bonvoy Points. With views of the Newport Harbor, the Marriott stays true to the nautical theme throughout its spacious public areas. 



The large lobby is unlike any Marriott that I have stayed in before. In addition to the soaring atrium, there were numerous gathering places and conversation spots. The balconies opening up onto the atrium, with their sailcloth dividers gave the impression of staying on a cruise ship. 



The hotel has 312 rooms and eight suites. When we stayed here, our room was beautifully decorated and super comfortable, with nautical decor that offered a classic style that was not overdone. With a full range of services from an indoor pool and outdoor pool deck, spa, and salon, I would definitely recommend the Newport Marriott if you are staying in Newport for a romantic getaway or a family trip.



Hotel Viking



A member of the Historic Hotels of America,  Hotel Viking  has an excellent location in the center of town, walking distance to the Mansions, waterfront, restaurants, and shops. This 208 room hotel is a perfect choice if you want to capture the history of Newport. Built in 1926, but renovated in 2018, Hotel Viking has a combination of historic style and modern amenities. 



When it comes to dining, you can enjoy afternoon high tea on the weekends in the Garden Room or dinner in One Bellevue. The Lobby Bar offers tacos and burgers, along with drinks, or you can enjoy  crafted signature cocktails with gorgeous sunset views from Top of Newport on the roof of Hotel Viking.



The Spa Fjör offers a Himalayan Sea Salt Wall and Infrared Sauna, along with an indoor pool and wide variety of spa treatments.



The Vanderbilt







My personal favorite is The Vanderbilt , an Auberge Collection Hotel. A short walk to the waterfront and close to the restaurants and shops along Broadway, The Vanderbilt is a boutique hotel in a former mansion that offers on-site dining, an in-house spa, and a selection of rooms and suites.
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