“Walk the cliff
Smell the sea
Share the view
Forever with me” -Anonymous
Earlier this month, Jody and I were in Newport, Rhode Island, and got to experience fall in New England – changing leaves, crisp weather and picturesque scenery.
This was our first trip to Newport and our first trip without the children since Baby Barrett arrived, so we were excited to explore a new city and spend some quality time together. The area oozes with charm culture and history. Here are our top five Newport highlights:
1. A drink at Bannister’s Wharf while watching the boats come in…
Upon our arrival, we headed straight down to the water to get our bearings and a snack. Clear blue skies were our backdrop for watching the sailboats come in, and The Black Pearl provided the perfect vantage point. There are many restaurants and shops to meander through along the wharf, and we bought some iconic souvenirs for the girls from The Black Dog.
2. Cliff Walk and Lunch at The Chanler
The historic Cliff Walk is a 3.5 mile long Oceanside path winding along the cliffs that protect Newport’s famed mansions. Jody and I took a brisk walk to enjoy the views and worked up an appetite for lunch at the Chanler Hotel. The elegant ambience embodies the Gilded Age, and our lunch at The Cafe was lovely. We noted that the hotel also offers a gourmet hot chocolate bar every afternoon- a great way to warm up!
3. Tasting at Newport Vineyard
To see a different side of Newport, we ventured to Newport Vineyards in nearby Middleton, Rhode Island, for a tasting and tour. The seaside air is the right environment for cultivating delicious blends of reds and whites, and additionally the Vineyard brews their own craft beers as well as offering a farm to table restaurant. The Lindot Pinot was our favorite, and we bought a few bottles before heading back to Newport.
4. Touring the mansions
{The Breakers}
{Rosecliff}
{Rough Point, home to Doris Duke}
{
Newport is best known for its magnificent mansions that line Bellevue Avenue. These “summer cottages” were built by the wealthiest Americans of the late 19th century as their vacation retreats and entertaining paradise. From the Vanderbilt’s Breakers to Doris Duke’s Rough Point, all of the homes we visited were impressive. The most memorable was Marble House where we had a private dining experience and felt like we were at Downton!
5. Lunch at Castle Hill
Our final day in Newport lead us to the stunning Castle Hill Inn (after scoping out Jennifer Lawrence’s wedding venue} where we savored our last child-free, rosé and lobster filled lunch overlooking the water, and afterwards lounged on their famous lawn. It was the most relaxing way to end our trip.
Newport is a fall travel bucket list destination not to be missed. For more information about planning your visit to the #classiccoast, connect with Discover Newport.
