What To Do On A Quick Weekend Trip to Newport, RI

We lived in Boston, MA in 2020 when international travel basically came to a halt. As a result, this really put a halt to all of our travel plans. Once things started to open back up, we had to look for places that we could easily drive to from Boston. We landed on Newport, RI. We loved it. In fact, I wish we would had spent more time there.

Where to Stay in Newport

The town of Newport is super cute, and there are numerous places to stay. We ended up staying at Hammetts Hotel, which happened to be having their grand opening the weekend we arrived. Obviously the hotel was spotless and the room was very nice. The location was ideal being right on the water and a short walk to everything we wanted to see.

We did this trip before any children. So this is a couples trip itinerary instead of my normal family trip itinerary. However, a lot of what we did is doable with kids.

There is a restaurant at the hotel if you do not want to venture out, but I would recommend eating in the downtown area.

The restaurant was not open yet when the hotel first opened. At night, a lot of the guests sat outside on the deck. We loved enjoying a glass of wine and watching the boats right outside.

Where To Eat in Newport

Brick Alley Pub

First, we ate at Brick Alley Pub. This restaurant had been recommended to us by a local friend. The decor and food were very good. They have a wide variety so it is sure to have something for even picky eaters. The environment here is very laid back and I would have no problem bringing children into here. I definitely think Brick Alley Pub is kid-friendly.

The Mooring

The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar is where we had brunch. This restaurant includes indoor and covered outdoor seating with views of the water and boats at the marina. We were lucky to get a table as close to the water available and the views were great. The food is definitely worth visiting here lunch or dinner.

Stoneacre Brasserie

We enjoyed brunch at Stoneacre Brasserie. It was a lovely June Day and we enjoyed sitting outside and people watching at this beautiful restaurant.

La Forge

For dinner one night, we had reservations for La Forge Casino Restaurant which is located at the Tennis Hall of Fame. I was not real impressed with this restaurant, we had reserved outdoor seating but it was raining so we sat indoors. The food was just average, but the history of the restaurant was cool. However, if you are a tennis player or fan, I definitely think this place is worth a visit.

Board and Bistro

Unfortunately, it was raining our only full day in Newport. Therefore, we stopped in Board and Bistro to get out of the rain in the afternoon. We enjoyed some wine and appetizers. I loved the vibe of this place and the ambiance.

Coffee Grinder

I tend to be an early riser. So, I loved popping over to Coffee Grinder to grab a cup of coffee before my husband woke up.

There are so many different places downtown that you can just pop in for food including local coffee shops. Not getting to explore more places to eat is part of the reason why I wish we had spent more time.

Activities to Do In Newport

You can spend a lot of time just walking along the water, and popping into shops all over downtown.

The Breakers Newport

One of the most well known attractions in Newport are the mansions on the cliffs. We did a tour of The Breakers which was so amazing. There are tons of Viator tours to choose from. The mansion is breath taking as well as the views off the cliffs. I would recommend this Trolley tour if you are staying downtown because it also comes with transportation to the Breakers. It is a bit of walk from downtown. We did it but we enjoy walking miles in new cities.

You can do a tour of the Tennis Hall of Fame as well for all the tennis lovers out there.

Something we did that we really enjoyed was the Cliff Walk. This path is located right about the cliffs and extends from The Breakers to Easton Beach. We started the walk after the tour of the mansions and walked all the way to the beach.

There are multiple restaurants located next to the beach which was very convenient. The walk came with exciting views and seemed to be very popular with the number of participants.

I do feel like since it was such a quick trip and everything still wasn’t opened up, there were activities that we missed out on including boat cruises and riding the trolly around the area to really learn about the history of this beautiful city.

If you are a fan of wine, there is a beautiful vineyard called Newport Vineyards. It is so beautiful, it is a popular wedding venue in the area.

Would I do a Return Trip To Newport?

Absolutely! I would love to visit Newport, RI again. This city has so much to offer and I feel like we barely even broke the ice. I am already looking for a time that would work to take my children so they can experience this fun-filled city.

If you enjoy quick weekend trips like we do and are looking for other New England destinations check out my Boston, Ma post!