Three Days in Newport

Newport, Rhode Island has a piece of my heart. It is a place of natural beauty, with New England style, that evokes a great American pride. The food is delectable. There is so much to do and see in a small, manageable area. Following are my favorite things that you can easily do in three days. The landscape is stunning, complete with harbors, hills, rocky shores and sandy beaches. It is a great place to walk. There are great hikes available, as well. You can do many water sports, including surfing, stand up paddling, kayaking, sailing, and boating. You can take tours, on the water or land, via boats, trolleys, bikes, or foot. I urge you to get on the water, one way or another. The boating options are very plentiful and have so many different options. There is just so much to explore and so many ways to do it! The mansions of Newport are stunning, and an amazing glimpse into what life was like at the end of the 1800s and into the 1900s. The opulence and splendor of the Gilded Age are something to see. The mansions entrance tickets come with an audio tour that you can do at your own pace. I highly recommend seeing at least one. My favorite is the Breakers, but I think it's incredible to see multiples, because they are strikingly different. To see the style differences is amazing. Then, of course, a walk along the Cliff Walk is magnificent, where you can see so many mansions, while enjoying the beautiful sea that they are perched upon. Newport is a seafood lovers dream. There are so many open air restaurants to choose from, ranging from food stands to fine dining at its best. My favorites of the area are the chowders, oysters, lobsters, filets of fish and new spins put on traditional seafood dishes. Of course, you can find just about any kind of restaurant or pub, I personally enjoy eating the locally sourced food. My favorite places to eat are The Mooring, Fluke, and The Lawn. I have too many favorite al fresco drink spots to list, as cocktail and wine bars are plentiful and wonderful! Newport is a food and drink lovers oasis. If you have any interest in tennis, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a great stop. They have a tremendous amount of memorabilia that represents the growth and transformation of the sport from its earliest days. You can see rackets, sportswear, trophies, videos, and photos. It is also great to see lawn courts in person. You can walk the grounds and watch tennis in action. There is a great range of places to stay in Newport. You can easily find most chains in the greater area, but I prefer the smaller, more charming choices. There are many B&Bs, inns, and boutique hotels in town. I really enjoyed the Gilded. It is off the beaten path, provides delicious small plate breakfast, and is beautifully decorated in a modern way that pays tribute to the Gilded Age. They have comfy beach chairs to borrow to bring to the beach. Their sitting areas are lovely. If budget is not a concern, Cliff House is one of the most special places that I've ever stayed. It is surrounded with spectacular water views, includes an opulent full a la carte breakfast, has a lovely seaside bar, and serves you drinks in Adirondack chairs on their great lawn on the sea. The sailboats never stop cruising by, they offer free house bikes to explore the area, and have a private beach where they provide chairs, towels, umbrellas, and food and beverage service. They have thought of EVERYTHING, and make your stay a comfortable, relaxing, unforgettable one. It is an extraordinary place. There are flags hoisted nearly everywhere you look in Newport, on boats, masts, buildings, homes, storefronts and flagpoles. The architecture displays many various classic types in the most beautifully maintained and manicured manner. The nautical influence is everywhere in Newport with anchors and international code flags omnipresent. It is a happy, meticulous, warm and welcoming American Dream of a place to visit.