Normally, I’m not overly fond of the popular tourist hangouts. I usually think they’re too crowded, over-hyped, and ridiculously expensive. But I love Newport, Rhode Island.
Yes, it can be expensive –but it can also be affordable if you know where to go and what to avoid. And yes, it has hype galore. Good Morning America calls Newport, “The most beautiful place in America.” That’s as superlative as it gets (but it may actually be true!)
And yes, it’s crowded, in summer. But in Newport, I actually like the crowd. It’s a beautiful crowd, vibrant and happy! Summertime Newport is like the hoity-toityest carnival in the world.
In Newport you can believe in the possibility that ordinary people like you and I might–wait, in fact we ARE–walking where the Astors and Vanderbilts and Jackie Kennedy trod. And nobody asks us to leave just because we’re not famous or rich. Nobody (well almost nobody) scans us with a disdainful head-to-toe inspection that assesses whether we belong.
Because Newport LOVES its tourists.
Because every summer, tourists come in droves to willingly part, hastily, with much Moohlah.
Oodles of people spend money and time here because there are countless fun and interesting ways to enjoy the day:
- Shop, (and the shops are fantastic!)
- listen to great music,
- sail, of course,
- watch the sunset while you sip something lavish,
- lounge in your posh inn and pretend you always live like Gilded Age Royalty,
- toodle around in a Scoot Coupe,
- visit the mansions (and pretend you live in one)
- stroll the Cliff Walk,
- spend the day at the beach,
- EAT a lobster roll or clam chowder or nearly anything your heart desires,
- play tennis on clay,
- watch a polo match,
- and the list goes on and on.
In the next weeks, I’ll be featuring my insider tips (I live in Rhode Island and hang out frequently in Newport) for leisurely things to do, good food to eat and where to stay, both for when you want to treat yourself to an ooh-la-la experience and when your budget demands a low-cost excursion.
Let me convince you that you ought to visit us here in the biggest little state in the Union! When were you last in Newport, and when are you coming back?
As for someone who lives in CT, Newport is our favorite retreat, and we typically visit at least one a year. Insider tips sound wonderful, looking forward!
I forgot that you were so near-by. I like that word for Newport–a “retreat.” It’s a world away. And I’d love to hear what you like best about Newport…
I like everything about Newport – food, mansions, cliff walk, people on the street… White Horse Tavern and Black Pearl are two of my favorite places to eat. I can go to Marble House probably every day (yes, may be I’m exaggerating, but not by much).
I’m with you on White Horse Tavern and Black Pearl–although they’re no longer “trendy” enough for some people. I like the Black Pearl Tavern better than the Commodore’s Room. Last time I was there (in the Tavern), Martha Stewart was dining in the corner near the fireplace and no one bothered her or stared at her, because, hey, in Newport, celebrities showing up is normal.
And give a heads-up whenever you’re planning on being in the area–maybe we could all get together to chat over a bottle of wine!
Sounds good – I would love to do that!
I plan to travel back to the US next and maybe I can make a stop in Newport! I haven’t been to ‘The Ocean State’ yet but would love to visit it some day 🙂
Please do visit–and when you do, let us know so we can meet you! (Europeans tend to miss Rhode Island because it’s so very small–but it’s definitely worth the stop-over and it’s conveniently located at the apex between New York City, Cape Cod, and Boston).
It’s been a few years, but I agree, Newport is beautiful. I love those mansions. (yours is lovely, btw.) And the old town ghost walk is super spooky.
You can stay at my mansion anytime you’re in town. (just check in with the folks at Salve Regina–they’re using it for education purposes, but if you tell them I sent you, you’re in–like Flynn). I’ve heard that scary-thing about the ghost walk which is why I’ve never done it. Spooky stuff gives me nightmares.
Hi Tracy,
Newport is one of my favorite places. My husband and I plan to visit in September. My parents lived in Rhode Island for many years and we loved roaming the streets of Newport together. By the way, have you ever been to Aunt Carrie’s restaurant in Point Judith? We can’t wait to get there to enjoy their delightful whole clams, clam fritters, chowdah, and blueberry pie!
Seriously–you’re going to be here in September?? Let me know when, hopefully it will work out so we can connect!!
Haven’t yet been to Aunt Carrie’s. It’s amazing how “local” a person becomes in Rhode Island. Point Judith is “so far away” from where we live–(about 20 miles or so). They might have fabulous seafood and all, but we’ve got “Iggy’s,” so why would we travel (that’s the R.I. mentality). email me–let me know when you’re coming and where you’ll be! 🙂
One of the four states that I have never visited—this gives more plenty of reasons to reduce the number to three in the near future!
Agreed. It’s definitely worth visiting, and not only because Ken and I are here…
I love this post, Tracy. In 1975, college friends and I spent a week in Newport and loved every hour. Your post and details remind me that I want to go back!
And I want to go to Colorado! We’ll have to make sure that we don’t make our trips simultaneously. It would be a bummer if you ended up in Rhode Island while I’m in Colorado! 😉
Such a great post, Tracy: I need to get my act together at some point and come visit RI! I heard so many great things about it, and your post only reinforces that. Plus, I just love lobster rolls and clam chowder (yeah, who doesn’t, right?!?) 😉
RI is definitely a great place to visit. The pace is slower here, and quite relaxing. And you know we’re only a brief couple hours away from New York…
But I know how it goes, I keep saying I’ve got to get my act together and get to NYC; but, daily obligations have a way of messing up my act.
Sounds wonderful, Tracy. My web designer is in the area, and long ago I was impressed with RI’s beauty when I visited an elderly friend in his mansion on Narragansett Bay. A great memory!
Narragansett Bay a unique and in some way, overlooked little gem of a place. I live 2 miles from the bay–not in a mansion, but close enough to walk over and enjoy it…
Had a nice visit there with Suzanne when she was in middle school. We stayed in a B&B that may have been called Queen Anne. She wanted to go have fun somewhere because her brother was going somewhere and she was not invited. Maybe he was on a college visit. I’ve forgotten now.
It sounds like a wonderful mother-daughter time! Maybe I could talk my mom into going there with me for a weekend (it’s possible, she’s still an adventurous traveler….)
good idea!