Newport, RI Travel Guide Part I

There is nothing better than being able to find where to stay, where to eat, and what to see in one place. Newport is one of the most beautiful coastal cities in New England, set on the Aquidneck Island in the state of Rhode Island. The quintessential Newport experience must include seafood, a historic mansion, and shopping on Thames. Here is part 1 of my travel guide for Newport, Rhode Island.

Where to Stay

There are a variety of hotels, B&Bs, Air BNBs, and inns located in Newport for every type of traveler.

When I decided to take a girls getaway I knew we had to stay at one of the best spots in Newport, RI – a funky boutique hotel called Gilded on Brinley Avenue. You can real ALL about our stay here and everything the hotel has to offer. The hotel is within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and even tourist spots!

What to Do

I could easily spend a week in Newport sightseeing and shopping. There are so many things to do that it was hard to plan only 24 hours in the beautiful seaside city. The Newport Visitor Center (Discover Newport) provides everything you need to know about Newport – from complimentary maps to information for purchasing tour and event tickets, you can visit them online or daily at 23 America’s Cup Avenue from 9-5.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame

After discovering Andy Roddick stayed at Gilded hotel during his induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, we knew we wanted to visit the grounds where we walked around during our trip. We read the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a combination of outdoor/indoor exhibits.

Located on 194 Bellevue Avenue, the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport dates back to 1880 as a place that preserves the history of tennis and celebrates international tennis champions . There are group and guided tours available, as well as options for self guided exploration of over 25,000 artifacts and images from the history of tennis. Check their visiting hours before you go, because they are closed on Tuesdays during the winter. Doesn’t it figure that’s the day we happened to stop by?

The Audrain Automobile Museum

The Audrain Automobile Museum is a fantastic place to stop on your visit to Newport if you love history. The Audrain Automobile Museum preserves rare and remarkable vehicles, ranging from 1899 to modern day, important to the history of Newport. Open daily from 10am – 4pm, admission is $15 (or less) depending on your age and there are options for annual membership.

From now until June 25th, you can witness the Muscle Car Madness exhibit featuring a variety of vehicles, from an incredible teal 1940 Chevrolet Custom Roadster to a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302. There cars are on display, along with interactive descriptions and fun facts.

Shopping

In my opinion, Newport, RI is one of the best walking shopping experiences in New England. From boutiques to chain stores to eclectic shops, there is something for every consumer. Discover Newport has a list of where to shop in Newport so you can plan a personalized day of shopping based on what you like.

The Mansions

Every time I have visited Newport, I make it a priority to visit one of the historic mansions. From the grandest of the summer homes, The The Breakers to the Rosecliff modeled after the garden retreat of French kings at Versailles to the Marble House (“summer house”) of Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt, the meticulously preserved estates are an incredible sight to see.

During my most recent trip, we spent an hour wandering the Marble House, which Mr. Vanderbilt gave to his wife as a 39th birthday present. The sprawling estate’s design was inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles and cost around $11 million to build, with $7 allotted to over 500,000 cubic feet of marble.

Wineries and Breweries

We didn’t have a chance to stop in to any wineries or breweries, but next time I visit, the Newport Vineyards in Middletown, RI are on the top of my list. The vineyard was originally planted in 1977 and has over 60 vineyard acres.

Photography by Elizabeth Grant Photography.