Rhode Island

Newport

Destination Overview

Your Newport honeymoon will take you straight to the Gilded Age, when the rich and famous made this seaside town their summer retreat. The historic New England seaport has the feeling of an open air festival, with street fairs, shopping, sidewalk sales, cafes and plenty of opportunities for people watching. With a strong sailing and seafaring tradition, beaches, historic buildings, hiking trails and urban walks, it’s the ideal location for an exciting getaway.

Newport beaches are popular for their Atlantic surf, and stunning views of the open ocean. Kayaking and paddle boarding in the quieter waters of the bay are a good way to see the harbor and some great views of the city. Newport is built around sailing, and you can experience the excitement for yourselves with a romantic sunset cruise. Visit the marinas to admire the boats, stay at a nineteenth century ship captain’s home converted into an elegant hotel, and learn about Newport’s seafaring history at the museums.

Explore the city with a long walk down Thames Street, with unique stores, art galleries, bars and restaurants. Check out the waterfront shopping and entertainment at Bowen’s Wharf. The Newport Jazz Festival and Newport Folk Festival held at the Wharf draw thousands of visitors every year, to enjoy music, arts and crafts, performances and shopping.

Naturally, fresh seafood is the center of culinary choices in Newport, served in different styles, from French restaurants to clam chowder in family restaurants to the clamshacks beloved by new Englanders. Don’t forget to stop by the White Horse Tavern, believed to be the oldest tavern in the US, for a meal and ghost stories.

When looking for accommodations, you’ll find something for every taste and every budget. There are cozy B and Bs with New England charm, Gilded Age Mansions that are now luxury hotels, seaside cottages, and luxury hotels and spas to pamper you on your Newport honeymoon.

About Newport

At a Glance

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, millionaires from New York and Boston built their “summer cottages” in Newport to cool off in the refreshing sea breezes. Many of these Gilded Age mansions and their sprawling gardens are preserved as historic homes and sites.
The famous Cliff Walk runs for three and a half miles along the eastern shore, with views of the summer mansions on one side and the ocean on the other.
Enjoy swimming and surfing at the Newport beaches. Rent kayaks or paddle boards or try your hand at kite flying on the beach.
The city has a number of museums showcasing history and culture. The Newport Museum of Art has art from New England and Newport artists from the late 19th century to the present, and the Museum of Newport History, housed in a historic 18th century building, has thousands of exhibits documenting life from precolonial times to the present. The Naval War College Museum, also located in a historic building, covers naval and local history.
Bowen’s Wharf has a lively atmosphere, narrow, old fashioned cobblestone streets, and buildings dating back to the 18th century. Explore the restaurants, cafes, shops, taste some local seafood, and at the right time of the year, join in the festivals like the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, the Winter Festival and the Christmas Tree Lighting.
This is the unofficial Sailing Capital of the World, and a visit to the marinas or a cruise on a sailing ship are an essential part of your Newport honeymoon.
The Newport Jazz Festival is held every summer at Fort Adams State Park, where you can relax to the music with the views of the Narragansett Bay and the harbor, dotted with sailing boats.

Honeymoon Hints

Stay at a luxurious converted 19th century mansion or a beachside cottage. On your Newport honeymoon you’ll have the sights and sounds of the ocean all around you, as you dream and plan your life together.
Take a sunset cruise or harbor sailing trip from Bowen’s Wharf.
Take the scenic route along Ocean Drive, which sweeps past the grand mansions, yacht marinas, state parks, small beaches, ponds and coves. Stop for a view of a salt marsh or Rhode Island Sound, Narragansett Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean.
Take a food tour which will introduce you to the bars, restaurants and culture of the city.

Travel Tips

GETTING THERE: Newport is well connected by air, train, car and ferry services. T.F. Green in Warwick is the nearest major airport and Warwick and Providence are the closest Amtrak stops. Newport is 70 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City.
GETTING AROUND: Downtown Newport is very walkable, and parking can be expensive. You won’t need a car there but it will be necessary to drive to get around the city and see all the sights.
WEATHER: Newport has a moderate coastal climate, with daytime highs in the summer reaching the high 70s in July and August. Winters are mild with daytime highs in January and February in the high 30s and not much snow.
WHEN TO GO: Any time of the year is a good time for your Newport honeymoon. Summer is the popular season for travel, festivals and events, so expect crowds if you plan to visit then.