Newport, Rhode Island
About newport
Newport’s connection with the sea goes back to the city’s founding in the 1600s, which isn’t much of a surprise since all first-generation colonial outposts were situated on the water. But it’s only within the last 50 years that the onetime capital city has truly embraced its potential as a sailing mecca. While the departure of the U.S. Navy fleet in the 1970s and the America’s Cup in 1983 were both initially seen as tragic, the city more than filled the voids with a boisterous resort economy and an Optis-to-maxis sailing scene.
Sail Newport is the nexus for all dinghy and small boat events, while a handful of yacht clubs, including the world-renown New York Yacht Club Harbour Court, annually host some of the country’s most prestigious events for bigger boats. Accommodations are pricey and making reservations well in advance is essential. But in no other city can you turn marks over the final resting place of Cook’s, Endeavour, see a multimedia sailing exhibit where Turner slipped under the table and tour the mansion where the Vanderbilts once held court.
Getting There
T.F. Green Airport (PVD) in Providence is the closest. Boston International Airport (BOS) is also an option.
Renting a car or taking a ride share is the best option. There is also a bus that goes from PVD to Newport.
Approximate Travel Times
Local Tips
Sailing tips
Pay attention to the current, it is notorious for pulling boats over or under the starting line as well as affecting lay lines on the course during high and low tide. Light in the morning with the sea breeze filling in the afternoon. Usually a great variety.
Transportation
Parking can be challenging, so using alternative transportation can make it easier to navigate the narrow streets. You can also rent a bike or explore on foot.
Cliff Walk
If you have some free time, explore the Cliff Walk, a scenic path that runs along the shoreline, with breathtaking views of the ocean and the impressive mansions. It’s a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of Newport.
weather links & TIDES
SAILING CLUBS
Marinas/moorings
Marine Stores
Sails/Rigging
Boat Services
Fuel
Boat Storage
LAUNDRY SERVICES
hardware stores
Grocery stores
RESTAURANTS
Breakfast
Equal parts cafe, coffee shop, grocery store, and art gallery, Harvest Market was the very first non-profit grocery store in all of Rhode Island. Still a non-profit grocery, Harvest market’s focus is sustainably-sourced, local, top quality organic produce,as well as breakfast and lunch cuisine, and freshly prepared foods to go. There are phenomenal French pastries and all your coffee drink favorites are available- try their famous Cacao drink- hot cocoa with a kick! Known to offer the best produce in town, as well as excellent acai bowls and sandwiches to go, Harvest market is an excellent spot to support local neighborhood farms, while indulging in some of the freshest food available.
Address: 7 Carroll Ave, Newport, RI 02840
Prices: $
Kaffeology is a local favorite cafe and coffee shop focused on serving excellent coffee drinks, breakfast, lunch, and desserts. Famous for their gigantic gourmet milkshakes, topped with everything from poptarts to cupcakes, the cafe is also a great spot for a quick and fresh breakfast sandwich on the way to the water, or a coffee and pressed sandwich for lunch. Locals love the Pacino Milkshake, and the Vegan Breakfast Burrito is a favorite as well. Besides offering excellent food, milkshakes, and coffee, Kaffeology also features a unique in store boutique focused on women owned products. Coffee, milkshakes, and shopping- yes please!
Address: 359 Thames St
Phone: (401)324-5151
Prices: $
Empire Tea & Coffee is an excellent coffee shop and cafe focused on serving phenomenal freshly roasted coffee and espresso drinks, healthy breakfast and lunch options, bites to go, and desserts. Known and loved for their breakfast sandwiches and coffee drinks, Empire is an excellent spot for grab and go food, a quick meal, or a luxurious dessert and coffee after a long morning on the water.
Address: 112 William St
Phone: (401)619-1388
Prices: $
Lunch
Located on the corner of Thames and Carroll Avenue, Ashmart Deli is a neighborhood convenience shop offering a wide variety of groceries, freshly made sandwiches, and beverages. An excellent spot to grab fresh food and drinks for a day on the water, Ashmart Deli has everything you could possibly need, served in a clean and welcoming environment.
Address: 2 Carroll Ave.
Phone: (401)849-6710
Prices: $
Marco’s Cafe is a local favorite sandwich shop that offers a large variety of made-to-order sandwiches, salads, breakfasts, and desserts. Mostly a pick up spot, Marco’s Cafe has no real seating, no restrooms, and no parking, there is just one table inside, but they DO have some of the most phenomenal sandwiches in all of Newport. Using only the freshest ingredients available, Marco’s is an old school sandwich shop vibe offering world-class sandwiches. Locals love the Reuben and the Italian sandwich, as well as the phenomenal Greek salad. Marco’s Cafe is a wonderful local spot to pick up food to go for a day on or off the water.
Address: 382 Spring St.
Phone: (401)324-5237
Prices: $
Dinner
Located right on the water on the harbor front, 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grill is a traditional classic prime steakhouse focused on serving the highest quality steaks and seafood in the area. Inside the nautically themed dining room the atmosphere is classic steakhouse, warm with wooden accents and big bar. Al fresco dining outside is right on the water, offering spectacular views of the boats floating in the harbor. Classical and elegant, 22 Bowen’s is the quintessential New England coastal dining experience. Locals love the Bacon Wrapped Scallops, the Oysters, and of course, the Steaks!
Address: 22 Bowen’s Wharf
Phone: (401)841-8884
Prices: $$$$
Deemed ‘The Most Sophisticated Restaurant in Newport’ by Food and Wine magazine, Clarke Cooke House offers a unique dining experience on Bannister’s Wharf. The restaurant features multiple casual and formal dining options: The Candy Store, The Bistro Bar, The Midway Bar, The Porch, The Sky Bar, and the Boom Boom Room. Housed in an 18th century building, Clarke Cooke House is renowned for its excellent atmosphere and its creative and beautifully presented cuisine. Known as a favorite hangout for the sailing crowd, the Candy Store, located on the ground level, offers phenomenal sushi in a room open to the harbor, with the bar running the length of the room. The walls are adorned with the owner’s legendary collection of America’s Cup prints and sailing memorabilia, and you are sure to find an interesting sailing conversation here. Things get dressier as you go upwards, and on the top floor, in the Porch and Sky Bar, note that there is a strict dress code enforced, waiters are in tuxedos and the atmosphere is quiet and sophisticated. After a phenomenal meal, head down to the basement Boom Boom Room, Newport’s most popular discotech!
Address: 24 Bannister’s Wharf
Phone: (401)849-2900
Prices: $$$
Nikolas Pizza is a Newport institution. Serving some of the area’s favorite thin crust pizza, as well as Italian and Greek traditional favorites, Nikolas Pizza is a local favorite not to be missed. Adored for their creative specialty pizzas, as well as their Italian and Greek specialties, everything at Nikolas is made from scratch, using traditional family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Offering an adorable outdoor dining porch, as well as traditional pizzeria style seating indoors, Nikolas Pizza is a sure-fire spot for an excellent pizza in a welcoming and family friendly atmosphere.
Address: 38 Memorial Blvd W
Phone: (401)849-6611
Prices: $$
Located on historic Bellevue Ave, Pasta Beach is an Italian restaurant that serves authentic Italian cuisine in a friendly and welcoming environment. Offering a fresh contemporary vibe, the dining room at Pasta Beach features an open kitchen where simplicity and fresh high quality ingredients are the stars of the show. Pasta Beach features fresh pasta dishes (gluten free too!), sauces, phenomenal gourmet thin crust pizzas, and focaccia paninis. If you prefer dining al fresco, Pasta Beach has a nice outdoor patio which pairs well with their fun and creative cocktail list. Locals love the Spaghetti alla Carbonara, the Spaghetti Vongole, and the Pomodoro Bruschetta, and recommend it as a great spot with a celebratory atmosphere- perfect for a fun night out after a long day on the water.
Address: 138 Bellevue Ave.
Phone: (401)847-2222
Prices: $$$
Known as, “America’s Oldest Tavern,” White Horse Tavern originally opened its doors way, way, way back in 1673! With a menu that offers sophisticated and local cuisine with extensive wine pairings from around the world, White Horse Tavern is a Newport icon. Featuring farm to table American cuisine, the White Horse serves the freshest clams, fish, and lobsters from Narragansett Bay, and the freshest produce from local farms. A LONG time member of the area’s vibrant food scene, locals love the Beef Wellington, the Lobster Ravioli, and the Catch of the Day. For a fabulous meal, paired with a fabulous glass of wine and served in a historical Colonial tavern atmosphere, White Horse Tavern is the place to be.
Address: 26 Marlborough St
Phone: (401) 849-3600
Prices: $$$
Located on the famed Thames Street, Zelda’s Newport is a French American bistro focused on casual fine dining with stellar comfort food. This neighborhood favorite features a menu of creative upscale comfort food, and a bar almost always filled to the brim with locals. Offering a seasonal dinner menu, as well as Happy Hour M-Th, and a fun brunch on Sundays, Zelda’s is a solid choice for a celebratory evening meal in a fun and historic part of town.
Address: 528 Thames St
Phone: (401)849-4002
Prices: $$$
Located on Banister’s Wharf, The Black Pearl is a busy waterfront tavern and restaurant that offers fresh seafood, burgers, and American cuisine, as well as a wide assortment of beer, wine, and cocktails. Menu favorites include the Swordfish Sandwich and the Lobster Risotto, as well as the Burgers and Hotdogs. Dine inside in the Commodore’s Room, a casual nautical themed dining room, or outside on the Waterside patio, near the water where things tend to get loud and celebratory fairly early. Either way, The Black Pearl is a convenient wharf favorite that satiates that deep need for a seafood sandwich and a beer, right on the water.
Address: 30 Bannister’s Wharf
Phone: (401) 846-5264
Prices: $$$
Top of Newport is a rooftop bar and kitchen located on the top of Hotel Viking in downtown Newport. Open seasonally, Top of Newport offers stunning views of historic Bellevue Avenue, Gilded Age mansions, and the Narragansett Bay. Take in views while sipping a finely crafted signature cocktail in a unique and beautiful environment. Offering a full bar, wine, beer, and elevated American bar fare, Top of Newport is a fabulous rooftop bar and kitchen adorned with some of the best coastal sunsets in the world.
Address: 1 Bellevue Ave
Phone: (401)847-3300
Prices: $$
SIGHTS
Newport’s iconic Ocean Drive is 10 miles of beautiful coastline on a winding road. Start your drive just off historic Bellevue Avenue and continue along for a beautiful and tranquil journey with breath taking views. You’ll pass by Gilded Age mansions, Hammersmith Farm, Brenton Point State Park, Fort Adams State Park, and Gooseberry Beach, a favorite summer spot. Roll the windows down and catch the soothing sound of the rolling waves.
The Cliff Walk in Newport is a breathtaking coastal trail that winds along the edges of rugged cliffs and offers stunning panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. As you stroll along the 3.5-mile path, you’ll be immersed in the natural beauty of Newport, with towering mansions on one side and crashing waves on the other, creating a truly enchanting and unforgettable experience.
*Please note that due to structural damage to a section of the Cliff Walk, detours will be in place between Narragansett Avenue and Webster Street for the foreseeable future. The remainder of the walk will be open for those who make use of this iconic coastal trail.
Newport was the summertime playground of America’s wealthiest families during the Gilded Age. Take a walk back in time and enjoy their homes that have been diligently preserved and are now on display. The amazing cliffside views are not to be missed.
Opened in 2019, when a group of dedicated sailors teamed up with the Herreshoff Marine Museum to bring the area two iconic Halls of Fame in the same building: the National Sailing Hall of Fame and America’s Cup Hall of Fame. Located in the historic Armory Building, which was the site of the Press Headquarters for the America’s Cup from 1958 to 1983, The Sailing Museum is the perfect place to learn about all things sailing related through interesting exhibitions and interactive experiences. The museum’s goal is to offer sailing enthusiasts the opportunity to revel in their sport, as well as to entice newbies to try out the sport for the first time. The Sailing Museum offers six thematic areas and a unique interactive experience to make your way through them all. This iconic museum is not to be missed when in the Newport area!