15 Aug Day Trip to Newport RI: The Ultimate Itinerary

Have you ever traveled to the United States’ smallest state? If not, then this itinerary for a day trip to Newport, RI is just what you need. My partner and I received a scratch-off map of the US as a gift, and Rhode Island was at first a state we could not scratch off. Unfortunately, I had never visited before, not even on my three cross-country road trips. Rhode Island is a sneaky state hidden in a corner of the northeastern US, and thus none of my road trip routes passed through it.

Nevertheless, just because Rhode Island is the smallest state does not mean it does not have much to offer. Instead, there are a variety of activities and (of course) delicious seafood options to quickly fill a day trip itinerary to Newport, RI. Moreover, I recommend spending another day / an entire weekend in Newport, RI if possible. My partner and I only had one day to visit, but it was still worth it in my opinion. As a hint – my favorite parts of our day trip to Newport, RI were the International Tennis Hall of Fame, seafood chowder at Newport Chowder Company, and frozen lemonade at Del’s Lemonade.

Contents:

A) Newport, RI General Information

1) Nearby Airports

2) When To Visit

3) Where to Stay

4) How to Get Around

5) Additional Attractions for a Weekend Itinerary

B) Day Trip Itinerary for Newport, RI

1) Cliff Walk + Forty Steps

2) The Breakers Mansion

3) Lunch: Anthony’s Seafood

4) Dessert: Del’s Lemonade

5) International Tennis Hall of Fame

6) Thames Street + Scooter World

7) Dinner: Newport Chowder Company + Benjamin’s

8) Dessert: Del’s Lemonade

9) Castle Hill Lighthouse for Sunset

A) Newport, RI Location + Information

Newport is located on Aquidneck Island in southwestern Rhode Island. I know, that is a lot of mentions of islands. Technically Rhode Island is not an island, but Aquidneck Island is an actual island. Therefore, you can truthfully say you are on “island time” during your day trip to Newport, RI.

The town of Newport is just over 11 square miles, with three of those square miles being inland water. According to the Census Bureau, Newport has a population of 25,163 per the 2020 Census. However, the number of people living in Newport in the summer season can rise to over 100,000 on peak weekends. The numbers do not lie – Newport, RI is a summer destination.

1) Nearby Airports – Day Trip to Newport, RI

Furthermore, Newport is generally considered to be the most popular destination within the state. However, there is unfortunately not an airport within the town of Newport. Instead, the closest airports are in Providence, RI and Boston, MA. First, the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence is 35 minutes north of Newport with tolls or one hour without tolls. Second, the Boston Logan International Airport is two hours northeast of Newport. While the airport in Boston is a bit further, it is larger than the airport in Providence and will thus have more flight options.

Another great spot for a weekend getaway in the northeast is Rangeley, Maine, for it has a plethora of outdoor activities and waterfalls. For example, some waterfall trails include Smalls Falls and (my personal favorite) The Cataracts.

2) When to Visit Newport, RI

As mentioned above, the summer season is the main tourist season for Newport. Why is that? The beautiful weather, of course! If you live somewhere further south, you might be fully melted by the time August comes around because of the heat and humidity. Newport is thus a wonderful place where you can escape for warm weather, but not too warm weather. For reference, Newport reaches its average peak temperature in mid-July at 81.5 Fahrenheit (27.5 Celsius).

The shoulder seasons can also be a nice time to visit Newport. You escape the large crowds, but you also experience cooler temperatures. For example, the average high temperature in Newport in May and October is in the low 60s Fahrenheit (~15.6 Celsius). Not quite warm enough for a beach day, if you ask me.

One of the grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame

3) Where to Stay in Newport, RI

First and foremost, where you stay for your day trip to Newport, RI might heavily depend on which airport you use. For example, we flew into the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence. We thus stayed at a hotel just 10 minutes from the airport, for our flight did not arrive until 1am in the morning (after some delays). If you fly into Boston Logan International Airport on a Friday night, you might want to spend the night in Boston so that you do not have to drive two hours down to Newport late at night. While that means you then have to drive into Newport the next morning, you can always get up a bit earlier.

On the other hand, maybe you want to stay within Newport to get the full experience. If that is the case, then I have two location recommendations for you. First, you can book lodging near Thames Street, which is just a couple of blocks from the water. Accommodations near Thames Street are more expensive, but they offer the convenience of being near shops, restaurants, and attractions. Second, you can book lodging in Middletown, which is about 10 minutes north of Newport. Accommodations in Middletown are less expensive, but they pale in comparison to Thames Street in terms of the number of shops, restaurants, and attractions nearby.

4) How to Get Around Newport, RI

There are multiple ways to get around Newport, RI. First, my partner and I rented a car since we flew into the Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence. We thus drove down in the morning and found places to park near the spots listed on the one day itinerary for Newport. The most difficult spot to find parking was near Thames Street, for it was very busy. We parked a couple of blocks away on a side road and walked to Thames Street from there. Nevertheless, we did NOT end up paying for any parking as we found free parking available at every location.

Second, you can walk around most of Newport if you are staying at an accommodation near Thames Street. However, there still might be a location or two that is a bit far for walking on the itinerary included below (for example, Castle Inn Lighthouse). You thus might want to take advantage of the other options listed here as well.

Third, you can rent a “scoot coupe” from Scooter World (more on that below in section six). Ride around in style on your three-wheel scooter during your one day in Newport, RI. Just note that this option can get a bit expensive if you need to rent it for multiple hours.

Fourth, a free bus runs in Newport during the summer season. It generally operates from mid-June through October and services Routes 67 and 68. Moreover, it includes stops at main attractions such as the Cliff Walk, the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and The Breakers mansion.

Castle Hill Lighthouse just before sunset

5) Additional Attractions for a Weekend Itinerary

If you have an entire weekend to explore Newport, RI, then count yourself lucky. This beautiful coastal town has more for you to explore. I recommend visiting all of the attractions highlighted in this article for a day trip on your full day (probably Saturday), and then I will offer a few additional recommendations in this section to fill your time on the next day before you head back home.

First, Easton’s Beach is the largest and also one of the most popular beaches in Newport, RI. It is .75 miles (~1.2 kilometers) long and borders the north end of the Cliff Walk. There is a parking lot as well as some roadside parking available, but the spots can quickly fill up on a beautiful day. I recommend arriving earlier in the morning to claim your spot in the parking lot as well as on the beach. Additionally, you have to pay for parking from April through November.

Second, there are a few companies that offer trolley tours of Newport. For example, the Newport Travel Trolley Tours cruise through downtown before then passing by multiple of the “Gilded Age” mansions and ending near the waterfront. The entire trolley tour is narrated, and the cost is around $27 per adult for a 90-minute tour.

Third, you can get out on the water on a sailboat cruise. Multiple companies offer such cruises, and you can choose from a mimosa cruise, sunset cruise, and more. My personal recommendation is a sunset cruise, for I imagine it would be quite beautiful to see Newport covered in shades of yellow, orange, and red from the water.

Taking in the views at Castle Hill Lighthouse

B) Day Trip Itinerary for Newport, RI

Here we go – now on to the itinerary! While I was planning a day trip to Newport, RI for my partner and I, my partner indicated his only priority for the day was to make sure he ate a lobster roll. I am definitely the planner in our relationship, though I always make sure to ask him if he has any must-do or must-see activities so that I can incorporate them into our itinerary. All he wanted was a lobster roll – light work! Finding a restaurant with lobster rolls in Newport is as easy as finding a beautiful hike in Glacier National Park.

1) Cliff Walk + Forty Steps

The Cliff Walk Trail is a seven-mile (~11.3-kilometer) out-and-back trail with approximately 270 feet (~82 meters) of elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in two hours and 15 minutes. Moreover it is considered to be an easy trail. If you are an early riser and want to walk along the Cliff Walk at sunrise, then I recommend walking the entire trail as you have the time.

However, my general recommendation is to walk from the north end of the Cliff Walk (just off Memorial Boulevard) to The Breakers mansion and then to turn back around. This route is 2.4 miles (~3.9 kilometers) round trip. You can walk the entire length in approximately one hour. The entire Cliff Walk Trail meanders along the coastline, so you can enjoy the stunning views just as much in a shortened version of the route.

An average visit time is one and a half hours.

Attractions Along The Cliff Walk

Moreover, the shortened route I recommend passes by (in my opinion) two of the best attractions along the Cliff Walk. First, Forty Steps is located just about halfway between the north end of the Cliff Walk and The Breakers mansion. Forty Steps is exactly as it sounds – 40 steps down to the ocean. There is a small viewing platform at the bottom of the steps, and you can also (at your own risk) walk along the rocky shoreline from there.

Second, you are likely to see surfers in the water while walking along the Cliff Walk close to The Breakers mansion. When I walked on the path on a summer Saturday in August, there were dozens of surfers in the water by mid-morning.

For another coastal trail, head to San Diego for the La Jolla Coast Walk Trail. Hint – you might be able to spot some sea lions flopping around.

Forty Steps along the Cliff Walk

2) The Breakers Mansion – Day Trip to Newport, RI

The Breakers mansion is everything you would imagine when you envision a mansion and more. But first, let’s go over a few logistics. The Breakers is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and tickets are $29 per adult. The mansion also sometimes has special tours and events. For example, previous offerings have included tours of the basement as well as tours of the third floor. When my partner and I visited, there was a special event with life-sized sculptures of elephants on the lawn.

Included in the price of the ticket is access to the mansion interior as well as the mansion grounds. The Breakers is known as the “grandest” mansion in Newport, and it belonged to the Vanderbilt family. Upon entering the mansion, there are written guides available in various languages as well as an audio tour that you can listen to through your phone. My favorite part of the mansion was looking through the ceiling-to-floor windows out to the ocean.

An average visit time is one to two hours.

Background of The Breakers 

Richard Morris Hunt, a Gilded Age architect, helped to design the mansion, which underwent construction from 1893 to 1895. Unfortunately, Mr. Vanderbilt was only able to spend four summers in The Breakers before his passing. Flash forward to 1948 when one of the daughters of the Vanderbilts, Countess Széchenyi, allowed Newport to offer tours. Then in 1972, Newport’s Preservation Society purchased the mansion and its land.

As an alternative, there are a lot of mansions in Newport that offer tours. As a note – not all of them charge admission fees. However, The Breakers is often recommended as the #1 mansion to tour in Newport.

Looking for another architectural wonder of a mansion to visit in the US? Head to the Ringling Museum in Florida – might as well spend an entire day exploring the city of Sarasota.

Front of The Breakers mansion

3) Lunch: Anthony’s Seafood

Trust me, there is no shortage of places where you can grab a lobster roll for lunch. My partner and I headed to Anthony’s Seafood for their hot lobster roll, and it did not disappoint. Moreover, we also ordered a swordfish sandwich, and that is an excellent option as well. Nevertheless, my favorite lobster roll I have ever had was at Peekytoe Provisions in Bar Harbor, Maine. If you take a trip to Acadia National Park, you have to spend at least one evening in Bar Harbor to test out the food there.

Anthony’s Seafood opens at 11am on the weekdays and 12pm on the weekends. I recommend you arrive as early as possible in order to secure seating and avoid any lines. You head to the counter to order and then find a table afterwards where they will bring your food to you. Alternative restaurant options for delicious lobster rolls are Newport Lobster Shack, The Mooring, Castle Hill Inn, and Midtown Oyster Bar.

4) Dessert: Del’s Lemonade

However, do not fill up too much on your lobster roll because you need to save room for dessert. Just five minutes down the road from Anthony’s Seafood is a Del’s Lemonade. Del’s Lemonade has been serving frozen lemonade since the 1940’s. What does that mean? You MUST try it. The location on W Main Road in Middletown has the classic lemon flavor as well as a few other flavors. For example, we tried a lemon as well as a blueberry frozen lemonade. Both were delicious – and they were even better mixed together.

Enjoying lemon and blueberry frozen lemonade from Del’s

5) International Tennis Hall of Fame 

TENNIS! While museums or museum-type attractions would not normally be my first choice on a day trip to Newport, RI, I loved visiting the International Tennis Hall of Fame. I do play tennis (socially), so I might be a bit biased in terms of my interest. Nevertheless, I truly believe a non-tennis player would still find the International Tennis Hall of Fame interesting. For example, you will most likely still recognize names such as Serena and Venus Williams, Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and the list goes on.

An average visit time is one to two hours.

Attractions at the Hall of Fame

The International Tennis Hall of Fame is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and an adult ticket costs $20. The museum details the history of tennis from its beginning in the late 1800s through the world wars and to where it now sits as such a popular sport today. You can also visually see the changes over the years through the racquets, clothing, and tennis ball cans. Honestly, the wall of old tennis ball cans was one of my favorite parts of the museum. Take a look at the picture below to see the wall.

Additionally, you can walk around the grounds at the International Tennis Hall of Fame free of charge. There are grass courts, hard courts, a clay court, and a royal court. I saw my first grass court here, and I just imagined that I was at Wimbledon. Moreover, you can rent the courts for practice. It is quite pricey for non-members at $125 for 30 minutes on a grass court, and you have to wear all white.

Wall of old tennis ball cans at the International Tennis Hall of Fame

6) Thames Street + Scooter World

Are you ready for shopping, shopping, and more shopping? Then head to Thames Street. Shops line the street for blocks, and you can spend an entire day perusing through all of them. However, since this itinerary is only for a day trip to Newport, RI, you are going to have to limit yourself to just a couple of hours of shopping. The shops range from boutiques to classic souvenir shops, so you can find everything you need and more.

An average visit time is two hours or more.

The Scoot Coupe – Day Trip to Newport, RI

Now, on to some excitement: Scooter World. As my partner and I were walking around Newport, we saw these vehicles that look like half scooters / half cars that little kids drive around. Honestly, it felt a bit like Mario Kart had come to life. If you want to drive a scooter of your own, head to Scooter World at the intersection of Thames Street and Gidley Street. The shop is open daily from 9am to 7pm, and a “scoot coupe” costs $55 for the first hour and $45 per additional hour.

While golf carts are popular forms of transportation in some coastal towns, scoot coupes are popular in Newport, RI. If you are hosting your bachelorette weekend in Newport, RI, then you HAVE to rent scoot coupes. Imagine this – you and your entire bridal party are driving around the streets of Newport in your scooters and matching outfits. That is a memory you will never forget.

Enjoying the views at Castle Inn Lighthouse

7) Dinner: Newport Chowder Company + Benjamin’s

Hmm what to eat for dinner. It is not a hard choice, more seafood it is! Benjamin’s and the Newport Chowder Company are located on Thames Street, and to make it even better they are right next to each other. My partner and I love a good lobster bisque, so we searched for “lobster bisque” on google maps. Benjamin’s popped up, and we headed right there. The lobster bisque was quite tasty, and then we headed next door to the Newport Chowder Company for chowder and more lobster.

We asked the workers which chowder we should order, and they recommended the seafood chowder. We also balled out and got lobster mac n’ cheese. Oh my goodness. The seafood chowder was fantabulous. Yes, both fantastic and fabulous. Moreover, the seafood chowder from Newport Chowder Company was my favorite food of the day.

8) Dessert: Del’s Lemonade

You might be thinking…wait, did I not already mention Del’s Lemonade above for lunch? Yes, yes I did. However, my partner and I visited on a sunny Saturday in August. We thus wanted something to help cool us down. While there are a ton of ice cream options on Thames Street, Del’s Lemonade is a dessert that is unique to Newport. There is a Del’s Lemonade on Thames Street just a couple of blocks south from the Newport Chowder Company. This is a smaller location, so they offer limited sizes and only the classic lemon flavor.

Lobster mac n’ cheese and seafood chowder from the Newport Chowder Company

9) Castle Hill Lighthouse for Sunset – Day Trip to Newport, RI

The best way to end a day trip in Newport, RI is to catch the sunset at Castle Hill Lighthouse. This is arguably the most popular sunset spot in Newport. There are large lawn chairs on the grassy hillside outside of the Castle Hill restaurant. However, I recommend walking along the dirt trail that leads right to the lighthouse for the best views. Watch the sun slowly set behind the ocean and turn the sky into a myriad of colors.

I love a good sunrise or sunset spot. Some of my favorite spots in the US are Hidden Lake Trail in Glacier National Park and Bonneville Salt Flats outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.

An average visit time is one hour.

Getting to the Lighthouse

I got a bit turned around trying to make my way to the lighthouse. There is a Castle Hill Inn as well as a restaurant as well as an event space in addition to the lighthouse. There are two parking lots available for all of these places. The parking lot at the top of the hill is valet parking only. The parking lot in the middle of the hill (called the Garden parking) is not valet, and lighthouse visitors can park there.

Once you park in the grass lot (aka the Garden lot), there are two ways to make your way to the lighthouse. First, you can walk up the road and then along the coastline to find the dirt trail that leads to the lighthouse. Second, you can walk along the dirt path through the trees across from the grass parking lot. As a note, this dirt trail is across from the south end of the lot.

Golden hour at Castle Hill Lighthouse

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Looking for more day trips / weekend getaways?: One Day Itinerary for Seattle, WA.

While in Seattle, head outside the city for a stunning hike: Snow Lake Trail Outside of Seattle.