48 hours of pure relaxation In Newport, Rhode island
Happy New(port) Year! [Haha yes, I had to do it.]
But in all seriousness, I’m so glad you took the time to visit my corner of the internet to learn about my much needed and relaxing weekend in Newport, Rhode Island.
Some may ask why I decided to venture to Rhode Island - great question!
Because, why not? I mean, have you seen the pictures yet?! Given all that 2020 brought into all of our lives, I was in desperate need of a beautiful, quaint, (road-trip friendly) break. For me that came in the form of travel. So, with all the cities on the east coast, closest to water - the decision was Newport, Rhode Island! Newport is picturesque. This beautiful seaside city had so much to offer, including outdoor scenery and unique dining experiences. The city is simply beautiful! Newport, Rhode Island exceeded all of my expectations.
Before I dive into what I actually did, saw, ate, etc. I want to be clear that the goal was to find a city that was “off-season”; meaning it was not going to be crowded with tourists. So, completely opposite the vibe of let’s say Time Square in Manhattan, NYC.
Let’s dive into what the itinerary looked like:
Where to stay:
Wow! Can we talk about cuteness overload?!
This newly renovated boutique hotel opened recently and still had that fresh-new-opening feel. The Wayfinder is a new boutique hotel created by a group of local chefs, bartenders, artists, designers, and entrepreneurs. They banded together to create a fresh take on the traditional Newport hotel experience.
…and they did not disappoint.
Have you ever been to a hotel where you didn’t feel comfortable lounging in the lobby? Yeah, I have too. Not the case at The Wayfinder. It’s a content creator’s dream space! It was so cute and I spent a significant amount of time in the lobby and onsite restaurant, Nomi Park — I’ll get to Nomi Park in a few moments!
When we arrived, we were greeted by friendly staff and quickly made our way to our room - Yasssss the place of comfort and peace. I loved the decor in the room. The colors in the room screamed, “relax girl!” The artwork felt original and unique to the space and Newport, which is a key piece to decor that most hotels miss.
A few essential amenities I appreciated in the room:
High-speed Wi-Fi
Luxury linens, Matouk terry & bed throws
Seating area
Coffee maker
Hairdryer
Collection of local art & vintage finds
Shore Soap Co. bath products
Fully provisioned minibar
Complimentary filtered water
Room service on Wednesday -Sunday
Wine bottle opener, iron & ironing board available upon request
I appreciate going to a hotel which affirms that I am in a different city and authentically brings the essence of the city into the room. Oh, and for my plant parents, they had real plants! Oh the small joys!
When you visit Newport, Rhode Island - book your stay at The Wayfinder Hotel!
Places to Eat:
Tucked in The Wayfinder Hotel, was a gem of a spot called Nomi Park! Nomi Park had a retro feel that I enjoyed so much. Beginning with the textured floors, the pop color of furniture, solarium seating, and ending with upscale but casual vibes - I had a confident feeling the food was going to exceed my expectations, and it did!
When I go to restaurants, I sometimes need extra advice from the staff to recommend a dish based on their specialty, how hungry I am, and what I am in the mood for.
We ordered two drinks, the Old Fashioned and the Peach Pisco, followed by the New England Clam Chowder - It looked SO GOOD! I am not a clam chowder fan but my partner loved it and pretty much licked the bowl clean - haha! For our lunch entrees, we had the Chopped Cheese & Nomi Park Burger and everything was finger-licking good!
If you are looking for an Instagram worthy location to grab a fantastic drink, appetizer, for either brunch or dinner - go to Nomi Park, it's a vibe!
Who knew you could step into Italy on the cobblestones of downtown Newport. Lucia, an intimate restaurant is located on Thames Street just across the Brick Market Place--look for the green signage. If you can, ask for the special window seat overlooking downtown. The menu has many options, Lucia herself came to say hello and the food was fresh, flavorful, and divine!
A visit to popular Bowen’s Wharf is a must in Newport but also is the need to eat while you are there. Our choice was Diego’s because we were in the mood for tacos & margaritas. Diego’s did not disappoint. After a quick 15 min wait, we were seated, got our margaritas, and enjoyed fried chicken and fish tacos in their [adequately spaced out] tent. If you are craving tex-mex, head to Diego’s!
Mmmmm… Breakfast! Yum! I feel like I can still taste the Steak, Egg, & Cheese grilled sandwich. We were on the way out of town and we had to make a stop here. Everything is made fresh to order and wrapped so it stays as hot as it came off the griddle. Scratch Kitchen also has french toast, breakfast burritos, mac & cheese, salads, soups… I can go on and on.
Everything looked so good; really-the [whole] menu looked good. When I return to Newport, this will be one of my first stops!
Things to do:
Normally, I like to have an itinerary planned for a trip. However, all I wanted to do was relax and take advantage of the cool, crisp air. There are so many low-cost or free activities to do in Newport. Every activity we did, besides eating, was free!
Known as “The Anchor of Newport”, Bowen’s Wharf is the premier location to be in Downtown Newport. We happen to visit during the holiday season and I felt like I walked on the set of a Hallmark movie. To keep it brief, we loved it! Between the dining, galleries, enjoying the holiday lights, and shopping - there is so much to do that you can find yourself spending hours walking around the wharf!
Wow, the best sunset view, hands down! It was freezing (burr) but the views were worth it. This is a public park and it offers unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean. We sat there for almost an hour as the sky became a live canvas covered in orange and yellow…. just BEAUTIFUL!
The highlight of the trip was a serene walk along the world-famous Cliff Walks. It is a recognized National Recreation Trail in a National Historic District and runs about 3.5 miles long. The views on this walk are breathtaking. But what was exciting were the Mansions. Sheeeesh - the Mansions in Newport are unreal and the Cliff Walks allowed for a close-up view of at least a dozen of them!
Overall, our stay in Newport was much needed and came at the perfect time. I can share that beginning with our accommodations at The Wayfinder, dining at Nomi Park, and ending with the sunsets, if you are looking for a quick getaway in New England, along the coast, make sure Newport, RI is on your list!
If you have ever been to Newport, RI, drop below any suggestions you may have!
