July 26, 2026

204. Newport, Rhode Island - Gilded Mansions, Salt Air, Timeless Sails

Show Notes
Transcript

Episode 204 brings you to Newport, Rhode Island — where gilded mansions meet salt air and timeless sails. Join us for a warm, practical guide to this coastal classic, with highlights like The Breakers mansion, the Cliff Walk's ocean views, Fort Adams' historic harbor fortifications, Thames Street's lively restaurants and shops, and sailboats drifting in Newport Harbor. We share travel tips on timing your visit (late spring to fall for sailing and festivals), booking mansion tours in advance, parking and shuttle options, and packing layers for breezy waterfront walks. Food lovers will savor fresh Rhode Island seafood — clam chowder, oysters, lobster rolls, and acclaimed farm-to-table restaurants and bakeries along Bowen's Wharf. We walk through landmarks, local history, and easy day-trip itineraries that balance museums, gardens, and shoreline time. This episode was prepared with the assistance of AI tools, giving us more time to travel and bring you even more destinations. Tune in for friendly insights, actionable tips, and the best spots for photos and sunset sails. Travel Is Back -- over 200 episodes covering destinations across America and beyond.

Some episodes use AI for research, writing assistance, and occasional voiceover when Johnny Mac is unavailable. His point of view, and his insistence on finding the best local taco remains entirely human.

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Hey, we made it to Newport, Rhode Island. This charming

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coastal town is packed with history, stunning ocean views, and

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some of the freshest seafood you'll ever taste. Let's dive

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right into what makes Newport a place you absolutely have

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to check out. First off, you want to get a

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lay of the land, and the best way to do

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that is by starting at the cliff Walk. Imagine yourself

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strolling along the three point five mile path, where the

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Atlantic Ocean kisses the rugged coastline on one side and

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the opulent gilded age mansions line up on the other.

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It's the perfect blend of natural beauty and man made opulentce.

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The walk is mostly paved, but does get a bit

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rocky in places, so make sure you wear some comfy shoes.

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You'll want to stop frequently to take in the view

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or snap a photo or two. Don't rush it. This

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is one of those experiences you want to savor. While

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you're on the cliff Walk, you'll pass by some of

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Newport's famous mansions. These homes, once summer cottages for America's

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wealthiest families, are now preserved as museums. If you're going

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to visit just one the breakers is the showstopper. The

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Vanderbilt family built this Italian Renaissance style palazzo, and it's

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every bit as grand as you'd expect, With seventy rooms

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and a living room that's bigger than most homes. You

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can practically feel the history seeping through the walls. You

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might want to grab an audio guide to get the

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full scoop on the Vanderbilt family and how they lived.

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You'll be walking through a snapshot of another era. Now,

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after you've soaked in enough opulence for one morning, it's

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time to grab some lunch. Head over to Bowen's Wharf,

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a central hub of activity with a fantastic selection of eateries.

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If seafood's your thing, you can't go wrong with a

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lobster roll. Try the ones at the Lobster Bar. They

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serve it up with just the right amount of butter

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and a touch of lemon on a perfectly toasted bun.

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It's simple, but it hits all the right notes. Enjoy

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your meal while watching the boats bob peacefully in the harbor.

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It's a great spot to relax and people watch. Next up,

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let's hit Thames Street, which is basically Newport's main drag.

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It's a lively street filled with unique shops, boutiques and galleries.

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Whether you're hunting for a quirky souvenir or just enjoying

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a leisurely window shopping session, this street has got you covered.

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Don't miss Newport Fudgery. If you've got a sweet tooth,

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you can watch them make fudge right in front of you,

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and the smell alone will have you floating through the

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door pick up a piece or two for later. If

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you're into nautical history, a visit to the International Tennis

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Hall of Fame is a surprisingly fun stop. It's housed

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in the Newport casino and architectural gem itself. Even if

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you're not a huge tennis fan, the history here is fascinating.

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The museum offers interactive exhibits that are engaging and informative,

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and you can even try your hand at a virtual

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tennis match. Not to mention, the grass courts are impeccably

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kept and you'll often find matches taking place, adding a

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bit of live action to the historic setting. Now, Newport

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isn't just about history and elegant buildings. Its natural beauty

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is something you should definitely explore. Why not take a

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short drive over to Fort Adams State Park. It's a

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great spot for a picnic, a walk, or even a

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tour of the historic fort itself. The views of Narraganset

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Bay are stunning and there's plenty of space to just relax.

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If you're visiting in the summer, you might catch one

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of the famous events held here, like the Newport Jazz

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Festival or the Newport Folk Festival. Either way, it's a

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nice break from the downtown hustle and bustle. Speaking of

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natural beauty, don't forget to check out the beaches. Easton's

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Beach is the largest public beach in Newport, and it

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offers nice, soft sand and some decent waves if you're

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looking to swim or just lay out in the sun. Plus,

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you can rent a bike right along the scenic Ocean Drive,

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which is a great way to experience the coastline up

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close and personal. If you're traveling with kids, there's a

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carousel and an aquarium nearby to keep them entertained. As

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the day starts to wind down, head over to Castle

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Hill in for a drink. The lawn at Castle Hill

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offers a relaxed, sophisticated setting with truly unbeatable views of

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the sunset. Sip on a cocktail as you watch the

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sun dip below the horizon. It's a bit of a

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local tradition and the perfect way to wrap up the

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day dinner time. Newport has no shortage of excellent dining options,

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but if you're looking for a unique experience, try the

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Black Pearl, located right on Banister's Wharf. It's known for

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its clam chowder, often hailed as some of the best

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in New England. The dining room has a cozy, classic

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maritime feel to it, which just adds to the charm.

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Whether you go for the chowder, a seafood dish, or

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something else, you're in for a treat. For a bit

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of nightlife, you can find a laid back scene at

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the local pubs. Poor Judgment is a favorite among locals

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and offers a great selection of craft beers and lively conversation.

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If you're more in the mood for live music, check

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out what's happening at Newport Lose Cafe. They host live

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bands regularly and it's a fun spot to unwind with

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some good music. So you've had a full day, but

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if you're staying overnight, there's still more to explore tomorrow.

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Wake up early and enjoy a quiet morning at one

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of the local coffee shops. Empire Tea and Coffee is

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a popular choice, known for their excellent bruise and friendly atmosphere.

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Grab a coffee and maybe a bagel to fuel up

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for another day of adventure. If you're around on a weekend,

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wander through the Newport Farmers Market. It's a great way

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to mingle with locals and pick up some fresh produce

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or artisanal goods. Sometimes they have live music, creating a

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festive atmosphere that makes for a pleasant morning. For a

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different perspective on Newport, think about taking a boat tour.

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It's a great way to see the historic lighthouses and

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coastal landmarks from the water. Lots of options are available,

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from larger tour boats to more intimate sailboat experiences. Some

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tours even offer a chance to see the seals that

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call these waters home. It's a refreshing way to spend

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a couple of hours and broaden your view of this

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maritime city. Don't forget to take a leisurely drive around

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Ocean drive it's one of those must do active vities

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When in Newport. The ten mile drive takes you through

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some of the most picturesque scenery in New England. With

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waves crashing on the rocks and endless ocean views, there

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are plenty of places to pull over, snap a few

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pictures and just take in the scenery. Looking for another

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unique attraction, check out the Newport Art Museum. It's not

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the biggest museum, but it offers an interesting collection of

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contemporary and historic art. The building itself is a work

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of art, a beautiful example of nineteenth century architecture. The

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museum frequently hosts special exhibits, so there's always something new

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to see. And hey, if you're a fan of wine,

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make sure to stop buy Newport Vineyards. It's just a

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short drive from downtown and offers tastings in a lovely

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vineyard setting. You can sample some local wines, maybe buy

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a bottle or two to take home, and enjoy the

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laid back atmosphere. They also have a great on site restaurant.

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If you're feeling peckish as you wander around, keep your

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eyes open for the iconic Newport Tower in Turo Park.

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The stone structure is shrouded in mystery with various theories

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about its origin, from being a colonial windmill to a

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Norse relic. It's one of those quirky little stops that

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add a layer of entro to your visit. If you're

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into sailing, Newport is a hub for boat enthusiasts. You

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could even take a sailing lesson or rent a boat

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if you feel like getting out on the water yourself.

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Even if you're just watching from the shore, there's something

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captivating about the sails fluttering against the skyline. On your

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way out, why not take a scenic drive over to Jamestown.

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It's just across the water from Newport and offer spectacular

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views of the Newport Bridge. Beavertail State Park in Jamestown

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is a beautiful spot to explore. With its rugged coastline

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and historic lighthouse. It's a peaceful way to end your

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Newport adventure, offering more opportunities for those postcard perfect photos.

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So there you have it, a whirlwind tour of Newport,

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Rhode Island. It's a place where history, beauty, and charm

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meet at every corner, making it a destination that's easy

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to love and hard to leave. From breathtaking walks to

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delicious meals and all the nautical charm in between. Newport

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really does have something for everyone. Now, let's steer back

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into town and take a stroll down Thame Street. This

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lively main drag is buzzing with energy and offers a

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little something for everyone. You'll find a mix of boutiques,

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souvenir shop and galleries, perfect for an afternoon of browsing.

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Pop into the Brick Alley Pub and Restaurant if you're

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feeling peckish. The place has this old school charm, with

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walls adorned in eclectic memorabilia. Try their lobster roll. It's

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packed with fresh lobster meat, not too heavy on the mayo,

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and served with a side of fries that hit the spot.

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If you're not into seafood, their burgers are equally satisfying.

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After lunch, why not take a walk over to Bowen's Wharf.

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It's not far and it's one of those spots that

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just scream New England. You can watch the boats go by,

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grab an ice cream and just enjoy the atmosphere. The

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wharf also hosts festivals and events throughout the year, so

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you might stumble upon something fun happening while you're there.

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During the holiday season. It's lit up with beautiful decorations

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that make it feel like a scene from a postcard.

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If you're in the mood to learn a bit more

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about Newport's history, the Museum of Newport History is just

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a stone's throw away. It's small but informative, with exhibits

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that cover everything from Newport's colonial days to its role

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during the Gilded Age. Plus, it's a great way to

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spend an hour or two if the weather takes a turn.

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Speaking of the Gilded Age, no trip to Newport is

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complete without visiting the mansions. These opulent homes are a

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window into the lives of America's elite during the late

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nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Breakers, home to the

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Vanderbilt family, is the most famous and definitely worth a tour.

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Walking through its grand halls, you can almost hear the

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echoes of lavish parties and imagine the clinking of champagne glasses.

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Another must see is Marble House. This cottage is anything but,

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with an elaborate design that feels more European palace than

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seaside retreat. Now let's talk about more local flavors. Maybe

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it's time for an afternoon pick me up, and what

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better place than a cozy coffee shop. Head to Empire

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Tea and Coffee, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee

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welcomes you in. Whether you prefer a simple black coffee

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or something a bit more decadent like a caramel latte,

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this spot has you covered. Grab a seat by the

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window and enjoy a few moments of relaxation as you

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watch the world go by. Later, as evening rolls in,

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head over to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Even

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if tennis isn't your sport, this place is a unique

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slice of history. They often have exhibitions and even allow

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you to walk the grounds where tennis legends once played.

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If you're lucky, you might catch a match or two

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during certain times of the year. Dinner time, you say

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you can't go wrong with the Black Pearl. It's famous

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for its clam chowder. Creamy, hearty, and full of flavor.

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It's one of those bulls that warms you from the

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inside out on a chilly evening. Pair it with a

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fresh seafood dish or a hearty steak and you're set

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for a memorable meal. Maybe you want to unwind after

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dinner with a bit of live music. The Newport Blues

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Cafe is the place to be. With its laid back

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vibe and lineup of talented musicians, It's the perfect spot

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to end your day with some good tunes and maybe

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even a little dancing. You'll leave with a smile on

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your face, having soaked up the spirit of Newport in

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all its forms. As you wrap up your trip, take

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one last walk along the harbor, Breathe in the salty air,

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and soak in the lights reflecting off the water. Newport

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has a way of charming its visitors, leaving you with

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memories that feel like they belong to a storybook. I'm

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Johnny Mack and Travel is Back. Follow Travels Back wherever

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you listen to podcasts and find all two hundred plus

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destinations in our back catalog.

204. Newport, Rhode Island - Gilded Mansions, Salt Air, Timeless Sails

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