Matt, Logan, Hadley and I headed up the coast this past weekend to Newport, Rhode Island. There is nothing like a New England summer and we were so excited to spend some time outdoors and eat as much fresh seafood as possible! Matt and I had been to Newport once before about 6 years ago, so it was nice to be back and try a few new places. If you live in or around New York City, it is such a doable drive for the weekend being that it is approximately 3.5 hours away (but keep in mind traffic can be rough on I-95 getting out there) Also, as a heads up, like many New England coastal towns, it does cool off at night so you will want to make sure you pack an extra layer to toss on, especially since so many things are outdoors you will want to enjoy. Here is a great cardigan that would work well, also a lightweight option as well as one that is a bit heavier. I also always like to pack one pair of close toed shoes for if it gets chilly as well and have been loving these espadrilles.
WHERE WE STAYED:
I had so many questions on where we stayed since many of you saw we were able to bring Hadley! This is a huge priority on our list lately since the arrival of her brother 😉 We try and include her as much as possible so she still knows she is our #1 girl! We stayed at the new(ish) Gurney’s property on Goat Island in Newport. I had been dying to stay here ever since staying at their amazing Montauk location. There is a small fee to bring your dog ($75), but totally worth it in my opinion! They made her feel right at home with a dog bed and food and water bowl. Also, we requested a crib for Logan so we didn’t have to bring his pack and play and they were more than accommodating.
Their property takes over the entire Goat Island and has the most beautiful views and picturesque sunsets. On Sunday, as we were leaving, there must of been two hundred sailboats filling the marina and it was so much fun to enjoy a cup of coffee outside and watch. Whether you are spending time at the pool, hanging out on their deck listening to live music and enjoying the fire pits (dogs are welcome here) or dining at Scarpetta (one of our favorite restaurants), there is something for everyone! They also have a seasonal kids club (for ages 4-12) if you are looking for a little extra R&R as a parent. Overall, we LOVED the property. Seriously, I could sit by those fire pits listening to music for hours, it was one of those places you didn’t want to leave.
Total side bar, but it reminded me as we were enjoying the music, etc. and both had to charge our phones. If you are in the market for a battery-powered phone case, I have been loving this one and it is currently on sale for 30% off (code: HOT30) until 6/25/19!
Gurney’s is a quick walk to the end of town and even right next to this amazing “hidden” lunch spot we grabbed the best meal (will touch more on this in a bit), but they also offer a complimentary shuttle every half hour and hour going to and from the heart of town and were extremely accommodating with Logan and his car seat and stroller!
WHERE WE ATE:
Now let’s jump into the important stuff: All the delicious food Newport has to offer.
Cru – Such a yummy spot we headed to for breakfast when we first arrived. We ordered at the counter and sat outside. I had the breakfast BLT and Matt went with an omelet. Both delicious and filling.
Belle’s Cafe – This is the “hidden” lunch spot I mentioned above. It isn’t that it is fully hidden, but definitely off the beaten path and away from more of the touristy spots as it is located in the Newport Shipyard. It is super low key, you order at the counter and they have a ton of indoor and outdoor seating. We enjoyed sitting on the couches outside and watching the sailboats go in and out. Truly one of the best meals and I kid you not, the seafood literally must have come right off the boat, it was amazing. Matt and I split the New England Clam Chowder (SO GOOD), twin lobster rolls and a kale Caesar salad with shrimp!
The Mooring – Holy cow, Matt and I are STILL talking about their tuna tartare (on their menu it is listed at tuna poke, but defiantly more of a tartare, which I prefer). The tuna just melted in your mouth. I wanted to order 4 more after we tried a bite. We came here for dinner and sat outside on the patio and it was such a beautiful setting. The tuna was definitely the stand out, but every other dish we had was incredible as well. Definitely a very memorable meal.
Castle Hill Inn – A MUST if in Newport, particularly if it is a nice day because you will want to spend it outside. We came for lunch and then stayed and enjoyed a glass of rose out on their lawn in one of the nearly hundred adirondack chairs available. Logan had so much fun being outside and playing, it was the perfect low key afternoon. The only bummer is that it is not dog friendly. Some sites say that they are and we originally drove up with Hadley and then had to put our name in, turn around and go drop her off back at the hotel.
Scarpetta – Located right in Gurney’s, Scarpetta is an iconic Italian restaurant that offers indoor and outdoor seating. Highly recommend their cucumber gimlet for a drink, the octopus and buratta as starters and a fish and pasta dish for your main! As you can see in the photo below, it is such an idyllic setting and perfect for a romantic night out.
Diego’s – We ate here on our way out for a Father’s Day brunch after so many of your recommended it. It is a Southern California Mexican spot with the yummiest margaritas (try the jalapeño one) and cuisine. We decided to indulge and ordered quite the spread. Their guacamole, Korean BBQ tacos and mushroom quesadilla are a few highlights from the menu we enjoyed!
WHAT TO DO:
- Walk around Main Street and shop (so many cute little stores to pop in and out of).
- Grab ice cream and sit by the water.
- Grad a drink in town, tons of recommendations for the Black Pearl and the Clark Cooke house.
- Head to Gurney’s (even if you aren’t staying there) and grab a drink, small bite to eat and sit by a fire pit and listen to live music while watching the sunset.
- The nightlife in town looked fun, lot of places with live music. To be honest, we are so exhausted these days we don’t really have any “late nights”, but if you have the energy to check it out I would!
- Cliff Walk (and pop into one of the mansions if you don’t have a dog).
