Newport, RI

Newport, on the southern edge of Rhode Island's Aquidneck Island, is a posh weekend getaway for everybody. Sailing teams take over Narragansett Bay in preparation for one of the numerous regattas, while girlfriends flutter around the fancy stores that line Thames Street. This port town, like every other coastal location in New England, is eager to give a simple seafood lunch and a day at the beach. The architecture, however, is what draws visitors to Newport: The city has an Old World, blue blood feel to it, with 19th-century summer "cottages" on the beach and colonial-era structures downtown.

The super-rich has gone on, leaving their homes accessible to the public for visits, but a weekend here will cost you a hefty coin. Prices rise because of Newport's fondness for special occasion trips (think bachelorette weekends and second honeymoons). The basic, seaside charm of this port town, though, is well worth the investment.