Newport, RI
Newport, which hugs the southern point of Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island, is a posh weekend getaway for people of all ages. While sailing crews take over Narragansett Bay in preparation for one of the several regattas, girlfriends flutter among the posh stores that line Thames Street.
Like every other coastal town in New England, this port city is glad to provide a straightforward seafood lunch and a day at the beach. But Newport's architecture is what really draws visitors: The colonial-era structures downtown and the 19th-century vacation "cottages" on the sea give the city an Old World, blue-blood look.
Although the super-rich have left their houses available for public tours after leaving, a weekend here will still cost you a hefty coin. The popularity of Newport for vacations for special occasions (such second honeymoons and bachelorette weekends) raises the cost. But the understated elegance of this port town's seaside is certainly worth the extra expense.
Location: Newport county, southeastern Rhode Island, U.S.
Rankings:
- #5 in Best Rhode Island Beaches
- #6 in Best Weekend Getaways in New England
- #8 in Best Relaxing Getaways in the USA
- #10 in Best Cheap Destination Wedding Locations
- #19 in Best Summer Vacations in the USA
Best Things to Do:
- Cliff Walk
- Thames Street
- The Breakers
Best Months to Visit: between March and May and from September to November
