Why Go?
Looking for the quintessential New England seaport getaway? One with sailboats creating a picturesque setting on the horizon as you sit on a quiet rocking chair beside blooming blue hydrangeas as the kids play croquet on a massive green lawn? It may seem like a movie setting, but in actuality, it is Newport, Rhode Island, on Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s an ideal summer and fall getaway spot for families.
Where to Go
The aforementioned idyllic setting can be found at Castle Hill Inn, which sits perched above the bay with an expansive green lawn that becomes home of the town’s nightly sunset-watching hotspots. Stay in a beachfront cottage or book Grace Kelly’s harbor house, where she stayed while filming “High Society.” Other beachfront properties and hotels near the historic old port provide a perfect setting, within walking distance of all you’ll want to see and do in Newport.
What to Do
The famed Cliff Walk follows the cliff directly behind the famous Newport Mansions. Whether you just walk the route and take in the views of the homes from the shoreline or you elect to do a tour or two of the homes, these stately “American Castles” were homes to the Vanderbilts and Astors.
This is a sailing town—just take a look at the number of America’s Cup trophies won by crews here — so a visit to Newport should include some time on the bay, and plenty of outfits are available to get your family on the water. Strolling the cobbled streets of the historic Newport Marina, Thames Street and America’s Cup Avenue, you will find light amusements as well as a plethora of boutique shops and both fine and casual dining. Movies are offered on the green in the summer months and you can catch world-class tennis at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Getting Around
Newport is located about an hour from Providence and most families drive to the area, although parking is limited and expensive. Once you arrive, you’ll want to leave the car parked and embark on bicycle or on foot; it’s small enough to manage and taxis are available if some of those little legs become too tired to get home.