What to do in Newport Rhode Island while house and pet sitting

The city’s dazzling Gilded Age mansions are surely the first item on any travellers list when working out what to do in Newport, Rhode Island. These 19th-century marvels were built as summer residences for the great and good, but nowadays places like Rough Point and The Breakers function as museums showcasing fine art, and providing a window into Newport’s illustrious past. 

But it isn’t all about the mansions – Newport has some fantastic fine dining, as well as beautiful coastal walks and beaches, meaning just wandering the city is a reward all its own.

Newport Rhode Island attractions

1. The Breakers: The decades between 1870 and 1900 became known as America’s Gilded Age, since rapid industrialization and economic growth led to a dramatic increase in wealth across the country. Opulent mansions quickly began springing up, and The Breakers is one of the finest examples of such Gilded Age architecture. Built as a summer residence for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, head of the mega-rich Vanderbilt family, The Breakers has some 70 rooms and nearly 6,000 square metres of living space, all decorated to a glittering high standard using marble, rare woods and mosaics. 

2. Rough Point: Another of Newport’s stunning Gilded Age mansions, Rough Point was designed for railroad director Frederick William Vanderbilt and completed in 1892. It later passed into the hands of billionaire tobacco heiress Doris Duke, but after her death in 1993 it was picked up by the Newport Restoration Foundation. The house is now operated as a museum, showcasing a dazzling range of 18th-century British portraits and Chinese ceramics, as well as all sorts of clothes, furniture and curiosities from across the world.

3. Fort Adams: Named after the United States’ second president, who was in office between 1797 and 1801, Fort Adams was built as a coastal fortification in 1799, although the current layout dates from the mid-19th century. The area eventually became a state park in the 1960s, and now regular, 75-minute guided tours explain the dramatic history of the fort, taking in the extensive network of tunnels beneath.  

Free things to do in Newport Rhode Island

1. Cliff Walk: This 5.6-kilometre (3.5-mile) walk provides some jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean, as you stride along cliff paths up to 21 metres above the crashing waves below. But the scenery is just as interesting if you look inland, since the walk takes you right past some of Newport’s finest Gilded Age mansions, including The Breakers and Rough Point. The path runs from Easton’s Beach in the north then down and around the Land’s End promontory to Bailey’s Beach in the south, but be warned – the going becomes quite rocky and difficult on the southern stretch.

2. Thames Street: Thames Street is a hub of commerce and entertainment, offering a tempting range of boutiques, art galleries and restaurants just a block or so back from the waterfront. Fashionistas are catered for with stores like Pink Pineapple and Salty Babe, while eateries like the renowned Bouchard Inn provide provisions for hungry window shoppers. And the buildings themselves are a highlight, with plenty of handsome 19th-century historic houses set back from picturesque cobblestone streets.

3. Bowen's Wharf: A stone’s throw from Thames Street, Bowen’s Wharf is Newport’s other main destination for shopping and food, with a range of fine eateries, galleries and stores set against the backdrop of gently bobbing yachts and pleasure craft. Bowen’s Wharf is also the jumping off point for a range of boat tours around Rhode Island, and you can even hop on a ferry over to the historic settlement of Jamestown.

Fun things to do in Newport Rhode Island

1. Easton’s Beach: Known locally as First Beach, this is the largest stretch of sand in Newport, and one of its most popular hangouts. The nearby Easton’s Beach Snack Bar offers delicious lobster rolls with fries, and the beach is popular with surfers, especially during the winter months. The beach’s popularity does lead to problems though, as the car park tends to fill up very quickly – make sure to grab your spot early!

2. Sailing Tours: Newport’s gorgeous coastline is one of its highlights, and what better way to experience than from a beautiful yacht? Several companies offer sailing tours or private charters, including Sightsailing, which advertises ‘Scenic Afternoon Sails’ along with ‘Champagne Sunset Cruises’. Admiring Newport’s many Gilded Age mansions from a bright white schooner, champagne flute in hand, seems utterly fitting. 

3. White Horse Tavern: The clapboard-walled White Horse Tavern bills itself as the oldest operating restaurant in the United States, serving guests as far back as 1673. The tavern was owned by notorious pirate William Mayes back in the early 1700s, but nowadays it’s a far more law-abiding and genteel place, offering sparkling fine dining alongside an enviable wine list. Menu highlights include lobster bisque with sherry and cream, and classic Rhode Island Clam Chowder.

What to do in Newport Rhode Island with pets

1. Sakonnet Greenway Trail: The longest nature trail on Aquidneck Island, this beautiful path through farmland and forest is free for all to use – including dogs and their human companions (that said, dogs should be kept on a lead at all times). At 16 kilometres (10 miles) long, the trail is a fair old hike, but also superbly rewarding thanks to the abundant wildlife and pastoral views.

2. King Park: Located at the southern end of Newport Harbor, King Park is a great place to stop with your dog for some playtime at the end of the Newport Harbor Walk. Dogs should be kept on a lead, but there are some small beaches to explore with your furry friend, as well as a picnic area for a spot of lunch.

3. Diego’s: Diego’s Restaurant at Bowen’s Wharf offers delicious Mexican food – and dogs are more than welcome to join in the fun in the outdoor seating area. It’s a popular spot for hounds and humans alike though, so we recommend you reserve your doggy seating in advance. The owners are so pleased to welcome pooches of all kinds that they’ve even set up a Dogs of Diego’s Instagram account to showcase “the best of our furry customers”.

Best restaurants in Newport Rhode Island: Food and drink

1. Bouchard: Bouchard Inn and Restaurant is a Newport institution. Situated in the hubbub of Thames Street, it serves fine French cuisine in a building dating all the way back to 1785, and regularly scoops awards for its fine fare. The celebrated specials change according to the best catches of the day, but you can confidently expect some excellent scallops, lobster and sole, along with delicious souffles, truffles and that French favourite, escargots. 

2. 22 Bowen’s: Down in Bowen’s Wharf you’ll find this superb surf and turf restaurant, which specialises in sumptuous sirloin steaks and freshly caught seafood. But that’s not all: the cocktail menu is sublime, and the dazzling harbour views are the perfect accompaniment to a chilled margarita. And did we mention the amazing desserts? Try the crème brûlée!

3. Corner Café: This tiny café serves some of the best breakfasts in town – although its diminutive size means the queues can get quite long at weekends. It’s worth the wait though, as you’ll be treated to excellent coffee along with some generously sized and utterly delicious omelettes and breakfast burritos. And if that’s too rich for your tastes, an extensive ‘healthy zone’ menu offers up the likes of whole-grain pancakes, berry-laden oatmeal and egg-white sandwiches.

House and pet sitting in Newport Rhode Island

Wherever you end up exploring in Newport, we hope that you – and your pet – have a fabulous time!

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