Boston’s little sister to the south sets festive this season.
The Breakers, a Newport mansion, is lit up for the holiday season. / Photo by Dave Hansen/The Preservation Society of Newport County
You box enjoy the best parts of the holidays this month without the urban chaos. Escape the Hub with a quick jaunt to Newport, Rhode Island, where its classic coastline will soothe you. A 90-minute ride takes you through the city by the sea in all its seasonal splendor – think twinkling lights, holiday gallery soirees, sightings of Santa Claus, hot toddies by the fire and charming boutiques offering special offers so you can compete against everyone on your list.
Read on for recommendations on where to stay, what to eat and what to do on a short vacation getaway, whether you’re looking for a luxury experience or something a little more laid back.
This guide was published on December 8, 2022; watch for updates for future holiday seasons.
Where to stay
Accommodation options abound in Newport and nearby Middletown and Portsmouth, including hotels, motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnb/VRBO options. While rooms fill up quickly all year round, you can find a last minute deal this season if you’re looking.
Book a luxury suite at the Vanderbilt, the historic downtown mansion that channeled Gatsby in his heyday. With velvet lounges that invite you to enjoy a cocktail or a fireside feast, the space exudes modern elegance around every corner. If you find her underground spa downstairs, you might be tempted to never leave the building.
Cheapest but no less sumptuous Francis Malbone House is a quaint downtown hostel located a stone’s throw from Newport Harbor and the city’s nightlife. Innkeepers can tell local stories and then direct your day’s getaways while serving a delicious homemade breakfast or afternoon tea. Canopy beds and fireplaces keep you cozy at night.
Christmas decorations in the Music Room at The Breakers, a Newport mansion. / Photo by Dave Hansen/The Preservation Society of Newport County
Where to play
You will be rewarded when you venture out. Walk if you can; parking can be hard to find. But once you find it, it’s free from November to April.
Take a walk at Bowen Wharf and admire the 40-plus-foot Christmas tree while shopping for treats and letting your kids (if you have them) climb the gigantic anchor. Learn the history of early American holiday traditions on a Newport Historical Society Holiday Lantern Tour. Then, stop in the lobby of the Newport Marriott to see the city biggest gingerbread house: a working 16-foot lighthouse and a 7-foot caretaker’s house (don’t forget to bring a can of non-perishable food as a donation!).
Explore three 19e-century Newport mansions adorned with garlandspoinsettias and ornately decorated Christmas trees, including a half-mile path through the Breakers Gardens which are illuminated with thousands of colored lights.
Head to the two wineries on Aquidneck Island for a dose of Christmas cheer. Wear your ugly sweater for a chance to win prizes at Newport Vineyards Holiday Extravaganza on December 9 while enjoying live music, festive food stations and a hot chocolate bar near the fire pits. Santa Claus will come too! Pastoral Greenvale Vineyards welcomes its “Deck the Halls” Gallery Evening on December 16, where you can sip his wine and munch on charcuterie while enjoying live music, fire pits and the work of local artists.
Where to shop
The holiday spirit has taken over Shop Kiel James Patrick, where sparkling trees and holiday accessories delight every customer. The “ugly sweater” has no place here, only its Cozy Cabin sweaters, winter flannels and socks.
You can spend the whole afternoon strolling along Bellevue Avenue and its charming boutiques. Try X&O shop Where Michael Hayes to find a little luxury for your New Year’s Eve party, or Kristen Coates Gallery for a local artwork for your wall.
A peppermint mocha latte and a gingerbread latte, each made with nitro cold brew, at the Nitro Bar. / Photo by Makena Gera
Where to eat
Broadway is full of dining options, so start there if you plan to eat your way around Newport. The Pond Avenue location of the nitro bar is just one block from the main street of Broadway; its cold brew (ask for it “nitro style”) and breakfast sammie will give you a much needed boost. Or grab a sunny window seat at corner cafe to savor in its omelet, Benny’s eggs or Fritzy’s Irish Fry Up.
If the weather is nice, grab an outdoor table at Caleb & Broad, where propane heaters fend off the December chill. Come for dinner on Saturday, where bar snacks like pretzel sticks and refried green beans in tangy remoulade will tempt your palate, but we all know it’s the sushi burrito that will stick to your ribs. Next door, order a whiskey from the vast selection of Irish malt pub. The fish and chips aren’t served in paper, but they’re as authentic as they should be. On the other side of the street, take a seat at the bar at The fifth Element, which is adorned with ornaments and joy. Order lamb poutine and Spinach balls as a starter, plus the pizza of the moment and the beloved sticky caramel pudding. Sunday brunch is great here too.
Brick Alley Pub is a classic for a reason. The two-story restaurant is in a building with myriad skeletons in the closet, and its walls and ceilings are covered in memorabilia from decades of community events. Its menu is eight pages of pub-style comfort food, and you can’t go wrong with the half-pound burger or the heaped nachos.
A romantic dinner for two is also close at hand. Visit Bouchard Restaurant for fine French cuisine, including sliced beef tenderloin and when they ask if you would like to order the Grand Marnier soufflé in advance, say yes. Or take a sunset stroll with your honey along famous Ocean Drive before your sumptuously comforting meal at OceanCliff Safari Room Restaurant.
A bonus day
If you have two nights, arrive Friday afternoon and stop in Portsmouth on your way into town for shopping and dining. (You might miss this town if you blink, so we recommend not blinking!) Visit Sweetheart Cory Farms Then and Now for selected gifts from here and there that add a touch of elegant whimsy to your home and table, or head to Stalise Store for a new holiday outfit. Then enjoy a pint of farm-brewed beer at Ragged Island Breweryand grab one of the spinning food trucks.
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