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In the middle of summer, Newport is a major tourist destination filled with bridal parties, tennis enthusiasts, and, you guessed it, the ultra wealthy. Spending a weekend on this gorgeous island is not for the weak, and it will have you wondering, “How can it be 95% humidity outside without being completely under water?” Despite the weather, Newport is a historical town that has much to offer in just one weekend away from New York City.

This itinerary is suitable for a 3-day stay, arriving midday on Thursday and leaving midday on Sunday, or however you prefer to travel. Of course, these are my recommendations, but I am not a local, so you can do with that information what you will.

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Begin your trip on a Thursday – we arrived around noon to Kingston station and got a ride into Newport from there.

• Arrive in Newport and drop off any luggage at wherever you’re staying
• Walk into the downtown area to enjoy a seaside cafe experience or simply to gather your bearings of the town
• There is a local running club (if that’s your thing) that meets on Thursdays called Newport Run Chug – enjoy a moderate mileage run for runners of all paces and cool down with a beer when you’re done
• If you’re not a runner, spending time at Third Beach with a book, a beer, and a dream is a great way to experience the afternoon waiting for sunset
• Once you’ve soaked up enough Vitamin D, head back to shower and get ready for a night of live music or outdoor games at Fifth Element

Hopefully, that’s enough to tire you out. If not, that strip has a lot of eateries and other bars.

On Friday, we opted to explore the history of Newport as it is has so much to offer. In the summer, the 67 bus is free to hop on and hop off as you please!

• We started our day with a 9:00am breakfast nearby – two options were recommended to us as Corner Cafe and The Hungry Monkey. The line for Corner Cafe was around the block while The Hungry Monkey was a quick 10-minute wait! Classic American diner food with a weekly specials menu
• After breakfast, we walked through Eisenhower Park where a French Revolution fair was going on, and waited for the 67 bus to take us to the Cliff Walk
• Spend a brief ride on the bus to enjoy a 30-minute scenic walk to the mansions of the country’s ultra wealthy. We chose to see the Breakers Mansion, and it was objectively obscene to take in the insane display of wealth, but very cool nonetheless. This tour should take around 2 hours as the grounds and the mansion are very large
• After the self-guided tour, we hopped back on the bus to go to the Tennis Hall of Fame which took about an hour to go through. The HOF is current and up to date with the latest HOF inductees, and the history of tennis throughout the years was incredible to see, especially for tennis fans
• Next, head to Bowen’s Wharf to check out the little shops and window shop
• Time to head home to shower and change for an early dinner at Midtown Oyster Bar. We loved the menu and enjoyed trying the different oysters from different locations that all had their own unique flavors
• Geared for a big night out, we recommend heading to Smugler’s Waterfront Bar for cheap drinks, darts, pool, and a great sunset photo out on the deck
• We finished the night at O’Brien’s Pub, make sure you get the frozen mudslide (for those 21+) for a truly chaotic end to your night

Upon reflection, the mudslide was a bit of a push over the edge, but it made for a very fun and memorable night out with great people. Just trust your own limits!

Definitely enjoy a late start to your Saturday as plans run into the evening again. Soaking up the humidity and heat until you physically can’t anymore.

• We opted for a 10:45am harbor cruise which came with an iced lemonade from the local favorite lemonade shop. Enjoy a leisurely cruise around the harbor with a hilarious and knowledgeable guide as you learn about the history of Newport and the prices of all the yachts
• Grab some lunch after the cruise, maybe a lobster roll from any of the many shops offering them, or an easy meal from one of the local small businesses
• Make sure to stop by the vintage shops on Thames street
• After you’re done shopping around, you are, yes, going to have to shower again and get ready for a classic American pastime – a polo match. This is a great time to bring a blanket, some food and drinks, and wear your prettiest sundress or linen outfit
• Spend the evening after the game with a classic clam chowder, beer, and some Shania Twain

If you have time on Sunday, go ahead and enjoy a classic American diner-style breakfast. Cru Cafe is a local favorite, but there is a huge line out the door just to order. If you don’t want to wait, try Anni’s nearby – a lot of bank for buck. We also stopped by The Spice & Tea Exchange afterwards for some cool rubs, candles, and tea blends to take home as my personal favorite souvenir.

Then it was time to head back to New York on the Metro-North. Newport is filled with history, good seafood, and exciting people. Definitely worth the trip and somewhere I find myself wanting to return to.