Brand New Experiences in Newport, Rhode Island

By Roberta Lasky

On our third trip to Newport, Rhode Island, Hotel Viking on Bellevue Avenue was our home away from home for three nights over July 4th weekend. This 80 year-old hotel has both a modern/boutique yet classic feel. Our 300 sq. ft. room was quite oversized. (Usually the rooms are 150 sq. ft.).

We checked out the hotel’s rooftop bar, Top of Newport, for drinks before heading into town for dinner. A fun band was playing music as well.

On our first night we dined right on Bowen’s Wharf at the infamous Black Pearl. We walked around the seafaring town after dinner discovering all the lovely shops.

On our second day we had an al fresco lunch sitting at the bar at The Lawn at Castle Hill. Funny enough, the bartender was our waiter from the previous night at The Black Pearl. Rose was our wine of choice to accompany our lox & avocado appetizer, caesar salad with grilled shrimp and fish tacos.

A visit to Newport is not complete without a sunset sail. We boarded the Adirondack II at 7 pm. Two glasses of champagne later, we feasted our eyes on a gorgeous sunset.

We ate dinner that night at 22 Bowen’s, conveniently located a hop, skip and jump across from our sailboat.

We were beach bound for the next two days. Gooseberry Beach on Ocean Avenue was our first destination and we enjoyed Easton’s Beach the next day.

We went swimming in the hotel’s indoor pool straight from the beach. Love an indoor pool!

A visit to Newport is not complete without completing the 3.5 mile Cliff Walk path that wraps along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline as well as visiting the Mansions. Operating Schedule is from June 24-October 9, 2017.

The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff, Green Animals, Kingscote, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House and Chepstow are open daily. See how the elite vacationed in these “summer cottages”.

People can tour Newport on narrated trolley tours that save your soles. Newport Scooters on Fair Street rent out these cute little cars.

We had a delicious meal and watermelon margaritas at a hidden gem serving ‘inspired’ Mexican dishes; Perro Salado (Salty Dog) on Charles Street. [Call ahead for reservations]. As their web site states, “fresh, friendly, affordable, exciting—Perro Salado vibrates with a refreshing energy on every level, and is uniquely satisfying as a restaurant can be. “

We picked up some fudge on the way back to the hotel from The Newport Fudgery. Kilwin’s Ice Cream & Chocolates has a location on Thames Street as well.

On our last morning, we popped into Megs’ Aussie Milk Bar for an excellent breakfast. The ambience and paraphernalia hanging on the walls make you feel like you are ‘Down Under’. Order the ‘Big Brekkie’.

Franklin Spa on Spring Street (I have no idea why it is called a spa) is a fantastic breakfast spot as well. Expect a line down the block. Annie’s on Bellevue Avenue, conveniently located footsteps from the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Audrain Car Museum, serves (get it) eggs, et. al. from 7 am until 4:30 everyday.

Luckily, we had zero traffic on the three-hour drive home. We got home just in time to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks on television.