A Quick Tour: Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island – the “City by the Sea.”

I’ve always wanted to visit this lovely city. My hubby and I joined a one-day bus tour to Newport last weekend. The tour only includes tickets to one of the mansions. We were free to plan the rest of our day and explore the city. Thus, I prepared A Quick Tour Itinerary for our trip.

  1. Bannister’s Wharf
  2. Breakers Mansion Tour
  3. Thames Street

Our bus arrived at around 11 am. We were dropped off at the Visitors Center. The tour guide told us to take our lunch and come back before 2 pm for our tour to the Breakers Mansion.

I asked one of the Visitors Center staff for directions to Bannister’s Wharf. He gladly gave us a map and instructed us on how to get there. I was worried it was too far and we will not be able to get back on time for the Mansion Tour. I was so relieved when he told us that the wharf is just a 10-minute walk from the Visitors Center.

Bannister’s Wharf

Dock your boat, dine, and shop at the Bannister’s Wharf. This place was established in 1742 by John Bannister. Today, it is still the center of all the action in Newport.

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There are so many things to do at the wharf, but the main reason why I included it in my list is – I love a good clam chowder!

Clam chowder at Black Pearl is the dish every visitor should try, because it’s classic, one of a kind, and an unshakable part of Newport’s cultural heritage. – Travel + Leisure

The chowder was yummy! We also ordered the Cajun Shrimp Rice Bowl which is one of their specials. The dish was a delicious mix of grilled shrimp, rice, cilantro, avocado, and red pepper.

After lunch, we headed back to the Visitors Center and got on the bus to go to our next destination.

The Breakers Mansion

The grandest mansion in Newport was built from 1893 to 1895 for railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt II. It is now a National Historic Landmark and owned by The Preservation Society of Newport County.

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The Italian-Renaissance-style mansion is steeped in opulence. We were so glad that interior photography is allowed, so we took a lot of photos.

I was fascinated by the golden ceilings, marble floors,  and lavish decor of this gorgeous mansion. However, what captivated me the most was the breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean!

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We spent two hours exploring the mansion. At around 4 pm, we promptly returned to the parking lot where the tour bus driver was waiting to take us back to the Visitors Center.

Thames Street

Just a few steps from the Visitors Center, you’ll find tons of specialty shops, restaurants, and bars on Thames Street.

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We planned to have an early dinner at The Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant. This hip resto was voted “Best Restaurant” and “Best Bar” in Rhode Island. It’s a local favorite, so we wanted to try their menu. We ordered the Fried Point Judith Calamari, Penne Pomodoro, and the Baked Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp. This comes with their signature soup, bread, and salad buffet. Everything was good, but my ultimate favorite was the Baked Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp. This delectable dish has crab meat, scallops, mushrooms, cheese, breadcrumbs, white wine, and butter stuffing. It’s so rich and flavorful!

By the time we finished dinner, it was already 5:30 pm. Our bus leaves at 6 pm, so we didn’t have enough time to explore more places in Thames Street. I guess that’s something we could add to our list again next time.

To sum it up, I really enjoyed this trip. I was happy, ecstatic, overjoyed, exhilarated!

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Newport, Rhode Island – You Swept Me Off My Feet!

For more info regarding the places we’ve visited, check out the What & Where section below.

Thank you so much for reading and have a great day!

What & Where 

Bannister’s Wharf

Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant

The Black Pearl

The Breakers Mansion

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25 responses to “A Quick Tour: Newport, Rhode Island”

  5. My parents still rave to this day about a trip they made to Newport years ago. Now I see why! The food looks delicious and the sights so interesting. Def want to make my way up there at some point soon. Great post!

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  7. This looks like such a great place to visit. My husband would go just for the clam chowder, though I am sure he would enjoy the mansion tours and everything else. Thanks for sharing, may need to add this spot to the long list of places to visit one day.

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    • Hi Sarah! Clam chowder, seafood, mansions, the ocean,…..so many reasons to include this on your list. We’re planning to try the lighthouse tours next time too. Hope you and your husband will be able to visit Newport soon:)

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  11. The wharf looks gorgeous. You two ordered some delicious food right there. You can’t go wrong with the chowder. It’s so cool that the mansion has been up for over 100 years. I like the oldschool vibe with modern paints and all at Thames Street. Glad you enjoyed your time out there!

    Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me

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