Condé Nast Traveler has named Newport, RI one of the 10 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast of the United States in article that was written by someone who may have never actually been to the beach!
Here’s what the article has to say about Newport.
Newport, Rhode Island
Like Oak Bluffs, Newport is a beach town known for its houses, though a very different sort. Ten enormous, historic mansions—once the summer homes of the Vanderbilts, Nevada silver heiresses, and other Westerners of unimaginable wealth—remain standing along the famous cliff walk. Today however, they are museums. The most famous two are The Breakers and Rosecliff. The Newport mansions famously earned the ire of writer Joan Didion, who wrote in her essay The Seacoast of Despair, “To stand in the dining room of ‘The Breakers’ is to imagine fleeing it, pleading migraine.” Today, in lieu of the Great Gatsby-esque lawn parties of yore where swans roamed the grounds, Newport attracts visitors of all stripes for events such as the Newport Folk Festival.
Beach town? Maybe “mansion town” would have been a better description for this article. No talk of kid friendly Third Beach. No talk the scene at Second Beach. No talk of First Beach and their Twin Lobster Rolls. No talk of Rejects as smokeshow central, the salt water pool at Bailey’s, Gooseberry’s legendary snack shack or whatever it is they do over at Hazard’s either.
No mention of Water Brothers or Elemental or Flo’s or the Atlantic Grille or Ash Mart or, or, or, or….
They mention The Breakers but not Ruggles which is the best surf break on the East Coast literally in its back yard! Ya know, stuff that defines beach towns.
And not even a whisper of our bars, restaurants or legendary nightlife scene.
Instead this is a nice public relations piece for the Newport mansions. Pretty sure the author has never visited Newport.
Moving on to Massachusetts which rates two mentions:
Let’s see what the author chooses.
Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts
Ferries deliver day trippers to this little Martha’s Vineyard town daily and the colorful gingerbread houses for which Oak Bluffs is known are straight out of a storybook. Visitors walk straight off their boats into Ocean Park, a circular green overlooking the sea, encircled by said houses, with a frothy, delicate gazebo sitting in the center. Oak Bluffs has a long history of welcoming Black visitors, and today it is home to the annual African-American Film Festival.
I mean Oak Bluffs is beautiful and fun, but come on, it’s not even the best beach town on Martha’s Vineyard.
That’s ok though because there is a second beach town listed.
Hmmm….what do you think? Maybe something on Cape Cod? I don’t know, I’m going with Nantucket. Yes, Nantucket and that’s my final answer.
Wait. You’re thinking Cape Cod? Maybe Hyannis or Provincetown or even Hyannis.
I’m still going with Nantucket.
It has to be one of them, right? Right?
And without further ado it’s…
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Rockport, Massachusetts
The North Shore, a group of towns in Greater Boston, is a culturally important swath of Massachusetts. The coastal region is known for its excellent seafood, beautiful beaches, and historic landmarks. Many a good film has been filmed here as well, such as Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island and Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester-by-the-Sea. There are many towns worth visiting, but Rockport is a favorite among travelers. Forty miles north of Boston, the town has a can’t-miss natural gem in Halibut Point State Park, from which visitors can spot Maine in the distance 80 miles away. Rockport is also beloved by art history buffs: it is home to Motif Number 1, a fishing shack with the superlative “the most-often painted building in America.” It was built in 1840, and was a popular subject because it represented New England’s nautical character. (And it didn’t hurt that the light hit it just so.) A replica was built promptly following the historic Blizzard of 1978, which destroyed the original. Gray Malin photographed it for his recent project on Boston.
Check out the rest of the list HERE.
Newport Tips
Stay:
Located in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island! The Hilltop Inn offers an exacting standard of service in a fabulous central location. The Hilltop has been meticulously restored to its original splendor, offering guests private rooms with Jacuzzi tubs, the finest linens, and all of the comforts of home in a luxurious setting amidst bustling Newport!
Eat:
If you’re looking for some great spots to dine, we recommend hitting up local favorites such as Tavern on Broadway with their Buck-A-Shuck Wednesdays, The Fifth Element, or The Deck on Waites Wharf, the perfect waterfront dining destination with live music Thursday – Sunday.
Want to dine where Newport eats? Head on down Bellevue Avenue and visit La Forge Casino Restaurant. The La Forge Casino Restaurant has served the community as a famous local establishment for years. Located on the grounds of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, La Forge has long been a local staple providing a menu, style, and friendly atmosphere that reflects our commitment to an exceptional dining experience.
Looking for our amazing food trucks? Check out the Amazo Pizza & Gelato truck, the La Costa Lobster & Tacos truck, the Cluck Truck!
And stay tuned for Wally’s Weiners, opening soon on Thames Street.
Don’t feel like leaving the house? Hit up Newport Dine Out, they deliver from more than 50 area restaurants.
Party:
The party never stops at Clarke Cooke House, The Deck, Malt, The Fifth Element, and Tavern on Broadway!
And if you’re throwing a party at your house, the Audrain Hospitality Group is a multi-faceted organization focused on creating memorable experiences for every kind of event imaginable.
Don’t miss:
No trip to Newport is complete without a visit to the Audrain Automobile Museum.
The Audrain Automobile Museum has a mission to preserve and present automotive history while connecting and engaging with other non-profits and the community as a whole. Established in 2014, the Museum transformed the historic Audrain Building into a captivating display floor, fit specifically for our cultural needs. The Museum has access to collections with of over 300 cars, allowing for three fresh and unique exhibits per year. Ranging from Brass Era pre-War cars to Supercars of the 2000s, the Museum is dedicated to entertaining all generations and stylistic preferences.
America’s love affair with automobiles is intrinsic and Newport’s role is essential. The Museum engages and educates the Aquidneck Island community through car events and other nonprofit activities to further its position within automotive history. As the Museum continues to grow, so does its status as a must stop destination for both car enthusiasts and Newport visitors alike.
Taste the flavor:
Swing by the Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co., sample some of their award winning creations, grab a bite at the food truck that pull up every weekend and enjoy some great live music.
Founded in 1999 by four college friends, Newport Storm Brewery was the original production craft brewery in Rhode Island. They created more than 100 distinctive beers while keeping things local and authentic. From their flagship Hurricane Amber Ale to seasonal brews made with Rhode Island grown ingredients, to beers aged in rum barrels, the brewery has been in the vanguard of craft brewing for nearly 20 years.
In 2006 the crew began distilling craft spirits. They were the first distillery in Rhode Island in 135 years and currently produce whiskey, a single barrel rum, and an overproof white rum.
Dress for success:
Newport’s former First Lady Deborah Winthrop owns the premier women’s boutique on Aquidneck Island with hip and chic clothing, bra sized swimwear and a the largest selection of lingerie around. Deborah and her staff are all expert bra fitters. The right bra will make you look and feel 10 years younger and 10lbs lighter!! Swing by and see for yourself.
Want to realize your inner Queen? Head to Bellevue Avenue and visit X&O Boutique for luxury women’s wear with unique and classic collections from Milan to Miami.
Get in Shape:
Pulse Newport is an award winning interval training focused bootcamp style gym offering HIIT, Spin, Bootcamp and Barre classes at two different locations. Elite Memberships include everything they offer. They have over a dozen certified, amazing trainers ready to give you the best workout in Newport.
Open Gym, Peloton Treadmill, Stairmasters, Barre Studio & Classes, HIIT Studio & Classes, Rowing Classes, Spin Classes, Infrared Sauna, Personal Training, Stretching Area, Dumbells to 110 lbs, Member Challenges, Body Composition Analysis, FitCamp Weight Loss Lean Muscle Building Program
Getting here:
Traveling in from New York City? Don’t forget about our friends at Tradewind Aviation and their super affordable shared charter flights from White Plains to Newport Airport.
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