Affordable Ways to Navigate Newport

 

Newport, Rhode Island, is one of New England’s most magical cities. But it’s also one of the most expensive. Contrary to popular belief, you can tour the city and take in its breathtaking scenery, delicious food and activities all on a budget. Here are the top spots to see and things to do in Newport without breaking the bank.

 

Savor the local flavor

Start your day with brunch at Diego’s Huevos. This Mexican spot is popular with locals and can fill up quickly for brunch, so get there early. The $5 breakfast special means you can choose one of the restaurant’s many options, such as Diego’s breakfast torta—two fried eggs on a Portuguese bolo with ripe avocado, black beans, Oaxaca cheese and spicy Baja aioli—and pair it with one of the many craft cocktails, such as the Hibiscus Mimosa or Holy Habanero Bloody.

For lunch, pick up twin lobster rolls at Easton’s Beach Snack Bar (a steal at $17, and easily one of the best lobster rolls in town) and head to Brenton Point State Park for a picnic. Parking is free, and benches with ocean views are plentiful. (On your way there, be sure to drive along Ocean Avenue for a peek at Newport’s stunning oceanside mansions.) For dinner, head to Benjamin’s Raw Bar on Thames Street. Every Tuesday, you’ll find specials of heaping platters of oysters, clams and shrimp.

Embrace vacation mode

Explore Fort Adams, an historic fortress that stands guard over Narragansett Bay.

Kick off your morning with yoga at the Inner Light Yoga studio on Easton’s Beach. This $15 drop-in class gets you in Zen mode as you listen to the waves lapping against the shore and feel the ocean breeze gently sweeping across your skin.

Keep the relaxation going with a visit to the Redwood Library, a Newport gem that’s often missed. This circa-1747 National Historic Landmark is a great place to read, unwind and simply revel at the building’s fascinating architectural details. Be sure to hit the Newport Art Museum (admission is free) to take in its latest exhibition before heading to Fort Adams ($12 for adults), which claims to be the country’s largest historic fort.

 

Tour the town

You’d be remiss if you didn’t spend time on the water while in Newport. Hop on a water taxi or a ferry to explore the harbor, then head over to Jamestown for a bite to eat at Slice of Heaven.

Prefer to see the water with your feet firmly on land? Rent a bike and peddle along Ocean Drive, where you’ll gasp in amazement at the stunning mansions—many of them historic—along the 10 miles of coastline. Hop off at Doris Duke’s Rough Point for a tour ($25 per person) of the former tobacco heiress’ estate, which boasts beautiful manicured gardens. Check the estate’s website for cool free events, like croquet lessons on the lawn.

Another home that should be on your radar is the Marble House ($15 per person), built as a summer cottage for the Vanderbilts and inspired by the Petit Trianon in Versailles. And then there’s The Elms ($15 per person), which made a splash with its construction at the turn of the century. Take a behind-the-scenes servants tour to learn about several of the estate’s staff members, including the butler, Ernest Birch; the cook, Grace Rhodes; and the maid, Nellie Lynch Regoli.

 

Lights, camera, action!

Not your typical summer home, the Marble House was considered a “cottage” for the Vanderbilts back in the late 1800s.

Movie nights take on new meaning when newportFILM hosts its free, year-round movie series. Throw down a blanket, pop a bottle of rose and watch documentary films at some of Aquidneck Island’s most stunning outdoor venues.

During the daytime, head to the Aquidneck Growers Market, which is open every Wednesday in town and Saturday at Newport Vineyards and features local produce and fare including coffee, sandwiches and live music.

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