Travel Guide: Newport, RI

… in March and with a toddler!

Even in the off season, Newport has a lot to offer. We spent a week in Newport, RI and I would do these all over again on our next visit! These are also (my) toddler-approved!

Things to Do

Save the Bay’s Harbour Seal tour – an hour long adventure into the Bay. Our guides led us in some interesting facts about the seals, Rose Island and Newport. The day we went, the weather was sunny and cool. It was perfect and we weren’t cold once we were on the water. We saw a dozen seals! (my pictures of the seals weren’t the best so they’re not pictured here) It was a successful trip!

Things to note:

• There are public bathrooms near the dock meeting spot. However, in a kid “emergency”, the boat does have a bathroom on board (not advertised).
• Parking was right near the Perrotti Park area where you would get on the boat. Bonus: if you’re visiting before April 1, parking is FREE up to 3 hours!
• If you have time, you can continue to Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium. It was opening later in the month when we had visited. It is on our list for our next visit.

Cliff Walk – From the Easton Beach end to the 40 steps, the walk is stroller friendly. The path is paved and there are benches to stop and take a break.

Things to note:

• There are spots throughout the walk that you do need to pay attention to. It opens up drastically oceanside and you could slip straight off the cliffs. These areas were also marked with signs.
• The more in season you go, it might be tricky with it being crowded and having a stroller.
• If you park Easton Beach end, you can end your walk at the beach. Let those kiddos runnn! IYKYK.

The Sailing Museum – If the weather isn’t cooperating, the Sailing Museum is worth checking out if your kiddos like to be hands on! This highly interactive museum is small but there are endless of interactive opportunities that keep you exploring. It was an unexpected surprise for us. Our 3-year old was obsessed with interacting with every exhibit he could get his hands on!

Fort Adams – the 2.5 mile walk encompasses the whole little peninsula space – not just around the actual fort. We didn’t go into the Fort and walked around the outside of the space. Great spot for the kids to explore in wide open spaces. Just keep in mind, there are spots along the path that the ocean’s edge can open up quickly!

The Mansions – If you’re interested in history and taking in these incredible “summer cottages”, a trip to a mansion might be worth your time. In the off season, not all Mansions are open. There were three that we went and visited: The Breakers, Marble House and Rose Cliff. Now, the big question, with the three listed, which would I recommend with a toddler? The Breakers and Marble House. If you’re looking for additional detail regarding the Newport Mansions, you may be interested in reading further here.

If you have recommendations that I didn’t include above, please add them in the comments! I’d love to check them out our next trip!

Restaurants

Visiting in the off season had it’s perks for checking out all the restaurants. No lines and slightly more casual than when it’s in season which also means a little more kid-friendly. There are no shortages of restaurants and although we checked out a new spot daily.. these are the favorites.

Clarke Cooke House – do not let the linen table cloths deter you if you have a kiddo dining with you. The off season provides what they call the Candy Store and Bistro – their year round casual dining. The food is great and a must on your list.

The Mooring – another location where there were linen table cloths, and again, do not let that deter you if you have a kiddo dining with you. They offer indoor and outdoor seating which has nautical views of Newport Harbor. This place is a must if you want great food.

Cru Cafe – slightly off the main America’s Cup Ave or Thames St, this is closer to the Mansions. For a more casual dining experience, this is the place to go. We tried both breakfast and lunch and would recommend. The food was great and we would have visited it a third time if they were closer to where we were staying. Note: Parking might be a little tricky.

We can’t wait to visit Newport again and hope that your visit was just as enjoyable as ours was! Drop a comment and tell us any favorites you have that we need to add to our next trip! Happy Exploring!