We’ve officially begun! Riley and I kicked off our nomadic journey! We spent the last few weeks in Newport, Rhode Island. Now, it might be the smallest state in the U.S., but don’t let that fool you. Rhode Island is absolutely beautiful and packed with charm, character, and coastal magic. And although Newport tends to steal the spotlight, I’ve learned that there’s so much more to this little state than just this iconic town.
That said, Newport was the perfect place to begin. I stayed right in the heart of Newport, off of Thames Street and didn’t need my car the entire time – I parked it across town and relied on my own two feet (and the occasional trolley ride). Actually, speaking of trolleys: here’s a nice tip for you, Newport has a free trolley system that loops through town and stops at most of the major attractions. It’s super convenient and a great way to see the sights without worrying about parking – which I can attest can be very chaotic during the summer!
Arguably one of the biggest highlights? The food. Newport is a dream for foodies like me! From fresh seafood to insta worthy cafes and waterfront dining, there’s no shortage of delicious spots to try. (More on my favorite restaurants below!)
What I Ate in Newport
First things first: I ate a lot of amazing seafood. Coming from the Midwest, fresh seafood like this isn’t something I get to enjoy often, so I made it my personal mission to indulge as much as possible – and I regret nothing. Well… maybe oneee bad oyster I had. :/
Newport has so many incredible restaurants that you’d need weeks to try them all! Here are a few spots I managed to check out and highly recommend:
- White Horse Tavern – This is actually the oldest operating tavern in the U.S., dating back to 1673. It’s rumored that George Washington dined here, along with other presidents like John F. Kennedy and Jackie O. Definitely a must-visit for dinner and you HAVE to try the Lobster Ravioli!
- The Mooring and Clarke Cooke House – Both great dinner spots that I’d give a solid 10/10. The espresso martini at Clarke Cooke House was top tier.
For lunch, some of my favorites were Luke’s Lobster, Newport Chowder Company (I loved their lobster roll/seafood chowder combo), Bar Cinco, and Benjamin’s (which has $1.50 oysters during lunch). Also, Bar & Board is perfect for happy hour! If you need a break from seafood, Perro Salado serves up delicious Mexican dishes and even better margaritas – their spicy cucumber was amazing. Perro also has live music out on the patio, which is always an added plus!
Lastly, I know it’s super popular on social media right now, but you have to check out Nitro Bar. Their seasonal lattes are amazingggg, and the staff and vibes are 10/10. I tried the caramelized banana latte, blueberry latte and the black raspberry chocolate chip latte (don’t judge, I was there for two weeks haha) and you can’t go wrong with either!
One other place I have to mention – even though it’s about 30 minutes outside Newport – is Matunuck Oyster Bar in Wakefield, RI. This iconic South County spot was on my must-try list. Unfortunately, a few weeks before my trip, the restaurant caught fire and wasn’t able to operate as usual. But because it’s so popular, they set up a huge tent across the street so guests could still dine and enjoy the food. The bartender told me they originally opened on July 4th, 2009, so they’ve been going strong for 16 years. If you get the chance to visit Rhode Island, definitely check it out! I met several locals here and was able to gather even more Rhode Island recommendations from them. TIP – ALWAYS ask the locals they know best!
lobster roll 
cookie dough ice cream with sprinkles from Sprinkles 
Oyster trio from Matunuck Oyster Bar 
seafood chowder 
lobster ravioli 
Clarke Cooke House Espresso Martini – yum! 
sushi @ Clarke Cooke House 
iced black raspberry chocolate chip latte from Nitro Bar 
Lobster flight from Luke’s Lobster: truffle butter, lemon butter, and spicy honey butter 
more seafood chowder – so good! 
tea party treats at the Chinese Tea House behind Marble House
What I Did in Newport
One of the greatest days of my time spent in Newport was touring the famous mansions that sit along the southern part of the island. For those unfamiliar, Newport is known for its stunning Gilded Age estates – often referred to as ‘summer cottages.’ These lavish homes were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by ultra-wealthy families like the Vanderbilts, and many are now open to the public thanks to the Preservation Society of Newport County.
I toured The Breakers, Marble House, and Rosecliff – and each one was jaw-dropping in its own way. Fun fact: parts of The Great Gatsby were filmed at Rosecliff. Not surprising, considering how beautiful it is! Honestly, walking through felt like stepping onto a movie set – especially since tons of shows and movies have used these mansions as filming locations, including HBO’s The Gilded Age. (Yes, I started watching it immediately after my tours.) I didn’t make it to The Elms this time, but I’m taking that as a sign that I need to come back. 🙂
Right behind Marble House sits one of Newport’s best-kept secrets: the Chinese Tea House. It’s the perfect place to refuel after a morning of wandering through mansions. The prix fixe menu is no joke: a welcome drink, tea, a mix of savory and sweet little bites, your choice of entrée, and a lineup of desserts (banana pudding, a macaron, etc). There’s indoor and outdoor seating, both with gorgeous ocean views so you really can’t go wrong. Come hungry!
Another really cool (and totally free!) activity I did was the Cliff Walk. It’s a 3.5-mile path that runs right along the ocean and gives you amazing views of the water and the backyards of some of the big Gilded Age mansions, like The Breakers and Marble House. The views are incredible so if you are like me you’ll walk away with too many photos and videos of the ocean – it’s just that pretty. Be sure to wear comfy shoes and bring water, because there isn’t a ton of shade!
One of the simple pleasures I enjoyed while in Newport was walking around and admiring the houses. I’m a sucker for the older homes here in New England, and many of them had plaques with the family name and the year they were built. Many are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which really gives the feel of walking through a living museum. I also stumbled across some really old cemeteries that date back to 1675 – kind of wild to think about!
My second to last night…
I went on a sunset cruise through Newport Harbor, and it was hands-down one of the best evenings of my trip! Newport is known as the “Sailing Capital of the World,” so booking a cruise before leaving was a must. The crew was fantastic- super friendly and are so knowledgeable with fun facts about the area, its sailing history, and all the yacht clubs. And those sunset views? Unreal!!!! It honestly felt like I was sailing straight through a postcard.
Now due to timing, naturally there were a few things I didn’t get around to, like the International Tennis Hall of Fame and actually catching a game at Cardines Field. That said, my Airbnb backed right up to the field, so I kind of saw a game – just from the outfield fence. It’s the home of the Newport Gulls, a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. Next time, maybe I’ll grab a ticket and watch from inside! As for the Tennis Hall of Fame, I walked past it and took a peek in, but I’ve never been a big tennis person. Maybe I’ll check it out on a future trip… never say never!
Before officially leaving Rhode Island, I grabbed my car and took a drive down Ocean Drive – a must-do that was recommended by one of my best friends, McKenzie, who had visited Newport before and gave me tons of great recs. (Thanks, McKenzie!) It’s a scenic 10-mile loop along the southern tip of Aquidneck Island with beautiful ocean views, rocky coastline, and glimpses of massive private homes. The drive is peaceful, super photogenic, and was the perfect way to say goodbye to Newport!
Now for my Final Thoughts
As much as I loved Newport, I’d be lying if I said this new chapter hasn’t come with some growing pains. Traveling solo is a dream I’ve had for a long time, but actually doing it is a whole different experience. There have been moments where I felt awkward eating alone at a restaurant, or walking into an activity/event knowing I didn’t have anyone to share it with. And to be honest, I’m not totally over that feeling yet. I’m still figuring it out, still pushing through those uncomfortable moments – but it does get a little easier each time. I’m learning to sit with the discomfort, to make space for growth, and to find joy in doing things just for me! One thing my friend told me that has helped is that sometimes when you are with someone you miss out on having conversations with strangers, the locals and making those new friends. Life is about connection and I’m finding some comfort in being able to connect with new friends.
Overall, Newport was the perfect place to kick off my nomadic journey. It offered the perfect mix of relaxation, history, great food, and ocean air… plus it gave me the chance to slow down and settle into this new chapter. I didn’t see and do everything – which, as I’ve said makes it easier to justify another trip, but I left feeling full, full of seafood, yes, but also full of gratitude and of course hungry for more.
On to the next stop. Stay tuned for what’s next!
– AK & Riley
Sounds like a beautiful time at very beautiful places. Happy you are able to do this traveling. Ee love you