How to Spend A Perfect 48 Hours in Newport, Rhode Island

Upon arriving in Newport, you'll want to head straight to your first hotel, The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection. As you may have guessed, the property is named for the Vanderbilt family, as Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, The Commodore's third son, once owned this historic downtown manse that's now one of the city's most luxurious hotels and dining destinations. Before hitting the town, make a stop at the hotel's Roof Deck, Newport's best-kept secret for fantastic cocktails and even better views.

The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection is walking distance from some of the city's best shops. The hotel is right off Spring Street, which is lined with charming stores and galleries filled with antiques, ceramics, fine jewelry, and more. Don't miss a detour down the small but fabulous Franklin Street, known as "Antiques Row," as you make your way down.

Lace up those walking shoes because it's best to start your Saturday in Newport bright and early. Grab your morning vices of choice at Empire Tea & Coffee (they have fantastic lattes and baked goods) just down the street from the hotel before heading to Cliff Walk to beat the crowds. It's the city's biggest attraction for a reason!

Cliff Walk is a seven-mile roundtrip trail, so plan accordingly to make sure you don't venture too far or that you are well-equipped to last several hours on New England's first National Recreational Trail. There are several entrance and exit points along the way.

Cliff Walk not only offers stunning shoreline views, but you'll get unparalleled vantage points of Newport's iconic Gilded Age mansions. Most of these homes are well-hidden from Bellevue Avenue, but you'll be able to enjoy their beauty from behind on the trail.

There's so much to do in Newport, that Saturday afternoon deserves to be a choose-your-own-adventure experience for your party. While a morning jaunt to see Newport's fabulous mansions may leave you wanting more with a tour of The Breakers (shown here) or one of the other breathtaking mansions open to the public, style mavens may prefer to peruse Bellevue Avenue's shops instead, while tennis enthusiasts can't miss the International Tennis Hall of Fame and art aficionados will be smitten with the National Museum of American Illustration, set inside a Gilded Age mansion of its own. Be sure to check the websites for your desired destinations to check for COVID-19 protocols.

However, if you've had enough of walking, take advantage of one of Newport's great pastimes: sailing. Castle Hill Inn, where you'll be staying tonight, has an exclusive partnership with Barton & Gray Mariners Club, and offers a variety of four-hour private yacht excursions around neighboring coves and islands, lunch included.

However you decided to spend your Saturday afternoon, it's time to unwind and cozy up at Castle Hill Inn for the evening. Grab an Adirondack chair on the hotel's legendary lawn and enjoy watching the ships sail by and the sun set with a cocktail in hand.

If you're ready for an early, casual dinner, The Lawn is a fantastic alfresco dining option on the hotel patio or linger with your libation through sunset and enjoy Castle Hill Inn's Forbes Four-Star restaurant, The Dining Room. It offers prix fixe fine dining, caviar service, and an award-winning wine menu, plus, fantastic water views. It's the perfect way to close out your last night in Newport.

Take the morning to savor your last few moments in Newport by visiting the exclusive Grace Kelly or Castle Hill beaches. Grace Kelly was a visitor at the hotel's Harbor House while filming High Society in 1956 with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong. The starlet would sneak down to a secluded stretch of shoreline, leading the hotel staff to nickname the beach after her, and it stuck.

Once you've checked out of the inn, enjoy a lingering breakfast at Corner Café, a local favorite that is famous for its breakfast. The diverse menu is sure to please, with Irish, Portuguese, and West Coast influences. Stretch those legs with a walk to Cottage & Garden, where you'll find a treasure trove of antiques and modern pieces for outfitting your home inside and out before you hit the road.

If you're catching a flight or train back home in Providence, save some extra time to visit Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). The highly acclaimed college is also home to the RISD Museum which offers free admission on Sundays and overlooks the Providence River.