An April Getaway to Newport, Rhode Island

There’s something undeniably magical about Newport in early spring—before the summer sailors arrive and long before the mansion-tour crowds spill onto Thames Street. In mid-April the daffodils nod along the Cliff Walk, the harbor is glassy and calm, and the crisp sea air still carries a hint of winter’s bite, perfect for rosy cheeks and brisk beach strolls with an energetic toddler in tow. We stole away for a long weekend designed around slow mornings on the water, fire-lit evenings with locals, and just enough indulgent meals to remind us why this storied seaside town is worth returning to again and again. From a bayside stay that felt like borrowing a chic friend’s home to sunset suppers and shell-hunting adventures, Newport served up the best kind of off-season charm—and a few new favorites we can’t wait to share.

STAY

Gardiner House - Tucked away on the southern end of the main wharf area, Gardiner House is right on the water and meant to feel like you’re staying at a friend’s fabulous home, filled with art and personal touches. Even though it was very Newport, the overall vibe was similar to some of our favorite English country House hotels, which is some of the highest praise I can give. Homey, friendly, and chic. The entry way wallpaper is handprinted and there are special pieces of original art throughout. The rooms are light, bright and spacious, and many have terraces overlooking the wharf. Their team was wonderfully personable and intuitive - we had a package delivered to the hotel and they left it in our room with a pair of scissors on top so we didn’t have to struggle with it - this type of thoughtful attention to detail is so rare and was a highlight of our stay. 

TO EAT

Flora - What a beautiful space and beautiful food. Arrive at sunset to take in views of the sun going down over the water and prepare yourself for a treat. From the gorgeous interiors to the incredible food, this restaurant is my new favorite in Newport and we’ll definitely be back. We started with local oysters, shared the mushroom truffle soup and grilled octopus (that I need to figure out how to make at home!) then ordered the scallops and duck breast for our mains, finishing with sticky toffee pudding and creme brûlée for dessert! We ordered off the children’s menu for our son’s dinners and the grilled chicken and garlic broccolini were so good David and I were stealing bites. 

The Studio Bar - This clubby spot was full of locals the night we ate here and I’d be a regular too if I lived closer. A roaring fire, avocado green lacquered walls and a gleaming bar made for such a chic hideaway. We ordered cocktails and burgers and had the best time. 

Bar Cino - We popped in for lunch and after sitting down realized we’d been here before several years ago. Everything was delicious. 

Clarke Cooke House - This place is a vibe and a longtime favorite that encapsulates the feeling of Newport. From their delicious lobster roll to their signature “snowball in hell” dessert it’s a must if you’re visiting Newport. 

TO DO 

This trip was a little different than our past visits to Newport in that we spent a lot of time on the beach. Our little boy loves toddling around looking for shells and inspecting seaweed so we took a couple outings to burn off some energy by the water, taking time to walk the Cliff Walk and admire the taffies, as well as drive along ocean drive. We did a little shopping, stopping by old favorites like Keil James Patrick where we bough the cutest baby ball cap with an embroidered anchor on it, and scooping up a few pints of Anchor Toffee - an addictive treat!

Scroll down for oodles of photos from our April getaway to Newport, Rhode Island as well as links to everything I wore! We love visiting Newport all year round and you can find favorites from past trips here.