Easy Road Trips from Newport, RI
When you think of Newport County, what comes to mind? Likely it’s the unmatched waterfront views and coastal access, glamorous history, and outstanding dining and shopping. Considered by many to be a New England gem, an often overlooked benefit to living in the City by the Sea is its proximity to some of the best day and weekend getaway spots in the northeast.
Metropolitan areas like Boston and New York to scenic retreats in Cape Cod, New Hampshire, and Maine are just a hop and skip away. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite nearby destinations, from iconic experiences to lesser-known gems.
The Best City Escapes from Newport, Rhode Island
Boston
Driving distance: An hour and a half
Whether you’re a first-timer or know the ropes, there’s so much to do in Beantown — just an hour and a half ride from Newport County.
Take a stroll through Boston Public Garden or relax in Boston Common before catching a game at Fenway Park (go, Sox!). Take in some Boston history by visiting the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum or the Freedom Trail. Wash it all down with a fresh-brewed beer from the Sam Adams or Harpoon breweries before or after catching a great meal and dessert at Modern Pastry in the world-famous North End.
New York City
Driving distance: Four hours
There’s always something new to see and do in the Big Apple, whether you catch a Broadway show or spend the day wandering the American Museum of Natural History or the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Be sure to visit the West Side to walk the 1.45-mile High Line — an elevated park and trail, complete with beautiful gardens and interesting artwork, that’s been built up high on a historic freight line. We recommend the iconic Gramercy Tavern in Manhattan’s Flatiron District for a memorable farm-to-table meal.
Road Trips Up North Just a Short Ride Away from Newport County
New Hampshire
Driving distance: Two hours and 45 minutes to North Conway and Portsmouth
If hitting the slopes or taking a hike is your idea of a great escape, our neighbor to the north has everything you’re looking for, and then some.
Visit scenic North Conway for a stroll down Main Street and pop into Zeb’s Country Store for vintage vibes and local treasures. Santa’s Village and Storyland are a hit with families. Book a famous Moose Safari Tour to see these magnificent creatures in person. The Mount Washington Cog Railway is our favorite way to travel to take in the White Mountains and reach the summit of the highest peak in the Northeast.
If you’re looking to extend your mini-getaway, plan to stop on your way up or back in the cozy seaside city of Portsmouth, rich with history and culture and too many delicious dining options to mention. We recommend American tapas hotspot Moxy (try the duck kielbasa!).
Maine
Driving distance: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Take in the fall foliage on your way up to Maine, where the fishing village of Kennebunkport tops our lists of stops with a unique coastal vibe. Enjoy views of the Atlantic as you drive along Ocean Avenue, which will take you by former President George Bush’s estate on the famous Walker’s Point. Visit Dock Square downtown for a vibrant local arts scene, or a family trip to the Seashore Trolley Museum complete with a scenic, vintage trolley ride.
Before you head home, be sure to stop in for a freshly prepared, award-winning lobster roll at the Clam Shack diner — a local favorite (and one of ours, too!).
Quintessential New England Destinations from Newport, RI
Cape Cod
Driving distance: 2 hours
Just a couple of hours away by car, the Cape is known for its charm, coastal views, and plenty to do no matter where you visit. But if you don’t feel like driving, grab a ferry ride over from downtown Newport. (You can even bring your car by ferry!) Round up the family, pack a picnic lunch, and bike the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway which runs a smooth and scenic seven miles along either side of the canal.
If you’re in the mood for a must-have shopping and dining experience, stroll the picturesque streets of Chatham and stop into the Impudent Oyster. It’s been a local staple for over forty years and you’ll know that’s for good reason if you try the Moules Na Cataplana — fresh, local mussels and chourico in a savory, spicy red sauce. Walk the grounds of the nearby Chatham Bars Inn and grab a cocktail and an ocean breeze to boot at their iconic Bayview Terrace. Pro tip: Visit just after Labor Day or before Memorial Day to avoid the summer crowds and still soak up all the Cape has to offer!
Connecticut
Driving time: One hour
Hop the Rhode Island border into charming Mystic, Connecticut — a family favorite, and home to the Mystic Aquarium and the only beluga whales in New England. History buffs and ocean enthusiasts, be sure to pop next door to the Mystic Seaport Museum for a lesson in this coastal city’s rich maritime history and a look at the Charles W. Morgan, an 1841 whaleship and America’s oldest commercial ship.
There’s great shopping to be had at Olde Mistick Village, an open-air village that welcomes families and pets to discover fun little shops like Franklin’s General Store and the wizarding-world-inspired Cloak and Wand.
If you’re visiting in the fall, be sure to pop by Clyde’s Cider Mill for fresh-made apple cider donuts, hot off the line, and if you’re up for some wine tasting, check out Saltwater Farm Vineyard or Stonington Vineyards. You won’t be disappointed!
ABOUT HOGAN ASSOCIATES
Hogan Associates is an independent Rhode Island brokerage founded by Leslie Hogan and Matt Hadfield, two of Rhode Island’s most experienced agents, each with a strong track record of success in the Greater Newport real estate market. Hogan Associates’ 36 sales agents work on behalf of buyers and sellers of fine properties in the coastal communities of southern RI. The firm has offices in Newport and Middletown and is a member of Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, an elite broker network with more than 130,000 sales professionals located in approximately 880 offices in 70 countries and territories. In 2020 & 2021 Hogan Associates received Newport Life Magazine’s Best of Newport County award. For more information, visit HoganRI.com.
