Newport, Rhode Island

“City By The Sea”

Lat. 41.486164722 | Long. -71.30749877

Newport County

~ SAILING EDITION ~

Newport may be best known for its stunning Gilded Age mansions that were once home to famous families like the Vanderbilts, Kennedys, and Astors, but open waters, near-constant breezes, centuries of nautical history, a hotbed of international racing (America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race), and a scenic and accessible waterfront — you can’t deny that Newport, Rhode Island is the sailing capital of the world.

Todd Smith, Editor’s brother [date unknown]. Family’s Former Property, 519 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI

Newport Fly Over…

During the 17th century the cornerstones of Newport’s architectural heritage were laid. The buildings that survive from that period – the Old Stone Mill, the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, and the White Horse Tavern – are part of Newport’s rich, architectural tapestry that today also includes the great “cottages” along Bellevue Avenue. By the 1760s, economic growth spurred a building boom which included hundreds of houses and many of the internationally important landmarks that survive today, such as Trinity Church, the Colony House, Redwood Library, and the Brick Market (now home to the Museum of Newport History). Read More.

Nautical Photography with Onne van der Wal

IYRS

Boatbuilding & Restoration

Master the craft and fundamentals of woodworking while restoring, building, and finishing classic wooden boats.

Accredited 20 month program

The Boatbuilding & Restoration program will train you in the complete wooden boatbuilding process where you’ll learn from expert woodworkers and boatbuilders and work alongside fellow craftspeople. The skills learned in this program set up students to thrive not just as wooden boatbuilders and restorers, but as marine carpenters, furniture makers, historic preservationists, builders, and more.

As the only nationally accredited, two-year wooden boatbuilding program in the country, their hiring partners share that the second year of this program sets their graduates apart with their advanced woodworking and project management skills. Not only that, but their students experience the pride and excitement of launching and sailing the boats they've restored twice, at the conclusion of each school year.

Newport Sailing History

Newport proudly displays its America’s Cup sailing history. There are America’s Cup sailing museums in Newport, a Newport street is named after the America’s Cup, and many previous America’s Cup J-Boat and 12 Meter boats can be seen sailing in Newport during the summer. However, nowhere is Newport’s America’s Cup sailing history more evident than in Newport’s annual 12 Meter sailing regattas. Newport is now the home of the largest fleet of America’s Cup 12 Meters in the world, most of which are available for charter through 12 Meter Charters. Therefore, it is no surprise, that Newport has become the capital of 12 Meter racing and sailing. Read More.

Newport Bermuda Race takes place in June every other year, a serious 600+ mile regatta that tests offshore skills. It’s the oldest, regularly scheduled international race that takes crews out of sight of land for the better part of a week, so it requires experience. Other yachting events include the Candy Store Cup, the J Class Championships, and the Newport Yacht Show.

The Newport International Boat Show (NIBS), one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows in the country, spans over thirteen acres of historic downtown Newport, Rhode Island. Walk the docks and view a spectacular display of shiny new sailboats and powerboats, some making their first-ever debut in the United States. On the land side, you’ll find hundreds of marine products, services and accessories to enhance the boating lifestyle. Also on deck are educational seminars, in-water boating courses and daily giveaways.

Nautical Cocktails

Port and Starboard 

Simple, effective and fast on board a boat. A definite hit in the sailing season. To enjoy a non-alcoholic version or an improved version, see the TIP below.

  • 1 tbsp Grenadine

  • 30 ml menthol liqueur / Creme de Menthe

Pour carefully into a smaller glass so that the green layer is above the red one and don't mix it. More. 

Tomorrow We Sail

The intoxicating bubbles of this cocktail make its name all too clear. :) 

  • 100 cl sparkling wine or champagne

  • 15 cl port wine

  • 15 cl dark rum

  • 1 tbsp of orange liqueur (e.g. Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Curaçao ...)

Serve in a champagne flute and garnish with a spiral of orange peel. More.

Maritime Martini

Good old-fashioned Martini with a nautical ingredient for those who like a kick.

  • 6 parts gin

  • 2 parts dry vermouth

  • Olives stuffed with anchovies to finish.

Mix all ingredients with ice. Make sure it’s shaken not stirred. For a nautical kick finish it off with olives stuffed with anchovies. More.

Ocean Mist

This cocktail originated as a tribute to the coast of New England. 

  • 1 part tequila

  • 1 part apricot liqueur

  • 1 part lemon juice

  • Sea salt

  • Egg white

Mix it up in a shaker and pour into a glass. Then pour over some blue curaçao to create a beautiful effect of sea foam: a blue that turns green with crests of white foam. More.

Newport Marina Guide

Travel + Leisure

“People here pretty much live and breathe sailing. Everywhere you look there are beautiful boats – classics like 12 meters and J Class, as well as newer rocket ships like Comanche and Lending Club. There are Herreshoffs moored next to Hunters. At any given bar, someone is talking about a race they almost won – you know, if only this or that had happened, or not happened :). Bartenders here know how to pour a proper Dark ‘n Stormy. Everyone has raccoon eyes and a sunburned nose. You can wear foulies out to dinner. You don’t have to explain “I look like this because I just got off a boat” – people get it. And there is something absolutely lovely about that.”

Best Hotels For Cocktails…

The Lawn At Castle Hill Inn

If you’re going for classy, head straight to The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn. This luxury hotel and estate is right on Newport’s famous Ocean Drive. When the weather is cooperating, drinks are served on the iconic lawn.

The views of the bay and Newport Bridge are sensational. There’s no better spot to enjoy the sea breeze and watch the boats sail by.  More.

Top of Newport at The Viking Hotel

The Top of Newport is one of the best bars in Newport. It’s on the roof of The Viking Hotel right in the heart of Newport’s historic district. The drinks are strong, the food is great and the views are sensational!  More.

The Roof Deck At The Vanderbilt

This relaxed but stylish bar is one of Newport’s best-kept secrets. The Roof Deck is located at the top of The Vanderbilt hotel in the heart of the city. It has fantastic views of the harbour, the bridge and Goat Island. And the cocktails are delicious. More.

The Vanderbilt Hotel

Inspired by the insatiable wanderlust and rebellious spirit of Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, the historic downtown mansion once owned by the businessman and scion has been reinterpreted for the modern era as a lively and stylish social destination. From a secret bar tucked into a corner of the sumptuous Doris Duke-inspired parlor to the specially-commissioned series of mysterious and moody old world still lifes sprinkled throughout the foyer and lounge, the scene at The Vanderbilt is crackling with coastal curiosities and alluring eccentricities waiting to be discovered.

41 Mary Street, Newport

Castle Hill Inn

Est. 1875

Sophisticated and luxuriously laid-back, Castle Hill Inn evokes the grandness of years past, while offering today’s savvy guests the personalized service, attention to detail and world-class cuisine they crave in a seaside resort-like setting. Come see why this gracious Relais & Châteaux inn is one of the most sought-after Newport, RI hotels.

590 Ocean Drive, Newport

Hotel Viking

Hotel Viking is anything but old and stodgy. This is a place where great things are always happening. Step into the anything but ordinary at Hotel Viking, where their building is as monumental as their hospitality. Unexpected features, architectural details, unique events, and delightful surprises are waiting to be discovered. At every touchpoint, they tailor memorable experiences that are as iconic as their One Bellevue address.

1 Bellevue Ave, Newport

The Chanler at Cliff Walk

Experience The Chanler, a Rhode Island luxury hotel, where Gilded Age elegance and gracious hospitality provide a tailored experience that is quintessentially Newport. Spend your days lounging in their private oasis of manicured gardens while you take in breathtaking ocean vistas. Every evening, indulge in a long soak in your tub or enjoy an after-dinner drink at our crackling fire pit under a sky full of stars. This is your moment to take it all in.  Step into our storied mansion on Cliff Walk, and you'll find yourself in a world of architectural beauty, polished service, and relaxed refinement.

117 Memorial Boulevard, Newport

Dark 'n' Stormy 

An impressive cocktail that is visually reminiscent of a storm over the ocean, showing the joy and danger that are inseparable at sea.

  • 60 ml dark rum 

  • 90 ml ginger beer

  • 15 ml lime juice

Put ice in a tall glass (highball) and pour over the ginger beer. Add lime juice, and then slowly pour in the dark rum so that it remains on the surface. Decorate with a slice of lime. It can also be made the opposite way round, pouring the ginger beer in at the end.

The Lobster Bar

The Lobster Bar is located at the end of Bowen’s Wharf in the center of Downtown Newport. They boast the best sunset in town. They have an outdoor deck perfect for a cool lunch or romantic sunset dinner along with an indoor bar and dining room. The Lobster Bar was once Aquidneck Lobster which was a wholesale fish market for seventy years. The space became the Lobster Bar in 2012 and is now used as a restaurant and a venue for private events. The Lobster Bar still has a small wholesale business in the front that customers can pick up the freshest live lobsters, shellfish, and fish. They have an all new, indoor raw bar. They offer Ninigret oysters along with other varieties. The raw bar also has shrimp cocktail, littlenecks, chilled lobster and crab claws.

31 Bowen’s Wharf
Newport, RI 02840
401-619-2890

Pour Judgement

This tiny dive bar has a fantastic atmosphere, especially at the weekend. It’s pretty rough and ready, but that simply adds to its charm. Live music, great food, strong drinks and friendly staff make this a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. Do not miss their Bloody Mary’s with sides of bacon and shrimp.

32 Broadway
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 619-2115

For over 35 years, The Mooring has provided our guests with warm hospitality, crafted beverages and ‘top-of-the catch’ seafood, including an award-winning wine list and bountiful raw bar offerings. Their indoor and outdoor seating is complemented by a lively atmosphere, panoramic sunsets and nautical views of Newport Harbor. In the warmer weather, appreciate their mahogany-planked patio floating over the water for an unmatched maritime alfresco dining experience. The Mooring welcomes you to join them and discover how they create and elevate the traditions of New England seafood cookery to a whole new level of taste and enjoyment.

1 Sayers Wharf
Newport, RI 02840

401-846-2260

The Red Parrot building is listed on the National Register of Historical Places in Newport. It was built in 1898 by John Alton Barker as a meat packing house where it employed hundreds of people during the era known as "The Gilded Age".

Through the years this building has housed a variety of eating establishments serving heads of state, diplomats, royalty, movie stars, the thousands of people visiting Newport each year and now you as it comes to be known as the Red Parrot since 1993.

348 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840 | (401) 847-3800

A Newport Landmark, Brick Alley Pub has been voted both "Best Restaurant" and "Best Bar" in Rhode Island.

With over 25 beers on tap, a Bon Appetit-voted best lobster roll in America and burgers, Brick Alley is the perfect spot for a family dinner, a date or a night out with your friends.

140 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840

Chanterelle Newport

The menu changes frequently, though expect a focus on luxe French connections. Think: escargot with brown butter sauce, duck breast with a zippy sauce of lingonberry and green peppercorn, and sole with a classic beurre blanc sauce brightened by chives.

505 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840

401-846-0123

The Newport Art Museum

The Art Association of Newport, now the Newport Art Museum, was founded in 1912 on the belief that art is a civilizing influence and an essential component to creating vibrant communities. Charter members included Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Pulitzer-Prize winning author Maud Howe Elliott, Louisa Sturtevant, and other artists and intellectuals. The first exhibition featured art works from local artists, as well as those with an international reputation, including George Bellows, Mary Cassatt, and Childe Hassam.

76 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 848-8200

The Sailing Museum

Six themed experiences in seven iconic sailing classes allow veteran seafarers to revisit the steppingstones of their sport; encourage initiates with growing skills to explore new classes of watercraft; and, sweetest of all, give individuals yet to hoist a sail a taste of the exhilaration they will feel when they connect with wind and water. Every exhibit provides hands-on physical and mental entertainment, designed to hone leadership, develop teamwork, and teach the art of decision-making that breeds success.

The Museum is also the address of legends, a place to learn the inspiring stories of men and women elected to the National Sailing Hall of Fame whose championships and adventures shaped the sport. It also pays tribute to members of The America’s Cup Hall of Fame, those rare sailors with levels of expertise so outstanding that they distinguished themselves at the pinnacle of sailing.

365 Thames Street

Newport, RI 02840

401.324.5761