Some places just feel like home. For us, that's Newport.
Chris first fell in love with Newport as a kid when his dad was working at the Naval Base. Years later, before we were even married, he brought me there for the first time. I finally understood why he talked about it so much.
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| Chapel where we got married |
Since then, we've made it our tradition to visit at least once every year. Now that the kids are grown, coordinating everyone's schedules is a little more challenging, but somehow we always make it happen. This year we packed four days full of some of our favorite traditions and a few new discoveries that we'll definitely repeat.
We headed down Thursday morning, stopping in Jamestown for lunch at JB's on the Water. We found it last year and loved it so much that it immediately earned a permanent spot in our Newport weekend tradition. Sitting outside in the sunshine overlooking the water was the perfect way to ease into vacation mode before crossing one the Claiborne Pell Bridge into Newport.
After checking into our hotel downtown, we met Devan, Sean and the boys at The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn. If you've never been, picture Adirondack chairs scattered across a perfectly manicured lawn overlooking Narragansett Bay while sailboats quietly drift by. Add a drink in your hand and a grandson happily exploring the grass, and it's pretty close to perfection.
Dinner that evening was another first for us at Pasta Beach, and we'll absolutely be back. Everything on their menu sounded delicious, and the atmosphere was fun.
Of course, no first day in Newport is complete without a stop at Kilwin's. Chris and Frankie both ordered some chocolate ice cream while I enjoyed watching one of my favorite Newport traditions unfold around us. On our way back to the hotel, we wandered beneath the colorful Umbrella Sky installation hanging above the street. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing those colorful umbrellas.
Friday morning started early. Chris and I joined the growing line inside Co-dough Bakery about fifteen minutes before they dropped the rolls. We'd heard about their gluten free sourdough cinnamon rolls and wanted to see what all the excitement was about.
They were worth every minute of the wait.
We bought cinnamon rolls for ourselves, Devan and Sean, plus something I had never seen before: sourdough brioche hamburger buns. We grilled burgers on them after we got home and now I understand why people rave about this new sourdough everything bakery.
While we were out, we stopped by Newport City Hall to pick up copies of our marriage license for my upcoming Real ID application. Not exactly vacation excitement, but sometimes it's nice checking little life errands off the list while you're already there.
Lunch was at Clark Cooke House, somewhere we'd always stopped for drinks but never actually eaten. That officially changed this year thanks to Devan, our reservation queen. Great food, great atmosphere, and another place we'll happily add to our regular rotation.
Later that afternoon, Chris and I finally checked something off our Newport bucket list: the short walk to Castle Hill Lighthouse. We'd talked about doing it in the past but never made the time. The trail is easy enough for flip flops, and the views along the rocky shoreline are absolutely stunning. It would make the perfect picnic spot.
That evening we gathered at Surf Club for dinner and drinks with everyone. The blackened shrimp bowl I ordered may have been one of my favorite meals of the weekend. I'm already planning to recreate it at home.
Saturday morning called for coffee and a walk through downtown before we decided the weather was simply too beautiful to stay on land. We rented a small motorboat on base and spent the next hour cruising Newport Harbor. Sometimes the best way to experience Newport is simply from the water.
Lunch was at Mother Pizzeria, another annual tradition thanks to their incredible sourdough pizzas. They're also great at accommodating our ever-growing family group.
That afternoon we met up with even more family for drinks before climbing aboard a sailboat. The weather definitely wasn't ideal. Gray skies, light rain and a chilly breeze made it one of those "Well...we're here!" kind of adventures.
By Sunday morning, we weren't quite ready to leave.
We started with breakfast walk to Drift Cafe, where we'd discovered the day before that their acai bowls and gluten free breakfast options were too good not to repeat. Sometimes when you find something great, you don't need to keep searching.
Every Newport trip looks a little different. Restaurants change. We find new places to explore. The kids and grandkids get older.
But the reason we keep coming back never changes. It's not just the sailboats, the ocean views, or the incredible food. It's the memories we're still making there.
