Things to do near our Middletown vacation rentals
Bryan's Local Guide to Newport & Middletown, RI
Here are my favorite spots for food, drinks, and fun while you're here. These are places I actually go.
Breakfast, Coffee & Pastries
Aquidneck Grill: My go-to breakfast. Relaxed, tasty, and usually easy to get a table. Also open for lunch and dinner most days, with good seafood.
Yiayia's Cafe: Cozy, with very friendly people. The omelettes and Greek yogurt are great.
Blue Plate Diner: A big breakfast menu, and lunch starts at 11:00.
Co-Dough Bakery (Newport): Famous for their cinnamon buns. Expect a line.
Nitro Bar (Newport): Some of the most popular coffee in town.
Custom House Coffee: Locally roasted coffee and great pastries.
Casual Lunch
Second Beach (summer): Hands down the best lobster roll in the area.
Belle's Cafe (Newport Shipyard): Great food and an even better view.
Pescadou (Hotel Viking): Get the burger and don't miss the crab pasta.
Flo's Clam Shack: A classic for fried seafood.
Anthony's Seafood: Fried and fresh seafood, plus a fish market for cooking back at the house.
The Pantry (Newport): Get the raclette grilled cheese, big enough for two.
Food Shack (Middletown): Great BBQ with a beachy vibe.
Tickets: A solid all-around spot with views and a family-friendly crowd.
Dinner & Date Night
Giusto: Modern upscale Italian. Don't skip the Scotch meatball appetizer.
Flora: Upscale and locally focused, especially the seafood.
Audette: Fantastic French food, perfect for a special night.
Zelda's: A cute bar with French-American food.
Stoneacre Brasserie: Drinks and snacks or a full dinner.
Clarke Cooke House: A Newport staple. Order the espresso martini.
White Horse Tavern: Billed as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in America. Order the beef Wellington.
TSK (Newport): Known for its steaks.
22 Bowen's: Steak and seafood right on the water.
Claw & Hammer: Great food and one of the best seafood happy hours in town.
Caleb & Broad: On Monday nights, any entrée is $11.
Bar & Board: Can usually fit last-minute reservations.
The Mooring: Seafood with one of the best views in town. Order the lobster donuts.
Castle Hill Inn: Stunning views. Grab a chair on the lawn at sunset in midsummer.
Pizza & Takeout
Pizza Hollywood: My go-to pizza. Try the white chicken.
Antonio's: Any slice is $3 on Wednesdays.
The Handmade Factory or Ching Tao: Perfect for a night in.
Cocktails & Drinks
The Brenton: Second-floor bar, excellent cocktails.
Bar 12: Great cocktails and pork belly sliders.
Gardiner House: Top-tier cocktails at the lobby bar.
Pour Judgement: Local beers and live music.
O'Brien's Pub: Dogs welcome on the patio.
Wally's Weiners (Thames St): Hot dogs and a 10+ flavor espresso martini list.
Newport Craft: Distillery and brewery with a fun indoor/outdoor space.
Nightlife & Late Night
Fastnet: Pool, darts and ping pong.
The Pelham: Darts, shuffleboard and live music.
Dueling Pianos at Top of Pelham: Book ahead.
Firehouse Theater: Improv comedy shows.
Newport Blues Cafe: Live music most nights.
Smugglers: A fun waterfront bar.
Ben's Chili Dogs: The go-to very late-night snack.
International Flavors
Siam Square (Thai): My favorite Thai spot.
Mindy's (Asian): Great cocktails and generous portions.
The Handmade Factory (Sushi): An excellent sushi selection.
Curryland (Indian): Not much ambiance, but excellent food.
Leo's Market: Authentic Latino prepared foods.
The Newport Mansions
The Breakers: The grandest of the Gilded Age mansions, built for the Vanderbilts.
The Elms: Elegant, with beautiful formal gardens.
Marble House: Stunning marble interiors and a Chinese Tea House.
Tickets: Check what's open at newportmansions.org.
Scenic Drives & Views
Ocean Drive: A roughly 10-mile coastal loop. A must at sunset, and great by bike.
Brenton Point State Park: The best sunset spot in Newport.
Fort Adams State Park: Harbor views and home of the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals.
On the Water
Coastal Queen Cruises: My pick for a harbor cruise.
Island Adventures: Kayaks and paddleboards by the day.
Ferries (summer): To Fort Adams, Rose Island or Block Island.
Things to Do
Grand Bellevue Dinner Train: A murder mystery dinner train.
Newport Gulls (summer): Collegiate baseball for a classic summer night.
Jane Pickens Theater: A charming one-screen theater.
International Tennis Hall of Fame: Rent a historic grass court in summer.
Norman Bird Sanctuary (Middletown): Easy trails close to our homes.
Green Animals Topiary Garden: Kids love it.
Thames Street, Bowen's & Bannister's Wharf: Downtown shops and galleries.
Audrain Automobile Museum: Great on a rainy day.
For the Kids
Ryan Family Amusements: An arcade in the middle of Newport.
Newport Mini Golf: An easy family outing.
Portsmouth Community Playground: One of the best playgrounds around.
Dog-Friendly
Paradise Valley Park (Middletown): A great dog walk with a windmill.
Newport Dog Park: A fenced off-leash park.
Middletown beaches: Leashed dogs allowed 5:00 to 7:45 AM from May 1 to Sept 30, and any time Oct 1 to April 30.
Beaches & Outdoors
First Beach (Easton's): Closest to downtown Newport, with a boardwalk.
Second Beach (Sachuest): The biggest beach in the area. Head to the left side for the least seaweed.
Third Beach: Calmer water, ideal for little kids and paddleboarding.
Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge: Easy coastal trails. No dogs.
The Cliff Walk: Ocean on one side, Gilded Age mansions on the other.
Sweet Treats & Farm Stops
Clemmies: Excellent ice cream after the beach.
Frosty Freeze: Inexpensive, and the kids love it.
Sweet Berry Farm: Seasonal farm with pick-your-own fruit.
Seasonal Events
Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals (summer): World-class music at Fort Adams.
Newport International Boat Show (September)
Christmas at the Newport Mansions (late Nov to Dec)
Newport Winter Festival (February)
Getting Around
Downtown parking: Tough in summer. Use the meters or take an Uber.
RIPTA trolleys: Run downtown and to the mansions in season.
Need help with a reservation, a date-night plan, or something family-friendly? Just message me. Enjoy your stay! Bryan
