If you’re planning your first trip to Newport and want to skip the typical mansion tour route, this guide is for you. Sandy and I, along with our two friends Julia and Sarah, spent a fall weekend exploring the coastal charm, quirky food spots, and seasonal activities that make Newport perfect for an autumn getaway. Here’s everything we did in Newport on a fall vacation (and what we wish we had time for).
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Coffee & Breakfast Spots
The Nitro Bar: Start your mornings here. The Nitro Bar does coffee right, and their breakfast menu is solid fuel for a day of exploring. It’s the kind of place where locals and tourists mix, and the nitro cold brew lives up to the hype. You will want to order online before you go – the line was out the door when we got there! I got the cherry vanilla matcha and the avocado toast – both were delicious!
Newport Creamery: We hit this spot for breakfast on our last day before heading out, and honestly, we should’ve gone sooner. The Awful Awfuls (yes, that’s what they call their milkshakes) are “awful big and awful good” – and they weren’t lying. It’s classic Rhode Island, and if you’re leaving Newport, it’s the perfect send-off meal.
Unique Eats You Can’t Skip
Wally’s Wieners: Okay, hear me out: espresso martini and hot dogs. I know it sounds absolutely wild, but Wally’s Wieners is highly rated for a reason, and we had to see what the fuss was about. Turns out? It’s really good. The espresso martini tree is Instagram-worthy, and the hot dogs are way better than they have any right to be. This is peak “don’t knock it till you try it” energy.
White Horse Tavern: Fair warning: we didn’t actually get to eat here (it was fully booked), but this is supposedly the oldest restaurant in the country, and it’s been on my bucket list forever. If you’re planning a trip, make a reservation well in advance. Learn from our mistakes.
Things to Do in Newport
Explore Newport Itself: Honestly, just wandering around Newport is half the fun. The architecture, the waterfront, the random historical markers – it’s all very walkable and worth taking your time with. Don’t over-schedule; leave room to just explore.
Bowen’s Wharf: This is peak Newport vibes. Bowen’s Wharf is full of shops, restaurants, and waterfront views. If you’re there in October, check if the annual seafood festival is happening. I personally do not eat food, but had an amazing burrito. Sandy and our friends really liked the chowders they had.
Rail Explorers: This was hands down one of the coolest things we did. You pedal these rail bikes along old train tracks, and in the fall, the foliage is absolutely stunning. It’s part workout, part scenic tour, and totally worth it. It was six miles in total – three miles there and back. When you stop after the first three miles so they can turn the bikes around to go back, you have lots of chairs to sit in as well as water and bathrooms if you need. The views were stunning. Book ahead because spots fill up fast.
Cliff Walk: The Cliff Walk in Newport is one of Rhode Island’s most iconic experiences, offering a stunning mix of ocean views and historic architecture. Stretching 3.5 miles along the coast, the path winds between the crashing waves of the Atlantic and Newport’s famous Gilded Age mansions. Parts of the walk are easy and paved, while other sections are more rugged, giving visitors a mix of leisurely strolls and light adventure. It’s free, open year-round, and a perfect way to take in Newport’s natural beauty and coastal charm.
Mansion Tours: We didn’t get to do the iconic Newport mansion tours, but they’re a classic for a reason. If you want to see how the other half lived during the Gilded Age, this is your chance. The fall is actually a great time to visit since the summer crowds have thinned out. You can check Trip Advisor for tour options – the Gilded Age van tour looks especially fantastic!
Spooky Season Activities
Lizzie Borden House: (Fall River, MA – about 30 minutes away) If you’re into true crime and spooky history, this is a must. The Lizzie Borden House is in Fall River, about a 30-minute drive from Newport, and it’s equal parts creepy and fascinating. You can tour the house where the infamous axe murders happened, and yes, it’s as eerie as it sounds.
Ghost Tours: US Ghost Adventures runs tours through Newport’s haunted history. Given how old this city is, I’m betting the ghost stories are top-tier. Definitely adding this to the list for next time!
Fall Activities to Add to Your List
Norman Bird Sanctuary: If you’re scenic walks and bird watching, this is the place for you! But if you aren’t into birds, that’s okay too, because there are lot of options to take in the scenic views, like the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. You can view more on the Discover Newport website.
Scenic Boat Tours: There are lots of cruise options in Newport that honestly work great for the spring and summer as well, but I’m picturing some beautiful foliage by the water with these! (We sadly did not have time for one).
Sweet Berry Farm: Peak autumn activity. Apple picking, pumpkins, all the cozy fall vibes.
Vineyards During Harvest Season: Rhode Island has some great vineyards (as my friend has said), and visiting during harvest season sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in the Middletown/Newport area. It was a great home base – close enough to everything but not right in the chaos of downtown Newport. Plus, having a suite with four girls was ideal. The breakfast was good too!
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Newport in the Fall
Newport in the fall hits different. The crowds thin out, the weather is perfect for walking around, and everything feels a little cozier. Whether you’re there for the food, the history, or just the New England fall vibes, there’s plenty to fill a weekend (or longer, if you’re smart and make reservations at White Horse Tavern unlike us).
Have you been to Newport? What did I miss? Let me know what should be on the list for next time!
