Cruising and Exploring Newport, Rhode Island

The 70-room Breakers mansion was built for the family of Cornelius Vanderbilt II. Started in 1893, construction took two years. Gavin Ashworth

Many boating enthusiasts consider Newport, Rhode Island, to be the yachting capital of the United States. The city’s storied sailing history, Gilded Age mansions, annual boat show, and lively dining and bar scene make it a requisite port of call on any New England cruising itinerary.

Local Attractions

The 3.5-mile Cliff Walk hugs the town’s eastern shoreline from Easton’s Beach to Bailey’s Beach. This National Recreational Trail offers unparalleled views of the water and the jaw-dropping Newport mansions, the opulent “summer cottages” built by Gilded Age titans of industry. Together, the mansions form an exquisite architectural sampler, ranging from the High Victorian Chateau-sur-Mer to Rosecliff, modeled after the garden retreat at Versailles.

The grandest among the mansions is The Breakers, a 70-room Italian-style palazzo built by eminent architect Richard Morris Hunt for Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his family. Take in the great hall, with its 50-foot-high ceiling; the Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the dining room; and the ocean vistas from the vast loggia. The daily Beneath The Breakers Tour provides an inside look at the mansion’s groundbreaking technology for its time.

Hunt also designed the nearby Marble House for William Vanderbilt as a 39th birthday present for his wife, Alva. In her day, her “temple to the arts” was the hub of Newport society. Today, its Chinese Tea House draws in guests for afternoon tea on weekends and for sunrise concerts during the Newport Classical Music Festival.

Marble House was also one of the childhood homes of Harold Vanderbilt, a legendary yachtsman who is among the 123 inductees of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. Both that honor roll and the America’s Cup Hall of Fame are part of The Sailing Museum, which opened in May 2022 in what served as the press headquarters for the America’s Cup from 1958 to 1983. Visitors select a virtual boat for their interactive cruise through the museum’s six themed areas, ranging from “wind and water” to “teamwork” to “competition.” Nearby, the International Tennis Hall of Fame chronicles that sport’s history since the 12th century.

Restaurants and Bars

Kick back in a white Adirondack chair on the lawn of the Castle Hill Inn and enjoy a cocktail along with panoramic views of Newport Harbor. It’s a summer tradition in Newport. The Clarke Cooke House on Bannister’s Wharf is a historic hangout for cruisers. Jackets are required for men in its porch dining room, which offers an exceptional wine list and a refined menu featuring seafood. For a more casual meal, visit its adjoining venues: Summer Sushi, The Bistro and The Candy Store.

Giusto has earned raves for its cutting-edge Italian fare. Cru Cafe is a solid bet for breakfast or a light lunch before a sail.  

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