NEWPORT, RI–This past weekend officially ushered in the summer season, and just in time, Newport and Bristol Counties welcomes new accommodations, events, experiences, restaurants, tours and more.
ACCOMODATIONS
The Urban Beach House at The Attwater: With four suites and one guest room, The Urban Beach House at The Attwater brings the vibe of the beach to the heart of Newport. “Outdoor style” showers in the rooms, a sand lounge gathering spot for watching Newport roll by and kick-up-my-heels informality create the sizzle of summer every day. In the main hotel, the new Lark Suite has been unveiled. All have been designed by award-winning Rachel Reider Interiors. The total combined number of suites and rooms available at The Attwater is now 17. 22 Liberty Street, Newport.
EVENTS, TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
Bristol Independence Tour: Enjoy the many sights over Bristol, home of America’s oldest Fourth of July Parade, with Bird’s Eye View Helicopters. This 15-18 minute aerial patriotic tour includes views of Prudence Island, Roger Williams University, the Mount Hope Bridge, Bristol lighthouses and mansions, and historic Colt State Park. You’ll also experience a perfect panoramic view of the upper Narragansett Bay made complete with distant views of Providence (approximately 25 statute miles).
Cliff Walk: Newport’s most visited attraction has unveiled newly restored section that was previously damaged and closed due to Hurricane Sandy. Work on a small section between Marine Avenue and Ledge Road, which will complete the restoration project, should be finished by mid-summer.
Paradise Farmhouse: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the newly-renovated Paradise Farmhouse in Middletown is the oldest structure on the 325-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary property dating back to the early 1700s when it was a mere shack for tenant farmers. The character of the house has been carefully preserved while bringing all systems up to date. The interior architectural details were carefully removed at the outset of the project and have been painstakingly restored and put back over the past few months. With overnight accommodations for up to 16 people with 6/7 bedrooms, Paradise Farmhouse offers multi-day programs for visiting ornithologists, naturalists, health & wellness groups, eco-conscious travelers, environmentalists and artists on this breathtaking and historical property. In addition, there are plans for an Artists Residency program, the first and only of its kind in RI, where artists will live and work in the farmhouse, carrying on the significant history of artists finding inspiration on this beautiful property. Opened January 2014.
Doris Duke’s Rough Point Mansion: Twice named to best dressed lists, Miss Duke was an individual whose sense of style reflected her confidence, personality and creativity. The 2014 exhibit, No Rules: The Personal Style of Doris Duke, examines a portion of Miss Duke’s clothing collection ranging from exquisite evening gowns to the simple black dress. The exhibit is included in the guided house tour and will be on display in the galleries at Rough Point through the season, which ends November 9th. Also, for the first time since it opened to the public, Rough Point is open Sundays for guided tours.
Newport Concert Series: Gregg Allman, Yes, Bare Naked Ladies, 3 Doors Down, The Beach Boys, Josh Turner, Alanis Morissette, KC & The Sunshine Band, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, John Hiatt, The Robert Cray Band and Chris Young are just some of the talented musicians headed to downtown Newport with many more to be announced. newportwaterfrontevents.com/music/newport-concert-series
The Newport Comedy Series: The most sought-after talent performs in the City by the Sea including Bill Cosby, Amy Schumer, Artie Lange, Jim Jefferies and Nick Swardson with many more acts to be announced. newportcomedy.com
The Newport Jazz Festival: Marking its 60th anniversary, a third day of music featuring emerging artists has been added. More than 40 artists will perform over the weekend including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin spirityouall, Trombone Shorty, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Robert Glasper, Dr. John, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Gary Burton, Gregory Porter, Jon Batiste, Dave Holland, John Zorn, Miguel Zenón, The Cookers, Snarky Puppy and more. In addition, the Newport Jazz Festival will present a symposium at Fort Adams State Park. Curated by New York Times critic Nate Chinen, the symposium will discuss how jazz relates to popular culture in today’s society, compared to when the festival began in 1954. It will feature internationally-known jazz aficionados and historians, including Henry Louis Gates.
Newport Mansions:
New this summer will be a revised audio tour at Marble House which will shed new light on the “self-made myth” of Alva Vanderbilt and share more personal stories about the Vanderbilt family.
Mandarin translations of the audio tours at The Breakers and The Elms will debut. Chinese-speaking visitors are the fastest growing segment of foreign visitors to the Newport Mansions.
The 2014 costume exhibition at Rosecliff, Dressing Down: Private Life and the Dressing Gown, includes a series of vignettes depicting “life at home” from 1890 to 1950 featuring a variety of dressing gowns and other personal apparel that gave women and men a reprieve from the elaborate and often constricting formal clothing of the period.
Point to Point: Hunter House and the Constellations of Communities will present Hunter House and its collections through a wide range of perspectives, from wealthy merchants, to enslaved Africans, French troops, and others whose daily lives shaped the world in Newport’s Point neighborhood.
At the Isaac Bell House, an exhibition presented in partnership with the Newport Historical Society will examine an early photographic portfolio commissioned by architect Charles McKim. Reinventing the Colonial: The Charles Follen McKim Photographs will showcase a series of 29 black and white photographs of buildings, architectural details, furniture and landscapes taken in and around Newport in 1874, which helped to shape McKim’s later work, including the Bell House.
Newport Rocks the Fort: This new concert series at historic Fort Adams will include food, beverages and fun. There will be two major concerts (Sun. June 29 and Fri. Aug. 29) and a series of Thursday evening concerts featuring regional musicians. June 29 performers include: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, Another Tequila Sunrise (Eagles Tribute band), Hey Nineteen (Tribute to Steely Dan), and more. The Aug. 29 concert features Rick Derringer and more. “Newport Rocks the Fort Sundown Thursdays” are free concerts set on the Fort’s North lawn starting at 6:00 pm and ending shortly after sunset.
In conjunction with the 375th anniversary of Newport, The Preservation Society of Newport County and designer Angela Moore will host a Champagne Brunch Fashion Show this summer at Rosecliff on Thursday, July 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. All proceeds from this debut event will benefit the Preservation Society’s mission to protect, preserve and present its exceptional collection of house museums and landscapes. The theme of the show will be “Newport Forever,” celebrating Newport’s 375th anniversary.
RESTAURANTS
Ború Noodle Bar: A small, casual, ramen-inspired eatery with six seats at small tables and 12 bar-style seats. Noodle bowls are made with savory broths, fresh vegetables and a variety of proteins. 36 Broadway, Newport.
Café Bellavista: This small, Italian-inspired café in the former location of la Masion de Coco serves Italian gelato, coffee and pastry and offers lunch selections including Paninis, salads and daily specials. 28 Bellevue Avenue, Newport.
Caleb & Broad: A casually hip restaurant and bar on Broadway’s growing “restaurant row” serving dinner selections including starters, salads and entrees ranging from dry rub ribs to duck flatbread. 162 Broadway, Newport.
Despina’s Café: A small Greek-inspired café serving fine pastries, deli-sandwiches, soups, salads and home-style meals in a relaxing setting. 258 Bellevue Avenue, Newport.
Eli’s Kitchen: From the former chef of Bristol’s beloved Beehive Café, Eli Dunn, this Warren eatery offering locally sourced and lovingly prepared comfort food in a warm, casual and inclusive atmosphere. 40 Market Street, Warren.
Empire Tea + Coffee: This third location of Newport’s own coffee den faces Bellevue Avenue and features teas, coffee, pastry and more. 112 William Street, Newport.
Ida’s Restaurant: Serving lunch and dinner including a wide variety of salads, seafood, homemade pastas and much more. 21 Valley Road, Middletown.
Inpopnito: “Popcorn in disguise,” Inpopnito serves flavored popcorn in unusual flavors like Summer Strawberry, Orange Soda and Lemonade. 435 Thames Street, Newport.
Meg’s Aussie Milk Bar: Formerly Café Bellevue, this cozy café serves breakfast and lunch plus a few select Australian and Australian-inspired favorites including meat pies, Anzac biscuits, a Vegemite & cheese sandwich and Cherry Ripe Slice. 111 Bellevue Avenue, Newport.
Metacom Kitchen: A casual dining American Bistro which will be opening in Warren, Rhode Island later this summer by Chef Richard Allaire, formerly of Newport’s beloved Tucker’s Bistro and current chef/partner at Providence Coal Fired Pizza.
The Parlor: Formerly Café 200, the newly renovated space features multiple bars, pool tables and a new menu. 200 Broadway, Newport.
Provencal Bakery: This popular bakery and lunch locale in Middletown has opened a new Newport location. 469 1/2 Thames Street, Newport.
The Revolving Door: This addition to the critically-acclaimed French restaurant Bouchard features local, regional and national chefs cooking for two weeks to a month serving a prix fixe menu. 505 Thames Street, Newport.
Rhino Bar is now called Perry Mill Tavern, also home to the Perry Mill Music Hall. The outdoor patio is now called Perry Mill Clam Shack. 337 Thames Street, Newport.
The Shop on Thames Street: This cozy, centrally-located spot serves creative soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps. 397 Thames Street, Newport.
Simone’s: Spearheaded by Joe Simone, formerly of the Sunnyside, to open in Warren by mid-summer.
Regina Rotisserie Chicken: Wood-fired and fried chicken plus wraps, sandwiches and more for take-out. 266 Bellevue Avenue, Newport.
Willy’s Burger Bar & Rotisserie: This 75-seat restaurant focuses on fresh ingredients and dishes including burgers, rotisserie chicken, simply roasted food and cocktails with shakes in the summer. The restaurant is open seven days a week for dinner with lunch service. 599 Thames Street, Newport.
Hope: Opening late summer or early fall. 180 Broadway, Newport.
SHOPPING
Bellevue Kids: children’s store with clothing and accessories for boys and girls. 206 Bellevue Avenue, Newport.
Bellevue Rug & Home: Rugs, furnishings, home décor. 268 Bellevue Avenue, Newport.
Digs Design Company: chic home furnishings, accessories and interior design services. 99 Spring Street, Newport.
Egg + Dart: a gallery and home boutique. 57 America’s Cup Avenue, Newport.
Newport Jerky Company: offers a variety of exotic jerky snacks including kangaroo, alligator, rainbow trout, Ahi tuna, venison and more. 424 Thames Street, Newport.
IE Cycle: electric bike store. 400 Thames Street, Newport.
La V Curiosité: a collection of thoughtfully curious yet functional finds: gifts, home decor, kitchen wares & lifestyle accessories. 146 Bellevue Avenue, Newport.
Lemon & Line: nautical bracelets and accessories. 421 Thames Street, Newport.
Lolo: the originators of vinyl on vinyl accessories with pop color silhouettes. 468 Thames Street, Newport.
Nando’s Gallery on Thames: Original pieces by artist Nando Pellegrino. 491 Thames Street, Newport.
P.S. Gear 2: fun and unique gifts and gear for men and women (part of the shops by Pleasant Surprise). 359 Thames Street, Newport.
SummerTies: specializing in men’s bowties as well as pocket squares, pajama bottoms, boxers, decorative pillows, and women’s accessories including earrings and scarves. 424 Thames Street, Newport.
Soap and Water: featuring Molton Brown and other fine bath and body products for men and women as well as luxury home fragrances. 16 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport.
Thomas Rudd: ties, bow ties and assorted accessories not limited to cufflinks, suspenders, belts, and pocket squares. 36 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport.
Tervis: tumblers, water bottles, mugs, goblets & more made in America since 1946. 192 Thames Street, Newport.