Newport, Rhode Island- 2025

A Day Trip to Newport, Rhode Island 🌊🦞

Sometimes the best adventures start with a craving… and ours happened to be for lobster rolls. Just a quick 3-hour drive from New Jersey, we decided to spend the day in Newport, Rhode Island, a charming coastal town known for its historic mansions, scenic waterfront, and of course, incredible seafood.

Lobster Rolls & Ocean Flavors

Our first stop was Newport Lobster Shack, a local favorite right by the water. It’s a working fishermen’s co-op, so you know the seafood is fresh-caught that day. We ordered their famous lobster rolls along with rich lobster bisque soups served with chips and oyster crackers. Exactly the New England flavor we were hoping for. We got there just in time! 1 hour before closing. By the time we got there the last minute goers had the line wrapping down the parking lot! It was worth all the hype. And clearly we weren’t the only ones with the idea.

Exploring the Main Strip

After lunch, we headed to the main strip in Newport. The area is full of cute shops, local boutiques, and family-friendly arcades. Naturally, we couldn’t resist stopping at the arcade where my husband, the self-proclaimed “claw master,” won me several prizes! 🎉

©️victoriaam

We then strolled through the alleyways, enjoying the colorful murals splashed across the buildings and sculptures of dolphins and other sea creatures that give the town a playful coastal vibe. Newport’s streets are perfect for people-watching, with everything from beachgoers to tourists zipping around in quirky little mini cars.

Sweet Treats

No day trip is complete without dessert. We grabbed ice cream and cupcakes at Cupcake Charlie’s, a local gem known for its fun flavors. The perfect pick-me-up before more exploring. The retro diner vibes have it a nostalgic feel, the sweets hit the spot! Even though there was limited seating indoors, there were steps and planters you could sit on outside.

©️victoriaam

What We Missed (But Will Be Back For!)

Newport is famous for its Cliff Walk, a scenic 3.5-mile oceanfront path where you can walk along the rocky shoreline while gazing up at the historic mansions. We tried to check it out, but parking near the trailhead was nearly impossible (and where we did find a spot, it was $30 for just one hour…. no thank you!). If we had more time, we definitely would’ve done the mansion tours, like The Breakers and Marble House, which are some of the most famous Gilded Age estates in America. New port kind of felt like one of those places out of a hallmark movie. Everyone dressed in their preppy clothes, stripped sweaters and American flag shirts while women wore jean jackets and floral dresses. I liked it though! It was nice to see people dressed rather than looking like they just rolled out of bed (Cough cough* NJ/NY).

Heading Home

After a few hours of food, fun, and exploring, we hit the road back to New Jersey, ending the day with a gorgeous sunset sky. It was the perfect mini adventure and a reminder that sometimes you don’t need a full vacation, just a quick road trip to satisfy a craving and create new memories.