4 Days in Newport, RI: A Family-Friendly Itinerary with Mansions, Seafood & Sunsets

4 days in Newport with my bestie and
my kids - mansions, seafood, and sunsets.

Every year my friend Leanne and I plan a girls' trip somewhere new. This year's destination was Newport, Rhode Island - a place that had quietly climbed to the top of my travel wish list after I became completely hooked on HBO's The Gilded Age. After watching the extravagant mansions and imagining life during America's Gilded Age, I knew I had to see Newport for myself.

The twist? This year my two kids (ages 8 and 10) came along.

What I expected to be a history-filled getaway turned into one of our favorite family trips. Newport surprised me with how easy it was to balance historic sightseeing with kid-friendly fun. Between mansion tours, arcade games, swimming, seafood feasts, sunset cruises, and plenty of ice cream, everyone found something to love.

The biggest splurge? Definitely the food. We made it our mission to chase incredible seafood, creative cocktails, and as many sweet treats as we could fit into four days.

The crew - me, Leanne, and my kids (age 8 & 10)

Where We Stayed

We stayed at Wayfinder Newport, which I chose for affordability without comfort and convience. The pool gave the kids a chance to unwind every afternoon, and one of our favorite perks was the complimentary shuttle to Bowen's Wharf. Not having to worry about parking in downtown Newport made exploring so much easier.

The outdoor pool was a big win for my kids. 
It also had floaties, loungers, and a pool bar.

Day 1: Boats, Chowder & Golden Hour on the Water

We arrived in Newport around 1:00 p.m. and were lucky enough to get an early check-in. The kids immediately changed into swimsuits and spent some time in the pool while we settled in.

That evening we hopped aboard the hotel's complimentary shuttle to Bowen's Wharf and wandered through the shops along Thames Street.

For our first Newport meal, we chose Newport Chowder Company, where I highly recommend ordering the clam chowder with the lobster topper. We also made our first stop at Nitro Bar to see what all the hype was about - and yes, the nitro coffee lives up to it.

Chowder with a "lobster topper"

Plenty of shops and eateries at the wharfs

The highlight of our first day was a Gansett sunset cruise. As the boat cruised through Newport Harbor, we passed enormous yachts, Fort Adams, Castle Hill, and even got to watch the Monday night sailboat races. It was one of those experiences that immediately makes you feel like you're on vacation.  We had originally looked into a sail - but most sailboats didn't allow children.

Back on shore we grabbed Ben & Jerry's, watched the sunset from the wharf, and caught the shuttle back to the hotel.

Monday Night sailing races in Narragansett Bay

Sunset in Newport

Day 2: Touring The Breakers & Walking the Cliff Walk

We kept breakfast simple with bagels and cereal at the hotel before heading to The Breakers for our 9:00 a.m. entry.

If you're visiting in summer, I highly recommend booking the first tour of the day. Parking was plentiful, and it felt much less crowded.

The self-guided audio tour is done through your phone. There is a children's version available, but each child needs their own device. I brought along a couple of old phones and downloaded the audio before arriving, which made everything much easier. Don't forget headphones!

You'll need to download the audio tour and have headphones

The extravagance in The Breakers was impressive

Even the kids really enjoyed exploring the mansion. The stories behind each room helped bring the incredible architecture and Gilded Age history to life.

After touring the mansion, we walked part of the famous Cliff Walk out to the Chinese Tea House before returning the same way.

Cliff Walk is long - we only did a section.

Cliff Walk has some rocky portions.

Back at the hotel we enjoyed packed picnic lunch and another swim before taking the shuttle downtown again.

The kids were thrilled to discover Ryan's Amusement Arcade, which quickly became one of their favorite Newport attractions.

Ryan Amusement on Thames was a
kid-friendly break.

Dinner that evening was at The Mooring Restaurant, where reservations are definitely worth making in advance. The seafood was outstanding, and it was one of our favorite meals of the trip.

After dinner we wandered Thames Street again, eventually finding the colorful umbrella-lined Swinburne Row.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. A major summer rainstorm rolled in, soaking all of us before we hurried back to the shuttle and called it a night.

Umbrellas on a rainy day in Newport

Day 3: Cinnamon Rolls, Historic Taverns & Sunset at Castle Hill

Our morning started with one of Newport's most famous treats - a sourdough cinnamon roll from Co-Dough. Pair that with another nitro coffee from the Nitro Bar location at Equality Park, and I completely understood why people wait in line for both.

Co-dough sourdough cinnamon roll and nitro coffee drink

The kids wanted another round at Ryan's Arcade while Leanne enjoyed some shopping before we met for lunch at the iconic Clarke Cooke House.  I ordered the crab cake along with a classic Narragansett beer while soaking in the harbor views.

Lunch spot at Clarke Cooke House

Great Lunch spot at Clarke Cooke House

Dessert came next with frozen Del's Lemonade on America's Cup Avenue.

Yes...dessert before another pool break.

Frozen Lemonade on Dels

Later that afternoon we headed to White Horse Tavern, America's oldest operating restaurant, serving guests since 1673.  This ended up being my favorite dinner of the trip.  The bacon-wrapped scallops were incredible, and somehow my son managed to finish every bite of his beef Wellington. If you go, don't skip the famous "Candy Bar" dessert.

A fancier attire and vibe at White Horse Tavern

Because we had an early dinner reservation, we still had time to catch sunset at Castle Hill Inn.  Before settling in on the lawn, we took the short five-minute walk to Castle Hill Lighthouse.  Then we grabbed a set of Adirondack chairs overlooking Narragansett Bay. The chairs are first-come, first-served, so arriving early definitely helped.

Cocktails for the adults, Shirley Temples for the kids, sailboats drifting by, and one of the prettiest sunsets of the trip - it was the perfect way to end our final evening.

Castle Hill Lighthouse

Relaxing spot on Castle Hill Inn Lawn - chairs are first come

Waiters will come to you once you sit down for your drink order.

Day 4: One Last Newport Food Stop

Our last morning was spent packing, squeezing in one final swim, and making one final food stop before driving home.  We couldn't leave Newport without visiting Wally's Wieners, where we ordered the towering five-hot-dog and curly fry platter.  Milkshakes made the perfect finale before we hit the road back to New Hampshire.

Wally's Weiners was a great lunch spot!

Tips for Planning Your Newport Trip

• Make restaurant reservations: Some of Newport's most popular restaurants book up well in advance, especially during summer weekends.

• Visit midweek if possible: One of the best decisions we made was traveling Monday through Thursday. I'd seen videos of hour-long waits for Nitro Bar, Co-Dough, and restaurants around Bowen's Wharf. During our midweek visit, we experienced only short waits and a much more relaxed atmosphere.

• Take advantage of hotel shuttles: The complimentary shuttle from Wayfinder saved us both money and the hassle of finding parking downtown.

• Download mansion audio tours ahead of time: If you're traveling with kids, download the audio tour before you arrive and bring headphones. It makes the experience much smoother.

• Book tours early: We had hoped to take the Viking Trolley Tour during our stay, but it was already sold out by the time we looked. If it's on your list, reserve tickets ahead of time.

If you're traveling with kids...

• The hotel pool was absolutely worth it for afternoon downtime.
• Ryan's Amusement Arcade ended up being one of the highlights for both of my kids.
• Next time we'd love to visit the Audrain Automobile Museum and the Sailing Museum, which we just couldn't fit into this itinerary.
• If you're planning to watch sunset at Castle Hill, I'd also recommend bringing a deck of cards or a travel game for the kids. I brought a blanket so they had somewhere to sit on the lawn, and it worked perfectly while I soaked in the view.  

Final Thoughts

Newport completely exceeded my expectations.  I originally planned this trip because I wanted to immerse myself in the Gilded Age history, but I left realizing Newport is just as much a destination for families as it is for history lovers.

Whether you're touring opulent mansions, sailing past million-dollar yachts, eating incredible seafood, watching sunsets over Narragansett Bay, or simply letting kids burn off energy at the arcade and pool, Newport offers a little bit of everything.

It was the perfect mix of girls' getaway and family vacation - and I already know we'll be back.

Can't wait to go back to Newport!

Want More? Check out my instagram for video and read my blogs about similar trips here:

Family Weekend in NYC

Puerto Rico Family Vaca

3 Days in Key Largo

1 Week Girls Trip in Southern Florida

Newport Rhode Island - perfect four days

Huttopia Southern Maine Glamping: 5 Things You Should Know Before Staying

5 things you should know before staying at Huttopia Southern Maine

This summer marked our fourth time staying at Huttopia, and our third time at their Southern Maine location. Just 30 minutes from our home, this glamping getaway has become a family tradition. If you’re considering your first Huttopia trip (or just want to know what the hype is about), here are five things every newcomer should know before booking.

1. Pack Light. They’ve Got You Covered

One of the best things about staying at Huttopia is that it feels like a hybrid between a hotel, an Airbnb, and a campground - all in the best ways. Your tent or cabin comes equipped with beds made with fresh linens, towels, dishes, soap, and even a mini-fridge and hot plate in many accommodations. The only things we brought were clothes, beach towels, food, and our favorite adventure gear like bikes and our inflatable SUP. That said, gear isn’t necessary. They rent stand-up paddleboards and canoes, e-bikes, and their Café-Bistro is fully stocked with everything from smoothies and espresso to wood-fired pizzas. You could easily show up with just a duffle bag and still enjoy a full, fun, and comfortable stay.

Bathrooms inside Trappeur Tents

Kitchenette has a fridge, dishes, sink and more.
We cooked outside on the grill that also has a burner.

Our Trappeur tent had a Queen bed "room" 
and also a side with a bunk bed that had a full size base and twin top.

2. It’s Quiet, Safe, and Perfect for Kids

Another reason we keep coming back is peace of mind. Huttopia Southern Maine is designed with family-friendliness in mind. Cars park at the main lot, and guests use wagons to bring belongings to their sites (another reason to pack light). This means no vehicle traffic in the campground, which makes it super safe for kids to ride bikes, explore independently, and meet other families. We bring our kids’ bikes every time, and they spend hours riding loops around the gravel paths. We also use walkie-talkies so they can check in from wherever they’re exploring. It’s freedom and safety in a beautifully natural setting.

In addition to lake a pool, there are hammocks, playground,
volleyball, foosball ping pong, bocce court and more.

3. Be Prepared to Get Wet

Between Sand Pond and the pool, we spent most of the weekend in swimsuits and loved every second. The sandy-bottomed lake has warm, clear water and a swim dock that draws both kids and adults. Huttopia provides free lifejackets, floaties, and pool noodles to borrow, and the pool is perfect for cooling off between adventures. This year we brought our new inflatable SUP, which we used to paddle from our lakefront tent to the swimming area. Whether you're a water bug or just want to dip your toes, you’ll definitely want to pack a swimsuit or two.

We all had a lot of pool time

The pond was warmer than the pool! 
We also spent hours here.

I brought our own inflatable SUP but
 they also rent them and canoes!

4. Let Someone Else Do the Cooking

As much as I love packing and prepping campground meals, I’ve learned to lean into the Café-Bistro more and more each year, and I’m never disappointed. This year, we treated ourselves to breakfast both mornings and enjoyed a variety of sweet and savory crepes, barista-crafted coffee drinks (Matt gives a strong thumbs-up to the cappuccino), and smoothies (our son loved the Huttocolada). Lunch paninis hit the spot, and the wood-fired pizzas available in the evening smelled heavenly. The bistro also has beer, wine, and refreshing treats like popsicles and ice cream. Next year, I might skip a dinner cookout entirely and plan for pizza night instead.

The Cafe-Bistro and lodge has wonderful food and drink options.

Breakfast - the "Tutti-Frutti" crepe!

5. You Might Not Want to Leave

When we first stayed at Huttopia, we assumed it would be a great home base for exploring local attractions. That was... optimistic. Our kids had zero interest in leaving the property, and honestly, we didn’t either. That’s part of why we now stay at the Southern Maine location. It’s close to home, and we’re happy to spend the entire stay on-site. This year, we did manage one mini-excursion - a quick 5-minute drive to the Bauneg Beg Mountain trailhead (hike posted on Seacoast Hikes). The 2-mile loop offered the perfect amount of challenge for our family and a beautiful forested summit view. If you’re itching for a beach day, Southern Maine’s coast is just a short drive away. Check out my posts on local beach spots for ideas.

5 minutes down the road - we hiked to Bauneg Beg Mountain

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re new to camping or a seasoned glamper, Huttopia Southern Maine is the perfect blend of nature and comfort. With warm lake water, kid-friendly amenities, and a relaxing atmosphere, it’s no wonder we keep coming back.

Have you stayed at a Huttopia before? Follow along on Instagram for more family-friendly adventures around New England!

You might enjoy these other similar adventures:

Ogunquit for Families

Family-Friendly Nothern White Mountain 

Kennebunk Beach Walk

5 things you should know before staying at Huttopia Southern Maine 

Mackworth Island Hike - Easy Family Trail with Beach, Forest, and Fairies!

Lone fisherman enjoying solitude on Mackworth Island

 Just a short drive from Portland, Maine and you find yourself on magical little island with forest, cliffs, and beaches.  An easy 1.25 mile packed gravel/dirt trail loops around the island.  Children and adults alike enjoy the peaceful views as well as the communities of little "fairy houses" built by visitors in the woods along the trail.

I hadn't visited Mackworth Island in years, and when by friend Daneel suggested we take our little ones for a trip around the island I jumped at the chance.  The twin two-and-a-half year-olds were able to do the entire loop and my 2-month old snuggled in his soft carrier.  We also saw other parents complete the loop with sturdy strollers.  This was the perfect little outing for a sunny summer day.  It's a great options for families, joggers, or anyone looking for a little taste of 'vacationland'.

Here is how to recreate this adventure...

Adventure: Nature walk around Mackworth Island, Falmouth, Maine

Typical beautiful view along trail on Mackworth Island

Getting there: From the south, Take I-95 North to I-295 North toward Portland.  Take Exit 9 toward Route 1 North toward Falmouth Foreside.  Then, take Route 1 North for about 2 miles.  Turn right onto Andrews Ave, then left to cross the causeway onto Mackworth Island.
The only thing on the island beside the trail is the Baxter School for the Deaf.  When you enter the island, there is a gate.  The attendant will ask you if you are going to the school or the park. There is a $3 parking fee.  Get there early to ensure parking (the lot is small).  If full, you will have to wait for someone to leave or be turned away).

Fairy Houses like this one are hidden in the trees.

Trail:  The 1.25 mile trail travels around the edge of the island.  It is a narrow packed dirt/gravel trail that forms a complete loop.  The trail mostly travels through hardwood forest with peaks of cliffs and beaches along the way.  There are multiple places to drop down onto beach if you choose or break at a bench along the trail.  Another charming aspect of the trail is that visitors have built "fairy houses" at various places on the journey.  These little homes of sticks, shells, and rocks at the base of trees create a magical and lovable treat for young and old alike.  The trail pops you back out at the original starting point - a mowed lawn area - where we enjoyed a picnic lunch before heading back home.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance:  1.25 mile loop


Recommendations:

Beautiful beaches along the hike.

- The only bathroom facilities available to hikers and recreationalists is a single outhouse.  Plan ahead that there is no running water.

- Parking is limited.  Be prepared to wait for a spot.  I got there at 10 am and there was only one spot available at that time.  It costs $3 but your time is not limited.

- Bring sunscreen and bug spray.

- Dogs are allowed but be aware that there are many children and joggers on the trail.


Daneel and I enjoyed sharing this adventure with the children.  We kept marveling at how amazingly beautiful the Maine coast is.  It was a perfect taste of Maine loveliness.  I can't wait to go back!

Great hike with kids!

You might also enjoy these adventures:

Mt. Agamenticus in Snow

5 Best Family Hikes in the White Mountains

A Brisk Lighthouse Walk

Day 12 - Southeast Iceland - Icebergs and Glaciers

Jökulsárlón / Glacial Bay

Just when we thought we'd seen all Iceland had to offer, it shook our soul again.  We witnessed a glacial bay, black beaches with washed up icebergs, a waterfall surrounded by basalt columns, and lava rock monoliths in the ocean.  Here is how to recreate this adventure...

Day 12 - Southeast Iceland - Icebergs and Glaciers

Icebergs, Mountains, and Glaciers...oh my!

After a delicious continental breakfasts at Guesthouse Arnanes, we got on the road and drove the Ring Road (Rt 1) south to Jökulsárlón Bay.  Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon located at the head of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier which is part of the larger Vatnajökull glacier and national park.  As the glacier recedes, it releases icebergs into the lagoon.  Because of increased melting due to climate change, the lagoon's size has increased greatly in the last decade.  Calved icebergs float through the lagoon, through the mouth of the bay, and are released into the ocean. Many wash up on the nearby black sand beach.

Black Sand Beach with Icebergs 

Glacial Bay

We arrived at Jökulsárlón early in the morning to rain and cloudy skies.  The view was still overwhelming - thousands of small icebergs literally filled the lake.  So full, in fact, that we were informed that due to the large amount of icebergs, our boat tour would not be going out that morning.  No boat trip and rainy day aside, we marveled at the amazing location and it's awe-inspiring landscape.  A short walk down the mouth and we got to walk along a black sand beach dotted with washed-up iceberg bits.


Not only was the geological setting impressive, the biological was as well.  Rare seabirds like arctic terns floated out to see on ice platforms.  We saw our first seals of the trip swimming in between the car-sized pieces of ice.  As we absorbed the scene, the sun came out and we were treated to a sun-kissed lagoon.

Amphibious Boat Tour 

On our return to the parking lot from the beach, we saw people waiting in line at the boat trip ticket booth.  WHAT?!  We discovered that the boats were now going out. We signed up for an afternoon half hour amphibian boat tour.  In the meantime, we killed time by strolling around the lagoon and enjoying a lunch of fish soup at the gift shop.

The boat tour was great!  We were able to putt around the bay, admiring the glaciers, mountains, and icebergs.  The boat also had a guide give a short interpretive presentation about the history of the bay and icebergs in general, which included scooping out a piece of ice for everyone to try.  This place was definitely one of my favorite parts of our two week trip.

Svartifoss Waterfall

Our day continued by driving from Jökulsárlón to Skaftafell National Park.  This park is home to mountains, waterfalls, and glaciers.  From the park headquarters we hiked up the 30 minute moderate walk to Svartifoss waterfall.  The trail was crowded.

Now that we were southern Iceland and closer to the airport and Reykjavik, we had started seeing many more people.  Crowded parking lots and trails were almost a culture shock after days of rural drives.  The waterfall was beautiful and we enjoyed the warm sunshine.

We stopped in the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur to see what the tour book called the "church floor".  It turns out this is not a church floor at all but a flat columnar basalt rock formation.  It was a pretty site and a short (5 min) walk from the parking lot.

"Church Floor" Rock Formation"

There were still more sights to see! We took a detour off the Ring Road to Rt 206 to see Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon.  This 2 km long canyon is 100 meters deep and ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.  It took about 30 minutes to casually walk the length of it.  You'll see off-shoots where daredevil hikers have precariously walked to the edge.  Photos cannot even show its loveliness.

Fjaðrárgljúfur

Vik / Myrdalshreppur Beach

It was getting late.  We stopped for dinner at the Black Beach Restaurant in Mýrdalshreppur.  Talk about location!  The cafe has 75% glass walls that overlook the black beach and picturesque lava rock formations. The food was good as well.  We finished dinner and walked the beach - marveling at the columnar basalt cliffs, black pebble beach, and seashore rock pillars.

Done for the night, we headed to Hotel Edda Skogar.  Little did we know, our hotel was adjacent to one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls - Skogafoss!  We watched the sun "set" behind the mountain and falls before heading in for a late night.

Vik / Myrdalshreppur Beach

This has got to be one of the longest, yet most fulfilling and exciting days we had in Iceland.  From glaciers, to icebergs, to beaches, and waterfalls - the Southeast is truly a magical place.  I highly recommend visitors make the time to explore this amazing area.

Skogafoss Waterfall at midnight

READ ABOUT THE NEXT DAY HERE: Day 13 - The South Coast - Waterfalls, Waterfalls, and Snorkeling

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