I have been remiss in my blog posts these past few weeks. I took 10 days much needed vacation/ staycation with one of my dearest and oldest friends, Nicola from back home in England who was visiting me. She arrived with her 11 year-old daughter, Ella and I had 10 days of adventure planned for us from Blue Man Group to Tea at the Four Seasons to The Freedom Trail, to Canobie Lake Park to lots and lots and lots of eating (for which I will surely pay for.)
During their stay I also booked two nights for us at the gorgeous Hotel Viking in Newport. I do love Newport… to me it is true New England at its most glorious, especially in nice weather. We did have a mix of gorgeous and slightly miserable weather, but that did not stop our good times.
When you do a trip with an 11 year-old things are a little different, especially when planning activities. While late restaurant dinners, wine and laziness are all relaxing fun for me; that will not fly with an 11 year-old.
Upon our arrival and to beautiful weather, we dropped the car off and walked down to Bowen’s Wharf to enjoy lunch at The Landing restaurant. The Landing is located right in the heart of historic Newport and home to some absolutely gorgeous harbor views. We started our lunch with some deliciously crisp and fresh calamari. Our vacation had not quite begun though. The Pinot Grigio arrived (for myself and Nicola only of course) and we were ready to hit the smile and relax button. Followed by lobster roll, lightly mayonaised with a tiny touch of dill, adding a certain something that worked I was truly in vacation mode. Both Nicola and Ella thoroughly enjoyed their mussels and fish and chips.
After lunch, myself and Ella decided to do a Majestic harbor boat tour to take in some of the sights the Newport harbor had to offer from Goat Island to Fort Adams. She was absolutely thrilled with the excursion.
Back to the hotel for a little rest for me, while Nicola and Ella had a some fun in the hotel pool. Changed and ready for dinner at Pasta Beach, a recommended fun little Italian bistro where we enjoyed scrumptiously good pasta and outstanding pizza. A great recommendation.
The next morning we missed breakfast so wandered over to the famous Clarke Cooke House in Bannister Wharf for an early lunch. We decided to dine downstairs at The Candy Store, a more casual floor of the restaurant and definitely a part I enjoy dining at the most. The Cooke House does not miss a beat with impeccable service and superbly, fresh seafood. I absolutely loved my smoked salmon sandwich.
The rain had started to come down so we decided to do a Viking Bus Tour as well as a tour of The Breakers, my favorite of all the Newport Mansions. The trolley took us on an interesting and educational history tour of Newport along with a drive along the breathtaking Ocean Drive. Oh to live there. Can you even imagine?
The Breakers in all its opulence literally takes your breath away when you do the tour. We decided to do the family tour together, which I have to say was hysterical, but also far more interesting as far as we were concerned. On the recorder, the house itself talks to you to give its own history… so fun. It beats a serious person telling you about the gold hand-made ornings any day.
Back to the hotel and there was no possible way we could go out due to the rain. We made the decision to dine at the hotel at the award-winning One Bellevue and I must say we made a good choice. Dinner was an indulgently good three-course extravaganza of entrées such as rack of lamb, lemon-glazed roasted chicken and pancetta wrapped salmon.
The next morning was again glorious, so we enjoyed our breakfast al fresco at the hotel. The perfect ending to two fun-filled days.
This is only the tip of the iceberg of things to do in Newport, we didn’t even get a chance to visit the gorgeous beaches. It is such an outstanding city to visit with friends, with family or with a loved one. Definitely worth a trip for a night a seven.
