Did I ever tell ya’ll I lived in Rhode Island for a couple of years as a child? Kindergarten, first grade and half of second grade, I lived in Warwick. I loved it. I hated when we moved to Connecticut. :) The state has a special place in my heart forever and it is one of my favorite day trips from home. My sister and I recently spent a summer day in Newport. Funny enough, we met another set of sisters doing the same thing!

Here is what we did in one day in Newport, Rhode Island:

Tour a Mansion

My sister and I have been to several Newport mansions but not The Elms; that is where we started our day. For any of the mansions, check online first for which ones are open for the day and how to get tickets. And, I can’t stress this enough, download the app beforehand! I didn’t and had to do it right on site and it took forever. We knew to bring our headphones/ear buds for the audio tour. We walked at our own pace and explored all the grounds as well. Stunning!

Visit Fort Adams

From the mansion we drove and parked (for free) at Fort Adams. We did not go inside and do the tour, I want to do that with my kids, but we walked around the outside and along the harbor. If we had known the parking was ample and free and that there was a water taxi (for a cost) that you can hop on and off all day around Newport, we would have done that right from the beginning. Parking and traffic around the city is extreme in the summer.

I’m obsessed with Del’s lemon ice and was excited to see a Del’s truck at the fort. Walking along the water with the salty sea air blowing and a Del’s in my hand was an ideal summer excursion.

Explore Downtown Newport

From the fort we drove closer to the downtown area, parking on a side street (near The Wellington Resort). We were lucky to find a spot. There are parking garages around that will get you closer to the action, but we like walking and exploring. The Umbrella Sky Project installed umbrella’s in the Brick Market Place area and was the main reason we wanted a sister day in Newport!

We ate a late lunch at Midtown Oyster Bar (amazing!) and had coffee at The Coffee Grinder. There are tons of shops and restaurants to stop at along Thames Street and America’s Cup Ave.

It was a fantastic day! My sister had two kayaks attached to the car if we had the time and the ocean was cooperative. That was a NO on both fronts. Oh well, another time. I wore a dress and packed an extra, I knew it was going to be hot and I’d be sweaty :)

Here are links to my outfit details. (disclaimer, if you make a purchase after clicking on one, I will receive a small commission. thanks!) Hope you are all having a lovely summer!