Newport, Rhode Island

“City By The Sea”

Lat. 41.486164722 | Long. -71.30749877

Newport County

~ SAILING EDITION ~

Newport may be best known for its stunning Gilded Age mansions that were once home to famous families like the Vanderbilts, Kennedys, and Astors, but open waters, near-constant breezes, centuries of nautical history, a hotbed of international racing (America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race), and a scenic and accessible waterfront — you can’t deny that Newport, Rhode Island is the sailing capital of the world.

Aerial view of a large mansion surrounded by greenery and trees
Person wearing a Newport sweatshirt and backwards hat standing by a waterfront.

Todd Smith, Editor’s brother [date unknown]. Family’s Former Property, 519 Bellevue Ave., Newport, RI

Newport Fly Over…

During the 17th century the cornerstones of Newport’s architectural heritage were laid. The buildings that survive from that period – the Old Stone Mill, the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, and the White Horse Tavern – are part of Newport’s rich, architectural tapestry that today also includes the great “cottages” along Bellevue Avenue. By the 1760s, economic growth spurred a building boom which included hundreds of houses and many of the internationally important landmarks that survive today, such as Trinity Church, the Colony House, Redwood Library, and the Brick Market (now home to the Museum of Newport History). Read More.

Historic colonial street scene with buildings, people walking and socializing, horse-drawn carriage, and cloudy sky.

Nautical Photography with Onne van der Wal

Looking up a sailboat mast with sails against a clear blue sky.

IYRS

Boatbuilding & Restoration

Master the craft and fundamentals of woodworking while restoring, building, and finishing classic wooden boats.

Accredited 20 month program

The Boatbuilding & Restoration program will train you in the complete wooden boatbuilding process where you’ll learn from expert woodworkers and boatbuilders and work alongside fellow craftspeople. The skills learned in this program set up students to thrive not just as wooden boatbuilders and restorers, but as marine carpenters, furniture makers, historic preservationists, builders, and more.

As the only nationally accredited, two-year wooden boatbuilding program in the country, their hiring partners share that the second year of this program sets their graduates apart with their advanced woodworking and project management skills. Not only that, but their students experience the pride and excitement of launching and sailing the boats they've restored twice, at the conclusion of each school year.

View from a sailboat deck, showing rigging, main sails, and ocean horizon under a clear blue sky.

Newport Sailing History

Street signs for America's Cup Ave and Thames St in front of a building with a Newport P sign.

Newport proudly displays its America’s Cup sailing history. There are America’s Cup sailing museums in Newport, a Newport street is named after the America’s Cup, and many previous America’s Cup J-Boat and 12 Meter boats can be seen sailing in Newport during the summer. However, nowhere is Newport’s America’s Cup sailing history more evident than in Newport’s annual 12 Meter sailing regattas. Newport is now the home of the largest fleet of America’s Cup 12 Meters in the world, most of which are available for charter through 12 Meter Charters. Therefore, it is no surprise, that Newport has become the capital of 12 Meter racing and sailing. Read More.

Newport Bermuda Race takes place in June every other year, a serious 600+ mile regatta that tests offshore skills. It’s the oldest, regularly scheduled international race that takes crews out of sight of land for the better part of a week, so it requires experience. Other yachting events include the Candy Store Cup, the J Class Championships, and the Newport Yacht Show.

Logo for the Newport International Boat Show with nautical flags on the right.

The Newport International Boat Show (NIBS), one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows in the country, spans over thirteen acres of historic downtown Newport, Rhode Island. Walk the docks and view a spectacular display of shiny new sailboats and powerboats, some making their first-ever debut in the United States. On the land side, you’ll find hundreds of marine products, services and accessories to enhance the boating lifestyle. Also on deck are educational seminars, in-water boating courses and daily giveaways.

Aerial view of a coastal city with a busy marina, numerous yachts, and boats docked in a harbor. The cityscape includes multiple buildings and a bridge in the background, with clear skies above.

Nautical Cocktails

Two shot glasses, one with green liquid and a lime wedge, the other with red liquid, against a white background.

Port and Starboard 

Simple, effective and fast on board a boat. A definite hit in the sailing season. To enjoy a non-alcoholic version or an improved version, see the TIP below.

  • 1 tbsp Grenadine

  • 30 ml menthol liqueur / Creme de Menthe

Pour carefully into a smaller glass so that the green layer is above the red one and don't mix it. More. 

Two champagne flutes filled with an orange-colored drink, likely cocktails, placed on a light marble surface with scattered green leaves.

Tomorrow We Sail

The intoxicating bubbles of this cocktail make its name all too clear. :) 

  • 100 cl sparkling wine or champagne

  • 15 cl port wine

  • 15 cl dark rum

  • 1 tbsp of orange liqueur (e.g. Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Curaçao ...)

Serve in a champagne flute and garnish with a spiral of orange peel. More.

Two martini glasses with olives, a jigger, cocktail strainer, and loose olives on a textured surface.

Maritime Martini

Good old-fashioned Martini with a nautical ingredient for those who like a kick.

  • 6 parts gin

  • 2 parts dry vermouth

  • Olives stuffed with anchovies to finish.

Mix all ingredients with ice. Make sure it’s shaken not stirred. For a nautical kick finish it off with olives stuffed with anchovies. More.

Tropical blue cocktail with a pineapple slice on a beach background.

Ocean Mist

This cocktail originated as a tribute to the coast of New England. 

  • 1 part tequila

  • 1 part apricot liqueur

  • 1 part lemon juice

  • Sea salt

  • Egg white

Mix it up in a shaker and pour into a glass. Then pour over some blue curaçao to create a beautiful effect of sea foam: a blue that turns green with crests of white foam. More.

Newport Marina Guide

Travel + Leisure

“People here pretty much live and breathe sailing. Everywhere you look there are beautiful boats – classics like 12 meters and J Class, as well as newer rocket ships like Comanche and Lending Club. There are Herreshoffs moored next to Hunters. At any given bar, someone is talking about a race they almost won – you know, if only this or that had happened, or not happened :). Bartenders here know how to pour a proper Dark ‘n Stormy. Everyone has raccoon eyes and a sunburned nose. You can wear foulies out to dinner. You don’t have to explain “I look like this because I just got off a boat” – people get it. And there is something absolutely lovely about that.”

Logo of 12 Degrees West with a red and blue stylized sail design.

Best Hotels For Cocktails…

Outdoor dining area by the sea with people sitting under umbrellas, surrounded by grass and a clear blue sky in the background.

The Lawn At Castle Hill Inn

If you’re going for classy, head straight to The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn. This luxury hotel and estate is right on Newport’s famous Ocean Drive. When the weather is cooperating, drinks are served on the iconic lawn.

The views of the bay and Newport Bridge are sensational. There’s no better spot to enjoy the sea breeze and watch the boats sail by.  More.

Aerial view of a coastal town with historic buildings, trees, and a harbor filled with boats in the background.

Top of Newport at The Viking Hotel

The Top of Newport is one of the best bars in Newport. It’s on the roof of The Viking Hotel right in the heart of Newport’s historic district. The drinks are strong, the food is great and the views are sensational!  More.

Scenic view from a balcony with wooden chairs, overlooking a marina during sunset with boats and water in the background.

The Roof Deck At The Vanderbilt

This relaxed but stylish bar is one of Newport’s best-kept secrets. The Roof Deck is located at the top of The Vanderbilt hotel in the heart of the city. It has fantastic views of the harbour, the bridge and Goat Island. And the cocktails are delicious. More.

The Vanderbilt Hotel

Inspired by the insatiable wanderlust and rebellious spirit of Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, the historic downtown mansion once owned by the businessman and scion has been reinterpreted for the modern era as a lively and stylish social destination. From a secret bar tucked into a corner of the sumptuous Doris Duke-inspired parlor to the specially-commissioned series of mysterious and moody old world still lifes sprinkled throughout the foyer and lounge, the scene at The Vanderbilt is crackling with coastal curiosities and alluring eccentricities waiting to be discovered.

41 Mary Street, Newport

Entrance of a building with "Vanderbilt" sign, featuring a doorway with white columns, gold curtains, two white bicycles, and potted plants.

Castle Hill Inn

Est. 1875

Sophisticated and luxuriously laid-back, Castle Hill Inn evokes the grandness of years past, while offering today’s savvy guests the personalized service, attention to detail and world-class cuisine they crave in a seaside resort-like setting. Come see why this gracious Relais & Châteaux inn is one of the most sought-after Newport, RI hotels.

590 Ocean Drive, Newport

Sign for Castle Hill Inn surrounded by blue hydrangeas

Hotel Viking

Hotel Viking is anything but old and stodgy. This is a place where great things are always happening. Step into the anything but ordinary at Hotel Viking, where their building is as monumental as their hospitality. Unexpected features, architectural details, unique events, and delightful surprises are waiting to be discovered. At every touchpoint, they tailor memorable experiences that are as iconic as their One Bellevue address.

1 Bellevue Ave, Newport

Elegant, historic brick hotel with lit windows and American flag at dusk.

The Chanler at Cliff Walk

Experience The Chanler, a Rhode Island luxury hotel, where Gilded Age elegance and gracious hospitality provide a tailored experience that is quintessentially Newport. Spend your days lounging in their private oasis of manicured gardens while you take in breathtaking ocean vistas. Every evening, indulge in a long soak in your tub or enjoy an after-dinner drink at our crackling fire pit under a sky full of stars. This is your moment to take it all in.  Step into our storied mansion on Cliff Walk, and you'll find yourself in a world of architectural beauty, polished service, and relaxed refinement.

117 Memorial Boulevard, Newport

Aerial view of a large, elegant white mansion with a blue roof, surrounded by manicured lawns and trees, located near a rocky shore.