Rhode Island Monthly Summer Guide 2020 | Page 62

the NEWPORT AGENDA Some may call this itinerary ambitious; locals call it a Saturday. SLEPT IN? Grab a Grandma Morin’s muffin to-go at Cru Cafe. 10 a.m. Visit Newport’s “summer cottages.” The grandest of them all, the Breakers is a seventy-room Italian Renaissance-style mansion on Ochre Point Avenue. The wealthy Vanderbilt family constructed it in 1893 and later named it in recognition of the waves that continually crash into the base of the cliff the house stands on. The Marble House, another Vanderbilt property, went on to serve as a social and architectural landmark that transformed Newport’s community. Reports say $7 million dollars was spent on the 500,000 cubic feet of marble that makes up the building alone. Nearby stands the illustrious Rosecliff commissioned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs in 1899. The mansion was famous for its fabulous soirees, including a fairy tale-themed dinner party featuring magician Harry Houdini. NOTE: More Newport historic houses worth touring include the Elms, the Chateau-sur-Mer, Rough Point and the Whitehorne House. OR, GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR OWN ROOTS: The Newport Irish History Museum illustrates Irish immigration to Newport County from the 1600s to the present and highlights their many contributions to the local community. At the Touro Synagogue and Loeb Visitors Center, discover the beginnings of American religious tolerance and freedom and learn about the first Jewish settlers in Newport. 12 p.m. Enjoy a lunch fit for a Vanderbilt. After taking a scenic stroll along the mansions-adjacent Cliff Walk, head on over to the White Horse Tavern for local favorites such as Narragansett clams and shrimp and crispy heritage pork belly. As one of the oldest running taverns in the United States, remember to be respectful of its business-casual dress code. NEED MORE OCEAN VIEWS IN YOUR LIFE? Head on over to the OceanCliff and grab a bite at its onsite waterfront restaurant, the Safari Room, instead. 60    YOUR ULTIMATE SUMMER GUIDE 2020 2 p.m. Take an afternoon sail. What better way to soak up a sunset in Newport than with a sail around the bay? Both of Sailing Excursions’ yachts, the Adirondack II and the Sloop Eleanor, allow you to enjoy seaside views of the mansions, a nineteenth-century military fort, the Newport and Jamestown bridges and beautiful antique lighthouses. WANT TO CAPTAIN YOUR OWN VESSEL? Contact Sail Newport for expert sailing lessons and rentals. 5 p.m. Catch an evening Polo Match. Unlike more common sporting events, a polo match has just as much to see off the field as on thanks to spectators’ inclination to dress to the nines and sip on fabulous artisan cocktails. If you’re looking to get in on this highbrow action, the Newport International Polo Series hosts professional games every Saturday at 5 p.m. sharp. INTERESTED IN A SHOPPING BREAK INSTEAD? Check out Newport’s Broadway District and Thames Street retail scenes. 8 p.m. Satiate your seafood cravings. Originally built in the 1920s, the Black Pearl is a time-honored establishment dedicated to providing an authentic New England experience. That includes your choice of dining in the elegant Commodore’s Room or al fresco with uninterrupted dockside views, as well as a robust seafood menu filled with fresh raw bar samples and savory steak and seafood entrees. CAN’T GET A RESERVATION? Some other worthwhile upscale restaurant choices include the Newport Playhouse and Cabaret, the Mooring, Clarke Cooke House and 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar and Grille. 10 p.m. Finally, get your groove on. People who come from old New England money might seem stuffy at first glance, but we can assure you that they like to let loose every now and again, too. Grab drinks and dance the night away to live music amongst the cool, unfiltered ocean breezes at the Landing. BAR HOPPERS SHOULD ALSO CHECK OUT: O’Brien’s Pub, One Pelham East, Dockside and the Newport Blues Cafe. 8:30 a.m. But first, breakfast. Whether you’re in the mood for something savory, like an egg white omelette or lobster Benedict, or something sweet, like old fashioned rolled oats or pancakes, the award-winning One Bellevue at Hotel Viking has it all.