Newport has long been a go-to destination for folks traveling from all over New England for a fairy tale-like day complete with ocean air, extravagant mansions, delicious seafood and an altogether unique sightseeing experience.
What leisure tourists experience in Newport is similar to what should show up on an itinerary for groups with at least 24 hours in town.
“Have you ever made a presentation in a Gilded Age mansion?” asks Anne Roberts, destination expert at Discover Newport. “Held a meeting in an international sporting hall of fame? Entertained clients where The Great Gatsby was filmed? Celebrated accomplishments over an authentic New England clambake with the sand between your toes?”
She says groups can do it all, and more. It only takes one day to cover enough ground for a quintessentially Newport experience.
Morning Has Broken
Attendees convening in Newport will wake up in the lap of luxury, as group-friendly properties such as the Newport Marriott, Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina, Hotel Viking and Hyatt Regency Newport all boast sophisticated yet comfortable accommodations and several feature spa services and fitness opportunities that satisfy both those who prefer to destress or get the blood flowing at the beginning of the day.
“Spas in our convention hotels are great, however, if you really want to be a Newporter you would walk or jog on the Cliff Walk,” says Alex Hurd, tourism sales manager at Discover Newport.
Afterward, groups will find breakfast at host hotels pleasing, or, as Hurd recommends, they may start the day with a breakfast of champions.
“Remember that famous match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs? You can see playback of the match and Billie Jean’s tennis dress and learn all about tennis at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where you’ll have a tour of the museum highlights and breakfast outside on the horseshow piazza,” he says. “After breakfast, groups can enjoy a little time playing croquet on the beautifully groomed center court.”
The morning is also a good time for a scenic drive down Bellevue Avenue and onto Ocean Drive. Hurd says a guided tour spotlights a bit of Newport history along the way, including stops at Newport’s grandest mansion, The Breakers, which was the summer “cottage” of the Vanderbilt family.
“Groups can marvel at the architecture and interior details that gave the Gilded Age its name,” Hurd says. “Downton Abbey fans will be able to see how Martha Levinson, the character played by Shirley Mac-Laine, spent her summers.”
If time permits, groups might also take a short harbor cruise aboard the RumRunner II, a smuggler boat built in 1929 during Prohibition to outrun the Coast Guard. PageBreak
Afternoon Allure
After a packed morning, groups have many opportunities to break bread either back at the host hotel or at various Newport eateries.
“You can step back nearly 350 years for lunch at the oldest continually operating tavern in the nation,” Hurd says. “The warm, elegant and charming White Horse Tavern is a ‘must-do’ on any Newport itinerary.”
Among the many other options is Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant, a standby in Newport with a second-floor private dining room overlooking bustling Thames Street. And fine dining options, which also accommodate dinner outings, include Muse by Jonathan Cartwright at Vanderbilt Grace, a boutique hotel, and the Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, which Hurd says has unforgettable harbor views.
The oldest Jewish house of worship in the country, Touro Synagogue, is well-suited for a post-lunch visit. Besides its Torah, Hurd says the prized possession of the congregation is a letter from President George Washington assuring members equal standing in the community.
A visit to Fort Adams, the largest fortification on the East Coast, is another place groups will enjoy stopping by for a tour during the afternoon. According to Hurd, the structures and grounds recently underwent a multimillion-dollar restoration, and with a new zip line installed, a visit can include a team-building element.
What the Red Sox are to Boston and lighthouses are to Maine, sailing is to Newport. There are several outfitters in town that add fun and adventure to any meeting, including America’s Cup Charters.
“They not only take you on a great ride, they make you work for it,” Hurd says. “Groups compete against each other in mini regattas sailing the 12-meter yachts to the finish line. It’s a great team-building event.”
Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina is one of the properties that works with America’s Cup Charters to offer team-building packages that include breakfast, lunch and dinner, a sailing challenge and an afternoon meeting.
Gimme the Night
As the day unwinds, planners may use the evening hours for networking receptions, product launches, award ceremonies and other group gatherings at either the host hotel or Newport’s impressive array of off-site venues. And spa services might work at this time of day as well.
Much like lunchtime, there are numerous options for a fantastic dinner in Newport, including Sardella’s Restaurant, Newport’s oldest Italian eatery, which has several spaces to accommodate private meal functions, and 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille, which is one of the best steak houses in Rhode Island, according to Hurd.
“Or just rent out the Newport Blues Cafe and your group will not only get a great meal but also front-and-center views of the best live music we have to offer,” he says. “After a long day it might also be time for some award-winning wines at a stunning vineyard overlooking the Sakonnet River.”
Indeed, at Greenvale Vineyards groups can enjoy picturesque views and a wine-pairing dinner in the restored Victorian carriage house, which is now used for wine tasting and events.
Groups can also head to Bristol, about 14 miles north of Newport, for a memorable evening event at the historic DeWolf Tavern next to Bristol Harbor Inn, an ideal boutique meetings property in itself. Situated on the Thames Street Landing waterfront in a restored historic warehouse, the tavern dates to 1818.
And possibly the best way to toast a memorable day is to arrange an after-hours party at the Top of Newport, which is located on the Hotel Viking’s rooftop patio.
“The group will enjoy handmade stogies and cocktails throughout the remainder of the evening,” Hurd says.
Contributing writer Carolyn Blackburn fondly remembers several day trips to Newport when she was growing up in New England.
