Hop on Breeze Airways to Explore This Charming Seaside Town on the East Coast
Ever heard of Newport? No, the other Newport. Yeah, we’re talking about Newport, Rhode Island—the city the East Coasters know. The one they escape to when they want to beat the heat of the city; the one that has all the charm of a Hallmark classic with the excitement of an Elin Hildebrand novel. Visitors won’t be able to stop ogling over the cliffs that overlook the Atlantic or Zillow-ing the classic Colonial-style mansions and manors that dot the coastline.
Rhode Island is a premier destination for adventurers near and far, and now it’s easier than ever to get there when booking flights with Breeze Airways, which offers affordable flight options from LAX to Providence starting May 1! There are four tiers of travel: No Flex Fare, Nice Bundle, Nicer Bundle and Nicest Bundle. The No Flex Fare (the cheapest option) simply includes a personal item, while seat assignments and additional bags can be purchased at an additional cost. The Nice Bundle affords you a personal item and carry-on bag with general boarding, and additional bags, seats and other add-ons can be purchased online before your flight. Travelers looking to bring a checked bag, a carry-on and a personal item, as well as those who want extra legroom, high-speed WiFi and priority boarding, should book the Nicer Bundle. The Nicest Bundle is a first-class equivalent with perks like priority boarding, a Breeze Ascent section seat, complimentary food and drinks (including alcohol), high-speed WiFi, and more. Travelers who book this option can also bring a personal item, carry-on bag and two checked bags!
Have we convinced you to spend a weekend away in Rhode Island? Not yet? Read on for all the reasons why you should buckle up on Breeze Airways and touch down in Little Rhody this spring.
Day 1:
Arrive
Check in to Hammetts Hotel, a chic boutique hotel in the heart of Newport’s lively waterfront community. This nautical-inspired retreat features guest rooms with tasteful red, white and blue accents, giving each one an all-American look and feel. Other in-room amenities include built-in daybeds and handcrafted bath products. Guests can take in sunset views from the wharf or one of the many outdoor spaces, including Giusto, the hotel’s Italian-inspired restaurant with an open-kitchen that churns our plates of fresh pasta and fresh seafood.
Local Insight: The Save the Bay Aquarium opened its doors just down the road from Hammetts Hotel, so be sure to add this to your Newport, RI itinerary!
Eat
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab breakfast at Belle’s Café, located in Newport’s shipyard. Offering dockside dining that includes everything from pancakes to paninis, this nautical pit stop will fill your soul and your belly. Best of all, you’ll be right in the heart of Newport and ready to explore all this town has to offer after your meal.
Explore
Lace up those sneakers and enjoy a 3.5-mile adventure that starts at Memorial Blvd and ends at Reject’s Beach. Plan your stops at 40-Steps, Breaker’s viewing platform and Belmont Beach along the way. This is an excellent way to get your bearings in this seafaring city and kill time between your first meal and your next meal. Can you tell we like eating on vacation?
Enjoy
Enjoy the fruits of the ocean with a midday meal at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen + Bar, one of Newport’s locally loved seafood stops. You’ll get all the sights and smells of the sea while you sip award-winning wine and sample from the raw bar platter—a must for visitors looking to get their toes—or fingers in this case—wet. If there’s a chill in the air, opt for a chowder to warm you up before embarking on your next adventure.
See
No visit to Newport, RI is complete without seeing The Breakers, a Gilded Age mansion and must-see attraction in Newport. This place is extravagance and elegance all wrapped up with a pretty little bow. Plus, it’s located right off of the Cliff Walk, so it is an easy detour if you want a place to do some refined resting.
Entertain
Rhode Island FC made their USL Championship debut this March! This rising American soccer club plays at Beirne Stadium, and you’ll surely want to catch a game while on the East Coast. Check out their 2024 schedule here, and grab tickets to one of their upcoming matches! They have several home games in April, May and June, and the games are sure to be epic.
Indulge
Is it time to eat again? Yes! Getaways are all about the grub, aren’t they? Indulge in a dangerously delicious dinner at The Black Pearl. This nautical-themed restaurant sits on the water’s edge and serves up all kinds of fresh seafood. Try out the chowder or the chicken pot pie as you enjoy the easy ambiance The Black Pearl has to offer.
End
Fancy a sunset cruise to cap off your inaugural day in the Ocean State? The Schooner Madeleine or the Rum Runner are two of the very best vessels for taking the city by sea and chasing sunsets. The Schooner Madeleine is a beautiful two-masted sailboat that glides through the water with a limited number of people for a personalized cruising experience. The Rum Runner is a 1929 old-school yacht built during the Prohibition Era to smuggle the good stuff. Enjoy a 60-minute cruise aboard this luxury boat—and don’t worry, the Rum Punch is included!
Day 2:
Satiate
Kickstart day two with a beautiful breakfast at Cru Café, a restaurant that prides itself on serving up local flavors and farm-fresh ingredients. Seating is first come, first served, so be sure to get in early to try out their variety of scrambles, toasts and breakfast burritos! But if you aren’t up with the sun, don’t fret—breakfast is served all day at this East Coast establishment.
Local Insight: Cru Café is BYOB, so be sure to bring your favorite drinks!
Scenery
Today, explore Newport by land—which calls for renting bikes and cruising down Ocean Dr, a scenic 10-mile loop with coastal views. If you are into sight-seeing but not into working up a sweat, opt to rent one of the scooters you see zipping around town. They resemble a souped-up go-kart and are a super fun way to see the city. Rent a scoot coupe from Scooter World for $55 an hour ($45 each additional hour) and loop around town in style.
Snack
Located just beyond Easton’s Beach is a no-frills local institution called Flo’s Clam Shack. Opened in 1936, there’s a reason this little slice of seafood heaven has been around for almost a century. Insisting on serving the finest, freshest seafood in town, this is a great spot to stop for a snack and maybe meet a local. Don’t miss out on the clam cakes!
Scope
History is embedded into the foundation of Rhode Island, and visitors can learn all about the land and what took place there with guided tours like the one at Fort Adams State Park. Located at the tip of Newport, this section of the city is home to the Eisenhower House, the iconic Fort Adams lookout point and the Newport Jazz Festival, which takes place each August. Learn a little bit about our country’s history in the region and then make your way over to Castle Hill Inn for a drink with a view.
Savor
Vacation calls for dinner and a show, so let’s talk about where to eat before your nightly entertainment. The White Horse Tavern is said to be America’s oldest tavern, dating back to 1673. The giant Colonial-style building is reminiscent of a farmhouse with that classic burnt red exterior, but the food is upscale and contemporary; plus, the dark-wood interior juxtaposed with the starched white tablecloths feels fancy without all the fuss. We would love to recommend a few dishes, but really, everything is delicious here—you simply cannot go wrong! Don’t skip out on dessert either; be sure to order the chocolate souffle ahead of time.
See
And now for the show component! Firehouse Theater offers up an array of entertainment options from national comedy acts to local improv shows. The venue is BYOB, so be sure to swing by Bliss Road Beer, Wine and Spirits on your way to the theater. If your buzz wears off and the comedy gets stale (it won’t), grab a nightcap at Parlor Bar or The Fifth Element, which are both within walking distance.
Day 3:
Lounge
On your final day in Rhode Island, enjoy a classic diner breakfast at fan-favorite Corner Café. Located in the heart of the action on Broadway, this place specializes in doing breakfast the right way with a side of home fries and all the fixins. Come hungry; leave happy (sorry IHOP, but that phrase applies here too).
Learn
Did you know that the oldest synagogue in the United States is in Newport? Touro Synagogue is a symbol of religious freedom for all Americans. The historical roots of this special place shine through, and tours are offered daily. Tickets can be purchased at Loeb Visitors Center located on Spring St.
Loiter
Okay, the last stop was a little serious, so let’s get a little silly for our final day. Stroll along Thames St to stop, shop and roll. Brimming with boutiques and galleries, this part of town is a great place to pick up a trinket or two. After all, you will need a souvenir to commemorate your awesome, seaside weekend away.
Lunch
Grab a bite at The Red Parrot, a casual dining spot that features American cuisine with a Caribbean twist. People love the lobster nachos and, with ample seating options throughout the three-story building, you’ll be sure to find a spot to sit and stay. This is a great spot for large groups and your favorite comfort foods.
Enlighten
Founded in 1912, Newport Art Museum is located inside the John NA Griswold House and showcases everything from 19th century works of art to contemporary exhibitions like the one being showcased right now, which accentuates the glitz and glam of queer disco. Artist Bradley Wester uses natural light to accentuate his pieces. Think disco balls—and lots of them! This is a fun way to waste away an afternoon before your flight home.
Land
It’s time to go home, which means taking the around 30-minute car ride to PVD to catch your Breeze Airways flight back to the “west coast Newport.” With plenty of affordable options, you can find your ideal flight time for a price that makes this coast-to-coast trek more than worth it. Plus, you get to fly directly into LAX, which is a dream in and of itself!
