In 2002, I moved from Alexandria, Virginia, to Newport, Rhode Island, where my now-husband has family roots. I immediately fell in love with its stunning natural beauty, vibrant community, and welcoming New England atmosphere. It’s so impressive that we chose to get married there, despite having spent much longer periods of our lives in other
In 2002, I moved from Alexandria, Virginia, to Newport, Rhode Island, where my now-husband has family roots.
I immediately fell in love with its stunning natural beauty, vibrant community, and welcoming New England atmosphere. It’s so impressive that we chose to get married there, despite having spent much longer periods of our lives in other amazing cities.
Newport remains a magical coastal enclave with fabulous restaurants, year-round events and extraordinary hospitality, but over the past two decades, the area has seen an influx of second home owners, new hotels and inns, and a rise in short-term rental properties.
It’s especially busy in the summer, although fall in New England also brings visitors (including tens of thousands on cruise ships) to the city to enjoy the brilliant fall foliage.
With a palpable increase in travel demand, some may argue that Newport hardly has an “off season” anymore.
The town, located on the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, now welcomes more than 3.5 million visitors a year, and that has posed some challenges.
Major roads become congested quickly during the summer, especially on weekends.
Newport has many events that attract visitors to the city by land and sea. Douglas Mason/Getty Images
Living in a popular tourist destination can definitely feel overwhelming at times.
Us locals also love to enjoy all the things that make Newport so special, but we also need to run everyday errands between “vacations.”
Roads in the area become very congested in the summer, many with slow traffic at the busiest times of the day. This means I have to plan for most tasks to take longer than during less busy seasons.
And, in the summer, I change my schedule to go shopping, stop by the post office, and do other mundane tasks early in the morning in an attempt to avoid some of the traffic.
It’s especially challenging to visit beloved cafes and restaurants during peak season.
Out of season, it’s often much easier to grab a coffee and make dinner reservations. Tim Graham/Getty Images
In summer, some restaurants and cafes are so popular that poles are needed to control the queues that form outside.
It’s not even worth trying to dine at a breakfast place my friends and I frequent out of season on summer mornings, unless we want to wait an hour or so.
Newport also has a strong coffee culture with more than a dozen vibrant local cafes. One of my favorite spots, The Nitro Bar, has gone viral, and both spots in town draw crowds that literally circle the block most summer and fall mornings.
It’s wonderful to see small business owners succeed and grow, and people from all over the country want to experience something delicious in my own backyard. However, if I want my chai latte dirty on a summer weekend, I have to go to the store when it opens at 7am to avoid the crowds.
I have encountered similar challenges when dining in Newport.
The city has tons of great restaurants, from upscale to super casual, plus rooftop terraces perfect for sunset cocktails and harborside restaurants that lean into Newport’s nautical heritage.
It’s not unusual to quickly find a place to grab lunch or a light snack during off-peak hours, meet up with friends, and spontaneously have a fun group outing.
However, it can be difficult to secure tables and food reservations during peak seasons, especially if you have a large group of six or more people and it’s summer.
Knowing the local staff helps, but it’s not unusual for a place to simply be at full capacity during dinner hours. Planning well in advance or simply waiting to have flexibility and availability in quieter seasons, such as winter or spring, helps.
We love when family and friends visit us in Newport in the summer, but accommodation rates can be exorbitant.
Newport has waterfront restaurants and hotels. DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images
Newport is known for its impressive Gilded Age mansions, but unfortunately we don’t have any. So when family and friends come to visit, they are often surprised by the rates for hotels and short-term rentals.
Hotel rooms in high season can easily exceed $500 per night, especially on weekends, and many require a two-night minimum.
I can understand why so many people want to visit Newport: it’s beautiful. Andrea McHugh
What’s more, there may be times during the summer and fall when it is difficult to find availability.
World-class events, including the Newport Folk Festival, Newport Jazz Festival and the Hall of Fame Open, attract tens of thousands of visitors to City by the Sea. Many visitors end up having to look for accommodations off the island and beyond the city.
Still, Newport is vibrant and lively all year round, and I’m grateful to live here.
I love living in Newport, even if it comes with challenges. Andrea McHugh
Unlike other popular New England destinations, nearly all Newport businesses are open year-round, although some restaurants, shops, and inns may take a few weeks off for updates and renovations, or for some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
The challenges that summer brings aren’t unique to Newport, but its popularity comes with some legitimate trade-offs.
However, with its salty breezes, iconic harbour, rich history, inspiring architecture, impressive food scene, exciting events and community spirit, Newport has a way of casting its spell and making you fall in love with it, whether you’re here for a day or 20+ years.
If you ask me, there is no place in the world I would rather call home. And I’m willing to bet that most Newport residents would agree.