We were inspired this week by Newport Rhode Island, a beautiful and elegant town replete with seaside mansions, museums, great restaurants, beaches and more.The "Must Do List" in Newport, includes
Cliff Walk, where visitors can take a walking tour of the shoreline dotted by spectacular mansions, home long ago to the Vanderbilts and their ilk. If just seeing the outside is not enough, get a ticket to go inside and enjoy the opulent furnishings and lush settings- saddle up to a tour guide, as some of the stories are entertaining, especially for the kids, of well dressed dog companions, table manners and dining habits.Speaking of dining, when you're done drooling over these over-the-top pads, for a bite, head on over to
The Clarke Cooke House on Bannister's Wharf, for some fresh fish and lively atmosphere. For an after dinner ice cream,
Sprinkles is a good choice on Bowan's Wharf, where you can enjoy a casual cone while you check out the shops in the area.Our heart belongs to
The Chanler at Cliff Walk (a hotel with a delicious restaurant inside) for Sunday brunch - their menu and enviable perch are both scrumptious. The hotel is hop and a skip from
Second Beach that surely wins beach with best land-view (back at the Chandler House). After showering off the sand after a delightful day at the beach, catch a movie in town at the charming
Jane Pickens theater, and then grab an appetizer or two at
Forty 1° North, one of the chicest hotels in town.Tempted? Time to pack: get yourself in the spirit with these hand picked goodies: Go old school with the
vintage mauve bathing suit, snazzy it up with a pair of
stylish shades, hold tight to a
Coco Chanel doll (in lieu of teddy), don't forget a
Pride & Prejudice primer and play set,
and, if you're really setting up shop and outfitting more than just yourself - say installing yourself in the
Breakers or
Rosecliff - we suggest a (so not shabby) shabby-chic
canopy bed - perfect for those of us who's last name should have been Rockefeller.Been there, Done that?
Check out some of our other travel ideas!