Road Trip Itinerary From New York City To Newport Rhode Island

New York City in summer slows down as people escape the concrete jungle to quiet beach towns. Newport, Rhode Island, isn’t too far from the Big Apple, but it seems worlds apart with its 19-century architecture, fresh seafood restaurants, and scenic waterfront. Make the most of your vacation with our road trip itinerary from New York City to Newport.

Overview

Total distance (approximate): 180 miles (km)

Total driving time (approximate): 4 hours 23 minutes

Recommended number of traveling days: 2

1. Clinton St. Baking Company

Restaurant, American

Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) | Travel time: 13 minutes. Breakfast at Clinton St. Baking Company is as American as apple pie (or blueberry pancakes) – and draws lines that are almost as famous as the food. Looking for a hearty breakfast to fuel your trip? Order a stack of pancakes topped with Maine blueberries and warm maple syrup plus the fried chicken and waffle.

2. Randall's Island Park

Park

Distance: 7.4 miles (11.9 km) | Travel time: 39 minutes. Randall’s Island is a nature lover’s oasis even though it’s technically a part of Manhattan. It’s surrounded by Harlem River to the west and the East River to the east, comprises miles of waterfront paths, various gardens, and even a sustainable farm. Road trippers can stretch their legs and get a taste of what’s to come at the island’s Randall’s Island Park.

3. Old Greenwich

Building

Distance: 30.4 miles (48.9 km) | Travel time: 42 minutes. One state down, two to go. With its single-street downtown lined with mom-and-pop shops, Old Greenwich makes for an ideal pit stop in Connecticut. In this all-American neighborhood dating back to 1640, visitors can do some shopping or simply snag a cup of coffee before watching the boats from Tod’s Point, a picturesque lookout hosting Greenwich’s community sailing club.

4. Homestead Inn–Thomas Henkelmann

Boutique Hotel

Distance: 5.5 miles (8.8 km) | Travel time: 19 minutes. Drivers can relax at Greenwich’s Homestead Inn–Thomas Henkelmann, a boutique hotel with a four-star contemporary French restaurant. The building sits on Rhode Island’s famous Bellevue Avenue, which is lined with 19th-century buildings. For dinner, we recommend any of Henkelmann’s duck creations paired with an award-winning wine and a good night’s sleep.

5. Fish Restaurant + Bar

Restaurant, American, Seafood

Distance: 6.7 miles (10.7 km) | Travel time: 21 minutes. Get a taste of authentic New England fare at Fish Restaurant + Bar. Seafood dishes shine at this Stamford favorite, where brunch options include panko-crusted lobster mac and cheese, tuna carpaccio flat bread, and diners’ choice of pan-seared, grilled, or blackened fish. Our advice: opt for an everything bagel crusting.

6. Hammonasset Beach State Park

Park

Distance: 61 miles (9.6 km) | Travel time: 1 hour 34 minutes. Hammonasset Beach State Park is the largest shoreline park in Connecticut that offers plenty to do for nature enthusiasts. It has two miles of beachfront along the Long Island Sound, over 550 campsites, hiking and biking trails, and opportunities to fish and picnic.

7. Newport Bridge

Bridge

Distance: 84.8 miles (136.4 km) | Travel time: 1 hour 34 minutes. Want an Instagram shot that lets everyone know that you’ve been to Newport? No Newport site says “wish you were here” more loudly than Newport Bridge. The 49-year-old Claiborne Pell Bridge, known locally as the Newport Bridge, has become an iconic symbol of the Rhode Island town. It even has its own hashtag: #ThatNPTBridge.

8. Newport Vineyards

Winery

HarvestFest_BrendanPouringForTasters_preview

Distance: 9.2 miles (14.8 km) | Travel time: 21 minutes. Celebrate the end of your trip with a toast. Stretch your legs while you stroll around the 75 acres of preserved farmland at Newport Vineyards. Relax with a glass of estate-grown wine, or tour and eat on the property.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.