On your next trip to Newport, R.I., remember to ditch those Docksiders, un-pop your shirt collar and explore this preppy port city’s funkier side. Although Newport is best known for its Gilded Age mansions, regattas and yachties, it also has a newly emerging cool side that’s shaking up everything from hotels to the dining scene.
There’s no need to stay in a doily-covered B&B when there are plenty of new options in town. Gilded opened in May with a playful take on Newport’s past, with bold colors and vibrant wallpaper (from $302). If Gilded is full, check out its sister property, the boutique Attwater (from $362), where guest rooms are decorated with bright pops of color for a look that says New England with a twist. Although there is no restaurant, a big breakfast spread is laid out every morning, featuring fresh juices, Mighty Leaf teas and gourmet baked goods such as lemon ginger scones.
Champagne, sir? Madam? Just put down that flute and head to Newport Distilling Company.
Located on the outskirts of town, the brewery produces Newport Storm beer but also singlehandedly revived the town’s production of rum. Newport was once the rum capital of the world; in its 18th-century heyday, it housed 22 distilleries. Fast forward, and the 2008 opening of Thomas Tew Rum marked the first time rum was distilled in Newport since 1842. Visitors who feel like spending more time in the brewery can volunteer on Tuesdays to help bottle beer, and get to take home a case for their hard work.
Newport is full of upscale seafood restaurants, especially down by the wharves, but a new breed of surf-obsessed tattooed chefs is challenging the status quo. Most of the new restaurants are popping up near Broadway, a main drag that cuts through a slightly gritty neighborhood. This is where you’ll find locals — especially hipsterific families — hanging out.
Serving up the only ramen in town is Boru Noodle Bar, which opened last summer. The humble space with a low-key vibe has just a handful of tables and (bonus!) it’s BYOB. Highlights include a curried ramen with Narragansett yogurt, as well as pork buns, Szechuan fried calamari and a kale salad with miso dressing.
Nearby is burger and hot dog haven Mission, run by the same team behind the acclaimed Thames Street Kitchen, a locally sourced joint known as TSK. The newer Mission has a small burger-and-hot dog menu that’s scrawled on a wall-mounted roll of butcher paper. Go for the bacon cheeseburger topped with house-cured bacon or the falafel, which has a gourmet twist. It features freshly rolled and fried chickpea balls under a sprinkling of cured lemon and fennel shavings. Order a side of thick-cut fries and choose from a wide selection of local beers.
Forget kitschy embroidered throw pillows. At Bowen Wharf, the new home design store Egg & Dart is helping spice up the city’s shopping options. It’s stocked with handmade Etta + Billie soaps, Mast Brothers chocolates and Assouline coffee table books. If you like their style, the shop’s owners also have a chic houseboat, the Belafonte, that is available to rent by the night (from $550). A snazzy Egg + Dart gift bag welcomes guests.
A short stroll away is NEHC — short for the New England Harbor Club. This newish shop carries Topshop/Topman, along with Wildfox and other big brands from Los Angeles. Nearby is Re-Sails, bearing a selection of gear for stand-up paddleboarding and items made from repurposed sails, such as tote bags.
To hang out with the cool kids and work on your tan, head to one of Newport’s beaches. The heart of the surfing scene is Waterbros, a local surf/skate shop owned by local legend Sid Abbruzzi. Easton’s Beach (also called First Beach) is another top spot to ride some waves. Rent a boogie board and chairs at Rosie’s Beach Store, or opt for Sachuest Beach (also called Second Beach). The western end of that stretch is particularly popular with surfers, stand-up paddleboarders and boogie boarders.
Even the venerable Newport Folk Festival premiered a pretty trendy lineup for its recent concert series, when Hozier, the Decemberists and Courtney Barnett performed. And if you happen to visit later this summer for the Newport International Polo Series (which runs through the end of September), or the Alex and Ani Summer Concert Series (through Sept. 3) — just remember to only pack a pink polo if it’s ironic.