Insider Guide: Newport, Rhode Island

Capehart Photography

Palm Beach philanthropist and corporate trustee James Berwind has been visiting Newport, Rhode Island his whole life—but his ties to the location date back more than a century. In 1901, his family built The Elms, an estate reminiscent of an eighteenth-century French château. Today, it is a jewel among Newport’s many exquisite mansions. A devout animal advocate, Berwind and his partner, Kevin Clark, spend their summers in New England with their two rescue dogs, Scout and Brio. While in Newport, they live on their boat, an apropos home given the myriad water activities the city has to offer.


VIBE:
Laid-back, personable

FASHION ESSENTIALS:
Untuckit button-down shirt and “critter shorts” from J.McLaughlin

BEST WAY TO START THE DAY:
Bike ride along Ocean Drive

GO-TO RESTAURANT:
Clarke Cooke House on the wharf for clam chowder

GUILTY PLEASURE:
A to-go box from Cupcake Charlie’s

BEST TIME TO GO:
Summer. Newport is beautiful in the spring and fall, as well, but summer is the season not to miss.

WHERE TO SHOP:
Cottage & Garden on Bridge Street

UNWRITTEN RULE THE LOCALS LIVE BY:
Thank you notes should be handwritten.

LOCAL DISH TO DREAM ABOUT:
Veggie pizza at Nikolas Pizza 

BEST SEAT IN TOWN:
The Lawn at Castle Hill Inn for cocktails at sunset

SOUNDTRACK:
Music emanating from the Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams

MUST-DO EXPERIENCE NOT IN THE GUIDEBOOKS:
Cliff diving at Rough Point or Sprouting Rock. Or, take a ride out to Second Beach and Third Beach to explore the dunes and the bird sanctuary.

BEST WAY TO SPEND A FREE MORNING:
Sail around the bay.

SIGNATURE DRINK:
A Dark and Stormy

FOR A SOLO EXPERIENCE:
Do the Water Journey therapy at The Bodhi Spa.

FUN CULTURAL OUTING:
Tour the “summer cottages” through The Preservation Society of Newport County.

HOMETOWN GOOD TO SAMPLE AND STOCKPILE:
Newport fudge

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