Newport, Rhode Island is one of our favorite places to visit during the summer. It’s so beautiful and we always enjoy our stay there, regardless of how many times we’ve visited. There’s always something to do and even when it’s not peak season, you can go for a relaxing walk outdoors along Cliff Walk or simply sit on the beach and enjoy the views of the coast along Ocean Drive. Whatever you end up doing, you’re sure to enjoy your time there.
Whenever we visit Newport, we always make a list of things we plan to bring with us and utilize that list when actually packing our bags for our stay. While clothing is definitely a large part of what we decide to bring with us, we also bring other smaller items to ensure that we can enjoy our stay each time we go. If you’re planning to visit Newport soon, here’s some things we typically pack when staying in the coastal town.
Most of this post will focus on items that I tend to pack during our trips or would recommend from our previous experiences.
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Jumpsuits, Sundresses & Other Light Items
Although by the ocean, when it’s hot in Newport, it’s hot. I remember our first time visiting Newport, we ended up getting tacos at this one restaurant whose air conditioning must not have been working and although we enjoyed our meal, we quickly learned that it’s best to pack light when visiting Newport during the summer. The next time we went I packed shorts, linen or breathable tops, and sundresses for those really warm days.
A Breathable Sweater and/or a Light Jacket for Evenings
In the evening, especially if you’re grabbing something by the water, it can be a bit chilly. I’d recommend packing a breathable sweater or a light jean jacket for these instances so that you don’t get too cold at night. One of my favorite things to do whenever we were growing up and went to the beach for vacation was to sit outside with a hoodie and chill in the cool, nighttime breeze. Similarly in Newport, when you’re outside walking along the wharf or near the bay, you are going to want something a little extra to keep your warm as the temperature drops near the water.
That said, depending on the month that you go and whether it’s an El Nino year or not, there can actually be some days even during the daytime that you’ll want to grab a jacket. As a result, we always pack one and have them with us in the car or on-hand just case, unless we’re absolutely certain it’s going to be a warm day or that we’re not going to be outside much that evening.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a MUST! I’m sure this goes without saying, but with all of that sun you must protect your skin – even my fellow melanated folks like myself.
Sunglasses
On the sunny days, it’s a must to have a cute pair of sunglasses that you can wear when enjoying the weather outside!
Baseball Caps or Sunhats:
Although I still struggle with getting baseball caps to look right on my head (#fiveheadgang), I love a good baseball cap on a sunny day for extra protection from the sun – particularly on days where I know we’ll be outside more. I’d recommend packing one or grabbing a sun hat that you can wear when spending time outside.
