In 2002, I moved from Alexandria, Virginia, to Newport, Rhode Island, where my now-husband has family roots.
I immediately fell for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant community, and cozy New England vibe. It’s so breathtaking that we chose to marry there, despite having spent much longer stretches of our lives in other amazing cities.
Newport is still a magical coastal enclave with fabulous restaurants, year-round events, and extraordinary hospitality, but over the past two decades, the area has seen an influx of second homeowners, new hotels and inns, and a surge in short-term rental properties.
It’s especially busy in the summer, though autumn in New England also lures visitors — including tens of thousands via cruise ships — to the city to take in the brilliant fall foliage.
With a palpable increase in travel demand, some may argue Newport hardly has an “off season” anymore.
The city, located on the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, now welcomes more than 3.5 million visitors annually, and that has come with some challenges.
Major thoroughfares quickly become congested during the summer, especially on weekends
Living in a popular tourist destination can definitely feel overwhelming at times.
We locals love to bask in all the things that make Newport so special, too, but we also need to do everyday errands in between the “staycations.”
Area roads get very congested in the summer, many with traffic that comes to a crawl at the busiest times of day. This means I have to plan for most tasks to take longer than they would in less-busy seasons.
And, in the summer, I switch up my schedule to go grocery shopping, stop by the post office, and do other mundane chores early in the morning in an attempt to avoid some of the traffic.
It’s especially challenging to visit beloved cafés and restaurants during busy season
In summer, some restaurants and cafés are so popular that stanchions are needed to manage the lines that form outside.
One breakfast spot my friends and I frequent in the offseason isn’t even worth trying to dine at on summer mornings unless we want to wait an hour or so.
Newport also has a serious coffee culture with more than a dozen dynamic local cafés. One of my favorite spots, The Nitro Bar, has gone viral, and both locations in the city draw crowds that literally wrap around the block most summer and fall mornings.
It’s wonderful to see small business owners succeed and grow, and to have people from across the country want to experience something delicious in my own backyard. However, if I want my dirty chai latte on a summer weekend, I have to get to the shop when it opens at 7 a.m. to beat the crowds.
I’ve encountered similar challenges when dining in Newport.
The city has so many great restaurants ranging from upscale to super casual, plus rooftop decks perfect for sunset cocktails and harborside eateries that lean into Newport’s nautical heritage.
It’s not unusual to quickly find a spot for lunch or a light bite during off-peak hours, run into friends, and spontaneously have a fun group outing.
However, tables and meal reservations can be hard to secure during busy seasons — especially if you have a larger party of six or more and it’s summer.
Knowing local staff helps, but it’s not unusual for a place to simply be at full capacity during dinner hours. Planning well in advance or just waiting for the flexibility and availability in quieter seasons, like winter or spring, helps.
We love when family and friends visit us in Newport in the summer, but lodging rates can be exorbitant
Newport is known for its jaw-dropping Gilded Age mansions, but unfortunately, we don’t own one. So when family and friends come to visit, they’re often shocked by hotel and short-term rental rates.
Peak-season hotel rooms can easily exceed $500 a night, especially on weekends, and many require a two-night minimum.
What’s more, there can be times in the summer and fall when it’s hard to find availability at all.
World-class events, including the Newport Folk Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, and the Hall of Fame Open, bring tens of thousands of visitors to the City by the Sea. Many visitors end up having to seek accommodations off the island and further outside the city.
Still, Newport is vibrant and lively all year round — and I’m grateful to live here
Unlike some other popular New England destinations, nearly all of Newport’s businesses are open year-round, though some restaurants, shops, and inns may take a few short weeks off for updates and renovations — or some well-earned rest and relaxation.
The challenges that summer brings aren’t unique to Newport, but its popularity comes with some legitimate trade-offs.
However, with its salty breeze, iconic harbor, rich history, inspiring architecture, impressive dining scene, electric events, and community spirit, Newport has a way of casting its spell and making you fall in love with it, whether here for a day or for more than 20 years.
If you ask me, there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather call home. And I’m willing to bet most Newport locals would agree.
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