One of the major events being featured is the Holiday Lantern Tour. The tour is designed to illustrate how the holidays were celebrated in the colonial era. Tour-Goers will be guided through historic Newport and learn the rich history of one of the most important places in Rhode Island. These run every Friday and Saturday evening starting at 4:30 pm through December 23rd and is a great way to start a festive weekend. The Newport Historical Society allows members to receive a discounted price in efforts to increase involvement within the organization.

In addition to the lantern tour, NHS has other educational events this December including the “Discover Colonial Newport” and “Working Waterfront” walking tours.  By learning more about Newport, the society hopes to brighten your days as you help to preserve and celebrate the history of this great city by the sea.

Reservations are strongly encouraged as these events tend to book quickly. Call now or visit the website to secure your spot to enjoy a weekend in Newport and preserve our state’s history.

The “Taste of the Hill” event has several restaurants teaming up to make this a delicious and cultural experience for you to enjoy, but also support the FHHA’s efforts to help people, help themselves integrate into the community. Started in 1887 as a home for recent immigrants, the multi-cultural nature of FHHA inspires “The Taste of the Hill” ethnic blend of eating and entertainment.
If you happen to be in Newport, you don’t have to miss out either. This Friday, November 4th, is the opening day of Newport’s Annual Restaurant Week that feature many of the restaurants in Newport and Bristol counties. A prefixed lunch and dinner menu offer a delicious ten-day opportunity to experience some of Rhode Island’s finest, and please your taste-buds.

Ed Hardie, our Providence Manager and Newport boater, recommends either of these events. “They offer the perfect way to try new restaurants to which you have never been at a fantastic price. What better way to be adventurous.” Note that these are both paid events.

Although there are many events, a few caught my eye. This Friday is your last chance of the year to venture out on the Lighthouse Cruises and Newport Harbor Tours, departing from North Kingstown. You will be able to view beautiful islands, light houses and the famous Jamestown and Newport Bridges one last time before cold weather hits. If the stars catch your eye while you are out there, another idea is heading over to the Frosty Drew Conservatory in Charsletown to stargaze and see the night sky in an entirely different way.

In addition to these events, Rhode Island Sea Grant is holding it’s 30th annual “CoastWeeks”. These weekend events are designed to raise awareness for the need to preserve the coastline. They also demonstrate and harbor a better understanding of coastal management, in different areas of Rhode Island. On October 1st, you can join fishery scientists on the URI research vessel and learn about the proper fishing methods utilized to preserve our aquatic ecosystem. This is sure to be educational and fun, so if you’re interested head to the Wickford Shipyard, this Saturday. Two weekends later, “CoastWeeks” is also leading a free Newport Harbor Walk, showing the community all that the harbor has to offer and the environmental challenges associated with it.

South County is not just for summer beach go-ers. Make the most of your weekend, and welcome the Autumn in a new way this year.

If you’re down in the Southern part of the state this weekend, you might want to head over to the Newport International Boat Show. This annual event features new sailboats and powerboats, and thousands of products and services from both domestic and international exhibitors. This show is the biggest selection of boats and boating products in the Northeast and will cover over 13 acres along America’s Cup Avenue in Newport.

Sail for Pride is the show’s official Charitable Partner this year. Founded in 2001 in response to the horrific attack on 9/11, the group has since raised money for victims and their families plus over a dozen charities.

In addition to the boats, you can go to topical lectures on subjects like Cost Control While you Cruise. And if you’re looking for something to do in the evening, you might want to hit the Latitudes & Attitudes Cruisers Party, which provides the perfect way to meet others with your same passion for boating.

More information can be obtained at the Newport International Boat Show website.

View 4th of July Fireworks in a larger map

Sailors and lovers of the nautical lifestyle will be pleased to learn that it’s currently Bacardi Sailing Week. This is the first time the event has been held in Newport, and each day until the 26th, visitors can flock to Fort Adams State Park to watch sailors from across the world compete in exciting races. The park is beautiful as well, so even just going to see the scenery would be worthwhile.

If you’re going to be in the area but aren’t that into sailing, you may enjoy going to see the Newport Summer Comedy Series at the Newport Yachting Center. The featured performer will be Aziz Ansari, from the hit comedy Parks and Recreation on NBC. His show will start at 7:30 on Friday, the 24th and looks like a good opportunity to start the summer off with a laugh.

Gardeners and lovers of beautiful homes will love America’s premier summer flower show, The Newport Flower Show, which will be open Friday-Sunday. This beloved Newport staple for the past sixteen years will be held in the beautiful gardens of Rosecliff mansion on Bellevue Ave. Even more, proceeds from the event are going to support a good cause, the Newport Preservation Society, the organization that makes mansion tours possible for thousand of Rhode Islanders each year.

Perhaps the most attractive characteristic of Newport is its ability to appeal to a variety of lifestyles and interests, and we can see this in the variety of events that will be there this weekend. So if you have the opportunity to get on the island, check out some of the above opportunities.

In 2009, Deborah Davis published a book titled “Gilded – How Newport Became America’s Richest Resort” which highlighted the history of this fabled town’s past from the 1900 century to the present day. In it she recalls a story told to her from our Narragansett Realtor, Judy Chace, about the beginning of the invasion by the “modern day buccanneer[s] who [are] as high-rolling and freewheeling as any of the Gilded Age tycoons.”

Recently, the Red Carpet Gala added some sparkle to the city once again. Held by the Friends of Jane Pickens Theater, many of Newport’s residents watched the 2011 Oscar’s, while wining and dining at the Theater and Event Center on Sunday the 27th of February. The event included two comedians who guided the people through the evening and an auction for additional fund raising.  According to Board member Marisa Ferris, also a Narragansett Agent, the fundraising evening was a fantastic way to view the pageantry of the Oscar ceremonies, with Hollywood’s Stars decked out to the nines and parading down the real “Red Carpet.” The “Friends” is a 501(c)(3) non-profit created to help preserve the 178 year old building and allow the center to function. Besides movies or live screenings, like that of the Bolshoi Ballet and the upcoming royal wedding in England, the venue can be booked for special events.

We know, the holidays are always a busy time of year. From shopping for the perfect gift, to attending parties with friends, family and co-workers, there is often little time for leisure activities. However, if you’ve got some spare time this weekend, we suggest taking a trip over the bridge and investigating the Newport mansions, beautifully decorated for the season.

The Mansions feature extravagant decorations, thousands of evergreens and poinsettias, and 19th century ornaments; providing for the perfect outing for those who love the Holidays. On Saturday, a Holiday Evening Duet will take place at The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, that will showcase this breathtaking Yuletide finery, along with live seasonal music.

It’s sometimes easy to forget that we live in such close proximity to these architectural treasures, but they are always worth visiting, regardless of the time of year. That said, the holidays may just be the time of year these mansions shine the brightest, so you won’t want to miss out on seeing them in all their seasonal glory. If you can’t make it to the event on Saturday, the mansions will be decorated and open to the public until January 2nd.

For those of us scattered across the state, we don’t always get to enjoy Aquidneck Island as much as we would like. However, this local is always a great day trip and the Bowens Wharf Seafood Festival gives us a perfect excuse to go over the bridge and experience all that Newport has to offer. The Island and it’s traditions contain an essential part of Rhode Island’s history and traveling to the area reminds us of our roots. If you have any free time this weekend, we encourage you to venture across the bridge and take in all the splendor that Aquidneck Island has to offer.