Newport Restaurant Week – November 5-14
Restaurant Weeks are popular across the country as a way to try new restaurants and revisit old favorites without breaking the bank. The Newport Restaurant Week boasts 68 different deals. You could visit a restaurant every day for both lunch and dinner and never be able to try them all. With so many choices there is sure to be something for everyone. Don’t miss the BOGO deals, two-course prix-fixe lunches, and three-course prix-fixe dinners. Some restaurants are also offering deals on gift certificates in case you just can’t fit them into your dining schedule that week.
Seasonal Events at Gurney’s – All month long
Experience igloo dining, an ice-skating rink, a festively lit lighthouse, and Thanksgiving brunch at a hotel named the most beautiful in Rhode Island by Architectural Digest. Heated igloos popped up on the Lounge and Firepit Deck on October 29. The igloos feature cozy blankets and room for four to dine on a dedicated menu. The igloos will transform into an Après Skate Winter Wonderland in conjunction with the opening of the skating rink on November 19. Snuggle up with a specialty cocktail and vintage games after testing your balance on the rink. The ice-skating rink will be open to the general public November 19, 2021 – March 31, 2022. The rink is set up on the great lawn giving a unique opportunity to ice skate while looking out over the water. Keep your kitchen clean and leave the cooking up to Gurney’s on Thanksgiving. Make a reservation now for the delectable three-course prix-fixe brunch. It is time to switch to Christmas mode the day after Thanksgiving by illuminating the lighthouse in festive fashion along with carolers, spiked ciders, and hot chocolate.
The Nutcracker Ballet at Rosecliff Mansion – November 24-December 3
See the Nutcracker as you have never seen it before. The Island Moving Company, Newport’s Contemporary Ballet, presents a show in which the guests experience the story with the young protagonist as she goes on a journey through the rooms of the historic mansion. After intermission, the second act is performed in the ballroom while guests sit comfortably at tables. The two-hour show is a truly unique take on a holiday tradition.
Thanksgiving Dinners at Newport Restaurants
Eating out on Thanksgiving is a day of perfection. According to holiday tradition, you are allowed to eat as much as you want. By dining out, you get to enjoy all that food without the cleanup. Many restaurants in the area offer fantastic options for your holiday meal. Check out the White Horse Tavern for a truly historical experience. The Tavern is the “oldest operating restaurant in the United States” and the 10th oldest restaurant in the world. Guests have been dining here since 1673. The Tavern is offering additions to their menu for Thanksgiving. Turkey may be the traditional meal for Thanksgiving but no one say you have to eat turkey that day. Try switching things up by savoring a 2-pound lobster at a harborside tavern. 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar and Grill features a truly decadent menu ranging from veal osso buco to filet mignon to Newport seafood favorites. Hotel Viking opens up their ballroom with a Grand Buffet for Thanksgiving. The meal features carving stations with Joyce Farms turkey, fish, ham, and charcuterie. All adults receive a signature cocktail with their meal. The Mooring is pleased to offer a special Thanksgiving Day menu with the option of turkey for landlubbers and halibut for those seeking fish.
24th Annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade – November 26
Some people drive through neighborhoods searching for houses with the best holiday lights. When you watch a boat parade, you stay in one spot and the holiday lights come to you. Find a spot overlooking Newport Harbor by 6 o’clock on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Bring a blanket to sit on and another to cozy up under. Watch a dazzling display of nautical creativity as boats big and small circumnavigate the harbor. Bring a camera to capture your favorite designs.
Scenic Bay Cruises on the Coastal Queen – through December 19
There is something serene about Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay in the colder months. The glass-enclosed lower deck can be heated on chilly days. If you are lucky enough to have a warmer day, the open-air top deck is always available. The fully narrated tours pass four lighthouses, two historic forts, the International Yacht Restoration School, and the gorgeous shoreline.