Follow in NEL TV’s footsteps and spend a weekend in Rhode Island’s charming coastal city—even in chilly weather.
By Lisa Cavanaugh
Castle Hill Inn
Originally built in 1874-1875 as one of Newport’s summer “cottages,” Castle Hill Inn is set on 40 acres overlooking the point where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. It offers unmatched water views from every room and from just about anywhere on the grounds and grants guests exclusive access to private beaches. Evan Berenson, Executive Producer and Director of NEL TV, agrees the location is ideal. “You’re right on the water and close to downtown but still secluded and surrounded by nature, so it’s a perfect retreat,” he says. “There are incredible hikes nearby and beautiful grounds to enjoy.”
When the weather turns cool, guests can tuck inside and enjoy the inn’s many elegant yet homey spaces. “For fall and winter escapes, the Agassiz Mansion offers plenty of nooks for cozying up by the fireplace,” says Managing Director Brian Young, “whether it’s in the lobby for an afternoon of reading or within one of its suites offering private fireplaces.” He says that the inn’s Beach Cottages are also perfect places to warm up by a fire, watch the waves roll in, or stroll along the shore wrapped in an inn-provided sherpa blanket.
“Guests of the hotel can enjoy complimentary daily afternoon tea service, which is a wonderful way to enjoy a cooler day on the property with our custom selection of teas, delicious finger sandwiches, scones, and petit fours,” says Young.
The NEL TV team notes that a visitor won’t have to go far to indulge in additional culinary delights. Opened in February 2024, Aurelia at Castle Hill offers a six-course prix fixe menu over a two-and-a-half-hour experience featuring contemporary New England cuisine that is simple, elegant, and ingredient-driven. “The food was truly impressive,” says Holt, who was able to tour the inn’s produce gardens with Executive Chef Jen Backman.
Newport Craft Brewery & Distilling Co.
For some locally made ales and spirits, NEL TV recommends heading to the North Newport neighborhood and the newly renovated Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. “The North End of Newport has a lot of great history,” says CEO Brendan O’Donnell. “It was up here where Bob Dylan went electric at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, where the big Ringling Brothers’ circuses used to be. So we are showing off a different part of Newport with our unique brewery and distillery.”
Newport Craft serves as a gathering spot for tasting delicious ales and spirits and as a brand collective. “We have a couple of different beer brands and spirit brands but are also making alternative beverages,” says O’Donnell. “We have a microbiology lab and a very serious production operation, but we complement those with the hospitality side. Our goal has been to make Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling unique, family-friendly, and a perfect gathering place in an exciting part of town.”
The overall aesthetic of the place is industrial meets farmhouse. “It has a lot of inspiration from bars around New York City but also from vineyards,” says O’Donnell. Chic yet cozy, with views of the Pell Bridge, the location has a new outdoor beer garden and an indoor/outdoor roof deck that offers plenty of places to imbibe and relax all year.
“There are so many activities in the fall, and it’s my favorite time of year as a local,” says O’Donnell. Their complete line of spirits and beers is always available, but some of the cooler seasonal offerings include aged stout, Oktoberfest beers, and hot toddies. “Our spirits, like rum and whiskey, play well in fall and winter drinks,” he says. “And as an event venue, we plan movie and football-watching parties, winter weddings, mahjong tournaments, and special catered dinners.”
Audrain Automobile Museum
Holt and crew also took to the streets with Donald Osborne, the CEO of the Audrain Automobile Museum. “That was definitely a highlight of the shoot,” says Holt, who was chauffeured by Osborne along the historic streets in a vintage Porsche. “Getting that first-hand history from Donald and being able to experience Newport from that perspective was amazing,” she says. “Donald is incredibly knowledgeable about automobiles and is doing a wonderful job.”
Founded in 2014 to preserve, celebrate, and share automotive history, the museum is housed in the historic Audrain Building on Bellevue Avenue. “We rotate from collections containing over 400 cars and motorcycles ranging from brass-era veteran cars to today’s supercars,” says Osborne.
Among Audrain’s four annual thematic exhibitions is this fall’s History, Luxury, Sport: Automobiles of Newport. “Newport, from its founding in the 17th century through today, has been about these overarching themes,” says Osborne, who has had a passion for cars since he was young. “This exhibition celebrates Newport’s place in the history of the automobile and, specifically, racing.”
