We spent the weekend in Newport, Rhode Island, for my cousin Maddie’s wedding and had the most beautiful weekend celebrating her marriage and catching up with my dad’s side of the family! This was the third wedding we’ve attended in Newport but only our second with little kids and we had such a nice time that I wanted to share some of the best things we did as a family to make the most of our quick weekend trip in case any of you are headed that way with little ones this summer!
Mark & Graham suitcase // raffia tote with bamboo handle // striped packing cubes // wicker clutch c/o
wedge espadrilles (use code MACKENZIE20 for 20% off) // gold t-strap sandals
We made a very quick pit stop in Stonington, Connecticut, on our drive up and I couldn’t get over all the beautiful architecture! Would love to come back here for a proper visit, especially when it’s less rainy!
It was raining in Newport when we arrived so we made last-minute lunch reservations at Clarke Cooke House on Bannister’s Wharf. Even in the rain it’s a cozy spot to enjoy oysters and lobster rolls (with a separate kids’ menu and crayons!) and then walk around adjacent shops and nearby Bowen’s Wharf.
Saturday evening was the wedding at Belle Mer which was gorgeous (I wish I’d taken a picture of the flowers!) and filled with so much love and laughter. I wound up wearing this striped dress from new-to-me brand Theo The Label with this clutch that tends to be my go-to for summer weddings. Had to include this photo of my mom — I thought she looked so chic with my dad’s blazer over her shoulders!
On Sunday morning we woke up ready to seize the day after the dreary weather the day before. We started our day at Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, the oldest topiary garden in the U.S. that also has beautiful views of Narragansett Bay. The property map included a scavenger hunt for kids to spot all the different animal-shaped topiaries which our four- and five-year-olds absolutely loved! It is not a huge property but an easy way for the boys to burn off some energy before the eventual drive home to CT.
(The boys go absolutely everywhere in their Floafers. There is truly no other shoe that works equally well for school, the playground, the beach, out to dinner, etc.!)
Next we met up with family at Second Beach back in Newport where the boys did lots of running races, introduced this favorite beach toy to my cousin’s children, and grabbed a quick bite to eat at the snack bar. I love beaches like this where the waves aren’t overwhelming for little kids and even at the snack bar there’s little risk of them trying to sprint into the parking lot. We had done the same family beach day after another cousin’s wedding two summers ago and it’s such a sweet way to relive favorite moments from the wedding the night before and get to properly visit with everyone without loud music playing!
Sunday was also Father’s Day and for once in my life 😉 I had planned ahead and booked Will a tennis lesson on the grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The boys and I got there in time to catch the last 15 minutes of the lesson and it was so fun to see him play in such a beautiful spot! The property is absolutely exquisite (and impeccably maintained!) and the pro was kind enough to let the boys run around after the lesson to practice cartwheels and pick up balls. We could have spent more time here too and would love to come back on our next Newport visit! We swung by my parents’ friends’ house (who hosted my bridal shower eight years ago!) on our way out of town and got to see their daughter and her sweet baby girl before hitting the road.
We always drive through Rhode Island on our way to Nantucket but there’s rarely an easy way to stop for a visit as we’re usually in a hurry to catch a ferry and this weekend was a great reminder of how much more there is to do in Newport with little kids. As we were driving we would see a polo match or a mini golf spot (not to mention the Cliff Walk and Castle Hill!) that we would have loved to squeeze in so I would love to make another trip back at some point as we really had such a great time!
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