Beyond the folk festival: Taking a family vacation in Newport, Rhode Island

Last summer, my husband and I established a new tradition of traveling to Newport, Rhode Island, with our daughter for the Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park. In addition to all of the musical talent, young families can enjoy a designated tent with complimentary water, snacks, crafts and kid’s instruments. "Folk Fest" was a perfect introduction to experiencing live music with my child as a new mom.

Outside of the Festival, Newport provides plenty of options for everyone, ranging from beautiful beaches to historic architecture. Best of all, Newport is less than a ninety minute drive from Worcester.

Family-friendly accommodations

Newport Harbor Island Resort recently underwent a $50 million renovation on Goat Island. The rooms offer a show stopping panoramic look at the coast, and Newport’s picturesque Harbor Light is located just a short walk from the outdoor saltwater pool. Guests can reserve individual fire pits to watch the sunset over Narragansett Bay. The Resort’s brand new Kid’s Club offers fun family programming as well as skeeball and Pop-A-Shot. A free shuttle runs to historic Bowen’s Wharf every half hour for shopping and dining. I recommend The Lobster Bar, located all the way at the end of the pier, for 180 degrees of unobstructed harbor views. (newportharborisland.com)

The Cliff Walk

Newport’s idyllic Cliff Walk extends 3.5 miles along the rocky shoreline, in sight of many of the city’s famed mansions. Most of the path is easy to navigate, with a few rugged sections for good measure. Keep an eye on little ones near the big drops, but don’t forget to enjoy the shot of serotonin that comes from the negative ions produced by crashing ocean waves. (newportharborwalk.com)

The Breakers

Take a pause along the cliffs to visit The Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt II's Italian Renaissance Mansion. The Breakers provides a self-guided family tour, narrated from the perspective of the summer “cottage” itself. Other than a brief moment of panic when my toddler attempted to use a 19th century marble jardiniere fountain as a bathtub, we had an excellent time exploring the grandeur. (newportmansions.org)

Castle Hill

Rent a bike and peddle to the lawn at Castle Hill where you can lounge in Adirondack chairs and watch the sailboats go by while you sip on “GrandMa” — short for Grand Marnier, the unofficial drink of Newport locals. (castlehillinn.com)

Newport International Polo Series

For only $20 per person, you can attend a match at America’s first polo club. Polo is best described as ice hockey on horseback. The summer sporting set turns out every Saturday, June through September, dressed in fashionable hats and sharp attire. Spectators prepare lavish picnic spreads on the lawn prior to the game including everything from candelabras to sterling silver trays. My favorite part is the divot stomp, a halftime tradition for which the audience treads onto the pitch to help repair any holes left by the horses hooves during play. (nptpolo.com)

Don’t forget to take advantage of the trolleys and water taxis as you explore the beauty of Newport with your family. The scenery is an enormous part of what makes this destination so relaxing for visitors of all ages.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Newport, Rhode Island, delivers family fun with Breakers and more ...