Back in September, Justin and I promised my parents that we would take a trip with them somewhere that they would enjoy. Lots of brainstorming later, we narrowed it down to Greenville, SC or Providence and Newport, Rhode Island. Rhode Island was chosen because they hadn't been there in twenty years. Wow! Time sure does fly. After doing some research and gathering tips from all of our resources, we had some reservations planned and a to-do list of activities.
We arrived in Providence on Friday night and headed to our hotel in the downtown area. The Renaissance was beautifully lit up purple when we arrived. The lobby was very nice and the rooms were comfortable and clean. At this point, it was too late to do anything, so we headed to sleep to prepare for the adventures ahead.
We woke up bright and early on Saturday, packed up our luggage, and headed outside. Right across the street from the hotel is the beautiful Rhode Island State House. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to take some photos.
After the photoshoot, we headed to brunch at CAV. CAV is not only a restaurant, but also an antique shop, and the décor is just so unique. CAV's global and enticing menu left us very happy. We ordered the Maine Lobster and Eggs, the Eggs Supreme, the Brioche French Toast, the Smoked Salmon Platter, and the Bag Sandwich (a French Warm Baguette with melted brie, turkey, and honey mustard). Every dish was better than the next. We highly recommend this gem.
After satisfying our taste buds, we drove the 40 minutes to Newport, and headed straight to the famous Cliff Walk to burn some calories. The trail runs about 3.5 miles. Parts of the trail (where we stayed) are paved, but there are some parts that are rocky and challenging. In one part of the trail, there are 40 steps you can walk down to get closer to the rocks and the water. This Cliff Walk is great for all ages and provides for some gorgeous views.
After the Cliff Walk, my friend's mother (Carol), who has spent a lot of time in Newport, suggested we drive around the Ocean Drive Historic District. What a treat. The coastal scenery combined with the views of the mansions in the area is breathtaking.
After the drive, we attempted to grab a drink on the Lawn of Castle Hill Inn, a luxury hotel that I've heard amazing things about, but the Inn was only honoring reservations. Unfortunately, we were not able to secure a reservation. Next time, we will know to plan way in advance.
After Castle Hill Inn, we made our way closer to where we were staying. The Bowen's Wharf and the Bannister's Wharf are full of fun shops and restaurants.
We went into the Kiel James Patrick flagship store, and I bought a cute pearl ring. I also discovered another boutique I had never heard of -- Tyler Böe. Not only did I end up buying a few adorable items, but I even received a follow-up email from the owner asking how I enjoyed my items. Now that is customer service.
Following the shopping adventures, we grabbed two donuts at the famous Liberty Donuts. The Cliff Walk and the Need for Speed donuts were made to order and delicious.
At this point, it was time to check into out hotel, so we headed to Hotel Viking. The hotel was a beauty and, as expected, there were several weddings taking place there that night. It has a fun bar inside, a coffee shop, and even a clothing store.
After changing and freshening up, we walked over to The Vanderbilt to grab a drink on the rooftop. The views were wonderful. We highly recommend grabbing a bite or a drink here.
We finished up our drinks and headed to dinner at Black Pearl. The restaurant is right on the water and has both inside and outside seating. We chose to sit inside because it was getting a little chilly out, but Black Pearl does have heat lamps.
The meal at Black Pearl was very tasty. We started with the clam chowder and the chili (necessary for a windy day).
We then ordered oysters, the seafood ceviche, and the fried brie to share.
As our entrees, three of us ordered the lobster salad sandwich in a croissant and one of us ordered the Shepard's Pie. Everyone was left very satisfied. The service was also wonderful.
We then tried to have a night cap at the oldest tavern in the United States -- the White Horse Tavern, but spaces were limited, and we were out of luck.
So we ventured back to our hotel and enjoyed our last drink of the night at One Bellevue.
But most importantly, don't forget to see the world, and eat the food.