36(ish) hours in Newport, RI

Day one: 

1:30 PM: Brick Alley Pub has a festive feel - the perfect place to grab a late lunch when you first arrive in Newport. Think fried calamari, fish sandwiches, big salads. The Red Parrot would also fit the bill nicely.

3:00 PM: Drive over to First Beach and start the Cliff Walk. The 3.5 mile trail is flat and easy, and you'll be rewarded with amazing views of the water on one side and giant mansions on the other.

5:00 PM: Take a spin on Ocean Drive and head over to Castle Hill Inn for a drink. This lovely inn is surrounded on all sides by water. The dining room is bright and pretty - if you're looking for something fancy, stick around for dinner.

Day two:

10:00 AM: Send those interested to the Tennis Hall of Fame. Three cheers for the Arthur Ashe exhibit! Send those not interested shopping along Bellevue Ave. Sara Campbell has darling party dresses and Sequin overflows with colorful, pretty jewelry. Our group may have walked away three bangles richer.

12:30 PM: Griswold Tavern is a cozy and inexpensive spot for lunch. Excellent clam chowder and fish and chips.

2:00 PM: You can't go to Newport without a mandatory visit to a mansion. The Breakers is the best one to hit up if you're only doing one. It's the most over the top - the scale alone is incredibly impressive. If you're looking for something slightly scaled back (though come on, they're still mansions!) try Rosecliff or the Elms.

(Rosecliff)

5:00 PM: Retreat to the hotel for G&Ts. The Hyatt Regency on Goat Island had a very warm, fun atmosphere. Board games to play in the lobby, free snacks in the afternoon, and a bar that hotel guests actually use and enjoy. Highly recommended. 

7:00 PM: Tucker's has a wacky Bordello-theme going on with the decor, a delightfully attentive staff, and a fantastic French bistro menu. The foie gras is worth the moral dilemma. Also: seared sea scallops, spicy veal bolognese and the trio of Crescent Farm duck. 

9:30 PM: Indulge in a nightcap, of sorts, in the form of ice cream from Newport Creamery. The clientele can be slightly odd, but you really won't care when you are staring down a giant brownie covered with cookie dough chunk ice cream, caramel, hot fudge and whipped cream, will you?

Day three: 

11:00 AM: In the midst of Royal Wedding madness, it seems like a good time to relive the Stateside edition. In 1953 Jack and Jackie were married at St Mary's, a gorgeous church with large, pastel stained glass on every window and bright white stone covering the walls. 

12:30: Walk over to the wharf and into The Mooring for brunch. Start with the bag of doughnuts (lobster, crab and shrimp fritters). Scallop chowder and the seafood charcuterie plate round out an excellent feast.