Going Back to Newport
📍 Newport, Rhode Island

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Now that October is here, I can finally get in a Fall state of mind. The weather is starting to get cooler here in Florida, but there’s one New England town with some of my favorite Fall memories: Newport, Rhode Island. Just as luck would have, we’ve gone to Newport every year since 2018 (minus 2020, of course). The first time was for a friend’s wedding, but the 2019 trip was thanks to AAA. It was an incredible partnership where AAA sent me to cover the Newport Boat Show. Looking back, it was the first time I felt like I was making real growth in the blogging world. It’s an experience I will always hold dear and will never forget. Tomorrow, we’re waking up bright and early to catch a flight to the Ocean State for some fun events at David’s alma mater. That means going back to Newport! Because I can hardly contain my excitement, here’s a quick roundup of my last trip that started my love for the little nautical town by the sea.

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Left: Button-Down || Sweater || Jeans || Ballet Flats || Sunglasses || Earrings

Right: Slip Dress || Heels || Wrap || Clutch

Road Tripping from NYC

Our day started by taking an early train ride from Manhattan to pick up a rental car in Connecticut. NYC Insider Tip: it’s much cheaper to rent a car from CT. From there, we drove the quiet two and a half hours to Newport. Once we checked into the Newport Beach Hotel, the first objective was to find authentic New England clam chowder almost immediately. I’ll never call myself an expert, but lunch at the Black Pearl Patio is pretty hard to beat! There’s excellent food and nearly unrivaled views of the harbor. It was the perfect place to begin a quintessential Newport weekend! 

Date Night at The Vanderbilt and White Horse Tavern

To cap off the day, we had a quiet date night at some historic spots around town. Pre-dinner cocktails were held at the rooftop bar of the luxurious Vanderbilt Hotel. The Roof Deck is called one of the best-kept secrets in Newport and offers sweeping views of the water. It was no surprise that the sunsets are always stunning from here. I wish we had more time to mix and mingle with Newport society, but it was off to dinner reservations at the White Horse Tavern. Established in 1673, it’s the oldest operating restaurant in the United States and the 10th oldest in the world. Our entire meal was exquisite, from start to finish, including a bottle of Chilean Malbec and classic entrees. While there are a few other historic restaurants in Newport, definitely make the first a priority! 

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Left: Tee || Jeans || Sneakers || Bracelet || Earrings

Right: Similar Dress || Heels || Clutch || Earrings

Day One of the Newport Boat Show

On Day One of the Newport Boat Show, we got up early to walk into town and begin our day with Coffee Grinder. This teeny-tiny coffee shop is in an iconic location, right on Bannister’s Wharf. Grab your coffee and pastry to-go and either walk along the waterfront or daydream amongst the colonial houses. While there were so many homes to love, I was always partial to the bright colonial blue ones. Once at the Boat Show, we had our fill of window shopping and daydreaming. I learned so much about boating culture and met the nicest people along the way in the process.

Dinner at the Clarke Cooke House

Our second dinner in Newport was just as incredible as the first. The Clarke Cooke House is another New England legend. It offers casual dining in the Bistro and Candy Store, but we were so fortunate to snag a reservation at the Porch. In this intimate corner, you are surrounded by pink and green decor that I absolutely loved. While the menu offers some of the freshest seafood you can possibly find, whatever you do, don’t skip The Snowball in Hell for dessert. It pairs perfectly with a fun little cocktail called Newport Water (Veuve Clicquot, Grand Marnier, St. Germain, on the Rocks).

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Left: Sweater || Stripe Tee || Jeans || Sandals || Clutch

Right: Sweater || Similar Skirt || Heels

Day Two of the Newport Boat Show

On the second day of the Newport Boat Show, we took more time to explore the boats. We “tried a few on,” and I can definitely I can see myself taking on the boating life, full-on! Is it too early to already be excited about retirement? Since it was surprisingly warm for a New England September day, we treated ourselves to a local classic: Del’s Lemonade. It’s a simple frozen treat that I can’t wait to get my hands on again!

Shopping Through Newport

For a small town, Newport has so many perfectly New England boutiques. Each visit requires at least a few hours to peruse and pick up a fun souvenir. One of the biggest names in Rhode Island style is Kiel James Patrick. There are so many wonderful nautical pieces, and it’s hard to narrow down what to buy. I’ll absolutely be leaving some room in my suitcase. Other favorites include Monelle (I love shopping their sister store in Vermont) and Pink Pineapple (for adorable intarsia sweaters).

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Left: Sweater (Similar)

Right: Button-Down || Jeans || Sneakers || Earrings

Dinner at Flo’s Clam Shack

Our final night in Newport was such a lovely, quiet one! We opted for an earlier dinner at Flo’s Clam Shack. This spot across the street from the beach is no-frills but is still a must-visit! Put any sort of diet to the side because various types of tried seafood make up the bulk of the menu. Another noteworthy item is the Bottle of Moet and Hot Dog special. It definitely sticks out on the menu and maybe what I order on the next visit. After dinner, we sat on the rooftop deck of our nearby hotel to admire a final New England sunset with Narragansett, a local favorite!

Sunrise Cliff Walk and Drive Home

We got up before the sun for our final act in Newport to take an iconic Cliff Walk sunrise. Here, you get pristine views of two things: the seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean and the Newport Mansions. Either one, alone, is a reason to visit. Having worked up an appetite, we had breakfast at Belle’s Cafe. Located at the Newport Shipyard, I loved watching the boats come and go!

I’m beyond excited to get back to this little spot by the sea. I have to say now, don’t be surprised if someday we decide to take the plunge and become full-time Rhode Islanders. Until then, Newport, I’ll see you tomorrow!

Love from Rhode Island,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Mornings on Lake Champlain
📍 Basin Harbor Inn, Vermont

Shirt Dress || Flats ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Similar Handbag || Earrings || Bracelet || Sunglasses

While Vermont is deep in the heart of the Northeast, it’s the only landlocked state in New England. Every other state has a shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t worry because the Green Mountain State still has a chance for a little bit of nautical flair. Lake Champlain is the natural border between Vermont and New York, stretching just into Quebec. More importantly, it serves as a beautiful setting to admire the Adirondack Mountains. Any spot on the lake will be the best seat in the house, especially in the early mornings.

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While researching the Basin Harbor Inn, the lakefront location absolutely won me over. It just looked so idyllic and perfect for that quintessential Vermont summer. The list of waterfront activities is also seemingly endless. While our particular visit was exclusively overcast and chilly, there we several brave souls who weren’t deterred. I’m already looking forward to a return trip on a sunny day to make good use of the diving board. When I’m in the water, I’m in my element! If you prefer to keep your head above water, several cruises are offered, including a sunset cocktail cruise.

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The Basin Harbor Inn also features a boat club. This allowed for some great boat and people watching. Since my dad was a sailor, and I practically grow up on the water, I have a huge admiration for stunning sailboats. This particular vessel was visiting to take advantage of breakfast at Ardelia’s and then cast off for a full day on the water. I think I now have a preferred mode of transportation for everything. It makes a huge statement. If you don’t quite have the skills to man a sailboat, may I suggest renting a kayak instead?

If you love charming, historic hotels as much as I do, then the Basin Harbor Inn is a must-visit. Consider it the perfect excuse to come to Vermont. Here, you can pick your own adventure. Whether it’s an invigorating hike, sitting lakeside with a drink in hand, or anything in between, there’s something for you here that you’ll just love! Oh yeah, and mornings on Lake Champlain aren’t bad either.

Love from Vermont,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Summers in Northern Vermont
📍 Kennedy Compound, Vermont

Tank Top (similar) || Shorts || Sneakers (also) || Sunglasses

After nearly 18 months away from David’s entire family in Vermont, we couldn’t book our trip to the Green Mountain State soon enough. We originally wanted to make a trip to see the annual fall foliage, but Vermont had a pretty strict set of health and safety measures. Even until very recently, it still would have required a two-week quarantine. With health precautions finally lifted, we scheduled a two-week trip at the beginning of July. Summertime in Vermont blew me away! Until this year, I had only see Vermont in a winter wonderland state. Now I finally understand how it lives up to its name. With two weeks to explore, here are some of the ways to spend summers in Northern Vermont.

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Just Go for a Drive

Since I live in such a populated area, the idea of driving through rural country roads sounds incredible. Whenever we went out, David’s family always was sure to take the scenic route. Let me just say, if you’re in Northern Vermont, every route is the scenic route. The result was a quiet Katie because I just wanted to look out the window, staring at the farms and rolling hills. As you drive, be sure to stop in whatever little downtown you come across.

Head to the Lake

Floridians, at least this one, have a weird feeling about lakes. I just assume, often correctly, that an alligator is close by. I don’t want to risk it. Cut to Vermont lakes, and that was the farthest thing from my mind. On a warm New England summer day, jumping into a cool lake is the best feeling. Specific to Vermont, we spent time at Lake Champlain and Lake Carmi, which happens to be a mile away from the Canadian border. You can boat, kayak, or simply sit on the sunny dock with a good book.

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Enjoy a Creeme

The creeme is Vermont’s answer to soft-serve ice cream. No small town here is complete with at least one creeme stand. Almost as soon as I landed, I had a hankering for this treat with all of the rainbow sprinkles. This particular stand is in Sheldon, right across from a picturesque cornfield. I had ordered a peanut butter-vanilla swirl, but for the quintessential VT experience, you should go for the maple.

Take a Long Hike

If you’re visiting Northern Vermont in the summertime, a leisurely hike should be at the top of your list. There are so many different trails to choose from, and you may just be able to go outside and run right into one. In fact, many of the ski resorts in nearby Stowe cater especially to this. Whatever you do, don’t forget to pack your comfiest and most reliable walking shoes. Afterward, treat yourself to a refreshing Vermont beer.

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Have a Beer in St. Albans

Local craft breweries sweep throughout the state of Vermont. Nearly every town has a unique brewery to call its own. My brother-in-law lives in the quaint town of St. Albans. Here you’ll find a historic downtown with award-winning restaurants and the annual Vermont Maple Festival. You’ll also find 14th Star, a veteran-owned brewery that offers truly delicious beers. If you’re in northern VT, it’s truly a must-visit! For my friends and readers in NYC, St. Albans is also the final stop on the Vermonter train that leaves daily from Penn Station. You can explore without even needing a car!

Sample All Vermont Flavors

You may never have heard of Waterbury, VT, but it’s home to some of your favorite Vermont specialties. The biggest name on the list is probably Ben and Jerry’s. Go ahead and visit their factory. You’ll learn about the company’s history, see the flavor graveyard, and even get some free samples. I have it on good authority that the grocery store in Waterbury sells every flavor of Ben and Jerry’s available. Consider me in ice cream heaven! Another noteworthy company you may already love is Cabot. At the Cabot Annex in Waterbury, you can find the whole gambit of cheeses and dairy products that are made right in Vermont. Finally, don’t skip Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Even on a warm summer day, fresh apple cider and cider donuts are perfectly in season. 

While I’ll always feel like a Florida girl, I feel so lucky to have a permanent reason to escape to Northern Vermont. No matter what corner of the US you call, this state deserves to be prioritized year-round, especially in the summer!

Love from Vermont,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.