- Why stay in Middletown, RI
- Hotel Recommendations in Middletown, RI
- Food and Restaurant Recommendations in Middletown, RI
- Activities in Middletown, RI, and Nearby
- Ride the waves and soak up the sun at Second Beach
- Walk the nature trails at Sakonnet Greenway, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, or Norman Bird Sanctuary
- Pick strawberries, blueberries, apples, and pumpkins at Sweet Berry Farm
- Dress up and picnic with friends at Newport Polo
- Go for wine tasting at Newport Vineyards or Greenvale Vineyards
Why stay in Middletown, RI
Newport will always be the initial draw to Aquidneck Island for most tourists, but there’s something special about spending time in Middletown as a frequent visitor to the area. To the chagrin of locals, I predict that Middletown will become a destination in its own right.
More affordable options for hotels and accommodations for those looking to explore Newport, RI
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I will be the first person to suggest traveling to Newport, Rhode Island, for a classic New England experience. There is nothing that can ever substitute the magic of drinking a Newport Water at the Midway Bar or watching the sunset on the harbor by boat, rooftop, or waterfront lawn.
… but sometimes we have to re-evaluate our choices when we have champagne taste but a house wine budget.
Newport has always been a popular summer destination, but recently, demographics have shifted as people are getting priced out of more expensive Northeastern summer destinations such as the Hamptons, the North Fork, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, parts of Cape Cod, and Block Island.
(Fun fact—it’s possible to navigate the ferries between Newport, Block Island, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard during the season; however, it works best if you’re planning for a longer vacation and can forego having a car. We can go over that another time.)
My husband and I have watched hotel rates skyrocket since leaving Newport in the mid-2010s—it’s rare to find hotel rates in downtown Newport under $350 during the summertime without booking on a discount platform like HotelsTonight.
Thankfully, most of the hotels in Middletown have renovated their rooms and common areas to accommodate the rising demand of travelers who have a similar mindset—save on hotels, spend more at bars and restaurants.
If you’d prefer to find a vacation rental, there are also plenty of great options on VRBO and Airbnb that can accommodate larger parties in Middletown.
Conveniently located near major attractions
We’ve booked multiple stays in Middletown over the past few years and have enjoyed our time. The cost of Uber rides from Middletown to downtown Newport for a weekend is minimal compared to splurging on a gorgeous room off of America’s Cup Avenue or lower Thames Street that we would barely spend time in.
Since my husband and I are both very familiar with the area—we both attended Salve Regina University—we also like exploring Portsmouth and driving to visit family across the bridge in Narragansett.
Access to nature trails
The Cliff Walk in Newport is a great way to take in the views and see the Gilded Age mansions that line Bellevue Avenue.
However, if you enjoy being outdoors, Middletown is home to an extensive network of walking trails on Aquidneck Island. The Aquidneck Island Land Trust is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of open space for future generations, including land acquisition and trails. The Norman Bird Sanctuary, a non-profit wildlife refuge and nature preserve, has over 300 acres filled with diverse habitats.
Hotel Recommendations in Middletown, RI
Every major hotel chain has a presence in Middletown, but I want to shout out the three hotels that deliver an elevated experience that’s more than just “a random place to stay outside of downtown Newport.”
Atlantic Beach Hotel
This hotel has come a long way.
Before The Wayfinder came along, Atlantic Beach Hotel was the first choice for staying close to Newport while only being a short drive away.
The hotel does have an incredible advantage of being within walking distance to Easton’s Beach, also known as First Beach to locals, and the Cliff Walk. The hotel also has a casual restaurant, Tickets, across the street, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The nautical-inspired design—warm, welcoming, and clean—is reflected throughout the interiors, especially the common areas. There’s an indoor pool open year-round and a rooftop sundeck, which is a nice space to enjoy during the summer.
The Pell, JdV by Hyatt
The Pell is the perfect choice for hotel guests looking for a clean, calming, and convenient experience. A former Ramada Inn, The Pell’s full renovation of its rooms and new restaurant, The Helmway, was completed in Spring 2023.
In February 2026, The Pell announced on social media that they had broken ground on an outdoor pool, which will be a welcome addition to the property’s amenities.
Maybe I’m biased, but Hyatt is an underrated corporate chain—I find it to be less fussy and more modern than Marriott or Hilton.
The Wayfinder
While The Wayfinder is technically in Newport, I included it here because this is one of the best affordable, high-value options in the area outside of downtown Newport. The quirky, coastal character brightens the rooms, outdoor pool area, and the restaurant, Little Clam, which is led by Chef Antonio Wormley. An accomplished New England chef, Wormley recently competed on Gordon Ramsay’s show, Hell’s Kitchen.
Like most boutique hotels, The Wayfinder has bikes available to rent, but you could actually use the new bike trail and dedicated bike lanes to get into downtown Newport. Download the biking trail map by Bike Newport for all routes in the area.
In Spring 2022, The Wayfinder closed after an electrical fire caused considerable damage to the building. As a result, the hotel’s reviews took a major hit after its reopening and are still affecting The Wayfinder’s ratings across Google, Expedia, and TripAdvisor.
I stayed at The Wayfinder at least five times in 2025 and would highly recommend it.
Food and Restaurant Recommendations in Middletown, RI
Mission
I fell in love with Mission at its original location in downtown Newport, around the corner from Broadway.
The relocation to Middletown by First Beach makes a lot of sense for the burger joint because it’s more convenient for locals to go year-round without having to dodge tourist traffic in the summer. Mission belongs to the same restaurateur family that also runs the retail shop next door to Mission, UTILITY, as well as Thames Street Kitchen and Audette, both located in downtown Newport.
Bottega Bocconi
The Portsmouth-based Italian kitchen and market opened a sandwich shop steps away from First Beach. The specialty Roman-style sandwiches, piadine, are made with unleavened bread and filled with fresh ingredients.
Bottega Bocconi serves espresso and light breakfast bites in the morning, and also has a full-liquor license within walking distance of nearby hotels, including Atlantic Beach Hotel.
Custom House Coffee
Custom House Coffee knows how to make my coffee order right.
Custom House Coffee has a quality range of baked goods and local products, including scones from June Love’s English Bakery around the corner and cold-pressed juices from Fully Rooted.
Le Bec Sucré
In my opinion, there can never be enough authentic French bakeries in the United States.
Newport County is spoiled to have Le Bec Sucré in the community. It’s common for the bakery to sell out of most goods by 10:30 AM year-round, not just during the summer.
Le Bec Sucré also has a sister shop, Le Bec Salé, which offers sandwiches, salads, and quiches—this reminds me of the typical lunch selection you would find at most bakeries in Paris.
JT Commons
Opened in Spring 2025, the latest Newport Restaurant Group property offers a pizza-centric menu where guests can enjoy their meal at the restaurant, on the patio, or place their order to-go.
Activities in Middletown, RI, and Nearby
Ride the waves and soak up the sun at Second Beach
Tourists will go to First Beach—Rhode Island residents will head to Second Beach.
Although First Beach is more convenient, it is notorious for having a punishing red tide in the summer and can get quite nasty. Sachuest Beach, known locally as Second Beach, is a much better spot to enjoy a day at the beach with family and friends.
A quick note—if you’re researching beaches in Newport, you have probably come across Third Beach, which is also located in Middletown. It is a quiet local beach that’s great for families with small children because the water is much calmer than First and Second Beaches. In the summer months, access is available only to residents or walk-ons—there is no visitors’ parking lot nearby for non-residents.
Walk the nature trails at Sakonnet Greenway, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, or Norman Bird Sanctuary
Newport County’s commitment and dedication to preserving natural habitats and open spaces are positively reinforced by the presence and integration of the Sakonnet Greenway, the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, and the Norman Bird Sanctuary into the local community.
All three of these organizations engage with residents through creative partnerships and programming year-round, so there are plenty of opportunities to support the work that they do without having to set foot on a trail.
Pick strawberries, blueberries, apples, and pumpkins at Sweet Berry Farm
There are few activities more wholesome than picking your own seasonal fruits at a local working farm and supporting local businesses.
Sweet Berry Farm has greatly expanded from its modest start in 1980, growing strawberries and Christmas trees part-time, to a thriving farm growing several seasonal crops, a gourmet market, and a café.
In late 2025, Sweet Berry Farm recently changed ownership from its original founders and is the latest addition to The Aquidneck Land Trust’s portfolio.
Dress up and picnic with friends at Newport Polo
The Newport International Polo grounds at Glen Farm in Portsmouth is the original site and home of the oldest polo club in the United States.
Founded by James Gordon Bennett in 1876—the publisher of the New York Herald and one of the gentlemen of the Gilded Age—the International Polo Challenge Cup tournament was one of the earliest major sporting tournaments, comparable in status and elegance to America’s Cup, the U.S. Open Tennis, and the U.S. Open Golf.
Today, anyone is welcome to attend, tailgate, and enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Newport Polo from June through September.
Go for wine tasting at Newport Vineyards or Greenvale Vineyards
Newport Vineyards has built an incredible family-owned business since its founding 30 years ago. Complete with a 100+ acre estate and tasting room, Newport Vineyards has become a top attraction in Newport County and one of the most popular and recognized wineries in New England.
Located in Portsmouth—six minutes down the road from Newport Vineyards—the family-owned Greenvale Vineyards overlooks the Sakonnet River and produces high-quality wines. A highly underrated local treasure that deserves more recognition.
New England Parisienne 