Today, Newport and its surrounding coastal communities usher in fall, a time when we metaphorically exhale by trading the frenzy of summer for a calmer, gentler pace. Enjoy apple picking, hayrides and annual harvest festivals (think: food, wine and the bounty of the sea), the menagerie of colorful foliage along Cliff Walk, family adventures, Restaurant Week and yes, sailing on Narragansett Bay through late October. Some seasonal events around the region include:
Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival, Sept. 23 - 25: Held in one of the most spectacular settings in America, this remarkable weekend experience features hundreds of wines from around the world, fabulous food, cooking demonstrations by nationally-renowned chefs, live and silent auctions and a gala celebration. newportmansions.org/events/wine-and-food-festival
55th Annual Cluny Country Fair, Sept. 25: Kids of all ages will love the carnival games and prizes, hay rides and field games, including a zip line, Velcro wall, bounce house, climbing wall and Knockerball. Family-friendly music throughout the day. clunyschool.org/support/
42nd Annual Harvest Fair at Norman Bird Sanctuary, Oct. 1-2: An autumn ritual for generations of families, this beloved old-fashioned fair offers barrel train rides, midway games, crafts and artisanal finds, local food and beer, live music, the challenging “Monkey Bridge” and the infamous mud pit. normanbirdsanctuary.org/annual-events/harvest-fair
Broadway Street Fair, Oct. 8: A family-friendly day of music, food, kids activities, art, dancing, and so much more along Newport’s nearly completed Broadway. broadwaynewport.com/street-fair
Bowen’s Wharf 26th Annual Seafood Festival, Oct. 15 - 16: Honoring the "Harvest of the Sea," this ever-expanding event features lobster dinners, clam chowder, stuffed quahogs, clam cakes, shrimp, scallops, raw oysters and clams as well as a few dishes for landlubbers and kids in a festival atmosphere along the waterfront. bowenswharf.com/events
Trinity Church’s Annual Pumpkin Patch, mid- to late-October: In the heart of downtown Newport, Queen Anne Square transforms into an autumnal epicenter with thousands of pumpkins for sale, artisan crafts, live music on the weekends and hot apple cider.
Newport Vineyards Harvest Festival, Oct. 29: Sip, savor and toast the season's crush with a day full of grape stomping, pie eating, live music, craft cocktails and of course, local wine tasting. www.newportvineyards.com
Taste of Newport, Oct. 30: Benefiting Child & Family, the largest and most comprehensive social service provider in Newport County, The Taste Experience showcases culinary delights from 20 local restaurants while the Dine Experience offers the addition of an elegant seated dining adventure.
Newport Restaurant Week, Nov. 4-13: Marking its 11th successful year, chefs and restaurateurs “bring the heat” with creative menus and seasonal, ingredient-driven dishes. This 10-day culinary celebration includes locally-owned cafes, restaurants and bistros throughout Newport and Bristol Counties, all offering special prix-fixe prices: $16 three-course lunches and $35 three-course dinners. discovernewportrestaurantweek.org
17th Annual Harvest Festival at Greenvale Vineyards, Nov. 12: Celebrating the completion of the annual grape harvest, this event features live music, tractor rides, walking tours and tastings of the vineyard’s award winning, estate-grown wines.
87th Annual Harvest Bazaar, Nov. 19: Shop for seasonal gifts and find unique handmade items, art pieces, jewelry, plants, baked goods and attic treasures at this beloved Bristol gathering. fccbristol.org
Other fantastic events include winery tours, more than half a dozen farmers’ markets, wine and cheeses classes, craft fairs, ghost tours and haunted happenings, corn mazes, apple picking, fall sailing, road races and more. For details and Discover Newport’s official “Autumn Bucket List,” CLICK HERE.
ABOUT DISCOVER NEWPORT
Discover Newport is the official destination management organization (DMO) dedicated to promoting the City of Newport and the eight surrounding coastal townships in Newport and Bristol counties, Rhode Island. These include Barrington, Bristol, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Warren. As a non-profit organization, Discover Newport partners with stakeholders throughout our tourism and hospitality industry to market the region as a premier destination for business and leisure travel.
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