15+ Reasons to Visit The Classic Coast This February

Welcome to February on The Coast, where the sights are snow-covered and magical, and events (while they still look pretty different) are aplenty. This month, Newport celebrates Black history with virtual events and lectures that honor the heritage and culture of the Black community. Things heat up mid-month with Valentine's Day events and offerings dedicated to celebrating the love in your life.

For a dose of fresh air, head over to the Showfish Igloo Pop-Up at Gurney's Newport Resort, or bundle up and make your way to Simmons Farm for their Pet and Cuddle event, sure to cure those winter in a pandemic blues.

For more ideas, check out our picks for the month below or visit our full events calendar

COVID-19 NOTE:

When you're ready, we can't wait to welcome you back to The Classic Coast. Rest assured, the safety and well-being of both visitors and locals remains our top priority. The mask mandate requiring face coverings in Rhode Island has been lifted, however local businesses may ask you to wear a mask when visiting their establishments. Please be prepared for individual business mask policies. Additionally, shops, attractions and tours are monitoring the number of guests at any given time and may ask you to socially distance to enter.

All we ask when you land on these shores is that you play your part in keeping everyone safe. Please be kind, adhere to guidelines and maintain social distancing.

VIRTUAL EXHIBIT: BREAKING THE BARRIERS

Host: International Tennis Hall of Fame
When: January 19 - February 28

Breaking The Barriers: The ATA and Black Tennis Pioneers features a multimedia timeline spanning more than 120 years of Black tennis history, as well as a concurrent timeline of African American history overall. The exhibit chronicles the struggles and evolution of Black tennis, and the lives and careers of Black tennis champions from the early 1900s through today.

Breaking The Barriers is largely focused on the history of Black tennis in America, and it is part of a multi-faceted initiative by the International Tennis Hall of Fame to educate fans and shine a spotlight on Black tennis history.

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HOT CHOCOLATE BAR

THROUGH FEBRUARY

Where: The Chanler
Admission: A la carte

Hot chocolate is a winter-in-New-England right of passage. When temperatures dip, there's few places we'd rather be than cozied up in front of a fire with a warm mug of hot chocolate. For a decadent experience, make your way to The Chanler at Cliff Walk, a luxury hotel nestled in a former 19th-century private mansion, for a sip of gourmet hot chocolate from their hot chocolate bar.

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WALKING TOUR: CREATIVE SURVIVAL

FEBRUARY 6, 1:00 - 2:00 PM

Where: Departs from the Newport Colony House
Admission: $15 per person, $10 for Newport Historical Society members and active duty military.

Discover the early history of Newport’s people of color, enslaved and free on the Creative Survival walking tour. Explore the places where enslaved people lived and labored, along with locations where free African-Americans built their enterprises and supported a new local industry.

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CLASSIC MOVIE THURSDAYS

WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 4:00 - 9:00 PM

Where: Brenton Hotel
Admission: Adults: $26, Children: $8

Join Brenton Hotel in the Living Room for Gilded-Age-inspired cocktails and classic movies. Cocktail service begins nightly at 4:00 PM, and the feature presentation begins at 7:00 PM. Admission to the movie night is open to the general public, featured cocktails and full Living Room menu is also available.

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SIMMONS FARM PET AND CUDDLE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1:00 - 1:30 PM

Where: Simmons Farm
Admission: $15

Let the goats at Simmons Farm help ease your anxiety and relax your mind into a gentle peace, focusing on the loving little being cuddled in the safety of your arms.

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CUPID AND CONSTELLATIONS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 6:45 - 8:30 PM

Where: Norman Bird Sanctuary
Admission: $15

Join Norman Bird Sanctuary for an intimate evening of stargazing as you discover winter constellations and hear romantic star stories that have been passed down through the ages. Find warmth on this crisp winter’s night by your own fire pit, while enjoying complimentary beer, wine, seltzer, hot chocolate, hot toddies, and sweets provided by Edible Arrangements. Led by astronomer and scientist communicator, Sara Poirier, guests will listen to stories of star-crossed love and legend as they observe the planet Mars, star clusters, and the Orion nebula through telescopes.

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BOWEN'S WHARF WINTER SALE DAYS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21

Where: Bowen's Wharf

Join the merchants of Bowen's Wharf for ten full days of wharf-wide sales and restaurant promotions for family fun. Visit our Facebook page for updates on deals, specials and happenings!

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NEWPORT STRING PROJECT PRESENTS: HIDDEN NEWPORT CONCERT AT THE BELMONT CHAPEL

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Where: Belmont Chapel, Farewell and Warner Street
Admission: Free

The Newport String Project is excited to present the second virtual concert in our new series Hidden Newport, showcasing some of Newport's most beautiful and unusual locations through virtual chamber music concerts. This performance, premiering on February 7th at 2pm on YouTube, spotlights the Belmont Chapel, situated in the heart of the Island Cemetery. While its Gothic profile is a familiar sight to many, the interior is still relatively unknown. The Newport String Quartet brings to life the intricate mosaics and stained-glass art with music by Caroline Shaw and Andrea Tarrodi.

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TIVERTON FARMERS MARKET VALENTINE'S POP-UP MARKET

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 12:00 - 4:00 PM

Where: Sandywoods Farmers Market
Admission: Free

The Tiverton Farmer's Market works to connect the community to fresh and local foods, products, makers & artists. Grab your loved ones for another pop-up market to celebrate Valentine's Day featuring Valentine’s Day specials, product and gift certificates, live music by MEL, photo booth, giveaways and more.

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NEWPORTFILM VIRTUAL SCREENING + Q&A: THE REASON I JUMP

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Host: newportFILM
Admission: Free, $5 suggested donation

Join newportFILM & The Autism Project for a free virtual screening of the new documentary film "The Reason I Jump." newportFILM will host a Virtual Live Q&A on Thursday 2/11 at 5:30 PM EST with Jerry Rothwell (film director), Elizabeth Vosseller (film subject) and Joanne Quinn, The Autism Project Executive Director.

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FREE GUIDED BIRD WALK

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 8:00 AM

Where: Norman Bird Sanctuary
Admission: Free

Count up as many bird species as you can, from soaring red-tailed hawks to tiny hovering hummingbirds. You'll learn how to identify common year-round residents and seasonal migrants.

All birding levels welcome. Binoculars are helpful but not required.

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VIRTUAL LECTURE: POLITICS, BIGOTRY AND NATIVISM: RHODE ISLAND'S CATHOLIC IRISH IN THE 1842 DORR REBELLION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Host: Museum of Newport Irish History
Admission: Free, reservations required

Join members of the Museum of Newport Irish History for the 3rd lecture of our 19th Annual Michael F. Crowley lecture series, featuring guest speaker, Erik J. Chaput, PhD, who will present the following talk via Zoom: Politics, Bigotry and Nativism: Rhode Island's Catholic Irish in the 1842 Dorr Rebellion

Dr. Chaput will discuss the life of Thomas Wilson Dorr (pictured here) and the 1842 rebellion in Rhode Island that bears his name. In his talk, Dr. Chaput will devote particular attention to issues of gender, race and religion, especially the profound role anti-Catholic sentiment and anti-immigrant bigotry played in the spring and summer of 1842.