The Newport Jazz Festival 2021 ~ A tour of Newport, Rhode Island
This was the first Newport Jazz Festival since the pandemic, and it came in hot! My weekend July 30-August 1, 2021 in Newport, Rhode Island was an experience filled with spectacular Jazz festival performances, phenomenal restaurants, (I dined where Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett did!) quaint bed and breakfast accommodations, the unforgettable Cliff Walk and of course the Newport, Rhode Island Mansions!
Travel Tips to The Newport Jazz Festival 2021
To get to the festival you can either drive to Fort Adams or take a lovely 10-minute water taxi ride from The Mooring in downtown Newport. I did the latter and from the water I saw magnificent sail boats, gigantic yachts, and humongous mansions along the shoreline.
The Newport Jazz Festival 2021 Friday lineup
The lineup included recognizable names like Christian McBride, a bassist, and newer acts such as Makaya McCraven, a Beat Scientist and bandleader. Check out the full lineup here: https://www.newportjazz.org/lineup!
Standout Performance at The Newport Jazz Festival 2021
My favorite performer was the astounding singer and 4-time Grammy nominee, “Yola” Yola sang rich, soulful songs from her brand-new album “Stand For Myself” and also did a spirited cover of A Long Walk by Jill Scott. I captured a VIDEO of Yola’s live performance here: https://youtu.be/1cFzLysgbk0
Dining Recommendations in Newport, Rhode Island
A standout restaurant is the Midtown Oyster Bar at the end of Thames Street (on the corner). The restaurant is two levels and has an upstairs patio where you can see the bustling street below. Reservations are not required and you are immediately seated by a friendly wait staff.
Best SURPRISE on the Menu!
The Bermuda Fish Chowder, an Island spiced tomato broth with corn and sweet potatoes. What makes this soup special is the Gosling’s Black Seal Rum Shot that comes on the side and you pour into the soup. It is delectable!
Best Italian Restaurant in Newport, Rhode Island
Slightly off the beaten path on Memorial Boulevard West, is the award-winning Italian restaurant, Sardella’s . Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett have both dined here! The Mediterranean styled restaurant has been in the Sardella and Imbriglio family for generations. The mouthwatering food is authentic with generous portions. There is live jazz music every Wednesday night. This place is a must!
Accommodations in Newport, Rhode Island
I stayed at the enchanting 4-room Fair Street Guest House Bed and Breakfast on Thames Street, right down the street from St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church where JFK married Jackie Bouvier on September 12, 1953.
It is a charming place, and the owners Denise and Wayne are so nice. Denise shared a wealth of information on the best restaurants, the easiest way to travel to the Jazz Festival (by ferry), and where to get the trolley to The Cliff Walk.
Each morning Denise served a made-to-order breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, blueberry pancakes or French toast. You can eat in the delightful garden or on the covered porch.
The bedrooms are spacious with large comfortable beds. Breakfast at the Fair Street Guest House bed and breakfast starts at 8:30 am so if you need coffee before that time, I found two good coffee places within walking distance.
Caffeine Coffee in Newport, Rhode Island
The Mokka Coffeehouse which opens at 8:00 am, is an old world style coffeehouse. Their name is not to be confused with the chocolate, Mocha. MOKKA comes from the Arab word MAQKAH which translates to ‘Where the coffee is’. Mokka has tasty artisan coffee, yummy egg sandwiches, pastries, light lunch food, and dessert. There is an interesting stone courtyard full of petrified wood seating and where dog treats are available.
Empire Tea & Coffee (there are 3 locations in Rhode Island) opens at 6:00 am. I went to the one on the corner, 112 William Street which has a large outdoor patio and unique wooden booths both inside and outside. Here you can order ahead.
The Cliff Walk
The 3.5-mile, FREE, i.e. public access Cliff Walk runs along the shoreline and the backyards of some of the majestic mansions that Newport Rhode Island is famous for.
The Cliff Walk has panoramic ocean views and consists of a combination of paved walkways, easy to walk on paths and unpaved rocky areas that are NOT so easy to travel on! Wear shoes that grip!
There are sections to leave the trail and get back on the main streets, which is what I did and hailed a pedi-cab. As we rode past ginormous mansions, Tim, the driver, pointed out and told unusual stories about the celebrities that lived there. You can schedule official pedicab tours as well.
The series Downtown Abbey and The movie the Great Gatsby, are just a few productions that were filmed in these unbelievably vast estates!
The Newport Jazz Festival 2021 and visiting Newport, Rhode Island was a remarkable experience!
Til next time,
Elena
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