Whether you’re looking for a lovely local spot where you can stretch your legs this winter (don’t know about you but I get cranky on the days I don’t get outside for some fresh air) or you just want to take some pretty photos for Insta that will wow your online acquaintances, I suggest bookmarking a peaceful and not at all touristy neighborhood in Newport called The Point.

Also known as Easton’s Point, and one of the oldest sections in all of NPT, it’s situated between Washington Street and America’s Cup Avenue. Let me add here and now that I’m grateful to have access to gps via my phone because contrary to popular belief, getting lost in Rhode Island can and does happen, embarrassingly enough even to those of us who were born and raised in lil Rhody.

This utterly charming residential section in the City by the Sea is an enclave where people build snowmen, walk big, friendly dogs, and wave at you from afar. And don’t forget your mask: Newport has been consistent and impactful with their messaging when it comes to face coverings and I, for one, applaud it. (Full disclosure, I took mine only off for these photos and there was no one else in the vicinity.)

The Point also boasts carefully restored historic homes, some dating back to the early 1700’s, (shoutout to Doris Duke’s Newport Restoration Foundation because they did the heavy lifting when it came to saving many of the properties) as well as two public parks and a pier, on Washington Street, that look out on Goat Island, the Lighthouse there, and the Newport Pell Bridge.

Speaking of particular streets you won’t wanna miss whilst there, in addition to Washington, residents and out-of-towners alike rave about 2nd and 3rd Streets and the famed garden tour that those in-the-know wait for every spring and summah. It may be on pause this year with all that is going on, but if I hear anything, I’ll be sure to loop you in.

When it comes to java, if you really want to experience NPT like a local and not a day tripper, give the mermaid the cold shoulder this time around and grab a coffee or hot chocolate at one or all of these:

• Empire Tea & Coffee on Broadway or William Street

• Coffee Grinder on Bannister’s Wharf

• Belle’s Cafe on 1 Washington Street, in the shipyard, is closed right now, but definitely pop over in the spring & summer once they reopen.