A month ago, out of nowhere, my husband said, “Let’s plan to travel somewhere, like Rhode Island.” We’ve talked about visiting new states before, but it’s usually just an idea for some unspecified time in the future. Our travels typically involve visiting family, and with three kids (one who isn’t even a year old yet), finding time for fun activities has become trickier. But he was anticipating garden leave and was excited to finally get real days off without work disruptions. So I made sure to book a hotel that same day and started planning.
When planning, I knew that realistically, we would only end up doing a few things. It would also be our first road trip of the year, right at the summer solstice. So I focused on creating a more laid-back, ocean-focused trip. I chose Newport as our base and looked for nearby activities.

There were several hotels to choose from with sea views and plenty of water activities. My two must-haves were a suite and a pool—with three kids, these were necessary for my sanity. I ended up booking Newport Beach Hotel and Suites, right on the border of Newport. The hotel had the added bonus of being across the street from one of the popular beaches.

For activities, I planned a list of possible things to do. Some of the more notable options were a nearby aquarium, the Cliff Walk for a scenic hike, and the Gilded Age mansions. But honestly, I was obsessed with getting out on the water by boat. I went back and forth on this decision. Would it be safe to take the baby and my impulsive 3-year-old out on a boat? But what better way to have a full Newport experience than to get out on the water? I did some internet research on boat tours, trying to find something that was family-friendly. I pored over pictures to make sure the boat looked steady with solid railings on the sides. A few days before the trip, I finally settled on tickets with Gansett Cruises. Their website emphasized how they try to make tours interesting for kids, and the photos of families aboard were encouraging.

How It All Played Out
For a last-minute trip, it turned out to be a wonderful time where our days felt full despite having only a few solid plans. The first day, we ended up leaving later than planned—what a challenge to get everyone and everything together! When we finally hit the road, we ran into several traffic spots throughout Connecticut. I learned later that this seems to be the norm. Thankfully, the younger kids took long naps, giving us some peace for at least two hours.

The hotel and location worked out really well for us. As soon as we arrived to check in, I felt the coastal vibe I was looking for, complete with the sight and smell of ocean air. The room was just the size we needed, with a washer/dryer and kitchenette that helped us prepare and wash the baby’s bottles comfortably. The pool was only one floor away, so my kids spent a good chunk of time there. Restaurants and an ice cream shop were within a block’s walk. And since the beach was so close, we went there right after breakfast both mornings—though the second morning was so windy it was a total bust, and we ended up back at the pool.

As for the boat ride, it went better than I expected. The boat was lovely and felt very safe with solid railings. We all sat on a bench beside the railing, and I stopped worrying once it was clear that my 3-year-old wouldn’t jump off and my baby wouldn’t fall in. It felt great to be out on the water and see Newport from that vantage point, giving the kids a completely new experience. I’m really glad I took a chance on it.

The other activities that day didn’t go as smoothly. The youngest ones were tired after lunch, so we decided to just drive down Bellevue Avenue for a quick peek at the mansions instead of touring one in person. We attempted a portion of the Cliff Walk behind the Breakers Mansion and enjoyed a lovely overlook before the 3-year-old had a breakdown. We had to make a quick return to the car with promises of ice cream. Thankfully, there was a spot for homemade ice cream just down the road from our hotel. We ordered takeout for dinner so the kids could decompress in the pool for the rest of the evening.

On our last day in Rhode Island, we ventured up to Providence. It was windy, so it seemed perfect to find an indoor activity. We headed to the Providence Children’s Museum, which had so many engaging activities for all the kids. We only spent about two hours but could easily have stayed longer. Most of our time was on the first floor, which had a dedicated water play area. Since the kids were fully engaged, it gave us adults a little rest too. We also had the most delicious tacos we’ve eaten in a while at nearby Xaco Taco, which came highly recommended by a friend.

Looking back, this trip was exactly what we needed. We managed to hit the highlights—the boat tour was a success, the kids loved the pool and beach, and we enjoyed the Providence Children’s Museum. Sure, we didn’t tour the mansions or complete the Cliff Walk, but honestly, that’s probably more realistic with three young kids anyway.

The best part wasn’t any single activity, though. It was proving to ourselves that we could still do this—pack up the car, try somewhere new, and make it work with our current chaos. My husband’s random “let’s go to Rhode Island” suggestion turned into our first real family adventure in a while, and I’m already planning the places we should go to next.