Congratulations, New England: you’ve survived the snowiest five-week stretch on record. Newport and Bristol counties are saluting the season with a host of springtime happenings. Restaurants are touting fresh new menus with seasonal ingredients, one-of-a-kind shops are stocking up for the seasons ahead, and local lodging packages offer value-added incentives. Come rediscover your favorite coastal enclave today. Highlighted events include:
March 26 through Nov. 8: Doris Duke’s Rough Point 2015 season kicks off with a new exhibit, Fired & Inspired: Ceramics at Rough Point, featuring the works of seven contemporary artists who created newly commissioned ceramics pieces to be displayed throughout Miss Duke’s Newport mansion. www.newportrestoration.org
March 31 to April 26: Daffodil Days at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum returns with tens of thousands of brilliant yellow daffodils trumpeting the arrival of the season. Programs include Afternoon Teas (beginning April 14th); the Bristol Garden Club Standard Placement Flower Show; Daffodils at Dusk, a sunset garden party Friday evenings in April; and during April Vacation Week there will be a Fairy Festival, hands-on workshops, and the house and grounds will remain open until 7 p.m. www.blithewold.org/daffodil-days
April 4: The 26th annual Easter Egg Hunt & Brunch brings the Easter Bunny back to Rosecliff to share tons of eggs, candy, prizes, and a scrumptious seated brunch for everyone in the family. www.newportmansions.org/events/events-calendar/easter-egg-hunt-brunch
April 17 to 19: The City by the Sea will be blooming with more than 250,000 daffodils just in time for the Newport Daffodil Days Festival, which includes the Daffy Doggies Parade, a “Tour de Jonquilles” bike ride, the Jazzy Bouquet Bar at Ballard Park, a Daffy Drive & Classic Car Display, “Dance of the Daffodils” live ballet, private garden tours, live music and more. www.daffodillion.com
May 5 to 17: The Volvo Ocean Race descends on Newport for the only stopover in North America. Considered the world's premier offshore race, covering more than 39,000 miles, the Newport Stopover will be marked with a family-friendly Exploration Zone, music and entertainment, close up views of the racing action, concerts, a festival for all ages to experience sailing and many more family activities at Fort Adams State Park. www.volvooceanracenewport.com
May 23: Green Animals Topiary Gardens in Portsmouth opens for the season. Owned and maintained by The Preservation Society of Newport County, the property features more than 80 pieces of topiary throughout the gardens including bears, dogs, giraffes and elephants, birds, geometric figures and ornamental designs sculpted from California privet, yew, and English boxwood. Green Animals is the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the country. www.newportmansions.org/explore/green-animals-topiary-garden
June 12 to 14: The British Motorcar Festival, an event for British car aficionados and lifestyle enthusiasts alike, will include the only Invitational All-British Concours d’Elegance competition in the U.S., a street party in downtown Bristol, live music, and whimsical events like the “British Attire Competition” and “Ladies Hat Competition.” www.britishmotorcarfestival.com
June 26 to 28: The Secret Garden Tour returns offering the experience to explore the private gardens and hidden yards of some of Newport’s most prestigious homes, estates, and bed and breakfasts. www.secretgardentours.org
June 7: The 3rd annual Newport 10 Miler benefiting the Fort Adams Trust includes two races: a 10-Mile Run/Walk and a 2.2-Mile Fun Run. Both courses prominently feature Newport's scenic coastal views and end with truly unique finishes as participants enter Fort Adams through the north gate and finish on the parade field. www.newport10miler.com
For a complete listing of events, visit www.discovernewport.org/events-calendar
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 premiere destination for business and leisure travel.
###