Boston in late July

Book a lunch reservation at the Castle Hill Inn in Newport RI outside on the lawn for food and drinks
The views are spectacular!

I assume you will have a rental car to get around Rhode Island if coming from Boston, they have a big parking lot by The Breakers Mansion and you can tour whatever mansions you want and you can walk the Cliff Walk around pretty much all of them with awesome views.

As far as Boston, plenty of things to do and Abita's post has a lot of info and good recommendations for food and drink.
We love the Italian North End and can't go wrong wherever you end up eating and go to Mike's Pastries or one of the other desert shops.
The Prudential Center has an Eataly and great for shopping as Newbury Street is close by.
Last time we went to Concord Lexington which isn't far from Boston and did the tour and sightseeing. It was a neat little side trip I had never done before and see where the first shots were fired in the Revolutionary War.

Just got back from Boston. Really enjoyed the JFK Museum, the Prudential Center, the tour of Fenway (although i am not sure if they do this over the summer as it will be in season) and Harvard campus. Since you will be there in the summer, could be cool to catch a Red Sox game if that is something that you guys are into. A trip to Martha's Vineyard would also be a lot of fun. We also went to a Celtics game which was great but obviously that won't be happening in July.

As far as restaurants, we had dinner at Abe & Louie's one night and it was outstanding. It is a little pricey but i can't reccomend it enough.

I went to salty girl to eat when we went early June. Was a solid choice.

Also caught a show at symphony hall. Great venue.

Best advice I’ve ever gotten, after we did the freedom trail, was to do it backwards. It was in 2015 much easier to get a cab when you end in the middle of the city then when you end in Charlestown. However, with Uber, I bet you it is easy as can be now.

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they have a big parking lot by The Breakers

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We went to Newport for most of a day in late July 2022. We got to The Breakers right about the time they opened and there was plenty of parking spaces available. By the time we left a few hours later it was full and people were circling the lot waiting for someone to leave.

We also went to Rough Point, Doris Duke's mansion, and there were just a few people there. Two mansions were enough for me.

We also went to Boston on that trip. It was great, we ate at Giacomo's in the north end and got Canoles, Boston Cream Pie and Black and White cookies at Mike's on Hanover. Loved the BCP and cookie, not a big fan of the Canoles.

Don't have anything to add that's not in the Boston thread other than if you walk the Freedom Trail make a point to talk to volunteers/workers in the various historical buildings. The ones we talked to were very knowledgeable and explained a lot of the history.

Walking freedom trail is a must
Sox game
Pick one or two museums but don't try to oevrdue it
Eat...everywhere

If you can swing it, ferry to Provincetown and stay a night or two on the Cape.. Check out a cape cod summer league game

If you just want casual and centrally located food in Newport, Brick Alley Pub would be my first recommendation, The Red Parrot is also a good option. Both are in downtown Newport within a decent walk from Mansions and also right where all the shops are.