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Stargazer

In Newport, the stars come out during the day.

Some Rhode Islanders try to avoid the Newport summer crowds, but there are plenty of A-listers who embrace the high season, traveling to and from New York and L.A. by way of our very own City-by-the-Sea. Perhaps it’s because of the beautiful scenery, or simply our lack of paparazzi, but whatever their reason for visiting, Hollywood types frequent many of the local hotels and restaurants. Below are some recent sightings and the locales where they are likely to turn up again. Don your biggest pair of sunnies—celebs usually don’t take kindly to gawkers—turn on the oh-so-discreet camera phone and hope upon hopes that it’s your lucky day.

When filming the movie Evening, Claire Danes stayed at the Chanler and ate at the Spiced Pear; Julia Roberts has also stayed and dined at the hotel. 117 Memorial Boulevard, 847-1300, thechanler.com.  

After last year’s Jazz Festival, Branford Marsalis gave an impromptu performance to some lucky diners at Fluke Wine, Bar & Kitchen (word is he’s friends with the chef). Bowen’s Wharf, 849-7778, flukewinebar.com.

Giada De Laurentiis, of Food Network fame, stayed in a cottage at Castle Hill while filming an episode of “Giada’s Weekend Getaways,” which featured Newport. 590 Ocean Drive, 849-3800, castlehillinn.com. 

Meryl Streep caught up on her beauty rest at the Vanderbilt Hall Hotel. 41 Mary Street, 846-6200, vanderbilthall.com.

Director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, have been spotted dining at the White Horse Tavern. 26 Marlborough Street, 849-3600, whitehorsetavern.com.

The best spot for sighting a celebrity is on Bannister’s Wharf. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Woody Allen have both been spotted there in the past and both Billy Joel and Eric Clapton dock their yachts in Newport Harbor on occasion. Not to mention that it’s also home to the Black Pearl (846-5264, blackpearlnewport.com) and the Candy Store at Clarke Cooke House, both popular spots among visiting VIPs, including Spielberg and Roberts. 849-2900, clarkecooke.com.
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- July, 2008

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