For many years a playground to America’s elite, Newport, Rhode Island now makes a multitude of riches accessible to all. Relax on pristine beaches, enjoy superb shopping and dining and visit the former mansions of some of America’s wealthiest people.
Walk down Bellevue Avenue and peer over hedges at opulent mansions once owned by the Vanderbilts and other millionaires. Luxury yachts gleaming in the sun in the harbor make an impressive spectacle as well.
If you’re looking for something more understated, stroll down narrow cobbled streets in the town’s center, where you’ll also see a large number of 18th-century colonial homes. Stop in a café or explore Newport’s many boutique stores. Discover the highest concentration of shops, restaurants and bars along Thames Street.
It’s easy to see why America’s elite have vacationed here for decades when you discover the natural beauty the town has to offer. Visit Bailey’s Beach or the popular Ballard Park. Enjoy some of the most scenic sections by walking the famous Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) stroll with stunning views and abundant wildlife.
Some of America’s most important music festivals take place on the lawns of Fort Adams, a short boat ride from Newport Harbor. The Newport Folk Festival in July and the Newport Jazz Festival in August are pinnacles of an excellent year-round schedule of events.
Newport is an easy city to get around on foot or by bike. Make sure you spend time on the water during your visit too. Take a cruise along the coast or rent a kayak and explore alone. Join one of the daily fishing charters or test your skill as a photographer by capturing one of Newport’s stunning sunsets.
Many visitors fly into Boston and then drive 71 miles (114 kilometers) to Newport. Visit during summer to enjoy Newport in all its bustling and sun-drenched glory or come in winter to have quaint streets, stunning mansions and beautiful beaches to yourself.
