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BEST NEWPORT ATTRACTIONS & ITINERARIES

Beaches

Walks

Best Newport RI Mansion ~ The Breakers

Best of Newport - Newport Attractions The Breakers - Newport RI

In a city known for its Gilded Age glamor, if you're only going to see one of the so-called "summer cottages," then make it The Breakers. In true -- for its time -- Donald Trump-esque style, it's the biggest, the boldest, the most over-the-top. But unlike The Donald, the Vanderbilts were truly one of America's richest families. Built in 1895 by New York railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt II, The Breakers sits on 13 acres over-looking the Atlantic Ocean. Prominent Architect RIchard Morris Hunt and a large crew of European craftsmen built this Italian Renaissance style palazzo with exquisite detail. Newport's Preservation Society now maintains the Breakers along with most of the other significant Newport mansions (except Doris Duke's Rough Point, see below). One-of-a-kind, from an another era. Must see.

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Phone: 401-847-1000 Tickets: $15 In-person or online Season: Open all year. Tours 9-5. Location: Ochre Point Avenue, off Bellevue Avenue

Best Mansion Deal

		Mansions Experience When one is simply not enough. Admission to The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff and Chateau-sur-Mer. Experience it all for just $31. Pack a lunch,
get a bite at the Elms Carriage House seasonal snack bar or take a break between cottages if you're planning to do it all in a day. Visit Website

Mansion Hopping Highlights

Rooftop & Behind-The-Scenes: A different view of the mansions. See how the other half lived and kept these summer cottages up and running. Offered at The Elms only,
Self-Guided Tours: Marble House and The Elms both feature self-guided audio tours for those who like to set their own pace and route.
Chinese Tea House at Marble House: Another one of the Vanderbilt cottages, this one features -- what else --.marble everywhere. But it is the later added Tea House out back by the Cliff Walk where Mrs. Vanderbilt hosted many tea parties and a number of rallies for women's rights.
Most Movies: Rosecliff is the easy winner, having been the setting for The Great Gatsby, High Society, True Lies and Amistad among others.

Best Newport Rhode Island Beach ~ Second Beach

Best of Newport - Newport Attractions Second Beach - Newport RI

Forget Newport's often over-crowded Easton's Beach (First Beach). Second Beach has it all: less crowd, more beauty, better waves, and it's three times bigger. Officially named Sachuest Beach, it's better known as Second Beach, and while techically around the bend and over the line in Middletown, it's still on Aquidneck Island. The beautiful 3 mile crescent of sand is dramatically framed on the west by the spires of St. George's Prep School Cathedral on a hill and and to the east, Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. Rated as one of the east coast's best, you'll see why. The west end is wavier and set aside for surfing. The entire beach is guarded during the summer season, when there is a snack bar, changing rooms and plenty of room to spread out. The water gets deep gradually -- especially at low tide. In the quieter seasons, dogs are allowed and Second Beach is a joy to walk or run on.

Details
Phone: 401-849-2822 Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day Cost: Parking $10 Location: Sachuest Point Road, Middletown

Best Scenic Nature Walks

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge: At the far end of Second Beach, lies the 242 acre Refuge. Equally as dramatic as Brenton Point (below), this haven for birds, butterflies and wildlife has several trails that wind through it and offer spectacular views. From Shore Access Point 6 you can easily see Sakonnet Lighthouse. Point 3 or 6 for crashing waves.
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Norman Bird Sanctuary: Just across the road from Second Beach, you see a large rock formation. Known as "Hanging Rock," it is one of the many spots to explore and hike to in the 300+ acres of Norman Bird Sanctuary. Birds are only the beginning. A real Newport County treasure.
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Best Scenic Ocean Spot

		Brenton Point State Park For shear beauty and ease of access, it's hard to beat. Take the Ocean Drive Scenic driving route to the far tip of Newport where it juts out into the Atlantic Ocean.
Waves are crashing on the rocks, you can park across the street, there are tables and great places to picnic. It can be very windy. Bring a jacket even in the summer. The kite flying is sensational.. Visit Website

Best Overall Newport RI Walking Tour ~ Cliff Walk

Best of Newport - Newport Attractions The Cliff Walk - Newport RI

Talk about an attraction that is truly one-of-a-kind... The Cliff Walk winds its way between the rocky cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean and the front yards of Newport's renowned mansions. The views along the 3.5 mile walk are simply spectacular. It has been named a National Recreational Trail and is the only one to run through a National Historic District. The first two-thirds are flat and easy going but the last third is rough and rocky. There are exits about every quarter or half mile where you can cut back up to Bellevue Avenue and catch a city trolley. However, in season, there is no parking at any of the exits. Unless you plan on walking round trip, you will need to make transportation plans. Cliff Walk begins at First Beach and ends at Bailey's Beach. An absolute Newport original. A must do.

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Location: Begins at Easton's Beach (First Beach) on Memorial Blvd. Entrance/Exits at Narragansett Ave., Webster St., Ruggles Ave., Marine Ave., Ledge Rd., Bellevue Ave. Ends at Bailey's Beach (private).

Best Historical Walking Tour

		Discover Colonial Newport The Gilded Age gets all the attention but Newport has more colonial buildings than any other city in America. Discover ties to George Washington, the
American Revolution, freedom of religion, and the constitution. Organized by the Newport Historical Society, walking colonial Newport is history come alive. Fascinating. Visit Website

Other Great Self-Guided City Walks

Historic Hill: Walk the old New England streets around Trinity Church and enjoy homes from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Look for self-guided tour signs, including a number of stops on Pelham Street -- America's first gas-lit street.
The Point: The largest group of colonial homes in Newport. Right on the harbor, behind the Gateway Visitors Center. Many of these are the homes Doris Duke helped save.
Kay & Catherine Street Area: Just off Bellevue Avenue by the Viking Hotel, is a residential area with many of Newport's finest Victorian homes, including Night Before Christmas author Clement C. Moore (look for the Santa Claus plaque on 25 Catherine Street).

Best Newport RI Vineyard & Wine Tour

Best of Newport - Newport Attractions Greenvale Vineyards Wine Tour - Newport RI

Greenvale Vineyards Located on a 50 acre picturesque historic farm in Portsmouth, Greenvale is Rhode Island's only still-active gentleman's farm. A restored Victorian gem, Greenvale's tasting room barn, and some of its other famous buildings, are on the National Historic Register. The farm has been in the same family for five generations and now produces about 3500 cases of wine. The vineyards sit on a rolling hill, overlooking the Sakonnet River. Pack a picnic lunch, and enjoy some terrific views with equally appealing regional wines. Vidal Blanc has been called New England's Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Franc, one of the main Bordeaux blending grapes, is a very tasty and drinkable red wine on its own. Minutes from downtown Newport, but worlds away. Enjoy jazz at the vineyard on summer and fall weekends.

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Phone: 401-847-3777 Wines Produced: Vidal Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Meritage Location: 582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth

Best Newport Wine Tasting Event

Adele Turner Inn
The daily wine and food pairing event at this luxury Inn, is unlike any other we've seen in Newport. With an emphasis on regional wines, the Inn sommelier pairs the wines with perfectly matched artisan cheeses and other fine foods. While complimentary, this unique tasting event is for guests only.
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Other Regional New England Vineyards

Southeastern New England Wine Growing Appellation: Follow the coastal wine trail from the Newport area through coastal Massachusetts. The vineyards below are included   Visit Website
Sakonnet Vineyards: The pioneers of regional wine in Rhode Island. The beautiful rolling vineyards alone make the 45 minute trip to Little Compton worth the drive.   Visit Website
Newport Vineyards: Five minutes from downtown Newport, the area's most extensive tasting room and its most visited. Try their signature Ice Wine. Visit Website
Westport Rivers Vineyards: Well know producer of sparkling wines that have been served in the White House. Consider adding to the trip if you're visiting Sakonnet. It's another 15 - 20 minutes into Massachusetts.   Visit Website

Best Newport RI Golf Course

Newport National The setting is serene. Two-hundred rolling acres of former farmland with sweeping Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean views. Newport National's Orchard Course is an Irish style links course designed by golf architect Arthur Hills and Drew Rogers. It opened to rave reviews in 2002 and has been named Rhode Island's top course by Golf Week Magazine. It features greens, tees and fairways consisting of 100% seaside bent grass, and grand, swaying fescue often exceeding 4’ in length. The fairways and greens are designed to play fast and firm. A world away but 10 minutes from downtown Newport.

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Phone: 401-848-9690 Green Fees: In Season May - Sept. Weekdays $125, Weekends $150 Location: 324 Mitchell's Lane , Middletown

Best Newport RI Tennis & Sailing

Best of Newport - Newport Attractions Flyer Catamaran - Newport RI

Tennis Hall of Fame
The best grass tennis courts in America and you can play on them. Think Wimbledon in Newport. Thirteen lawn courts ring the historic International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum (the birthplace of tennis in America see listing). Court time available May - Sept., except during tournament play.
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Flyer Catamaran Don't leave the sailing capitol of U.S. without sailing. The Flyer is a luxury 57 foot beauty. Sit outside to feel the wind in your face or stay under cover and enjoy a drink. Sunset cruises are dazzling and the Flyer lives up to its name without getting you sea sick or soaked. We also like the modern facilities (no pumping required). Sailing for about 2 hours. May - Oct. Visit Website

Best Newport RI Museum ~ Tennis Hall of Fame

Best of Newport - Newport Attractions Tennis Hall of Fame - Newport RI

Baseball has Cooperstown, and Tennis has Newport. The Hall of Fame is a must-see for tennis fans but the good news for the rest of us, is that it's interesting for anyone. This is where tennis really took hold in America, including the tournament that is today, the U.S. Open (first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships in 1881). The museum itself is housed in the old Newport Casino, a private social club for the Vanderbilts and other Gilded Age giants. The building was architect Sanford White's first commission and is to this day cited for its historic architectural significance. The Hall of Fame also has the oldest continuously used grass competition courts in the world and the only ones open to the public. Every July features the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships -- the only ATP event played on grass in North America -- along with the annual induction of the hall of fame players. There's really nothing else quite like it anywhere.

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Phone: 800-457-1144 Admission: $8 Season: Museum year round. Outdoor grass courts May - September Location: 194 Bellevue Avenue

Other Museums & Historic Sites

		Fort Adams: Not for military buffs only. This mammoth granite fortification built in 1824 into the hillsides overlooking Newport Harbor has elaborate tunnels and lots of interesting history. It also
affords some of the nicest views of the harbor with its sailing yachts and motor boats. It is also home to the Jazz Festival and Folk Festival. Visit Website Musem of Yachting: Steps away from Fort Adams with a focus on what else -- sailing and the America's Cup, which called Newport home for so many years. Quite interesting. Visit Website Redwood Library: Founded in 1747, Redwood is America's oldest lending library. It houses many significant volumns but also features a stunning art collection, including works by Gilbert Stuart (known for his famous paintings of George Washington). Limited tours, check ahead. Visit Website Newport Art Museum: From contemporary to classic art, much of the museum itself is housed in one of Newport's old historic mansions, Griswold House. Visit Website National Museum of American Illustration: Also on display at a prominent Newport mansion, works from Maxfield Parrish, Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth and many more. Visit Website

Best Art Collection & Exhibition ~ Rough Point

Best of Newport - Newport Attractions Rough Point Doris Duke - Newport RI

When she was the richest woman in the world, Tobacco heiress Doris Duke called Newport home for many summers. While Rough Point probably sits on the most dramatic location along mansion row and the Cliff Walk -- overlooking the Atlantic -- it is the art collection that makes it a show stopper. Assembled over 7 decades, the Duke family collection of fine and decorative art is stunning. There are works by Renoir, van Dyck, Gainsborough, Reynolds and Bol. You will also see some incredible tapestries, textiles and oriental porcelain. Tickets for Rough Point work a little differently than the other Newport mansions. You can buy them ahead of time online, and then park at Rough Point. Otherwise, buy them at Newport's Gateway Visitors Center and a shuttle bus takes you there and back.

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Phone: 401-849-7300 Tickets: $25 (Children under 12 free) Season: April 12 - May 12, Thurs., Fri., Sat. 9:45 - 1:45 May 15- Nov. 10 Tues - Sat. Tours 9:45 - 3:45 Location: Bellevue Avenue

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Best Art Collection in a "Living Museum"

		Cliffside Inn The owners of the Cliffside Inn have done much to restore the name of legendary Newport artist Beatrice Turner. Her former Victorian Manor House near the
Cliff Walk not only houses 100 pieces of her art but is also home to the renowned luxury Inn. While living at Cliffside, Turner painted more than 1,000 self portraits. Her enigmatic story has been told many times from Good Morning America to The New York Times. The Inn sells a book that captures the story well and features much of her artwork.. Visit Website

Best Newport RI Cultural & Religious Discoveries

Best of Newport - Newport Attractions Touro Synagogue, Trinity Church, St. Mary's Church - Newport RI

Newport has a long and pivotal role in colonial religion and religious tolerance, and is home to a number of historic places of worship, from colonial times to the Camelot era of the Kennedys. Newport had the largest communities of Jews and Quakers in colonial America. And to this day, Touro Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in America, is still an active congregation. Designed by America's leading colonial architect Peter Harrison in 1763, it is considered his finest work. The synagogue (above left) was the first religious struc-ture to be named a National Historic Site. Atop Historic Hill sits Trinity Church (above right). This colonial beauty was built in 1726 and features the only three-tier wineglass pulpit of its kind in America. Among the Episcopal church's many historical notes, the organ was tested by Handel before being shipped from England, George Washington worshipped there and it was occupied by the British during the Revolutionary War. Another famous spire looking down over Newport Harbor (above middle), is St. Mary's Church, the oldest Catholic parish in Rhode Island. But it is probably best known as the church where Jacqueline Bouvier married then senator John Kennedy in 1953. All three of these houses of worship are active and open to the public.

Details
Touro Synagogue: 401-847-4794   Location: 85 Touro Street
Trinity Church: 401-846-0660  Location: Queen Anne Square
St. Mary's Church: 401- 847-0475  Location: Spring St & Memorial Boulevard

Best Newport Guidebooks & Resources

Moon Guidebooks Rhode Island: Typically more used on the West Coast but probably the best overall coverage of Rhode Island of any of the guidebooks. The Newport section is comprehensive Visit Website
Frommer's New England: The most widely distributed of all the guidebooks. Herbert Livesey, who writes the Newport section for the New England edition, knows the city very well. Visit Website
Karen Brown's New England: Another veteran West Coast guidebook series that has moved into New England and Newport. Writer Jack Bullard is himself now a Newporter. Reviews and itineraries are spot on. Visit Website
Getaways for Gourmets: Veteran husband and wife travel writers Richard and Nancy Woodward know their hospitality properties plus cover restaurants. The series is good for all destinations it covers -- including Newport. Visit Website
GoNewport.Com: Run by Newport County's Convention and Visitor's Bureau, a good overall website for all things Newport. Visit Website


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