Newport, RI

Taking the three and half mile long Cliff Walk is one of the best ways to see Newport from a unique perspective.

The walk runs along the eastern shore of the city and offers magnificent views of the shoreline and the architectural history of the city's gilded age as you pass by luxurious villas nestled on the cliffs.

The walk is easy for the most part, and wildflowers and rocks of different colors showing the area's interesting geological history surround the path.

Some parts of the southern end of the trail are fairly rough, passing only a few feet from the sudden drop of more than 70 feet. As the edge is hidden by wild bushes, hikers have to be very careful to stay on the path. The walk starts at the western end of Easton's and ends at several major city streets.

Ocean Drive is a popular Newport scenic tour, a combination of spectacular views of the shoreline and the lavish mansions New Yorkers built at the end of 19th century as their “summer cottages” where they could enjoy cool sea breezes. Ocean Drive has been designated a national Historic Landmark District, and it provides visitors with a point of view of Newport that should not be missed.

Along the drive, you will pass by a number of landmarks: King Park with the famous statue of General Rochambeau, Ida Lewis and New York Yacht Clubs, Fort Adams State Park, Hammersmith Farm where President Kennedy had his wedding reception, U.S. Coast Guard Station, Castle Hill Inn & Resort, Brenton Point State Park, Gooseberry Beach, Newport Harbor, Rhode Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, a number of small ponds and coves, a salt marsh, and miles of the Atlantic Ocean.

Founded in 1912, the Newport Art Museum, started its life as the Art Association of Newport, one of the oldest art associations in the country. Besides the main building, the museum also operates a gallery in the historic John N. A. Griswold House. The permanent collection consists of more than 2,300 works of American art from the late 19th century to this day, focusing on historic and contemporary works of both established and emerging Newport and New England artists.

The museum frequently organizes special exhibitions, drawing from its permanent collection, the art of other museums, and significant private collections. Such exhibits are usually accompanied with special programs. The museum's "Newport Annual Members' Juried Exhibition" provides regional and local artists with opportunities to showcase their work.

76 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840, Phone: 401-848-8200, Map

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

The Museum of Newport History is a history museum located in downtown Newport in the Old Brick Market building. American architect Peter Harrison designed the 1760 building, which has been declared a National Historic Landmark and is owned and operated by the Newport Historical Society. The museum features Newport's history from pre-colonial times to today.

It consists of about 10,000 objects, including fine and decorative arts, furniture, musical instruments, textiles and clothing, artifacts of everyday life, and architectural fragments. One of the most popular exhibits is the lens of the Ida Lewis Rock Light. Besides the Old Brick Market, the museum holds parts of its collections in the 1730 Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House, the 1696 Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, and the 1699 Great Friends Meeting House.

127 Thames St, Newport, RI 02840, Phone: 401-841-8770, Map

The Naval War College Museum in Newport, Rhode Island is located in the building that housed the first Naval War College, a structure that was originally built in the early 19th century to house Newport's poor. This building is now called Founders Hall. With the Chief of Naval Operations' approval, the Naval War College Museum was established in 1952 to store and manage collections of historical artifacts.

The museum displays today's exhibits on three major themes: the history of the Naval War College since it was established in 1884; the history of all naval activities in the area of Narragansett Bay since the colonial times; and the history of the science and art of naval warfare from the ancient times to today.

Naval War College Museum, Founders Hall, Building 10, Luce Ave, Newport, RI 02841, Phone: 401-841-1296

Visiting the grand mansions built in Newport during the city's Gilded Age is one of the most popular tourist activities. To bring to life the history of the Breakers, the Marble House, the Elms, and Rosecliff, the Preservation Society of Newport County prepared a series of self-guided audio tours of these mansions that are included in the price of admission.

The tours allow you to see and learn about personal letters, diaries, records, and oral histories and offer personal stories of the people who lived in each mansion and the staff who took care of them. You can listen to Alva Vanderbilt talk about how she helped design the architectural masterpiece Marble House. You also have the opportunity to hear fascinating personal accounts of life at the Elms, which was built for entertaining and to showcase the art. The audio tour at Rosecliff will bring to life the colorful history of lively society hostess Tessie Oelrichs.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, 424 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840, Phone: 401-847-1000, Map

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Rough Point on Bellevue Avenue in Newport is the oceanfront mansion of Doris Duke, a notable art collector, heiress, and philanthropist. The house is still decorated as it was when she lived in it with French furniture, precious art, antique Chinese porcelains, and priceless Flemish tapestries. The house and the estate are now open to the public for guided tours.

The tours last about 75 minutes and are led by knowledgeable tour guides, who take small groups of visitors through the lavish mansion, including Doris Duke's bedroom and art galleries. Originally, Rough Point was built in 1887 for Frederick W. Vanderbilt, and at the time it was the largest mansion in the Newport summer colony. The house was designed in the style of English manors to evoke the feel of a traditional English country house.

Rough Point, 680 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840, Phone: 401-849-7300

Located at the Fort Adams Point at the entrance to the Newport Harbor, Fort Adams State Park is a popular park best known for its annual Newport Jazz Festival. It offers panoramic views of the Narragansett Bay and the sailboats in the harbor. The park offers swimming, picnicking, boating, and other recreational activities. It boasts the Joseph "Jay" Kirwin Memorial Rugby Pitch and two other soccer fields/rugby pitches.

The park is also home to Fort Adams, the second largest fort in the US, a key to Narragansett Bay defenses from 1799 to 1945. Besides the jazz festival, the park hosts the Newport Folk Festival and is the home of Eisenhower House, former residence of the Fort's commander and Sail Newport sailing organization.

84 Fort Adams Dr, Newport, RI 02840, Phone: 401-847-2400, Map

Built in 1763, the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island is the oldest North American synagogue building still standing and the only synagogue in America left from the colonial era. Still an active orthodox synagogue, Touro Synagogue was designed by British-Colonial era architect Peter Harrison, then a resident of Rhode Island.

The interior has twelve Ionic columns that support balconies. The columns represent the ancient Israel's twelve tribes and each column is made from a single tree. The synagogue contains a number of historic exhibits, including a letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregations of Newport, Rhode Island. The synagogue has been designated a National Historic Site.

Touro Synagogue, 85 Touro St, Newport, RI 02840, Phone: 401-847-4794