Newport, Rhode Island, a popular destination for its history, waterfront, shops and restaurants, Mansions, America’s Cup, yachts and other boating, and the Tennis Hall of Fame. During the summer, Newport is at full occupancy, BUSY. One weekend prior to Memorial Day, the streets and establishments are very busy, it’s like a warm up for summer.
A popular activity on a visit here is a stroll along the Cliff Walk, a 3.5 mile walk on the cliffs at the eastern shore where the most prominent mansions are located. The Mansions of Newport were built starting around 1840 and up to the early 1900’s. The earliest mansions were built by wealthy southern families looking for a cool place to spend the summer. Wealthy northerners such as the Vanderbilt family followed the trend and soon Newport was the place for the rich and famous to gather in their summer cottages. Today was hot, up to the 87 degrees F, but the ocean breeze on the cliff walk was very helpful. The sky and the ocean were vivid shades of blue, a beautiful day for the walk. We took advantage of the RIPTA, a Newport Trolley with route to the popular destinations for a $2 fare. With more time in town, a tour of at least one of the mansions is a great experience, and a bit pricey.
There is a short causeway at the harbor which crosses to Goat Island. We saw the most impressive yachts out around Goat Island, no pictures. Linda noticed a used yacht sales storefront with property listings. The older yachts were priced at $7 million, the newer and large ones were priced at $100 million. Don’t even think about how much it costs to keep one of those beauties shinned up and operating smoothly and properly stocked!
Newport boasts to be the home of the oldest tavern in America, the White Horse Tavern, established in 1673, and still serving dinner and refreshments today. That is impressive when you consider the tavern was operating more than 100 years before the declaration of independence, and still operates today. Across the street from the Tavern is the old jail house which has been converted to the Jail House Inn.
In the afternoon, we had a refreshing iced tea and late lunch while walking in town. There were plenty of weddings in Newport this weekend, we crossed paths with a few wedding parties. Some were celebrating by running the streets with 3 wheeled rental scooters! The tour boats are running again in the harbor (post-Covid), below is a photo of a two mast’er, with what appears to be canvas sails.
Retired and Loving It 