Newport

Located on an island in Narragansett Bay in the small state of Rhode Island, Newport has been a prestigious summer resort for many years.

This seaside city is, indeed, more than charming with its narrow streets, Victorian houses, majestic mansions, rich culture and history, and a harbour full of sailboats and yachts during the summer season.

Cliff Walk

This popular recreation trail runs for 5.6 kilometres along some of the most beautiful coastline in all of New England and past many of the Newport mansions. The clifftop trail offers spectacular ocean views, and sunsets from the Cliff Walk are particularly romantic. Most of the path is paved and easy to navigate, although there are a few more rugged rocky areas. It stretches from the east end of Bailey's Beach (private beach) to the west end of Easton's Beach (First Beach) and there are numerous public access points along the way, such as on Bellevue Avenue and Narragansett Avenue.

 Mansions

The mansions of Newport are an enduring testament to the city's prestige and elegance. Guided tours are available of the 9 main mansions, all of which are owned and operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Most of them are on or around Bellevue Avenue (www.newportmansions.org):

• The Breakers : Completed in 1895, this 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo was the summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, whose grandfather made the family fortune in steamships and the railroad (44 Ochre Point Avenue).
   
• Marble House : The summer residence of William K. Vanderbilt was designed by the same architect who designed his brother's house, The Breakers. Marble House was inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles (596 Bellevue Avenue).
   
• The Elms : The son of German immigrants, Edward Julius Berwind made his fortune in the coal industry. Eager to impress his wealthy neighbours, he had this mansion built in 1899, modelled after the 18th-century Château d'Asnières near Paris (367 Bellevue Avenue).
   
• Château-sur-Mer : built in 1852, and remodelled in 1872, this palatial residence was constructed for wealthy China trade merchant William S. Wetmore. It was the most luxurious home in Newport for many years (474 Bellevue Avenue).
   
• Rosecliff : The house was purchased in 1891 and renovated by Theresa Oelrichs, the daughter of an Irish immigrant who made his fortune in the Nevada gold mines. This prestigious residence, which is named for its extensive rose garden, was modelled after the Grand Trianon of Versailles (548 Bellevue Avenue).
   
• Isaac Bell House : Successful New York cotton broker and investor Isaac Bell had this mansion built for his retirement at the age of 31! The Shingle-style house was completed in 1883 (corner of Bellevue Avenue and Perry Street).
   
• Kingscote : This Gothic Revival-style mansion was built in 1839 for George Noble Jones, a southern planter, then sold in 1860 to William H. King, for whom it was named (King's Cottage) (253 Bellevue Avenue).
   
• Chepstow : This Italianate mansion was built in 1860 for Dutch millionaire Edmund Schermerhorn, then bought in 1911 by the Gallatin family, who gave it the name of a Welsh castle (120 Narragansett Avenue).
   
• Hunter House : Constructed in 1748, this Georgian Colonial mansion was home to two governors before serving as the headquarters of Admiral Charles de Ternay, commander of the French fleet, during the War of Independence. After the war, the house was acquired by Ambassador William Hunter (54 Washington Street).

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Newport Historic District

The Newport Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1968 due to its extensive and well-preserved assortment of intact colonial buildings. You will discover buildings that marked the history of the nation as you stroll through the narrow streets and past the small shops and cafes along Thames Street. This area is easily explored on foot.

Museum of Newport History in the Brick Market

The Brick Market is a 3-storey brick building dating from 1762 and a real Newport landmark. Located in the heart of the city and managed by the Newport Historical Society, it now houses the Museum of Newport History, which tells the story of the city's early settlers and maritime trade.

Touro Synagogue

Newport welcomed its first Jewish residents in the 17^th century, possibly as early as 1658. By 1758, the Jewish population had grown sufficiently that there was a need for a house of worship. During the British occupation of Newport, the synagogue became a hospital for the British military and a public assembly hall.

Today it remains an active house of worship. 20-minute guided tours are offered from mid-April to mid-October, some days of the week only.

Old Colony House

This brick Georgian-style building and National Historic Landmark was the meeting place for the colonial legislature. Completed in 1741, it has not been altered much since its construction. It still belongs to the state and is managed by the Newport Historical Society.

In addition to its political and architectural importance, the building has served as an army barracks, hospital, courthouse and a location for Steven Spielberg's film Amistad.

National Museum of American Illustration

Founded in 1998 by Judy Goffman Cutler and Laurence S. Cutler to house their collection of primarily “Golden Age” American illustration art, today the museum also exhibits American illustration from all periods, styles and talents. The building is magnificent and the collection of works on display there is impressive.

Other buildings of interest to see in this area include Great Friends Meeting House (21 Farewell Street), Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House (17 Broadway), Trinity Church (141 Spring Street), International Tennis Hall of Fame (194 Bellevue Avenue).

The fine sands of Rhode Island

Of course, where there is ocean, there are also beaches! If you would like to start or end your day on the fine sands of Rhode Island, you have a few public beaches to choose from, although the majority of Newport's beaches are privately owned.

Easton's Beach , known as First Beach to the locals, is the most popular. It boasts 1 kilometre of soft white sand, sparkling blue water, and an antique 1950s carousel as well as numerous amenities: playground, picnic area, toilets, snack bar, chair, umbrella and boogie board rental. Paid parking. (175 Memorial Blvd, Newport).

Sachuest Beach , known as Second Beach to the locals, is in Middletown, a few kilometres from Easton's Beach and next to Norman Bird Sanctuary . The beach is more peaceful and the waves are better for surfing. Paid parking. (474 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown).

Gooseberry Beach: Set in a cove, this is a private beach, but also open to the public. It is a quiet, place to relax with calm waves, making it popular with families with young children. Paid parking. (130 Ocean Avenue, Newport).