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An Overview of Newport, RI

by Bonnie Neely, Photos by Bill Neely

In the early days of America, Newport, Rhode Island, ranked among the five most important cities on the Atlantic Seaboard, along with Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston. Today it is one of the premiere cities in the United States for tourists from all over the wolrd to visit, and the city is adept at hosting over a million visitors in summer. Here you'll find the best restoration of 200 Colonial buildings in the National Landmark Historic Restoration District, and the Preservation Society of Newport County has carefully maintained mansions of the wealthy tycoons of the Industrial Revolution, known as the "Gilded Age" of American society-playing-royalty.

In the early days of America only men could own property, but it is thanks to the women of Newport that we can experience this living history today. The women of Newport, with great far-sighted campaigns, hard work and determination, preserved and restored this priceless history. Because of their efforts much of Newport is considered an American Treasure and National Historic Landmark.

In the mid-twentieth century local ladies organized Operation Clapboard, Newport Restoration Foundation, Preservation Society of Newport County, and Newport Historical Society and worked to find donations and restoration monies to save and restore the city they loved. Some of those societies today still maintain the historic districts and run the tours, which over a million visitors come each year to see.

Besides the amazing living Colonial history and the incalculable wealth you'll see in the fabulous mansions, there is much more to enjoy in Newport. You'll find over a hundred interesting shops with unique items. This is not cloned mall shopping like all the other cities across the country, but the unusual little shops with the special items which make shopping a fun event.

Newport is also a gourmet's port-o-call! Restaurants for every palate and purse are plentiful. What chef's specialty would not be enhanced by a seating beside a bay window overlooking the gleaming yacht basin with restful water gently rocking the sails? Many restaurants of all prices are at the water's edge, great for relaxing and reviving after a shopping spree. You might choose 22 Bowen's for cocktails and a delicious meal just after a wonderful cruise around the harbor. Bowen's Pier has a number of cruises from which to choose. We loved the Madeleine, a relaxing time in the sun and seeing the lovely port city from the water.

Be sure to find an authentic New England Clam Bake for one of your evening meals. The Harbor Hyatt Hotel does famous ones from time to time. The steamers, mussels, lobsters, corn, potatoes, onions, are steamed in a firepit pit by the sea, with layers of wet seaweed on hot rocks beneath wooden frames holding the food. It is an event not to be missed, if it is offered while you are there. The food is fabulous!

For an elegant, romantic meal at one of Newport's most beautiful locations, go a few miles out of town to the land at the tip facing the bridge and dine at Castle Hill Inn. The romantic Inn was once the home of a marine biology teacher, who brought his students out to collect specimen in canoes and then study them in the basement of this marvelous old home. Now an inn which has just completed a $5 million dollar restoration, it is a very special place to stay or to dine.

You'll want to visit Bowen's Wharf at the end of the pier in mid morning or mid afternoon when the fishermen come in with their catch. Go to the Fish Market to see lobsters like you have never seen lobsters! You can buy all kinds of seafood here just off the boats. And even if you are not purchasing your dinner, you must see the live lobsters. You'll get photos popular with your friends!

The big fella I held was eight and a half pounds, a venerable granddaddy over 150 years old. Lobsters take about seven years to reach one pound and are protected below that weight. There are strict laws to prevent depletion of the lobster population. Around the world oil slicks and other marine abuse and disasters, along with unscrupulous harvesting, has reduced the population by about two-thirds. This poor, delectable creature is just too popular with our gourmands!

Summer traffic on Bellevue, the main Gilded Age Mansion route, is really a problem, and parking is very difficult. We recommend leaving your car near the Visitor Center, or your hotel, and taking the trolley, which runs every 20 minutes to and from the mansion area. If you plan to spend the whole day seeing the exquisite opulence on Bellevue Avenue or taking the Cliff Walk, be sure to take food and water, because by zoning laws and specific codes it is prohibited to have restaurants or snack bars in this area. Wear your most comfortable shoes.

The Cliff Walk is one you'll never forget. On a narrow path along the cliff you'll be able to stroll for miles to see the ocean fronts of the exquisite mansions, many of which are still used as homes today and are not open to the public. In a few places the walk is a little rugged and can be chilly at any time of year, so dress appropriately, but it is suitable for most moderate hikers. The homes and gardens overlooking the Atlantic are gorgeous. If you are physically able this is probably one of the most memorable things to do in Newport. When you end your walk you'll be ready for high tea at one of the lovely legendary inns of Newport. We selected Cliffside Inn at Seaview Avenue for an exquisite event with beautifully appointed Duchess of Bedford tea service, which was sufficient to be a light meal. This Inn, along with the Adele Turner Inn and Abigail Stoneman Inn are beautifully refurbished, with each elegant room unique in its period decor, appealing to the upscale clientelle. To reserve Click Here or call 1-800-845-1811

You'll learn a lot and enjoy it much more if you go with Anita Rafael on her Cliff Walk Tour or Newport On Foot Tour. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center. Whether you are a history buff or not, you'll enjoy her tales of history and identifying archetectural details of the Colonial Restoration National Historic District. Her tours are fascinating and fun, and you'll get a thoroughly researched perspective on history you have never thought of. She helps you see it from the point of view of the early colonists. Click here for reservations and information or call 401-846-5391.

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	Travel Adventures International Magazine Flag of Rhode Island Send this Page to a Friend Peace for Everyone An Overview of Newport, RI by Bonnie Neely, Photos by Bill Neely In the early days of America, Newport, Rhode Island, ranked among the five most important cities on the Atlantic Seaboard, along with Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston. Today it is one of the premiere cities in the United States for tourists from all over the wolrd to visit, and the city is adept at hosting over a million visitors in summer. Here you'll find the best restoration of 200 Colonial buildings in the National Landmark Historic Restoration District, and the Preservation Society of Newport County has carefully maintained mansions of the wealthy tycoons of the Industrial Revolution, known as the "Gilded Age" of American society-playing-royalty. In the early days of America only men could own property, but it is thanks to the women of Newport that we can experience this living history today. The women of Newport, with great far-sighted campaigns, hard work and determination, preserved and restored this priceless history. Because of their efforts much of Newport is considered an American Treasure and National Historic Landmark. In the mid-twentieth century local ladies organized Operation Clapboard, Newport Restoration Foundation, Preservation Society of Newport County, and Newport Historical Society and worked to find donations and restoration monies to save and restore the city they loved. Some of those societies today still maintain the historic districts and run the tours, which over a million visitors come each year to see. Besides the amazing living Colonial history and the incalculable wealth you'll see in the fabulous mansions, there is much more to enjoy in Newport. You'll find over a hundred interesting shops with unique items. This is not cloned mall shopping like all the other cities across the country, but the unusual little shops with the special items which make shopping a fun event. Newport is also a gourmet's port-o-call! Restaurants for every palate and purse are plentiful. What chef's specialty would not be enhanced by a seating beside a bay window overlooking the gleaming yacht basin with restful water gently rocking the sails? Many restaurants of all prices are at the water's edge, great for relaxing and reviving after a shopping spree. You might choose 22 Bowen's for cocktails and a delicious meal just after a wonderful cruise around the harbor. Bowen's Pier has a number of cruises from which to choose. We loved the Madeleine, a relaxing time in the sun and seeing the lovely port city from the water. Be sure to find an authentic New England Clam Bake for one of your evening meals. The Harbor Hyatt Hotel does famous ones from time to time. The steamers, mussels, lobsters, corn, potatoes, onions, are steamed in a firepit pit by the sea, with layers of wet seaweed on hot rocks beneath wooden frames holding the food. It is an event not to be missed, if it is offered while you are there. The food is fabulous! For an elegant, romantic meal at one of Newport's most beautiful locations, go a few miles out of town to the land at the tip facing the bridge and dine at Castle Hill Inn. The romantic Inn was once the home of a marine biology teacher, who brought his students out to collect specimen in canoes and then study them in the basement of this marvelous old home. Now an inn which has just completed a $5 million dollar restoration, it is a very special place to stay or to dine. You'll want to visit Bowen's Wharf at the end of the pier in mid morning or mid afternoon when the fishermen come in with their catch. Go to the Fish Market to see lobsters like you have never seen lobsters! You can buy all kinds of seafood here just off the boats. And even if you are not purchasing your dinner, you must see the live lobsters. You'll get photos popular with your friends! The big fella I held was eight and a half pounds, a venerable granddaddy over 150 years old. Lobsters take about seven years to reach one pound and are protected below that weight. There are strict laws to prevent depletion of the lobster population. Around the world oil slicks and other marine abuse and disasters, along with unscrupulous harvesting, has reduced the population by about two-thirds. This poor, delectable creature is just too popular with our gourmands! Summer traffic on Bellevue, the main Gilded Age Mansion route, is really a problem, and parking is very difficult. We recommend leaving your car near the Visitor Center, or your hotel, and taking the trolley, which runs every 20 minutes to and from the mansion area. If you plan to spend the whole day seeing the exquisite opulence on Bellevue Avenue or taking the Cliff Walk, be sure to take food and water, because by zoning laws and specific codes it is prohibited to have restaurants or snack bars in this area. Wear your most comfortable shoes. The Cliff Walk is one you'll never forget. On a narrow path along the cliff you'll be able to stroll for miles to see the ocean fronts of the exquisite mansions, many of which are still used as homes today and are not open to the public. In a few places the walk is a little rugged and can be chilly at any time of year, so dress appropriately, but it is suitable for most moderate hikers. The homes and gardens overlooking the Atlantic are gorgeous. If you are physically able this is probably one of the most memorable things to do in Newport. When you end your walk you'll be ready for high tea at one of the lovely legendary inns of Newport. We selected Cliffside Inn at Seaview Avenue for an exquisite event with beautifully appointed Duchess of Bedford tea service, which was sufficient to be a light meal. This Inn, along with the Adele Turner Inn and Abigail Stoneman Inn are beautifully refurbished, with each elegant room unique in its period decor, appealing to the upscale clientelle. To reserve Click Here or call 1-800-845-1811 You'll learn a lot and enjoy it much more if you go with Anita Rafael on her Cliff Walk Tour or Newport On Foot Tour. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center. Whether you are a history buff or not, you'll enjoy her tales of history and identifying archetectural details of the Colonial Restoration National Historic District. Her tours are fascinating and fun, and you'll get a thoroughly researched perspective on history you have never thought of. She helps you see it from the point of view of the early colonists. Click here for reservations and information or call 401-846-5391. Subscribe Real Travel Adventures Web Magazine Thanks for visiting us! Add to Bookmarks \ _____________________ Home Previous Page Next Page ________________________ If any links don't work PLEASE NOTIFY US.