Destinations and attractions newport rhode island

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Known as a city of wealth and leisure, Newport, Rhode Island, founded in 1639, was not always blessed with affluence. Its origins lay in a busy port economy tied with the Triangle Trade of the 18th century. Through the Revolutionary War era the city suffered financial setbacks that were more than reversed in the glorious Gilded Age. After the roaring twenties Newport never looked back. Since the time of Vanderbilts and Griswolds the city has remained a place to be enjoyed in leisure.

Newport is a summer destination for a wide range of people due to its many points of interest and available activities. Newport is located on the southern end of Aquidneck Island. Surrounded on all sides by water, Newport is a boaters dream. The harbor is filled with beautiful boats from the first of May until the end of October. Yachts valued in the millions dock next to smaller pleasure craftsexquisite sailboats tack in between dirty lobster boats. While Newport is the Mecca for sailing in the north east and arguably the entire east coast of the United States, there is no shortage of commercial fishing and power-boaters. All walks of life enjoy the waterfront in Newportfrom those who can afford mega-yachts to those who have scrimped and saved for a rowboat. The bevy of marinas offering dockage is impressive, as are the amenities attached with each facility. Aside from water, electricity, cable television and the Internet, many of the marinas have a restaurant or bar attached to them.

Restaurants and bars are plentiful not only on the harbor side of the island, but on the beach side. There are several beaches, some private and some public, that Newport boasts. Though they do not have the white sand of the Caribbean, tourists flock to Newport beaches. Surfing and beach volleyball are two popular activities enjoyed in the summer days as well.

After a day of boating, surfing, or sun tanning there is still much to be done in Newport. Shopping draws many people to the streets of Newport. The many boutiques sporting colorful summer designs and the new posh looks speckle Newports main drag, Thames Street. From sailing goods shops to gourmet dog boutiques to antique stores, to an Army Navy Surplus stop, Newport has it all.

The shops in Newport stay open late during the summer to cater to the eager visitor. Most people enjoy the night in Newport dining out or bellying up to a bar. The bar scene in Newport is extremely lively. The range of eating establishments and bars is notable. Outdoor clam shacks are located in the midst of gourmet restaurants and you can find Irish bars boasting two-dollar drafts next to martini bars with ten-dollar covers. In the summer time many of the bars do their business outsideeither on a deck or on a pier. Most offer an outdoor menu with items such as fried clams, shrimp cocktail, burgers, and littleneck steamers. Restaurants on the water generally have an inside menu that has more upscale selections. The range of eating and drinking establishments ensures a range of clientele. The residents who live in Newport year-round experience a taste of the world during the summer, as the city is a huge tourist spot.

Tourism in Newport is popular not only because of the waterfront, the shopping, and the nightlife, but because of its historical significance, its beautiful architecture, and general aesthetic appeal. In the 1920s families like the Vanderbilts constructed the mansions of Newport along the cliffs overhanging the ocean. These giant homes were built on the edge of the cliffs so that during the summer the breeze that came off the water would have a cooling effect. The walking path that goes in front of the row of mansions is called the Cliff Walk. This is a must-do activity for anyone visiting Newport. If you are particularly interested in the history of the mansions there are many books and audiocassettes on the topic. Tours of the mansions are available on a frequent basis as well.

The mansions are an important part of why people visit Newport, but it is the charm of the city that draws people back. The quaintness Newport avenues and buildings coupled with an exciting influx of people from all walks of life meeting and sharing stores over food and drink creates a unique setting that is difficult not to fall in love with.