Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Newport, Rhode Island, is a seaside village with cobblestone streets, wharves and ships for the young and young-at-heart to explore. From sunning and swimming on the miles of coastline, discovering treasures in many of the kid-friendly shops and museums, to taking in the opulent elegance of yesterdays mansions, theres always something fun and exciting for every season and every age.
Newport is best discovered and enjoyed outdoors. Whether adventurous or mild tempered, the local venues only add to the fun. A number of parks, open to the public, permit swimming, sandcastle building, beach volleyball, picnicking and more. Easton Beach Park, the largest of the parks, includes a ? mile coastline, a concession stand, a carousel and play facilities. Brenton Point State park offers hiking, scenic overlooks, a concession stand and a public garden. Other parks, including Gooseberry Beach and King Park Beach are great places to select down for sun and fun, while Fort Adams State Park has a historic fort to explore and, yes, learn something in the process.
If sand between your toes isnt comforting, try renting a bike and exploring these beaches, the town and Bellevue Avenue where most of the Victorian aged mansion stand. Be certain to bring a kite with you as many parks close to the ocean offer the perfect wind for beginners to those that fly trick kites. A little pre-planning through the Parks and Recreation Department could lead to a class in croquet on a mansion lawn, a scavenger hunt through the woods or a wildlife search all supervised and inexpensive if reserved early.
A trip to the Newport Aquarium will show off the East Coast marine life or, if budget restrictions are in order, try viewing them from the Cliff Walk, a three-mile trail behind the mansion, to see seals, otters and sea birds. Cliff Walk requires good walking shoes and an adventurous soul but can result in finding the wooden bridge, the tunnels and the forty steps that lead to the ocean. Guided tours are available at Cliff Walk if the stories and history help create the scene.
As a seaside village, Newport takes on a whole new look from the water. Canoes, kayaks and small sailboats can be rented. Charters and harbor cruise leave regularly in the summer months and scuba diving, for the truly adventurous, can be exciting.
The varies stories of Newport, from its settlement to its history of a socialites play ground to its naval use, can be enjoyed with inexpensive tours. If time is available and patience is a trait of youngsters, try a tour through one of the many ocean-side mansions, interesting museums, or the historic sites such as coastal forts and lighthouses. Even the Tennis Hall of Fame has tours sponsoring the history of the sport. Visitors can select from walking tours, boat tours or self-guided tours.
Art festivals abound at many of the wharves and many of the stores welcome kids for hands-on experiments; especially the toy stores. Autumn months offer carriage and hay rides to farms just outside of Newport where apples, pumpkins and cider are readily available. Ice skating sets up shop at the center of Newport during Winter and holiday events are offered for a fee at the larger mansions from Halloween Balls, Christmas tours, Easter Egg hunts and even specialty tours such as Behind-The-Scenes or Top-Of-The-Roof tours. Check out the Tourism Center for information and tickets.
Finding a meal to suit anyones pallet will be easy in Newport. On-the-go clam fritters, hot dogs and ice cream surround the shops and wharves. Sit down restaurants from kid friendly to elegant can be found, all within walking distance of hotels and shops. During the summer its best to reserve a table so boredom wont set in with the youngest of diners.
With so much offered in Newport it helps to plan before going. Keep age limits, attention span and patience in mind and dont be afraid to take those afternoon naps C the ice cream will wait!
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