Newport County

Thirty miles south of Providence lies Newport, the fabled resort city of yacht racing and magnificent Gilded Age mansions. At the turn of the 20th century, one needed a blue-blooded pedigree to be invited inside the palatial Bellevue Avenue dwellings owned by America's elite. Today, nearly one dozen of these remarkable summer cottages are open to the public for touring, and Newport itself welcomes all who desire a care-free, fun-filled and enriching vacation.

Though yachting and the Gilded Age made Newport world-famous, the city is also renowned for its delightful mix of Colonial heritage, beautiful beaches, lively waterfront and cultural attractions. Within the last decade, a rich and varied schedule of year-round festivals has helped Newport evolve from a summer vacation spot into a four-season destination. Classical, folk and jazz music festivals highlight the summer months, followed by December's Christmas in Newport celebration and the Newport Winter Festival in February.

Newport is a shopper's paradise, with options ranging from fashionable Bellevue Avenue to waterfront boutiques. Fine resort wear and hand crafted jewelry and gifts are popular choices. Newport has several antique districts and has some of the region's best fine arts galleries.

The oldest synagogue in North America, Touro Synagogue, is located in Newport, as is St. Mary's Church, the site of then-Senator John F. Kennedy's wedding to Jacqueline Bouvier.

 

The Museum of Yachting, the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino, the Naval War College Museum and the Redwood Library are other destinations in Newport.

Nature is a major attraction of the region. Visitors can ferry to nature trails on Prudence Island or visit the Green Animals Toplary Gardens in Portsmouth. In nearby Middletown is the Norman Bird Sanctuary with seven miles of trails. Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton produces Rhode Island's premier wines, and is New England's largest winery.