Newport, RI

by Brianin Rhode Island, USAon Posted on

Back in June I had the opportunity to travel to Newport, RI for a couple of weeks to attend some training for work.  Seeing as how I wouldn’t normally take a trip to this area on my own, I tried to make the most of the time after work and on the weekend in between.  I was travelling with 3 Japanese employees and I was the only driver so that made things a little bit interesting on this trip but by the end of it I think it we all made the most of it.  The pictures below are in no particular order since I visited some places multiple times and there was no set itinerary.

One of my favorite spots during the trip as recommended by a local employee was Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge on the southeastern point of the island. I came here a couple of times to get a run in and to watch the sunset... the real draw was getting to see some wild deer running around also. This was one of the few places I could go for some alone time during the trip also since nobody else wanted to wake up early enough
Tons of little rabbits hopping around the trails... some are more shy than others but you can't get too close to them
I found one of those mice that run around in circles non-stop... and I got confirmation it was still doing it at least 30 minutes later.... apparently you can google "mouse running in circles" and most sites will tell you that it's actually suffering from some head disease/trauma... poor mouse
There are a few different routes you can take, none all that long and most loop around back to the parking lot
Some elevated lookouts
From the previous lookout, catching the sun rise
Road leading from the town into the Wildlife Refuge
I almost didn't get to see any deer the first morning I went, but as I was leaving I was able to catch these on the side of my eye. I like this picture of the one looking back at me
The Inns on Bellevue, where we stayed for the two weeks. Great location, really old home converted to an inn I guess... could easily walk to the waterfront where all the restaurants and shopping were (rather than pay for parking)
Looking down Bellevue Ave
Old homes like this line the streets
Would you believe it? Newport is sister cities with Shimoda in Japan, where I recently blogged about my private onsen experience earlier in the year... Another statue of Commodore Perry.
Newport Tower at Touro Park
Channing Memorial Church near Touro Park
Bellevue Avenue
One of the big attractions is the Cliff Walk (beginning just to the right side of this picture), which they recently renovated to add better trails along the coast. Along the coast are a bunch of old mansions that also offer tours but we didn't have time for that. I went with one of the other Japanese employees and walked it in it's entirety from the hotel and back.. must've taken about 3 hours. The trail by itself is about 3 miles if I remember correctly.
At the beginning of the Cliff Walk
Can't imagine who would own these
The tunnel
Nicer section of the walk
Making the turn at the southern point
At the bottom end of the trail
One of my more favorite properties
More homes on the way back to the hotel
Downtown waterfront area... we spent a lot of time shopping and eating at restaurants in this area... definitely the more touristy side of town with the America's Cup and other sailing events in the summer. I believe the America's Cup was held in New York this year though. Newport is like the sailing capital of North America (everyone's walking around in Helly Hansen/North Face vests with hat, boating shoes and sunglasses haha it's a real yachtie town)
Sunset at the harbor
Another shopping street
One of the best things we ate at Diego's. Carne asada nachos, fully loaded
This just does not exist in Japan
The Inn at night... was nice to sit in the rocking chairs on the porch with a beer like an old person haha
Couple times we just went for a drive around the southern coast
Nice houses tucked away everywhere... just unbelievable properties
Scenic drive
Newport Country Club. When I was Googling info about Newport, I discovered that Newport Country Club was home to the first US Amateur Championship and first U.S. Open back in 1895. Of course I had to add this to my must visits... even if it was sorely disappointing...
And I say disappointing because this was the closest we could get to the clubhouse... the guy that comes out to pick up clubs even said we weren't allowed to take pictures from here.... rich people I tell you.... needless to say, I couldn't get a shirt or visor.
Coming back around the coast to Fort Adams Point State Park. They have a little farm at the entrance, and I know one of the farms raise very old fashioned rare, purebred animals.... they had an event to showcase them the weekend we were there but actually we decided to go to Boston instead (no brainer decision - see follow up blog post)... I was told they eat all the animals eventually... interesting?
Deeper into Fort Adam's Point State Park... my favorite property... there's a bridge leading there!
Not sure what ship this was but it definitely stood out
Bridge to Jamestown, next island over to the west
The Fort
My favorite sunset picture from the Fort Adams Point State Park
Went back to Sachuest Point to finish the loop I didn't do the first time... another nice sunrise, sky looks fake right?
Was able to see a few deer on the ocean side of the park
This one struck me as a painting almost... I like it
Allergies anyone? hehe
What this plant was and why the snails loved it is beyond me... but nice shells?
These birds just struck me as funny... the posture or eyes or something remind me of the "MINE" birds from Finding Nemo
Looking back at the bluff area
Another bunny
Visitor Center at sunrise
Beginning of Thames St. We had some good oysters and steak at the Midtown Oyster Bar... I recommend
A popular treat in town, Del's frozen lemonade
And one of our last meals at Diego's again, sooo good
Finish off with just one picture of me hehe... the running cameraman at Sachuest hehe

Overall, good trip… I can’t say there’s much to do or that I would consider living there but good to experience nonetheless… especially for the Japanese coworkers.  At first I was afraid of having to go with them to IHOP every morning but due to one guy getting some kind of food poisoning the first morning, we didn’t go back (we think it was the apple juice somehow hehe).  Instead I think we got to experience a better variety of things… eating a lot of steak, prime rib, lobster rolls, oysters, crab, bbq and clam chowder.  That yachting/sailing scene is definitely a big part of the town and that old money rich people feel to it was something different for me to see.  I think the time of year that we went was during the better weather months and just before the real summer tourism push came in.  Thanks to some of the people we met there we were also able to get good recommendations for the duration of the trip.   Maybe I’ll get a chance to go back again in the future.  Stay tuned for the weekend Boston pictures…

PinPrint

Post author

Written by

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *