Visit Newport, Rhode Island

Rhode Island is situated in New England, between Massachusetts and Connecticut, is the smallest state of the United States. Newport, a nice seaside city which is one of New England's must-see places, is sits on the southern end of Aquidneck Island.

Newport is better known as a relaxing escape for the wealthy and for its mansions.You can see wonderful old, antique homes and beautiful gardens in this area, they were built in th 19th and early 20th century.

The most famous mansion, an Italian Renaissance-style villa, the Breakers, the 70-room "cottage" in Newport, designed by Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, is open for visitors.

Newport is a great town for walking. Most of the restaurants and shops are packed into the harbor area, perfect for walking but difficult for driving and finding a parking space.

If you are in Newport, you have to visit the city's Museum of Yachting. Newport, yachting and boating remain deeply ingrained along Newport Harbor and at the Museum of Yachting. Many types of cruises in and out of local waters are offered to the public.

You also must check The Newport Casino, home of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It is a structural masterpiece, which stands today as one of the finest examples of Victorian shingle-style architecture in the world.

Situated at the mouth of the Newport Harbor, Fort Adams State Park offers an exceptional panoramic view of both Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. The park offers a wide range of activities including saltwater bathing, fishing, boating, soccer, rugby, and picnicking and kite flying.

The miles of amazing beaches are also a good reason why to come for a visit. Navy has a some training centers here. Newport restaurants offer the best and freshest seafood in New England.

And the lighthouses? First, there is Castle Hill, Newport. This light was built around 1890, stands forty feet above sea level and marks the east entrance of Narragansett Bay. It can be seen from about twelve miles away. The Richardsonian Romanesque style lighthouse flashes an intermittent red light every six seconds to warn sailors. It is situated in a beautiful, untouched environment, you can only meet the keeper or some seagulls here.

Another nice one is Newport Harbor Light at the north end of Goat Island, New Port. The current light was constructed in 1842 and has a height of 33 feet. The light was electrified and the present optic is 250 mm and is fixed green. The Newport Harbor light is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation and is managed by 'Friends of Newport Harbor Lighthouse.'

Newport hosts many cultural festivals, including its legendary jazz and folk and classical festivals in the summer as well as many other ethnic festivals throughout the seasons. They include the Black Ships Festival in July, celebrating culture and commerce with Japan; an Irish Festival at Labor Day; Christmas in Newport in December; and Newport Winter Festival in January.

Newport's best inns and small hotels provide a pleasing combination of Colonial or Gilded Age style and modern convenience. Rates in Newport are very much seasonal; prices in winter, for example, are often half those of summer.