Newport Rhode Island | River's world…..

Newport Rhode Island is a colonial town that was settled in 1639. It sits at the bottom of Aquidneck Island and is famous for its sailing.

Many original buildings are still standing and give the city a historic feel.

The downtown area is vibrant.

Quaint.

And has a tourist sense of humor.

With a current population of 25,000 in a little over 11 square miles…

Space is at a premium in the crowded waterfront area.

Parking is a serious issue and even in the off season you can spend a lot of time circling the tiny one way streets for an open spot.

Or you can just park on the sidewalk like these people.

Yes, the distances are usually walkable.

But with the constant 40-50 mph winds we experienced in mid March temperatures? Not that enjoyable.

Did I mention there were Canada geese?

Everywhere.

Bellevue Avenue and its stately homes are a popular attraction.

And yes, there’s serious money in this area… as evidenced by the plethora of expensive automobiles we encountered on the road, like this Ferrari.

And finally there’s the water.

The Atlantic Ocean, Narragansett Bay, the marinas, the ports, the beaches, the lighthouses, the bridges, the sailing.

In Newport, it’s all about the water.

On a miserably wet morning two and a half weeks ago …. the husband and I took off on a trip.

Roughly 4 hours later we crossed a bridge….

And reached our vacation destination.

Newport, Rhode Island.

The smallest state.

Home to the Americas Cup and Narragansett beer.

Newport is old and full of maritime history. Founded in 1639, it was an important trading port for the British colonies. After the Civil War, the Gilded Age rich chose its beautiful coast as a site for their “summer cottages” … by which I mean American castles. Today, tourists flock to its beaches and vibrant waterfront shopping and dining areas.