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 Newport Harbour © Newport CCVB Newport is famed for being America's yacht racing Mecca, and for boasting dozens of magnificent mansions built during the so-called 'gilded age' at the turn of the 20th century when one needed a distinctive pedigree and hefty bank account to holiday here with America's elite. Nearly a dozen of these extravagant 'summer homes' of America's wealthiest families are now open to the public, and Newport itself today welcomes all and sundry to enjoy a leisurely visit to this lively city with its beautiful beaches and varied attractions. Newport is no longer just a summer fun destination, but it is hip and happening all year round thanks to a full programme of festivals and events that encompass classical, folk and jazz music festivals in the summer; the 'Harvest-by-the-Sea' fest in October; a renowned Christmas celebration in December; and the Newport Winter Festival in February. In between events the lively waterfront, shops and cultural attractions are enough to keep visitors entertained even when the weather makes beach going or sailing not too desirable. For more information contact the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau on (800) 976 5122, or at www.GoNewport.com Attractions  Astors Beechwood © shields8 Astor’s Beechwood Just one of about a dozen summer mansions of the rich, built in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and that is open to the public in Newport's 'Cottage District', is Beechwood, former holiday home of the Astor family. Mrs Caroline Astor, doyenne of the homestead, was recognised as having the definitive word on who was and was not socially acceptable in Newport high society, and she was credited as being the architect of the famed '400 List' of acceptable folk that is still given credence in some quarters today. Being invited to Beechwood was a sure stamp of approval; today it is open to the public staffed by a troupe of actors who recreate scenes from the gilded age. Roarin' Twenties Tours celebrate Newport during the Jazz Age, while Victorian Tours take guests back to life in 1891.Address: 580 Bellevue Avenue; Website: www.astors-beechwood.com; Telephone: (401) 846 3772; Opening time: Daily with tours every 30 minutes from 10am to 4pm (Mid-May to October). Dates and times vary depending on the season. During November and December various Christmas events are scheduled; Admission: Living History Tours: $20 (adults), $8 (children 6-17); other concessions available  Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport © Newport CCVB International Tennis Hall of Fame Tennis fans are inspired by Newport's Tennis Hall of Fame Museum, but even those who do not follow the game will enjoy visiting this historic sporting venue, which was a premier gathering place of Newport society at the turn of the 20th century. The building, built around a large interior piazza for lawn games, is festooned with turrets and verandas and was commissioned by wealthy publisher James Gordon Bennett as a private social and sports club that became known as the Newport Casino. Professional tennis tournaments are now hosted at the venue, and the courts are open to the public for play by reservation. The Hall of Fame museum presents an exciting chronology of the sport's history, from its origins to today's superstars. The collection contains more than 7,000 objects, including historic tennis equipment, period clothing and a tennis library.Address: Bellevue Avenue; Website: www.tennisfame.org; Telephone: (401) 849 3990; Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 5pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day; Admission: $10 (adults), $5 (children under 16)  Museum of Newport History © www.newporthistorical.org Museum of Newport History Visitors interested in history will find the Museum of Newport History an excellent place to begin a sojourn in the city. The museum offers a comprehensive overview utilising the decorative arts, artefacts of everyday life, graphics, old photographs and audio-visual programmes to bring the past to life. The museum is maintained by the Newport Historical Society and is housed in a restored 1772 building in Thames Street (off Touro Street). Highlights are an interactive computer tour of Newport's historic district and a video tour of historic Bellevue Avenue presented on board a reproduction 1890s omnibus.Address: 127 Thames Street; Website: www.newporthistorical.org; Telephone: (401) 846 0813; Opening time: Daily 10am to 4pm (mid-June to 4 September); the rest of the year is 10am to 4pm Thursday to Saturday and 1pm to 4pm on Sundays; Admission: Donations of $4 (adults) and $2 (children 6-18) are suggested Museum of Yachting Proud of its heritage as a sailing Mecca, Newport is equally proud of its museum dedicated to the sport, which has been acclaimed as one of the top sailor's museums in the nation. The Museum boasts a variety of artefacts and exhibits such as a vast collection of classic power and sail yachts, a gallery devoted to chronicling the America's Cup competition held in Newport between 1851 and 2000; a single-handed sailor's hall of fame; and a glimpse into the sailing lifestyle of the Bellevue Avenue Mansions 'gilded age' brigade.Address: Fort Adams State Park; E-mail: museum@moy.org; Website: www.moy.org; Telephone: (401) 847 1018; Opening time: Daily 10am to 5pm (12 May to 31 October); Admission: $5 (adults), $4 (children)  Touro Synagogue © National Park Service Touro Synagogue The oldest Synagogue still standing in the United States, the Touro Street building, was designed by Peter Harrison and dedicated in 1763. The synagogue has, in its time, been used as a venue for town meetings and for sessions of the state supreme court. George Washington, who visited Newport in 1781, attended a meeting in the synagogue and afterwards sent a letter to the congregation, which has become regarded as a classical expression of religious liberty in America - a copy of the letter is displayed on the wall of the synagogue, which has been designated as a National Historical Site.Address: 72 Touro Street; E-mail: info@tourosynagogue.org; Website: www.tourosynagogue.org; Telephone: (401) 847 4794; Transport: Bus to Newport's Gateway Center; Opening time: Open for guided tours beginning every half hour. Daily except Saturday 10am to 5pm (1 July to 3 September); Monday to Friday 1pm to 3pm, and Sunday 11am to 3pm (4 September to 31 October, and 30 April to 30 June); Sundays 11am to 3pm, and only one tour on Fridays at 1pm (17 December to 27 February); Admission: Tours: $5 Excursions Block Island Barely 12 miles (19km) from the shore of modern east coast America lies a tiny 'treasure island' virtually unspoiled by progress, where the main past time offered to visitors is peaceful pleasure and kicked-back relaxation. Time seems to have stopped on Block Island in the Victorian era, particularly in its main, and only, urban concentration, known as Old Harbor, where ferries from Rhode Island arrive several times a day. The island abounds with quaint architecture, spectacular views and delicious native seafood. Charming inns, beautiful beaches and bike trails is the entire tourist infrastructure required to lure holidaymakers here in droves every summer to spend long indolent days splashing and sunning themselves. Winter brings some savage storms and life is fairly tough for the 800-odd permanent residents who depend not only on each other, but also annually warmly welcome the summer visitors, for their survival. Block island, named for a Dutch navigator who found it in 1614, is only seven miles (11km) long and three miles (5km) wide, but boasts a unique array of flora and fauna, a varied terrain of hills and freshwater ponds, and the spectacular southern Mohegan Bluffs that rise 200ft (61m) above the sea.E-mail: info@blockislandinfo.com; Website: www.blockislandinfo.com; Telephone: (800) 383 2474; Transport: Accessible by ferry Events  Johnny Cash Newport Folk Festival The Dunkin' Donuts Newport Folk Festival is one of the most famous festivals in the United States with a rich heritage having hosted musical legends such as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, BB King, John Lee Hooker and Johnny Cash over the years. Folk music has been defined, refined and reinvented here with some famous star-making performances such as Joan Baez's and Bob Dylan's controversial electric cross-over.Venue: Fort Adams State Park; Date: 30 July to 1 August 2010 |
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