If you really want to get to know New England, spend a day in Newport, Rhode Island. Known for its famous mansions, breathtaking ocean vistas, countless colonial buildings, and boutiques, Newport has a style and flavor all its own. On New England vacations, you can cruise the colorful shores of Canada and New England, explore this paradisiacal locale, and take in views of the rocky coastline and seaside beauty that Newport is so well known for.
There's a lot you can see and do when you're in Newport. If you're stopping by for the day, put some of these Newport shore excursions at the top of your must-do list:
See the Mansions
On an excursion, you can step inside The Breakers, considered to be the most impressive (and perhaps imposing) of the Newport mansions. Designed for Cornelius Vanderbilt II by architect Richard Morris Hunt, and completed in 1895, this home cost approximately seven million dollars to construct — an amount that, today, would total over $200 million. You'll also have the chance to see the Marble House, which boasts over 500,000 square feet of white marble.
Or, take a scenic tour of Newport, where you'll have the chance to see a wide breadth of Newport's famous mansions. You'll pass The Elms, the eighteenth-century-style summer residence of the Berwind family, with its enormous gardens and ornate decor; Rosecliff, a mansion that has been used in such films as The Great Gatsby and Amistad; and the Marble house — all before a visit to the Touro synagogue, the oldest surviving synagogue in the United States.
Take a Cliff Walk
Put on your good walking shoes and stroll along the path between Bellevue Avenue's palace-like cottages and Newport's coastline. As you walk, take time to capture some photos of the ocean below you, and the mammoth mansions and manicured lawns that overlook the coastline. Smell the fresh sea water and let your mind drift out to sea. This is a great experience if you want to reflect, and refresh your mind, body, and soul.
Take a Ride along Scenic Ocean Drive
Known as the "Ten Mile Drive," Ocean Drive covers much of the southern coastline of Aquidneck Island. One of the most famous Newport attractions, an excursion along this drive is a great way to experience the beauty and to get to know some of the more historically significant aspects of the city. After a light lunch by Newport harbor, you'll get the opportunity to experience life in the Gilded Age on a tour of The Elms. As you head back to your cruise ship, reflect on the memories you've made on these meaningful New England excursions.
Looking for more ways to experience Newport? Explore more Newport shore excursions and historic attractions available on a New England cruise with Princess. Adventure into the heart of the region for an unforgettable experience.
