The Newport International Boat Show is only three weeks away with the kick-off on Thursday September 12. There are many reasons for coming to Newport for the show. It is the largest in-the-water show in the Northeast and features a broad selection of both sail and powerboats. Plus, acres of tents house hundreds of marine vendors of all types, many of whom offer great show discounts on their products and services.
If you are coming to the show, you are also coming to the City by the Sea that is considered the sailing capital of America and has a new Sailing Museum to prove it. Having lived in Newport for many years, here are five of our favorite things to do and see during a visit, outside the show, that is.
The Mansions: Along Bellevue Avenue, you find the fabled gilded age mansions built by the robber barons of the 19th and early 20th centuries that are maintained and managed by the Newport Preservations Society. These are open to the public. The Brakers is the most famous and well worth a visit. Also, modern Tycoons like Larry Ellison, Steven Schwartzman and Jay Leno have homes along the avenue, but they don’t offer tours at present.
Classic Dining Spots: The White Horse Tavern is America’s oldest tavern and has been in continuous service since it was built in the 18th Century. The ambience is historic and the food excellent. The Clarke Cooke House right in the middle of the boat show has long been a home away from home for America’s Cup sailors and old salts from around the world. The décor has memorabilia from many famous yachtsmen and women. The food is superb. Castle Hull sits on 40 acres at the mouth of Narragansett Bay and has some of Newport’s best views. Lunch on the lawn is a special occasion.
Harbor Tours: To get a real feel for how connected The City by the Sea is to boats and the water, you need to get off dry land for a harbor tour. Two of our favorites leave from docks right in the middle of the boat show so you don’t need to go far to get a ride. Our favorite tour boats are the schooner Adirondack and the classic powerboat Gansett. The tours last about 90 minutes.
Fort Adams: For a break from the crowds at the show and in downtown Newport, Fort Adams, across the harbor from the show, provides a great place to walk and a chance to bone up on early 19th century fortifications and a bit of early American history. You can get to the fort by the free bus system or on an Old Port Launch, which is based inside the boat show.
The Sailing Museum: This fairly new addition to Newport found its home in the old armory building on Lower Thames Street. The museum has displays covering everything to do with sailing from the earliest days to the present and it houses the National Sailing Hall of Fame.
Come to Newport for the show but don’t mis out of the city’s many other attractions. Check out the Discover Newport website here.
And check out the Newport International Boat show’s website here.
