Newport, also known as 'The City by the Sea,' has been one of America's premier vacation destinations for centuries, and its historical roots are still clearly visible in architecture that has been preserved since colonial times. The mansions along Bellevue Avenue are opulent testimonies to the "Gilded Age" of American industry. Newport has more original structures from the 18th century than any other city in America.
The history of the area is inextricably linked to Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Newport County communities offer a variety of maritime attractions and activities, including sailing, beaches and tours. Rhode Island was, from its earliest existence, conceived as a place of religious toleration. Sites that illustrate this proud and important legacy include the first synagogue in America, one of the earliest Quaker meeting houses, the home of Unitarianism and many others. The East Bay is home to many museums that tell the fascinating stories of the area's history, arts and cultures. Exhibits range from the Native Americans who populated the area before European settlement to the arts of the 19th and 20th centuries and everything in between.
You never know what you'll find once you start exploring!
