I grew up in Newport and moved to Boston a few years ago for school. Though the frequency of my visits now resemble those of a tourist more so than a local, the tricks I’ve learned from living here make my trips much richer than the recommended guide book version. In this series of blog posts I will share my secrets to help visitors and those looking to buy a home in Newport get the most out of their time in this great town.
I came back to Newport during the busiest part of summer, making the topic of my first post pretty easy to decide on: Getting Around Town. Every Friday Bellevue Ave floods with cars coming off the bridge. Thames St. is a nightmare with standstill traffic for miles. Parking is also pricy and hard to find. Newport is not a place you need a car to get around in, so once you get in town, park your car and leave it. Trust me, alternatives to driving are necessary to get the most out of your time in Newport.
If you own a bike- bring it. Despite knowing the back roads to the beach usually bike. It never takes more than 15 minutes to get anywhere and the roads are nice to ride on. You'll instantly see the benefit of biking when you pass rows of traffic on your way there. If you don’t have a bike, rentals are available at multiple locations downtown.
Walking is another great option. Newport is perfect for leisurely walks that let you soak in the historic buildings along the cobblestone streets and detour onto the wharfs to the waterfront. Worried you might get tired? Have no fear! Pedicabs (or Rickshaws) are availabe to give you a lift whenever and where ever you need it.
Though Newport is small, it has a lot of hidden places well worth seeing, but often over looked by visitors. To ensure you don't miss anything, try biking down a new way to Ocean Drive, or walk in between the shops on Thames. I promise you’ll find something you didn’t expect, or at the very least a great view of the water.
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