A Cruise around Newport Harbor & Narragansett Bay
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Newport, a city on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island, best known for its’ spectacular mansions, sailing, and scenery, is the perfect weekend destination. I have visited the city many times since moving to the Greater Providence metro area, and I can say that a cruise is one of the best ways to take in views of the mansions along with the gorgeous harbor and Narragansett Bay. Mike and I really enjoyed our beautiful cruise this weekend. Our tour guide was entertaining, the scenery was great, and we learned lots of new historical facts.
A scenic & educational ride
Our trip with Gansett Cruises was a fantastic experience. Not only did we enjoy the relaxing scenery, but we also enjoyed learning about the history of the area via our tour guide.
The 90 minute harbor tour departs on a restored 90 foot lobster boat. There is both upper and lower level seating that accommodates up to 49 passengers. The lower level has a canopy to shield away the sun. We chose to sit in the front of the boat for the best views and because we would be getting up frequently to take photos. This was a great seat as there were no obstructions.
Cruises depart from Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, Rhode Island in the morning, afternoon, and evening. A variety of cruises are available including: Early Morning Mimosa tours, Morning Mimosa tours, Afternoon tours, and Sunset cruises. Dogs on leashes are allowed, so if you want to bring your pet you are in luck!
On-board, you will get your choice between 3 different Rhode Island specialties (varies based on time of day). For our afternoon cruise, we had the choice between Warwick Ice Cream, Del’s Lemonade, or a Coffee “Cabinet” Shake. I chose the lemonade and Mike ordered the ice cream: both were nice summer treats. A cash bar with soda, alcohol, and juice is also available.
The ride was mostly smooth and the boat cruises around at the perfect speed, so that it was never too windy. It was a gorgeous day out and we were lucky to be able to capture extraordinary photos. Newport is most known for its’ beautiful mansions, otherwise known as “summer cottages.” You will pass by many of these lavish houses during your cruise. While you in the area, I also recommend walking Cliffwalk, a 3.5 mile oceanfront stroll which offers the best views of the lavish properties and the coast.
A view of a few of the mansions we spotted along the journey
A city steeped in history
Our tour guide was excellent, pointing out different sights and historical information about the area. Check out some of the unique sights we got to see along the way.
New York Yacht Club (Private social & Yacht club founded in 1844)
Castle Hill Lighthouse, built in 1890. You can no longer tour the lighthouse but you can walk around the grounds which are next to the Castle Hill Inn and Resort.
Ft. Adams was founded on July 4, 1799 as a First System coastal fortification. If you have the time, the State Park is open for self-guided tours. There is a 2.5 mile loop around the park where you can explore history and take in scenic views. It’s also a great place to picnic and birdwatch. This park is a great choice for military and history buffs. Guided tours are available for an extra fee. You can check the state park website for more details.
For anyone into the supernatural, this place is supposed to be haunted. Many people have reported ghostly visions of soldiers. Paranormal groups investigate here often – Ghost Hunters did an episode here.
According to our tour guide, this ship that was used in Pirates of the Caribbean II. As a movie buff and Johnny Depp fan, it was a cool experience to see the ship in person. While they are not my favorite movies, I have seen them on more than one occasion (they are fun to watch on a rainy, lazy Sunday afternoon!).
The bridge to Jamestown, located on Conanicut island. Our tour guide provided a lot of info about the island including the possibility of finding a lot of seaglass. As we are avid collectors, we planned a trip to this island the next weekend and found a little bit of seaglass.
Jamestown was home to several military forts during WWII. Today, it is a popular destination for dining, shopping, and recreation. There are numerous local restaurants and galleries and shops to explore. Fort Wetherill and Fort Getty have both been transformed into state parks.
The sailing capital of the world
One of the things this city is most famous for is its’ world class sailing schools. In fact, it is known as “Sailing Capital of the World.” The 1962 America’s Cup winner, US 17 Weatherly, was the only vessel to win when it was not new (built in 1958).
J World Sailing School is America’s Top Ranked Sailing School. You can visit the school website for more info on courses.
Endless sailboats out for the day. The typical season runs from late spring to early autumn.
Dining & shopping in Bowen’s Wharf
After your cruise, you will find plenty of options for local dining and shopping in the Bowen’s Wharf Area. If you are a fan of lobster, the boat departs right at Aquidneck Lobster Company (now The Lobster Bar), which features a raw bar, fresh local seafood, and outstanding water views. I’m not big on seafood, but I enjoy the casual vibe and waterfront setting.
I would definitely take another cruise with this company. The cruise was a relaxing, fun way to explore the harbor in the quickest way possible. Next time, I would like to take a sunset cruise. I imagine the scenery would be even more spectacular.
Interesting Fact: Did you know that the full name of Rhode Island is officially Rhode Island and Providence Plantations? You will learn this and much more aboard your tour.
Additional Info
Address: 31 Bowen’s Wharf
Prices: Prices range from $34-50 per adult, based on day and type of cruise. Check the cruise website for more details. Cruise times vary based on date.
Reservations: call (401) 787-4438
