Ten Mile Drive Newport: Ocean & Mansion Views
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Ten Mile Drive is a historical journey through 10 miles of extravagant mansions and gorgeous waterfront scenery in Newport, Rhode Island. I have to say I was a bit disappointed in this ride. After taking a walk along beautiful CliffWalk, my expectations for this drive were much higher. Unfortunately, there weren’t many ocean views (just the last few miles) and most of the mansions were covered by trees, high fences, and gates, which didn’t make for spectacular views.
If you want a great view of the mansions, definitely walk Cliffwalk or take a cruise at Newport Harbor. Nevertheless, it’s a relaxing drive that does not take up too much time, so if you have extra room on your itinerary, you might as well add it in.
Highlights along the drive
The drive starts at The Elms Mansion on Bellevue Avenue. For the first few miles, you pass several of the Newport Mansions including The Breakers, Ochre Court, Vineland, Beechwood, Marble House, Rosecliff, Rough Point, and more. Many of the old mansions, including Ochre Court and Vineland are now used as part of Salve Regina University.
On a side note, The Mansions are amazing and definitely worthy of a visit on their own. Touring these mansions is what draws most tourists to Newport, although admission is quite pricey. I recommend simply walking Cliffwalk and enjoying the lavish exteriors of each house for free if you are on a budget.
After turning onto Ocean Drive, you will pass more mansions, many heavily covered by dense foliage. Finally, near the end of the drive, you will be treated to nice, but not spectacular ocean scenery. I was disappointed that I spent much of this drive looking at houses, rather than the ocean. That being said, the houses are pretty spectacular. If you like looking at stately homes, you will love this drive. All in all, this is a great free activity to add to your Newport itinerary if you have the time.
Here are some of the ocean shots from our drive. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much in the background to focus on. There are a few places where you can get out the car and take some photos.
More highlights along the drive include: Castle Hill Lighthouse, Gooseberry Beach, and Fort Adams (a short detour).
Castle Hill Lighthouse: Built in 1890. Located at the Castle Hill Inn. You can see it via walking a short trail.
Gooseberry Beach: Private beach open to the public. A beautiful place, but the parking fee is a bit steep at 30 bucks.
Fort Adams: Beautiful mix of history and scenic views at this former army base built in 1799. Guided tours available. Not surprisingly, this place is the site of many paranormal soldier sightings. Ghost Hunters and other groups investigate regularly. Learn more and see more activities.
The end of the drive takes you into downtown Newport. There are nice views of the harbor at this point. I recommend strolling around and checking out some of the local businesses. I love browsing the local shops and dining on touristy Thames St. The architecture is incredible and there are many historical attractions to explore.
A decent free attraction
This drive only takes about 20 minutes, and is worth it if you need to fill up some time. It doesn’t cost anything and you will get to see a little bit of history and take a few nice pictures by the ocean. However, don’t expect any jaw dropping views. If you are looking for amazing scenery, I recommend a leisurely 3.5 mile stroll along CliffWalk, which features the most amazing coastal and mansion scenery in the area.
What else to do in the area?
I recommend a harbor cruise – the scenery is so gorgeous and you will learn more about the area. Right next to Gansett cruises, you will find this great waterfront restaurant called The Lobster Bar. I am not a huge seafood fan but everyone in our party loved this place, plus the deck is super scenic.
Afterwards, I recommend enjoying lunch or dinner on historic Thames Street, the oldest continuously used street in the state of Rhode Island. Local cafes and shops line his bustling street which is parallel to the water. My favorite restaurant is Mamma Luisa. They serve excellent Italian food in the most beautiful dining room. I love that they offer a full selection of vegetarian entrees. For the pasta lovers out there, I recommend the Butternut Squash Ravioli.
For any movie buffs, I recommend seeing a move at the historic Jane Pickens Theater, an attractive theater housed in an old church in downtown Newport. This charming theater has a very historic vibe with the old-fashioned curtains, balcony, décor, and auditorium look. This theater shows mostly non-mainstream independent art-house films.
You can even enjoy a glass of wine or luxury snack as you watch a movie in a beautiful classic theater. We saw Before Midnight, which I highly recommend along with the other 2 films in the trilogy, Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Near the holidays, they screen White Christmas, one of my favorite holiday films. Seeing both films was a wonderful experience.
Addresses
- Ten Mile Drive – Starts at 367 Bellevue Ave. at the Elms Mansion.
- Cliffwalk: 34 Ocean Avenue
- Gansett cruises and the Lobster Bar: 2 Bowen’s Landing and 31 Bowen’s Wharf
- Mama Luisa’s Restaurant – 673 Thames St.
- Jane Pickens Theater – 49 Touro St.
