CliffWalk Newport – Spectacular Ocean and Mansion Views!
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The most scenic place to take a stroll in beautiful Newport, Rhode Island is Cliffwalk. This scenic 3.5 mile National Recreation Trail runs along the shoreline and the views are amazing. I would say it is the best attraction in the city and I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. I made a little weekend guide to my favorite attractions in the city which you can check out.
I recommend this scenic stroll for anyone who does not want to pay to tour the pricey mansions or as they are commonly called, “summer cottages.” Along the way you get to see the exteriors of all these iconic summer homes. The most famous, The Breakers, is a marvelous property encompassing over 137,000 square feet.
During, our visit a portion of the walk was closed at Ruggles Ave. due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. Sadly, we could only complete a portion. However, there was still plenty of beauty to be seen up until that point (about 2 miles). Normally the full walk round-trip would be about 7 miles.
The trail starts at Easton Beach (First Beach), located at 175 Memorial Blvd. in Newport. I love Newport Beaches – they are so quaint and pretty. I recommend checking at least one out during your stay (I personally love Second Beach). The summer weather is so perfect in this area for beach strolls, sunbathing, and just relaxing.
The path is paved and mostly flat, so a great choice for first time visitors looking to take it easy. Despite the lengthy distance, it’s a pretty easy trail. There are numerous spots along the trail where you can take excellent photographs of the ocean, beaches, cliffs, and mansions. There are also several benches, if you want to relax and take in the gorgeous scenery. While there are a lot of great views in this beautiful town, this is by far my favorite place to soak in the quaint coastal scenery.
Highlights along the path
The 40 Steps at Narragansett is a stone staircase that goes down the cliff to a beautiful balcony overlooking the water.
The Breakers, a Vanderbilt Mansion, is the most famous and visited of the Newport Mansions. This mansion, built between 1893-1895 for 12 million, has 70 rooms and takes up a massive 65,000 square feet. Cornelius Vanderbilt, who made his fortune in the railroad and shipping industry, was one of the richest men of the 19th Century.
The Vineland Mansion is now part of Salve Regina University. It was originally built in 1882 for tobacco heiress Catharine Lorillard Wolfe.
The Ochre Court Mansion is now part of Salve Regina University. It cost 4.5 million dollars to build in 1892 (wow that was a huge amount of money back then!). This is the 2nd largest mansion you will see. I really love this property – it’s almost as gorgeous as the Breakers. The landscaping is gorgeous.
Tips for a great walk
- Bring with water – I didn’t see any drinking fountains along the way.
- Wear comfortable shoes. I recommend gym shoes and workout apparel.
- Bring with a camera – there are plenty of spots to take great photographs.
- Make sure to stay on the path! Some of the cliffs are pretty steep and high. You will see many signs like this:
Additional Details
Admission: Free
Parking: Easton Beach ( 175 Memorial Blvd.). Parking meters, or free parking on a side street (watch the signs)
Starting Point: 117 Memorial Blvd. Newport, RI
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset, everyday
Pet policy: Leashed dogs are ok
Bike policy: No bikes allowed
Accessibility: This is not the best trail for wheelchairs. Most of the trail is not accessible. There is a small wheelchair friendly section near the east end (40 stone steps).
More info the walk
