Block Island to Newport — 25 NM DAY 3: NEWPORT
Along the undulating country lanes, you may feel transported to Ireland with the lush rolling fields, stone walls, dramatic Mohegan Bluffs and the contrasting blue sea. Passing dozens of unique beaches, you may plan to return later. Highlight sights are Block Island’s two impressive lighthouses – North and South East – with the busier main village of Old Harbor in between. Block Island has two boating harbors: the more protected New Harbor in Great Salt Pond, which is preferred by pleasure boaters, and Old Harbor with its primary ferry landing and bustling downtown of shops and grand seaside hotels. Staying at Great Salt Pond overlooking your mooring or dock slip, you should enjoy sunsets, pub fare and a boaters’ block party atmosphere at The Oar or Dead Eye Dick’s (opens in May).While in the Old Harbor after browsing boutiques, find a perfect chair and cocktail at either grand seaside hotel: Spring House or Atlantic House. For a delicious local dinner, Kimberly’s serves littlenecks or calamari followed by lobster mac n’ cheese as a beautiful ending to a day of exploring. Live music may be piping out from next door Poor People’s Pub to lure you over for a nightcap. Block Island’s public moorings in New Harbor are assigned daily by the Harbormaster. Private slips can be reserved at Champlin’s Marina, the Boat Basin and Oar House. They book up quickly in prime summer season, which results in boats rafting-up with strangers (friends you haven’t yet met!).
Departing Block Island, perhaps after fresh coffee and pastries delivered to your boat by enterprising locals, you will be in the company of power boaters and sailing vessels, plus the occasional charging ferry heading to Newport. It’s a direct course northeast to the Sailing Capital of Newport. No boater worth his Sperry’s can miss out on the yachty harbor of Newport, established in 1639. As a visiting boater, contact the Harbormaster or Newport Yachting Center for an affordable mooring or a much pricier dock space in this prime harbor. Water taxis ply the harbor
frequently to take you to the town docks. Newport is full of magnificent vessels, lively waterfront pubs lining Bowens and Bannisters Wharfs, and scads of inviting seaside shops on cobblestone streets. Getting off your boat, stretch your sea legs with a scenic 3.5-mile cliff walk by the Gilded Age mansions of our fine affluent families (Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, Dupont, Astor and Morgan). Before sunset, head for Newport rooftop drinks overlooking the harbor at The Vanderbilt or the Hotel Viking to toast your good fortunate in this big little state.
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SPRING 2022
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