3 Dreamy Ocean-Drive Videos That Will Make You Smell the Ocean

Few drives pack as many postcard moments into ten miles as Newport’s Ocean Drive. Clinging to Aquidneck Island’s southern rim, the road strings together wave‑pounded cliffs, glass‑calm coves, and unfettered Atlantic horizons, free of charge except for the fuel (or pedal power) you bring. Every bend unveils another cinematic vista, from sail‑trimmed Narragansett Bay to sunsets that dye the sky molten gold.

What & Where

Ocean Drive is the informal name for a linked loop of public roads that begins where famed Bellevue Avenue ends at the Ocean/Coggeshall intersection and circles back passing Fort Adams State Park and King Park Beach. The corridor was laid out under a landscape plan completed in 1867 by Frederick Law Olmsted and later earned National Historic Landmark District status in 1976 for its distinctive coastal scenery and eclectic architecture.

Must‑Stop Highlights

• Fort Adams State Park – Tour America’s largest Third‑System coastal fort (built 1824‑1857) or picnic on lawns overlooking the Pell Bridge.
• Hammersmith Farm – Jackie Bouvier Kennedy’s shingle‑style childhood home peers over Newport Harbor; admire it from the roadside pull‑off.
• Seafair Mansion – A dramatic crescent‑shaped estate designed in 1936 by architect William Mackenzie Jr.; currently owned by comedian Jay Leno.
• Brenton Point State Park – Where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic, this 89‑acre park is famous for kite‑flying (the free Newport Kite Festival fills the July sky) and wave‑watching from old stone foundations.
• Castle Hill Lighthouse – Follow a short wooded path beside Castle Hill Inn to Newport’s most‑photographed beacon, perfect at golden hour.
• Gooseberry Beach – A protected cove with gentle surf, snack bar, and restroom—ideal for a cooling dip before finishing the loop.

Practical Tips for Travelers

• Time It Right: Traffic is lightest at sunrise and again near sunset, when Brenton Point’s seawall becomes Newport’s front‑row seat to fiery skies.
• Parking & Pull‑Offs: Dedicated lots at Fort Adams and Brenton Point, plus roadside bays, let you linger without blocking cyclists.
• Mind the Mansions: Many eye‑catching estates are private; enjoy from the shoulder and skip driveway selfies.
• Extend the Day: Rent an e‑bike downtown, detour to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, then toast sunset with chowder on Castle Hill Inn’s Adirondack‑lined lawn—cruise, culture, and cuisine on one ribbon of road.

Whether you complete the circuit in 30 minutes or devote a full day to fort tours, beachcombing, and kite‑filled picnics, Ocean Drive distills Newport’s essence—sea‑spray freshness, storied mansions, and grand‑scale views—into a single unforgettable journey.