Ocean Drive in Newport, often referred to as the “Ten-Mile Drive,” is a scenic route that encapsulates the essence of Newport’s coastal charm. As you navigate this winding road, you’re presented with a harmonious blend of natural beauty and architectural grandeur. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore, the salty breeze caressing your face, and the panoramic views of the coastline make the journey a sensory delight. This is a must-see and is always near the top on lists of things to do in Newport.
Getting Oriented: How to Start (and Finish) the Loop
From downtown Newport, head southwest on Thames Street, then bear left onto Wellington Avenue. Continue as the road curves into Harrison Avenue past Fort Adams; when Harrison ends, merge onto Ocean Avenue and you’re officially on Ocean Drive. The loop rejoins city streets at Coggeshall Avenue, two miles from the central wharves.
Tip: The drive is two-lane and slow-paced; pull completely off pavement before stepping out for photos, and obey posted 25 mph limits. Bikes and runners share the shoulder.
Fort Adams State Park: Cannons, Concerts & Harbor Panoramas
Your first landmark is Fort Adams State Park, a sprawling 19th-century coastal fortress guarding Newport Harbor. Guided bastion tours run daily in season, and summer weekends add folk- and jazz-fest stages on the parade field.
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A Glimpse of Camelot: Hammersmith Farm
Just beyond the fort, Harrison Avenue edges past Hammersmith Farm—privately owned now but still visible through the trees. This was the site of Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy’s wedding reception in 1953 and later the “Summer White House.”
Castle Hill Inn & Lighthouse: Luxury Meets Navigation
The westernmost headland hosts Castle Hill Inn, once marine biologist Alexander Agassiz’s 1875 summer home, now a Relais & Châteaux hideaway famous for Adirondack chairs on its sweeping lawn. Below the bluff, the 1890 Castle Hill Lighthouse still guides ships into Narragansett Bay. The lighthouse tower is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard, while the inn maintains the structure under a five-year stewardship pact and permits free footpath access.
Brenton Point State Park: Kites, Waves & Maritime Memory
Where Ocean Drive bends sharply at the island’s southwestern tip, an 89-acre park spreads across former estate lawns. Picnic tables, fishing spots, and constant on-shore wind make Brenton Point the region’s kite-flying capital.
Portuguese Discovery Monument
Steps from the main lot, a granite semicircle celebrates the 15th-century Portuguese navigators who opened Atlantic sea-routes. The original sandstone design (1988) was rebuilt in 2014 for durability.
SeaFair (“Hurricane Hut”)
At 254 Ocean Avenue rises SeaFair—a 1936 Louis-XIV-style stone mansion curved to its peninsula and built to survive New England storms (hence the nickname “Hurricane Hut”). Television host Jay Leno and his wife Mavis purchased the home in 2017. While not open to the public, the house is a photo favorite from roadside pull-offs.
Gooseberry Beach: A Quiet Cove Beyond the Cliff Walk
Set in a rock-rimmed cove along Ocean Drive, Gooseberry Beach offers gentle surf, a snack bar, and on-site parking sold by day pass. It sits south of the Cliff Walk’s terminus at Bailey’s Beach, not at the trail’s end itself—so walkers need wheels or a bike to reach it.
Rejects Beach & Bailey’s Beach
Tucked behind the mansions at the southern terminus of the Cliff Walk, this small stretch of sand is really two distinct beaches that share the same shoreline but follow very different rules.
Bailey’s Beach – formally the Spouting Rock Beach Association – has operated as a private members-only club since 1897. Invitations (and five-figure annual dues) grant access to a shingle-style clubhouse, striped cabanas, guarded surf, and valet parking. Guests must arrive with a member, and the club enforces a dress code and no-phone policy on the sand.
Rejects Beach is the narrow public sliver immediately north of the club, separated by a low fence and a floating rope that extends into the water. There is no on-site parking or facilities; the only practical access is on foot or by bike from the Cliff Walk or Bellevue Avenue, so pack light and bring everything you need.
Local tip: late-day swims at Rejects come with spectacular sunset views over Gooseberry Point, and you can rinse off at the public outdoor shower at nearby Forty Steps before heading back into town.
Practical Stops & Services
| Mile Marker* | Pull-Off | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | King Park (Thames/Wellington) | Harbor skyline picnic |
| 1.5 | Fort Adams | Guided fort tour, sailing center |
| 3.2 | Hammersmith Farm Overlook | Historic photo op |
| 4.5 | Brenton Point Lot | Kite field, Portuguese Monument |
| 5.7 | Gooseberry Beach | Swim, snack bar |
| 7.5 | Castle Hill Inn | Lawn cocktails, lighthouse path |
*Approximate Distances
Ocean-Drive Essentials
- Time: 60 min non-stop; 2–4 hr with park and beach breaks.
- Best Light: Sunrise illuminates east-facing cliffs near Castle Hill; sunset blazes over Brenton Point.
- Fees: Parks are free; Fort Adams tour $12 adult; Gooseberry Beach parking $30 car (summer 2025 rate).
- Parking Tips: Main pull-outs fill by 11 a.m. on summer weekends—arrive early or late-day.
- Accessibility: Roadside overlooks are wheelchair-friendly; shoreline paths and rocks are not.
Beaches at the Southern Terminus of the Cliff Walk
| Beach | Status | How to Access | Notable Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey’s Beach | Private—home of the Spouting Rock Beach Association since 1897 | Member invitation only; facilities include clubhouse & ocean pool. | One of America’s most exclusive beach clubs. |
| Rejects Beach | Public sliver at Bailey’s northeast corner | Via the Cliff Walk or bicycle—no parking. | Locals’ favorite for free surf and sunset swims. |
| King Park Beach | Municipal pocket beach | Parking lot on Wellington Ave. | Calm harbor water; kayak/ SUP launch. |
Snapshot of Newport’s Beach-Club Scene
- Spouting Rock Beach Association (Bailey’s) – member-owned since 1897; shares shoreline with public Rejects Beach.
- Gooseberry Beach Club – limited annual passes; cabanas and café overlook the cove.
- Hazard’s Beach Club – oceanside clubhouse, valet parking, and family cookouts for members and guests.
- Clambake Club of Newport – historic 1907 clubhouse on nearby Easton’s Point, famed for traditional shore dinners rather than sunbathing.
Safety & Practical Tips
- Rock scrambling: Precambrian ledge is photogenic but slick—wear treaded shoes and avoid algae-covered sections.
- Kite season at Brenton Point: Prime winds peak May–September; Rhode Island Kite Festival returns June 14-15, 2025.
Putting It All Together
Follow the route clockwise from Thames Street, linger at Fort Adams for harbor history, detour at Hammersmith Farm for Camelot lore, fly a kite over Brenton Point’s crashing breakers, swim the calm cove of Gooseberry Beach, and toast the day with a sunset drink on Castle Hill’s lawn while the lighthouse lantern winks on. Ten miles never packed in so much Newport magic.
