Shortcut for first-timers: Newport’s Ocean Drive (aka the Ten-Mile Drive) loops roughly 10 miles around the island’s southern tip, packing lighthouses, mansions, parks, and a pocket-size “secret” beach, into an easy 60- to 90-minute outing if you pause at four or five highlights. Many just coast along the drive without ever stopping to appreciate the historical landmarks along the way. Don’t let that be you!
Ocean Drive Cheat-Sheet
| Landmark | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Castle Hill Lighthouse | A 34-ft granite beacon built in 1890 still guards the East Passage; short footpath from the inn’s valet hut leads to textbook photo ops. Check here for more details on how to see it. |
| 2. Hammersmith Farm | Jackie Kennedy’s childhood estate (private) is visible; pause at the roadside pull-off on Harrison Ave. for the best peek. It’s not open to the public, so must only be appreciated from the roadside. |
| 3. Gooseberry Beach (Hidden Cove) | Tucked in a rocky inlet, this member beach also sells day passes ($30 parking, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) and has a cash-only Snack Shack. Calm surf makes it a low-profile gem for kids. |
| 4. King’s Beach | King’s Beach Fishing Area is a small gravel-and-rock shoreline off Ocean Avenue, providing rugged public access that’s popular with shore anglers, experienced sea-kayakers, and scuba divers launching into the open Atlantic swells. It’s very easy to overlook and drive past. Look for the sign pictured below. |
| 5. Seafair Mansion | Architect William/James Mackenzie Jr.’s 1936 “wave-shaped” residence sits so close to the breakers that spray coats its slate roof; comedian Jay Leno bought it for $13.5 million in 2017. |
| 6. Portuguese Discovery Monument | Sixteen sandstone pillars (first installed 1988) honor 15th-century Lusophone navigators; find it inside Brenton Point’s west lawn. |
| 7. Brenton Point State Park | Where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic; 89 acres of free parking, picnic tables, and the Newport Kite Festival each July. |
| 8. Fort Adams (0.4-mi detour) | Construction began 1824 on what became the nation’s largest masonry coastal fort; guided tours explore bastions and listening tunnels. |
Longing for a trip to Newport? Check out hotel availability here!
Parking & Facilities
- Free lots at Brenton Point and Fort Adams include seasonal rest-rooms and water-fountains.
- Day-pass parking only at Gooseberry; no walk-ins or ride-share drop-offs are allowed.
Final Word
With this cheat-sheet in hand you’ll tick off Camelot lore, a lighthouse selfie, a bona-fide “hidden” beach, and Rhode Island’s windiest picnic spot, all before lunch. Just remember: pack cash for Gooseberry’s Snack Shack, a kite for Brenton Point, and spare memory on your phone; Ocean Drive’s scenery fills it fast.
1 comment
Hello, my friend and I will be in Newport around October 10, 11, and 12. I was wondering if the Gilded Age Home are still open for viewing.