Page 165 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

RHODE ISLAND  163

Harbor is the island’s main hub
of activity. Victorian houses,
hotels, and shops line the
streets, and anglers can
charter boats to fish for striped
bass, bluefish, flounder, and
cod. South of the village are
the dramatic 200-ft- (61-m-)
high red clay cliffs of
Mohegan Bluffs, and the
Southeast Lighthouse, which
The breathtaking Cliff Walk, popular with visitors in Newport was once the most powerful in
New England.
Adams State Park, with beaches and a series of tidal salt A favorite with hikers is
Fort Adams, built in 1853, as ponds. The ponds are big lures Rodman’s Hollow Natural Area.
its centerpiece. No longer in for bird-watchers hoping to This glacial depression, well
use as a garrison, the fort is study the egrets, sandpipers, marked with nature trails, is a
surrounded with facilities for and herons that swim and wade refuge for hawks and white-
swimming and other sports. in the salty marshes. Many of tailed deer. On Block Island’s
Each year, Newport’s famous the beaches are free to the northwestern coast is Great
Jazz Festival is held here. public, except for parking fees. Salt Pond, which is completely
Another popular site is the Scarborough State Beach protected from the
3.5-mile- (5.5-km-) long Cliff is excellent for ocean. It is an
Walk, southwest of downtown. bodysurfing and excellent spot for
The trail, along the city’s ragged surfboarding, kayaking and
cliffs, offers some fine views of while the sheltered, fishing. Nearby
the Gilded-Age mansions and cove-protected New Harbor is the
has been desig nated a National Roger Wheeler island’s prime
Recreation Trail. The Forty Steps, State Beach is a marina and boating
each named for someone lost at favorite for families. center. Clayhead,
sea, lead to the ocean. Easton’s East Matunuck on the island’s
Beach, along Memorial State Beach is Plaque to early English northeastern coast,
Boulevard below the Cliff Walk, popular with pioneers, Settler’s Rock, offers wonderful
has a vintage carousel and is surfers on windy Block Island views of the
popular for surfing. days. The beautiful Atlantic Ocean, and
sandy stretch of Charlestown is the starting point for a nature
P The Breakers Town Beach has a boat ramp trail that goes all the way north
44 Ochre Point Ave. Tel (401) 847- with access to the coastal to Settler’s Rock. A plaque here
1000. Open mid-Mar–mid-Nov: ponds of the Ninigret National honors the 16 Englishmen who
9am–5pm daily. Call for winter hours. Wildlife Refuge. landed here in 1661. The rock is
Closed Thanksgiving, Dec 24 & 25. Farther west along the coast at the edge of Sachem Pond, a
8 every 15 minutes. & 7 ^ is Misquamicut State Beach. favorite for swimming and
∑ newportmansions.org
The largest beach in the state, it kayaking. An 18-mile (29-km)
u Touro Synagogue has gentle surf and an old-time driving tour of Block Island is
85 Touro St. Tel (401) 847-4794. amusement park with rides and a comfortable way to take in
Open call for times. Services: Shabbat many diversions for children. all these sites.
& all Jewish hols. 8 every half-hr. &
= ^
w Block Island
+ Fort Adams State Park
Harrison Ave. Tel (401) 847-2400. ~ g State Pier, Galilee. Ferries carry
Open sunrise to sunset daily. cars by advance bookings, (401) 783-
& 0 L 7996. ∑ blockislandferry.com
q South County Lying just 13 miles (21 km)
off the coast, Block Island is a
Beaches great destination for outdoor
enthusiasts who enjoy such
Narragansett: ~ n 36 Ocean Rd,
(401) 783-7121. Charlestown: ~ £ activities as swimming, fishing,
n 4945 Old Post Rd, (401) 364-3878. sailing, bird-watching, canoeing,
and horseback riding. Some 30
Southwest of Newport, miles (48 km) of natural trails
between Narragansett and entice hikers and cyclists to
Watch Hill, are some 100 miles experience the island’s natural The dramatic red clay cliffs at Mohegan
(161 km) of pristine white sand beauty. The village of Old Bluffs, Block Island

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