As we head towards warmer weather, it is time to start thinking about one of the best ways to see Newport and the surround the area – by bicycle. There are unforgettable views to witness and a rich architectural heritage to explore. You can easily cover a lot of ground in a short period of time on a bike, yet, unlike a car, you can also easily slow down and pull over to truly experience all the sites. Bike Newport has Newport County Bicycle Map that you can download on their website. Go ahead. Bring your own bicycle or rent one and venture out into the beauty that is Newport. And remember, you can definitely order dessert afterwards because you will have earned it.
Ocean Drive (also known as 10 Mile Drive and/or 12 Mile Drive) is an especially popular route for visitors and locals alike. Along the way you’ll see two state parks, impeccable mansions, gorgeous ocean views, and an old fort. Many people make a day out of this ride. They take time to stop at Fort Adams for a self-guided tour. They ride by Hammersmith Farm which was the childhood home of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and the location of her wedding reception when she married President John F. Kennedy. They stop to see Castle Hill Lighthouse and grab lunch on the lawn at Castle Hill Inn. This ride has too many highlights to list. Ask us about more of our favorite stops along the way.
If you are looking for a shorter ride, there is a 2.5-mile loop around the perimeter of Fort Adams State Park. You can watch the boats, yachts, and cruise ships sail by. You can see Castle Hill, Beavertail, and Rose Island lighthouses. Take a late afternoon or evening ride to watch the sun set over Conanicut Island.
More rides that can be found on the Bike Newport site include:
- The Museums Trail which takes riders by the Touro Synagogue, Redwood Library and Athenaeum, Newport Art Museum, International Tennis Hall of Fame, and Audrain Auto Museum.
- Guns to Goats brings cyclists out to Goat Island across a causeway bridge. The Island was once the home of the U.S. Naval Torpedo Station.
- The Jamestown Loop is a 20-25 mile exploration of Conanicut Island for those looking for a longer route.
- Aquidneck Island and Easy Bay Bike Path Loop is for true cycling enthusiasts. It is a 70+ mile traversing the entire island that Newport calls home and ventures up to Bristol and Warren.
Not able to bring your own bike? There are places to rent a bike while you are visiting. Scooter World has bicycles as well as gas powered scoot coupes for hourly and daily rentals. Ten Speed Spokes offers commuter bikes for riding around town, road bikes for exercise along Ocean Drive, and fat bikes that can do just about anything.