Saturday Sept 10
Newport and the Clambake
Our Saturday Event will bring us to Newport RI for a New England Clambake.
Newport RI has long been the playground of the rich and famous. In the 19th century it became a popular summer retreat for the wealthy escaping the hot humid weather in the large industrial cities of the Northeast. They built their magnificent mansions and brought along their extravagant yachts and boats. The legacy of this era abounds throughout Newport even today.
Newport conveys a city with a distinct nautical past, and which for many years was the pride and center of American yachting as the home for America’s Cup races.
Whoever nicknamed Rhode Island - The Ocean State - must have been thinking of Newport when it was done. Newport lives and breathes the Ocean. On our trip to the clambake you’ll experience a bit of the vibrant harbor area, and the Gilded Age of Newport Mansions and soak up the stunning views on Ocean Drive. . Newport RI is in a class of its own and your gateway to all
Our trip from the hotel will take us over the Mount Hope Bridge. The bridge takes us from the mainland to Aquidneck Island, the island where Newport is located.
Founded in 1639 Newport quickly became an important seaport with trading routes to the West Indies. Its years as a major seaport ended with the British blockade in 1776, and the subsequent almost leveling of the town by the soldiers. In the 19th century Newport once again attracted attention, but this time as a vacation refuge for the social elite. Many of the attractions you’ll visit in this article stem from that gilded age.
THE NEWPORT MANSIONS 
Our bus trip will take us down Bellevue Avenue past many of the old Newport Mansions. The mansions were affectionately called "summer cottages" by the original owners because they were only used 6-12 weeks of the year during the summer season. These are 70 and 80 room houses and showpieces right down to the last beam of timber - or marble.
The most popular Mansions are The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms. But to experience something different visit The Astors’ Beechwood, where you’ll literally be treated like a guest by role-playing hosts.
THE TEN MILE OCEAN DRIVE
After the old mansions we will go onto Ocean Drive. Ocean Drive is a 10-mile route that starts on Bellevue Avenue and follows Ocean Avenue around a rocky peninsular with fishing coves, swimming beaches, and public parks. The Ocean Avenue part of our drive is probably the most scenic in New England with magnificent houses on rocky necks amidst the backdrop of a windy Atlantic Ocean.
Brenton State Park is a halfway point on Newport RI Ocean Drive, with the strong ocean breeze, you’ll probably see many people flying kites there.
Past Brenton Point we head back towards Newport Harbor, and pass the landmarks of Hammersmith Farm (prior home of John Auchincloss, stepfather of Jackie Kennedy , and summer getaway for President Kennedy.
and ARRIVE at EASTON'S BEACH
We’ll, finally, arrive at Easton’s Beach and the Atlantic Beach Club (affectionately called the “ABC” or “Johnny’s” by the locals) for our New England Clambake. If the weather holds we’ll have it right on the beach or have the option to move under the tent of inside if we experience some of that unpredictable New England weather.