Sure, the cool, crisp fall air has officially settled into our neck of the woods, and though we’ve bid adieu to tan lines and 80
degree weather, that doesn’t mean our local outdoor adventures are put on hold. Fall in Newport and Bristol Counties provides plenty of activities to get the whole family outdoors!
For those who enjoy breathtaking views of the Newport landscape, take a stroll on one of the city’s most famous attractions: the Cliff Walk. The 3.5 mile walk winds its way along the rocky New England coast and past the well-known mansions of the Gilded Age. For spectacular views of Narragansett Bay, Newport Harbor and the Pell Bridge check out the Bay Walk at Fort Adams State Park.
If walking is a little slow paced for your liking, why not rent a bike to explore the island? Start at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown and make your way past Second and First Beach then up through downtown Newport. For cyclists searching for a longer bike route, the famous Ten Mile Drive, better known as “Ocean Drive,” combines miles of shoreline, public parks and historic summer “cottages.” This is also an ideal time of year to ride all or part of the 14-mile, tree-lined East Bay Bike Path, which stretches from Providence to Bristol along the Narragansett Bay shoreline.
But adventures don't always have to get the heart pumping. It's an amazing time of year to experience our local wineries as the autumnal harvest is peaking and the plump grapes that grace our vines are beautiful and will soon yield a fine vintage. Click here for local wineries and breweries.
From corn mazes to pumpkin picking, the farms in Portsmouth and Middletown offer traditional fall activities for the whole family. Check out a list of local farms here.