Five Reasons to Visit The Cliff Walk With Your Family
Newport, Rhode Island is a bustling town during the summer months. The sleepy little seaside town becomes a hub for New Englanders and cruise ship patrons, as well as out-of-towners looking for the beach town atmosphere coupled with upper class entertainment and restaurants. There are a host of family-friendly activities. Have some family fun on the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island.
My husband grew up in Newport, Rhode Island so we have visited off and on since our son was a baby. The Cliff Walk has always been a stop for us while visiting because it offers something for all of us. No matter what age, my son has enjoyed going. As a baby, he enjoyed the sea breeze from his stroller. As a small child, we had fun running up and down the 40 steps. However, as he has grown older, we have ventured off the path and have seen even more of the beauty by scaling rocks and seeing mini waterfalls.
Here are five reasons why you should visit the Cliff Walk with your family:
1. It has history
The Cliff Walk, a National Recreation Trail established in 1975, is a 3.5 mile path along the rocky coastline which includes amazing views of the ocean, nature, and the Newport Mansions. In addition,. this National Recreation Trail is location within a National Historic District.
2. It provides for great exercise
If you decide to walk the entire Cliff Walk, it will take you close to 3 hours. There are, however, many places where you can start and end the walk without having to do the entire thing.
Make sure you stop and check out the 40 steps. Less than a mile from Narragansett Avenue, the 40 steps lead toward the bottom of the Cliff Walk. The steps bear the names of the 40 donors who helped to restore the 40 steps in the 1990’s. Enjoy the view! This is great fun for children to count the steps going down and then back up. Want to wear your kids out? Take them to the 40 steps!
3. Beautiful scenery
The Cliff Walk is along the rocky Newport coastline which includes amazing views of the ocean, nature, and beautiful homesteads. Walking or running this mostly paved path with occasional unpaved rocky areas, you can see many of the gorgeous mansions as well as architectural history of Newport’s guilded age. If you and your kids are adventurous, you can leave the paved path and check out the incredible views from rocks along the trail. This was a highlight for my son!
4. Take amazing photographs
In addition to taking photographs of the natural beauty of the oceans, cliffs, and beaches, there are off the path photographic opportunities as well as fun tunnels which prove to be exciting not only to kids but to adults as well. Take a photo in front of Salve Regina University or a mansion along the sea. What about the iconic Chinese Tea House?
5. Collect sea glass
At the end far end of the Cliff Walk, there is a beach area. To get to it, you must traverse very large boulders. You can then walk on the beach. I am from Florida. We have many beach but never have I been to a beach where there was sea glass. Sea glass originates as broken bottles and rubbish thrown into the sea that over the years are rolled and tumbled by the ocean’s waves into a smooth, frosted glass treasure. Collect sea glass when visiting the Cliff Walk
Things to keep in mind
The Cliff Walk can be enjoyed by families with small children as well as larger kids. If you have a small child, I recommend keeping them in strollers as there are steep cliffs which would be disastrous should a child wander from your grip.
Wear comfortable, closed in shoes such as tennis shoes. I made a mistake and wore flip flops. Jimmy Buffet’s song, “Margaritaville”, took on a whole new meaning. I did not step on a pop top but definitely blew out my flip flop on the Cliff Walk.
Fun on the Cliff Walk
The Cliff Walk located in Newport, Rhode Island is a must do. This historical trail provides fun for all ages and it costs nothing! You will not regret strolling along the Cliff Walk viewing the fantastic ocean and architectural scenery. I highly recommend family fun on the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island.
Have you visited the Cliff Walk? If so, comment below and let me know your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you!
Are you looking for additional attractions in Newport, Rhode Island? Check out the following link:
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