| Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the | | | | forests are ablaze with autumn and add a |
| union but when it comes to scenic drives it | | | | satisfying splash of color to this coastline |
| has one of the best. With over 400 miles of | | | | tour. |
| coastline and 20 percent of America's | | | | |
| National Historic Landmarks, Rhode Island | | | | Continue the scenic drive north until it |
| packs plenty of distractions in this fall | | | | meets Route 138 and then head east on Route |
| foliage coastal drive. | | | | 138 over Jamestown Bridge to Conanicut |
| | | | Island, and then over the magnificent Newport |
| The trip is a one-way 61-mile scenic drive on | | | | Bridge into the city of Newport - once the |
| Route 1A along Block Island Sound until | | | | home of the America's Cup races, and still |
| turning North to follow the western shore of | | | | one of the sailing capitals of the world. |
| Narragansett Bay. You'll eventually hook-up | | | | |
| with Route 138 east and shoot over to | | | | Newport is on the southern tip of Aquidneck |
| historic Newport and the scenic 10-mile Ocean | | | | Island, and the final leg of this fall |
| Drive. | | | | foliage scenic drive. It is one of my |
| | | | favorite cities in New England - anytime of |
| Along the way are plenty of detours for | | | | the year - but especially during autumn. |
| lighthouses, wildlife refuge trails, beach | | | | There's plenty to see and do, as you'll |
| walking, and quiet village rambles in autumn | | | | discover... |
| splendor. And if you've got an extra day, | | | | |
| dock yourself at Point Judith and take the | | | | After the Newport Bridge follow the signs to |
| ferry across to Block Island and rent a | | | | the Transportation Center. Stay on the main |
| bicycle to tour around and enjoy the stunning | | | | road as it winds through the harbor area, and |
| fall scenery. | | | | which offers views of the alleys and |
| | | | passageways leading to million dollar yachts |
| But back to the drive, and let's get going... | | | | berthed at the docks. Eventually the road |
| | | | becomes Memorial Boulevard until it meets |
| Start your scenic drive by heading south on | | | | Bellevue Avenue on the right. |
| U.S. Highway 1A from Westerly. Look for the | | | | |
| sign to Watch Hill Road, which takes you out | | | | Bellevue Avenue is home to many of the famous |
| to Watch Hill, a marvelously preserved | | | | Newport Mansions and when time allows worth a |
| Victorian seaside town. | | | | visit to a few on a return trip. For now |
| | | | admire the "summer cottages" as they were |
| Attractions in Watch Hill include The Flying | | | | once called, from your driving view and work |
| Horse Carousel, the oldest continuously | | | | your way towards Ocean Drive. |
| operating merry-go-round carousel in the | | | | |
| U.S., and the Watch Hill Lighthouse, a | | | | Ocean Drive is a 10-mile route that starts on |
| granite and brick-lined 19th Century | | | | Bellevue Avenue and follows Ocean Avenue |
| masterpiece. The Lighthouse has no parking so | | | | around a rocky peninsular with fishing coves, |
| you'll park in town and stroll out the | | | | swimming beaches, and public parks. |
| 15-minutes it takes to get there - but it's | | | | |
| worth it! | | | | The Ocean Avenue part of the drive is |
| | | | probably the most scenic with magnificent |
| Continue the scenic drive by retracing the | | | | houses on rocky necks amidst the omnipresent |
| road back to US 1A and then heading east. | | | | Atlantic Ocean. A rest stop at the halfway |
| Route 1A merges with Route 1 as you drive | | | | point on Ocean Drive is Brenton State Park, |
| towards Charlestown and the Point Judith | | | | and is popular for picnics and flying kites - |
| Area. This part of the drive has numerous | | | | it has tables and B-B-Q pits if you can |
| beaches, long sand spits, inlets, coves, and | | | | remember to bring your own charcoal. |
| turnoffs for salt ponds and wildlife refuges | | | | |
| protected by the natural beach barriers on | | | | As you head out of the park you're heading |
| Block Island Sound. | | | | back to Newport Harbor, and you'll pass the |
| | | | Castle Hill Lighthouse, Hammersmith Farm - |
| Follow Route 1 until it intersects with Route | | | | where former Jackie Kennedy spent childhood |
| 108 south and head down to Point Judith and | | | | years - and Fort Adams Park. |
| the Junction of Route 1A. Drive the short | | | | |
| distance to Point Judith Lighthouse, which | | | | The Fort Adams State Park is on Harrison |
| was built in 1857. Here you'll also get | | | | Avenue and another wonderful destination of |
| another great view of Block Island and its | | | | its own another day. Turn left at the next |
| cliffs on the horizon. The island is just a | | | | intersection, and left again onto Halidon |
| short ferry ride from Point Judith and a | | | | Avenue. Continue right onto Wellington Avenue |
| popular daily excursion for many during the | | | | and you'll pass by King Park on your left, |
| fall foliage season. | | | | which is at the southern end of Newport |
| | | | Harbor, and leads you back into the city |
| Take Route 1A North to Narragansett Pier and | | | | center where the tour ends. |
| on to farms and countryside surrounding the | | | | |
| Pettaquamscutt River. This area of stonewalls | | | | There's a lot of diversity packed into this |
| and forests once housed many Rhode Island | | | | fall foliage scenic drive and it's in one of |
| plantations that gave the state its formal | | | | my favorite areas of New England, and after |
| name of Rhode Island and Providence | | | | you've take the ride yourself I suspect it |
| Plantations. In the fall foliage season the | | | | could be one of yours. |