The bridge itself is OK. The deck could stand to be resurfaced and cars will pass you routinely…read moredoing 70+ mph. The views are nice though and its the toll is only .83 if you have an ez pass.

The Claiborne Pell Bridge, commonly known as the Newport Bridge, is a suspension bridge operated by…read morethe Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority that spans the East Passage of the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island (northeastern United States). The bridge, part of RI 138, connects the city of Newport on Aquidneck Island and the Town of Jamestown on Conanicut Island, and is named for longtime Rhode Island U.S. senator Claiborne Pell who lived in Newport. The Pell Bridge is in turn connected to the mainland by the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge. There's a toll to cross the bridge...both ways...if you have an EZ pass from RI is less than a $1....if you have an EZ pass from another state is like $4..and if you pay cash is like $6 each way.....way to get the tourists !!!! :-( The building of the bridge changed Conanicut Island's lifestyle and economy significantly. Before the bridge, Jamestown was a "summer-resident town" accessible only by ferry on the east passage side and the Jamestown Bridge from the mainland over the west passage, in which one-third of the residents owned summer homes. After the bridge it has become a more wealthy community whose residents now commute to jobs and opportunities in neighboring towns. At the same time, the island's local commerce became more dependent on tourism by visitors from off-island. It seems well built and when I go on it, I don't see any potholes nor cracks on the surface....usually there's construction and maintenance, which can slow traffic down. At night, it gets lit up nicely, which you can see from the nearby towns of Newport, Jamestown, Middletown and Portsmouth.

My go to "not so secret spot" in Newport. Great views of the bridge and perfect sunsets. Pack a…read morelittle picnic and go for a nice stroll. I've been coming for years and it's never crowded.

A big, old, well kept house with a big lawn inside Fort Adams State Park and between Newport Harbor…read moreand Narragansett Bay. It is marked "Eisenhower House," but I didn't see any other information posted. It's not open for tours and, peeking inside, it's pretty empty. Googling I was able to find it was built in 1873, was the home of a Civil War General and later was the Summer White House of Pres. Eisenhower, it's on the National Register of Historic Places, and can be rented for events. It would be a very pretty place for a wedding. It's a nice stop while driving around Fort Adams State Park.

Unveiled with considerable ceremony on June 13, 1883, the Stonington Civil War Memorial (formerly…read moreknown as the Soldiers' Monument at Mystic Bridge) is a subtly respectful remembrance of the town's Union veterans. It stands behind a low fence in a traffic circle on US-1 between the Mystic River Bascule Bridge and the Mystic Amtrak station. On the base, it is engraved "Erected by Charles H. Mallory in memory of the soldiers and sailors of Stonington who served in the War of the Rebellion 1861-1865." Charles Henry Mallory was a shipping tycoon and philanthropist whose Mallory Steamship Line assisted in connecting New York to southern ports. With a strong connection to Mystic's maritime heritage, he collaborated with the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic's Williams to fund the $5,000 granite memorial as a show of civic appreciation. The monument is about 19 feet tall and has a granite pedestal with a soldier figure on top. It was designed by James G. Batterson. The granite came from Westerly, Rhode Island, which is known for its exquisite stonework. The monument's use of concave and convex curves in the pedestal is a design flourish that would become more prevalent in Neo-Classical Revival statues of the 1890s. [Review 1070 of 2025 - 123 in Connecticut - 24624 overall]

This is exactly what the name applies, a scenic overlook. Located off 95N, like me you've probably…read morepassed by this hundreds of times. Today I finally checked it out. Nothing fancy, just a small view of the mystic waterfront. No binoculars, no vending machines, no picnic tables, no restrooms or porta potties, no information, and only 6-8 spaces to park. It's as simple as it gets. Yet it serves its purpose. There's no landmark or oddity in the sitelines, but it is a calming oasis off the highway. Would I make a trip to see this? Heck no. If you're traveling 95N in the area is this worth a 2-5 minute stop ti check it out? I'd lean towards yes. It's not going to blow your mind, but happiness comes in small doses and this does the trick.

Perched atop a modest rise off I-95, the Hoxie Scenic Overlook offers panoramic vistas of Long…read moreIsland Sound and Mystic Harbor. Historically, the overlook's name traces back to the Hoxie family, whose legacy is woven into the fabric of Mystic and the greater New London area. Benjamin Franklin Hoxie, a prominent 19th-century businessman and civic leader, helped shape Mystic's development through shipbuilding, commerce, and public service. He founded the downtown fire department and built several notable structures, including the original Hoxie House in 1861. Though the overlook itself wasn't part of his holdings, its name honors the family's enduring imprint on the region. On a clear day, it's the kind of view you would expect to see painted and hanging in a museum. And since it's free, I'm a fan. One tip - be aware of your surroundings and question anyone walking towards you. [Review 1067 of 2025 - 120 in Connecticut - 24621 overall]

I have been trying to get here for 14 years and I finally made it. Every other time I've been in…read moreNewport, it has always been closed. You walk in and my jaw dropped looking at the paintings on the stairs. Like they painted everything. Each room is more and more magnificent and I would argue I find this more breathtaking than the Elms. It's the details in the rooms for me, not the size of it. I didn't go on a guided tour but at some point would love to see more of the rooms, there were a certain number available to us yesterday. I think this actually just became my favorite to visit, honestly. I know a lot of people make comments about how dark it is, buuuut have you heard of how you need that for preservation purposes? I also have an eye condition so for me, it was actually welcome to walk through and not feel like I'm being blinded. The soft lighting I found to be wonderful, personally.

I hate to say it, but after you've seen so many of these, they all blur together. I will say, I…read moreLOVED how dark this one was. So moody and so bold. It is an interesting one and I enjoyed the woodwork. Walnut and oak. Such beautiful molding. There was a Turkish room that stands out in my mind. Turkish from that era basically referred to anything middle eastern, Eastern European, or even Asian I think. I wish I remembered more about the family that lived here. I'll have to look and get back to you.

Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge is a bridge that connects Newport and Jamestown. It is a suspension…read morebridge with four lanes and it opened in 1969. In New England, it is the longest suspension bridge. It is a beautiful bridge and I've driven on it countless times. The views are lovely. There is a toll to get on it. It's definitely a very important landmark for the state of RI.

As most people that drive into Newport, RI this would be the bridge they will see before arriving…read moreonto Aquidneck island. It has a beautiful architecture with two tall towers that light up at night. It is New England's longest bridge at 11,247 feet (3,428 metres) in length. The Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge is a toll bridge. As of 2024, the toll is US$4.00 for cars with a non-resident EZ-Pass, and US$6.00 for cars without an EZ-Pass. The toll for Rhode Island residents with an EZ-Pass is US$0.83, so luckily, I have a RI EZ-pass so that makes it inexpensive to go through. I do get upset seeing how they overcharge the tourists...that to me is just not right....but that is the way it's set up....

Stonington Point is one of those rare places that reminds you just how lucky we are to live in New…read moreEngland. Approaching it by boat is hands‑down the best way to experience it--the harbor opens up into a postcard‑perfect view, with calm water, historic homes, and that unmistakable coastal charm that feels both timeless and effortless. The natural beauty here is stunning. On a clear day, the water glows, the sky stretches wide, and the shoreline looks like something out of a painting. Whether you're cruising in, dropping anchor nearby, or just drifting past, it's the kind of spot that instantly slows you down and makes you appreciate where you are. There's a peacefulness to Stonington Point that's hard to describe until you've seen it from the water. It's serene, scenic, and uniquely New England in all the best ways. For locals, it's a reminder of how spoiled we truly are. For visitors, it's a must‑see glimpse into the coastal beauty we get to enjoy every day. A 5‑star destination for anyone who loves the ocean, the shoreline, and those perfect quiet moments that make this corner of the world so special. Enjoy

This little peninsula juts out into the ocean: If you look to your left (SSE) you may be able to…read moresee the tip of Watch Hill, RI (or due east, all the way right, Sandy Point Island, CT) and if you look kind of straight out (SSW), slightly right, you'll see the tip of Fisher Island, NY. Big, open, lovely views of the water. It is often windy here. Basically, Stonington Point is a sandy lot where you can park your car. There is a sea wall around the point to prevent further erosion (light house used to be closer to this location), a flag pole with memorial and a cute little beach area with stone jetties on either side to the west side of the point. This is where we park when visiting the Stonington Light house which is just past the beach on the right hand side (walking north). Water Street is the only access to Stonington Point, and although a two-way thoroughfare, cars are allowed to park along the curb, making it one-car wide in many places. Be prepared to 'pull over' temporarily where possible to allow cars to pass. There is not too much traffic this far away from the main town areas but enough to use caution. If you are a walker, Cannon Square is a five minute walk north (0.3miles). There you will find two cannons and memorials to the soldiers who defended Stonington from the British in 1814. This area is mostly homes, no little shops or cafes and the sidewalks are not shaded. Enjoy!

We stopped by on a drizzly weekday morning, but unfortunately the windmill is only open…read moreFriday-Sunday from 1PM-4PM. Hopefully we will be able to time our next visit to this historic windmill to coincide with its opening.

Delightful little historical stop and worth a look at this 230-year old structure from the state's…read moreearly days. Hard to believe this windmill's been around since shortly after the War of Independence - and it looks great for its age! The windmill's got 3 levels (which you wouldn't have guessed from the outside) and you're able to climb up to the very top bonnet where the windmill blades connect with a big gear to run the millstones. Very nice displays on each level as well. Beautiful views of the Newport bridge too! The hours are limited though - so need to check its schedule - and manned by a volunteer docent. The windmill is put into full operation a couple of times a year, demonstrating the corn grinding - per the docent, the next demonstration will be July 21, 2018! Free to the public. Just a note: no restrooms or running water on site.