Sail a sleek schooner around beautiful Narragansett Bay, admiring the coastal homes and landmarks, while learning about Newport’s fascinating history.
A short walk from the pier brings you to Bowen’s Wharf, where you will board the Adirondack II, an elegant 80-foot schooner with mahogany trim and teak decks. Although built in 1999, the vessel looks similar to a turn-of-the-century schooner, but equipped with today’s technology.
Once you settle in, off you will go; reaching speeds of up to 10 knots if the conditions permit. You can expect a lively, immensely comfortable ride around Narragansett Bay, made even more enjoyable with a mimosa cocktail or another beverage in hand.
As you sail through Newport Harbor, you will pass imposing Fort Adams, America’s largest coastal fortification and a National Historic Landmark. It’s quite the sight and especially intriguing once you learn its history, starting in colonial times.
The captain and crew will regale you with stories about Newport, the famous people that have resided here, and the landmarks that dot the shore. The Victorian-style home at Hammersmith Farm is one of the most renowned residences, as it was the childhood home of Jacqueline Bouvier and the site of the reception for her 1953 wedding to John Fitzgerald Kennedy.
The bay island due west of Newport is Goat Island, named for the goats that residents once pastured there. As you sail back to the pier, you may spot its lighthouse, built on the island’s breakwater in 1842.
