Vanderbilts – the suite life of travel

Strolling among the Newport mansions of Rhode Island, I imagined what life would have been like during the 1920s. Listening to the intriguing conversations of America’s richest families, hearing them discuss their summer plans to visit their coastal homes.

Adding a couple of days to my business trip to Boston, I was looking forward to exploring the amazing homes of the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Astors. The forecast called for a beautiful weekend of sunny skies, so I was ready to tackle the east coast before heading back home.

What I knew about Newport was limited. Extravagant summer homes, The Breakers and of course, the America’s Cup. I decided to stroll the Cliff Walk, considered one of the most beautiful walks in the US, once an escape for the wealthy New York socialites during the Gilded Age. Evidence of this coastal town’s extravagance can be seen through the lavish manors that dominate the Atlantic coastline offering dramatic views from the cliffs.

Cliff Walk was designated a National Recreational Trail offering an opportunity to explore the luxurious estates along the Atlantic. It seems unbelievable that these stately homes were mere summer residences to some of the country’s most iconic families.

I began the 3.5 mile walk on Memorial Boulevard at First Beach, the western end of the trail. The trail took me to the east end of Bailey’s Beach on Bellevue Avenue where I picked up the shuttle back to the start of my walk. Alone on the path, I enjoyed a leisurely stroll taking in the natural beauty of the shoreline with its rocky cliffs. I felt the warm sun on my face and the smell of the sea as I meandered along the walkway behind the charming chateaus.

Cliff Walk is a serene escape from the bustling lifestyle of the northeast with its stunning landscape and breathtaking views. The extravagant architecture and pristine gardens were mesmerizing so I took the opportunity to smell the roses along the walkway.

One of the most beautiful homes on Cliff Walk is the Chanler Hotel, which is easily accessible from the paved trail. I took a few moments to gaze out onto the ocean while relaxing in a comfortable Adirondack. With magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Chanler is the only hotel along the Walk.

The sun was beginning to set and I wanted to take one last look over the cliffs before heading back to my car. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a little creature scurrying over the rocks so quickly that I honestly thought that I was out of my mind. I waited a few moments until he appeared again and I was able to snap a quick photo. Such a great ending to the extravagant day at Cliff Walk.

I highly recommend exploring the Cliff Walk trail if you are visiting Newport for its stunning cliffside views, beautifully manicured mansion lawns and whatever surprises nature may provide. Enjoy the solitude and make sure you take it all in…you never know what you might see.

Have you ever set out on an adventure only to see or experience something that you would never have imagined? I would love to hear about it if you would leave a comment below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Cliff Walk and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Cliff Walk
Address: Walk starts at Memorial Blvd. in Newport, RI
Website: www.cliffwalk.com

Where to Stay:

The Chanler at Cliff Walk
117 Memorial Boulevard
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401 847 1300

If you can afford the price, this is an amazing property along Cliff Walk in Newport. The amenities are endless and the views are spectacular!

Bouchard Inn
505 Thames Street
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401 846 0123

Where to Eat:

Bouchard Restaurant
505 Thames Street
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401 846 0123

For fine French cuisine, you will love this quiant upscale restaurant located in Newport.

22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille
22 Bowen’s Wharf
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401 841 8884

The artisan cheese board was flavorful and delicious! It included Four Regional Cheeses, Fig Jam, Cape Cod Cranberry Mostarda, Candied Salted Cashews, Cranberry Bread & Lavash. I love the panoramic views of Newport Harbor from here! Spectacular!

What to Eat:

Clam Bakes are similar to the Louisiana crawfish boil but with clams.
Clam Cakes
Clam Chowder
Clams Casino
Coffee Milk is a milk drink with coffee syrup and sugar added for a milkshake-like beverage.
Deli Grinders which are sub sandwiches topped with ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, banana peppers, vinegar and mayonnaise.
Doughboys are a doughnut-like pastry sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar
Frozen Lemonade at Del’s which was brought over from Naples, Italy
Hot Weiners are hot dogs topped with ground beef, onion, mustard and spiced with celery salt.
Irish Brown Bread at Bywater in Warren
Johnny Cakes are a pancake hybrid with cornbread added to the batter
Pizza Strips made of a doughy base and smothered in pizza sauce
Snail salad at Spirito’s in Providence
Stuffies are large clams stuffed with bread, onion, chorizo and spices

What to Read:

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike
Dance with Me by Luanne Rice
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell

Photo Guide for Newport, Rhode Island

The Newport Bridge
Beavertail Lighthouse
The Cliff Walk
Castle Hill Lighthouse
Ocean Drive
International Tennis Hall of Fame

To view more links to northeast US locations, check out the following:

East Haddam
The Energy of Times Square, New York

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

As a family, we booked an RV vacation which took us along the east coast of the United States. Each of my siblings and I were given the task of coming up with an itinerary for an assigned stop on our RV adventure. We visited northern Ohio, Niagara Falls, Maine, Boston, New York City and Philadelphia.

Each of us was given a location to research and select the activities for the day. My sister, Shelly mapped out our itinerary for our visit to Maine and I was so excited she included Acadia National Park. Sprawling nearly 50,000 acres on the east coast, this mesmerizing, scenic park is full of stunning landscapes and amazing wildlife. I was hoping to see moose at Acadia, and viewing the majestic whales on our cruise of the harbor was such an awesome experience as well.

We started our day by stopping by Hulls Cove Visitor Center to pick up a map and additional information about the park. We were curious to find if there were any educational sessions or ranger talks scheduled. From here, we picked up Acadia’s 27-mile scenic Park Loop Road, eventually reaching the top of Cadillac Mountain. From 1500 feet, we caught an amazing panoramic view of the Atlantic, the park and its nearby islands.

By the late 1800’s, this land became the playground for the rich and famous to include the Carnegies, Vanderbilts, Astors, Fords and the Rockefellers. It was John D. Rockefeller who gifted the park its 45 miles of carriage roads used for automobiles, bikes, horses and carriages. In addition to its carriage roads, the park offers over 150 miles of hiking trails and is one of the most-visited parks in the United States.

Another feature of the park that we thoroughly enjoyed was walking across the Bar Island Land Bridge. At low tide, we could walk across for spectacular views of Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island. We were warned in advance that we would have about an hour and a half to cross and return before the tide would rise.

The views of Bar Harbor were breathtaking from this charming coastal town. Boats anchored in the cove while others were prepared to transport passengers on a number of whale watching excursions. We enjoyed an afternoon of shopping and made lunch reservations at a nearby restaurant with a seaside overlook.

Shortly after lunch, we boarded a small boat for our own whale watching tour. The weather was perfect for our brief sea escape with the opportunity to see humpbacks breaching out of the water. While mid-April is the best time to see these gentle giants, we could not have been happier spotting a couple of whales during our three-hour tour with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company.

After we returned from our trip, we boarded our RV and decided to check out the most visited lighthouse in Maine, the Doubling Point Lighthouse. Located along the Kennebec River, it was not an easy route to reach the light, but we loved the beautiful scenery and remote location. We spent about a half an hour here before piling back into the motor coach for our next stop on our itinerary, Boston.

Have you toured around the state of Maine? What were your favorite places to visit? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my lovely visit to Maine and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

What to See and What to Do:

Acadia National Park
PO Box 177
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Telephone: 207 288 3338

Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $30; Motorcycle: $25 and Hiker/Biker: $15 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Acadia National Park is $55 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase.
Hours: The park is open seasonally and hours vary, so check the National Park Website for the most up-to-date information.
Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, swimming, biking, bird watching, climbing, fishing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
Scenic View: Take in the view from Cadillac Mountain and along the various trails throughout the park.
Length of Visit: Three days is the minimal recommended time to see all of the attractions at Acadia.
Tips for Your Visit: If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.

Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company
1 West Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Telephone: 207 288 2386

Rates: Rates range from $32 to $63 for adults on a variety of trips; $20 to $33 for children ages 6 – 14 and $14 for children ages five and under.
Hours: The activities take place from May to October. Visit the website for each activities and the departure times for these events.
Amenities: Ferry services
Length of Tour: Varies by tour, refer to the website
Tips for Your Visit: Take medication for seasickness should you think the seas may affect you.

Doubling Point Lighthouse
Doubling Point Road
Arrowsic, ME 04530
Email: mspencer@student.uchc.edu,jaehs@aol.com

Admission Fee: No Admission Fee
Hours: 8AM to 6PM daily
Scenic View: The lighthouse and surrounding area
Length of Visit: No more than one hour
Tips for Your Visit: Wear bug spray during the summer months. Refer to the website for detailed directions to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is not accessible, but you can look inside only.

Where to Stay:

Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday
136 County Road
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Telephone: 207 288 3520

Where to Eat:

Fish House Grill
1 West Street
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Telephone: 207 288 3070

We shared the New England Clam Bake and I also ordered the bacon wrapped scallops served with a maple and brown sugar glaze.

What to Eat: