The scenic drive of this Rhode Island is always fun all year round, but autumn leaves spread and the experience and gratitude of Rhode Island's coastline and surrounding villages will deepen.
This is a scenic drive of Route 1A one way along Block Island Sound, with a scenic drive, turning the north until catching up on the West Coast of Narragansett Bay. Historically the drive has historically crossed the route 138 to Newport and the beautiful 10-mile Ocean Drive.
On the way there are many detours in autumn such as lighthouse, wildlife refugee road, beach walking, walking in a quiet village.
let's go...
From Westerly start driving US Highway 1A towards the south. Look at the sign for Watch Hill Road. This sign goes to Watch Hill, a magnificent preserved Victorian seaside town.
Attractions in Watch Hill include Flying Horse Carousel, the oldest merry-go-round carousel in the United States, and Watch Hill Lighthouse, a granite and brick masterpiece of the 19th century. As there is no parking lot on the lighthouse, it will stop in town and it will take 15 minutes to go there.
Return the road to US 1A, head east, continue the scenic drive. Route 1A joins Route 1 and goes toward Charlestown and Point Judith Area. There are numerous beaches in this part of the drive, there are turn-offs for salt ponds and wildlife sanctuaries protected by the natural beach barrier of Block Island Sound.
Take Route 1 south to cross Route 108 and go down to the intersection of Point Judith and Route 1A. Just a short distance to the point Judith lighthouse built in 1857. Here you can also see the view of Block Island and its cliffs.
Take Route 1A north to Narragansett Pier, to the farm and countryside surrounding the Pettaquamscutt river. In the area of this masonry and forest there was once a lot of Rhode Island plantations with the official name of Rhode Island Providence and Providence Plantation.
In the fall season of autumn, the forests are raging in autumn and add a satisfying color to this coastline tour.
Proceed north on the beautiful drive, follow National Route 138, cross Route 138 across the Jamestown Bridge, head towards Conanicut Island, cross the magnificent Newport Bridge and enter Newport City.
Newport is at the southern end of Ark Neck Island, the last leg of this fall landscape drive. It is one of my favorite cities in New England - anytime year - but especially autumn.
Follow signs for transport after the Newport Bridge. Pass the main road through the port area and until Memlyial Boulevard meets Bellevue Avenue on your right.
Ocean Drive is a ten-mile route starting from Bellevue Avenue, following Ocean Avenue around a rocky peninsula with fishing boats, swimming beaches and public parks.
The Ocean Avenue part of the drive is probably the most beautiful view with a magnificent house on the rocky neck against the whole Atlantic Ocean. Brenton State Park is in the middle of the Ocean Drive and is popular with picnics and flying kites.
Leave the park and return to Newport Harbor and cross the Castle Hill Lighthouse, Hammersmith Farm and Fort Adams Park.
Fort Adams State Park is at Harrison Avenue, turn left at the next intersection and return to Hallidon Avenue again. Continue to Wellington Avenue to the right and go through the King Park on the left at the south end of Newport Harbor and return to the city center where the tour ends.
