There are few places where the pleasure of driving is so closely intertwined with the landscape as in Newport and Middletown on Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island. Within a few miles, a drive can take you past Newport’s classic gilded mansions and harbor views, along rocky coastline and open fields, and toward sweeping views of the Atlantic and Narragansett Bay.
That makes the island particularly rewarding to explore by car. On August 23, the Audrain Museum’s Park & Picnic at Fort Adams offers a natural starting point for a day of driving, whether you arrive in a vintage roadster, a modern grand tourer or the family car. From Fort Adams, two scenic routes offer very different ways to experience the island: Newport’s iconic Ocean Drive and the quieter roads of southeastern Middletown.
Ocean Drive: Newport at Its Most Iconic
Often called Newport’s “Ten-Mile Drive,” Ocean Drive follows the southern edge of Newport, winding past rocky shoreline, beaches, open lawns, historic estates and dramatic views of the water.
The best way to experience it is slowly. From Fort Adams, follow Ocean Avenue toward Brenton Point, where the landscape opens to the Atlantic and Narragansett Bay. Along the way, there are natural places to stop and stretch your legs, including Brenton Point State Park and Gooseberry Beach, as well as numerous spots where you can simply pull over and take in the view.
But Ocean Drive is about more than scenery. Its coastline has long been associated with Newport’s tradition of summer living, and the route offers a glimpse of the architecture and expansive properties that helped establish the city as one of America’s great coastal destinations.
For a closer look at the homes and history along the route, see our guide to History and Homes of Ocean Drive.
Driving tip: Give yourself at least an hour if you want to enjoy the route without rushing and considerably longer if you plan to stop at the parks, beaches and overlooks along the way.
Indian Avenue in Middletown: A Quieter Coastal Drive
For a different side of Aquidneck Island, head across the island to Indian Avenue in Middletown. Running along the southeastern edge of town between Third Beach and Peckham Avenue, the road offers a more intimate coastal experience, with glimpses of the Sakonnet River, open landscapes and distinctive historic homes.
Indian Avenue is part of Paradise Avenue and Associated Roads, an 8.3-mile network that Rhode Island has officially designated as a scenic roadway. The network encompasses Indian Avenue, Paradise Avenue, Hanging Rock Road, Wapping Road and several other roads in southeastern Middletown. Along the way, you’ll find many of the features that make this corner of the island distinctive: stone walls, mature trees, historic homes, wetlands and views toward both the Atlantic Ocean and Sakonnet River.
The RIDOT Scenic Roadways map is a useful resource if you want to explore the full network—or discover other designated scenic roads around Rhode Island.
Indian Avenue also makes an easy addition to an afternoon of exploring. Pair the drive with a walk at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, a stop at Second or Third Beach, or a visit to the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Rather than a single destination, the area is best enjoyed as a collection of roads and places worth discovering along the way.
Take the Scenic Route
Whether you’re heading to the Audrain Museum’s Park & Picnic, exploring Newport and Middletown for the afternoon, or simply looking for an excuse to take the long way home, these roads offer a reminder that sometimes the journey really is the best part. On Aquidneck Island, you don’t have to go far to find a beautiful view, an intriguing house or a stretch of coastline worth lingering over. Just roll down the windows, take your time and see where the road leads.
And if you’re dreaming of making Aquidneck Island home, the Hogan Associates team is here to help you discover the roads, neighborhoods and homes that fit the way you want to live.