Middletown and Portsmouth share Aquidneck Island with the more famous Newport, but they are just as picturesque.  In reality many of the sights that you might think are in Newport are actually in one of these towns.  While I love checking out the busy section of Newport once in a while, I find myself more often than not spending my time in Middletown and Portsmouth.

At the very end of Aquidneck Island is one of my favorite places in the area – I’ve even driven an hour and half after a rough work day to relax and recharge here.  Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge offers over 3 miles of trails through their 240 acres of protected land. The outer trails encircle the point with wide open views of the Sakonnet River and Narragansett Bay while the interior fields and scrub brush provide a lush habitat for birds.  The large rocks along the coast make for great picnic spots to take in the sea breeze and wildlife activity.

From Sachuest Point, Sachuest Beach (better known as Second Beach) stretches into the inlet.  Second Beach is my favorite beach on Aquidneck Island as it offers a quieter experience than the more lively First Beach in Newport. With only a restroom, an outdoor shower area, and a concession stand, the focus here is the soft sands and waves.  The 1.5 mile stretch of sand – one of the longer stretches of sand in the state – offers an opportunity to get a good walk or run in. The west end, nicknamed Surfer’s End, offers surf board rentals and lessons for beginners to try to ride the gentle waves. While I have never surfed, I enjoy watching people ride the waves to the shore.  

For an even quieter beach experience, Third Beach sits on the other side of Sachuest Point. This small stretch of sand sits in a cove, so it is much calmer than the other beaches in the area. Because of the calm water, it also is a popular place for people to anchor their boats, so it can sometimes feel more like a harbor than a beach. But for those days that I want a break from the crowds and the waves, it offers a quiet beach visit. 

Just past Second Beach is a small geological site. Purgatory Chasm (don’t confuse this with the much larger chasm of the same name in Sutton, Massachusetts) is a quick walk from the small parking lot. An arched bridge – where people have added their locks to the fence – allows views through the long thin fracture in the rock. A walk to the rocks on the coast offer an expansive view of Second Beach and Sachuest Point

During the spring and summer months, I am always looking for U-Pick opportunities, and Sweet Berry Farm offers several of these throughout the season (they are open from Memorial Day – Christmas). Set in the center of Aquidneck Island, a visit here showcases the bucolic beauty of the island. The farm also has a store and cafe as well as both indoor and outdoor seating, so it makes for a nice lunch spot. 

Newport Vineyards is the largest vineyard operation in the area, and over the years they have continued to build up the experiences they offer at their tasting room. Currently, they offer wine and beer tastings, farm dinners, live music, winery tours, and artisan events.

A few years ago, my friend booked us a ride on the Rail Explorers.  Set along the Old Colony Railroad tracks that have been around since the 1860s, the 6 mile (round trip) ride parallels Narragansett Bay and offers views of Jamestown, the bay, and the Mount Hope Bridge. The cars are set up in twos or fours and are also able to be attached to each other so that groups can travel together. With multiple cars together, it’s easy to sit back and let someone else in the group do the hard work of pedaling our trip, but it’s also fun to contribute to the cause. 

Taking in a game at the Newport International Polo Grounds is a unique experience.  The first time I went, I didn’t realize the effort people put into making the picnic aspect of the game just – if not more important – than the polo match itself.  People bring pop up tents, decor, furniture, prepared food and drinks to create an elevated tailgating experience on the sidelines of the game. Of course, dressing for the game is also a show in itself. The polo game is fun to watch as well, though even after attending several matches here, I still don’t know most of the rules – except of course the expectation that the crowd must go onto the field to stomp the divots.