Local Information

The Artful Lodger Inn is located along historic Spring Street in beautiful Newport Rhode Island. Spring Street originated at the spring which powered the mill that supported much of the town's commerce in colonial days. It runs parallel to the harbor street called "Thames" pronounced by the locals exactly the way it is spelled.

Walk To The Cliff Walk

Our bed and breakfast is a short walk to the world-famous Cliff Walk which combines the natural beauty of the Newport coastline with the architectural history of the Gilded Age. The 3.5 mile picturesque walk begins at Easton Beach and winds its way past The Breakers mansion and Marble House's Chinese Tea House as well as many other glorious examples of Newport's storied past.

Across From The Elms Mansion

Diagonally across from the Artful Lodger Inn is "The Elms" mansion, the grounds of which extend from Spring St. to the Bellevue Ave. of gilded age fame. This famous mansion was modeled after the Chateau of Asnieres near Paris by architect, Horace Trumbauer, in 1901, for Edward J. Berwind. Berwind was the wealthy mining magnate, one of the nouveau riche, determined to be noticed by "the 400" for his extravagances, and the bold architectural features and sunken gardens of his"summer cottage."

The Elms has grand art, uniquely displayed, and its exquisite furniture designs are the most reproduced of any of Newport's mansions. Another extraordinary feature of The Elms is the coal tunnel running under Dixon St. to the harbor. It was used to discreetly transport coal to the first mansion to use electricity. "

Walk To Other Famous Newport RI Mansions

Other gilded age mansions are also located within a short walk of The Artful Lodger. Newport houses are famous for representing more architectural styles than any other American city (a local lecturer on the subject has identified fifty four) so even a leisurely stroll can yield a wealth of beauty and knowledge to the discerning observer. There are historic landmarks throughout Newport too numerous to mention here, so only a sample of those in the immediate vicinity are mentioned. Information on other landmarks would be available upon request.

Historic St. Mary's Church

St. Mary's church is located on the corner of Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard. This Gothic edifice, founded April 8, 1828, is one of the finest examples of this style in New England. It was the church chosen for the Kennedy-Bouvier marriage on Sept. 12, 1953. St. Mary's was designated a National Historic Shrine by the United Stated Dept. of the Interior on Nov. 24, 1968.

Newport Rhode Island Travel News

February 07, 2012 Secretary of state begins printing free voter IDs - Turn to 10.com
Secretary of state begins printing free voter IDs Turn to 10.com A law requiring a photo identification to vote in Rhode Island takes effect in 2014, but creating free IDs for those who need them has already started. Secretary of State Ralph Mollis brought a traveling studio to an East Providence senior center on ... and more »

February 07, 2012 MS ride changes its route - Turn to 10.com
MS ride changes its route Turn to 10.com This year, the route will include the crossing of the Newport and Jamestown bridges. Riders will begin in Newport on June 16, cross the bridges, travel through eastern Rhode Island and end up at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts.

February 07, 2012 Last 12 months in Rhode Island were the warmest on record - WPRI-TV 12 (blog)
Last 12 months in Rhode Island were the warmest on record WPRI-TV 12 (blog) Also: “Birdwatchers have noticed a lack of variety at their backyard feeders – with relatively open ground and water, migrating birds and fowl have not had to travel as far south this winter.” And judging by the chart at right, it was quite cold around ... and more »