An assignment to Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, puts you right in the middle of the action in the northeastern U.S. This region has a very high concentration of important historic areas, beautiful coastlines, incredible nature, and dozens of cities, large and small, that are worth a visit.
In fact, there are so many things to do within a day’s drive of Newport that you couldn’t see them all if you did a getaway every single weekend! So, how do you narrow it down?
One way is to choose destinations that you can visit and use your military ID card to save money!
Here are three top getaways from Rhode Island that you can visit conveniently and affordably by staying in military lodging.
Only 60 miles from Newport is Coast Guard Base Cape Cod, which offers easy access to one of the top spots in Massachusetts.
While staying in MWR lodging, you can use all the other base services and facilities, such as bike rental, the outdoor pool (seasonal), and the 9-hole golf course. But the best part about staying here is the convenient access to Cape Cod.
One of Cape Cod’s top attractions is its famous beaches, and this Coast Guard base makes it easy to visit them. If you stay here during the summer, get a daily beach parking pass at the front desk of the Wings Inn to save about $20/day (the pass is not required at other times of year).
Besides the beaches, Cape Cod is a destination for outdoor adventure, art, and culture. Water sports, biking, and hiking are popular, as is whale-watching. The Cape also has dozens of museums, art galleries and craft shops. Finally, don’t miss the delicious local seafood!
Further up the coast of Massachusetts, but still only 70 miles from Newport, is Fourth Cliff Family Recreation Area. Aptly named, the 56-acre facility sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Besides enjoying the scenery, popular things to do at Fourth Cliff include water sports and fishing (you can rent canoes, kayaks, and fishing rods on base).
Outside the recreation area, there are many interesting and historic coastal towns to explore. One example is Plymouth, which was founded in 1620 by the English settlers who arrived on the Mayflower. Scituate, the small community just north of Fourth Cliff, is also worth a visit. It’s a picturesque New England town full of independently-owned shops and restaurants. Less than an hour north of Fourth Cliff is the city of Boston, which of course, is a must-see while you’re stationed in Rhode Island!
Fort Wadsworth, a historic military installation located on Staten Island, is the home of U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector New York. Staying at Fort Wadsworth makes it easy and convenient to visit Manhattan – even with a car!
Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. Photo from Canva.
The Coast Guard station is less than 200 miles from Newport and a few minutes from the Staten Island ferry terminal. The ferry to Manhattan is free and operates 24 hours/day.
Then, strike out and discover the Big Apple! Catch a Broadway show, visit the museums, see the Statue of Liberty up close, experience the action in Times Square, or stroll through Central Park. No matter how much time you have, you can find something to do in NYC!
Make the most of your time in Rhode Island by taking advantage of all the things to see and do in the surrounding area. Staying at military facilities can help you stretch your dollar and conveniently visit what are often very expensive areas at a lower price.