Experience the Sea and More at the Volvo World Race Stop in Newport

Over the last four decades, this historic race is a true test of world’s best sailing teams. The 2017-18 race will get underway Oct. 22, launching out to sea from Alicante, Spain, before teams head east to cover a total of 45,000 nautical miles. The route will take the sailors across four oceans as they make their way to the 12 host cities, including the finish line in The Hague, The Netherlands.

Before the racers arrive in Newport, Volvo will open a race village in the harbor, specifically dedicated to interactive exhibits for seasoned sailors and curious land-dwellers alike to see just how high the stakes are in the race around the world.

Following the teams’ time in Newport, they’ll set sail across the Atlantic Ocean for Cardiff, UK.

Just 90 minutes from Boston, Massachusetts, and three hours from New York City, Newport is easily accessible as a destination, or as a pit stop on a Northeast road trip.

As a small, coastal community, the town predates the establishment of the U.S. as a country. The city’s cobblestone streets are lined by original colonial houses and establishments, including the White Horse Tavern, which originally opened in 1673.

Of course, a trip to Newport would be incomplete without experiencing the sea culture of the city. Taste the local cuisine at Clark Cooke House in Bannister’s Wharf, which was once a gathering place for sailors to toast their victories or drown their sorrows. Today, the building is outfitted in sailing paraphernalia and includes a candy store, a bistro and a skybar. Plenty of on-the-water experiences are also available from sailing schooners to lounging on powerboats to being a part of the action on fishing boats where you can watch lobstermen pull their haul from traps for market.

If you’d rather stay on dry land, Newport has some of the most beautiful coastlines in Rhode Island, including the Cliff Walk, popular with locals and tourists alike. The 5.6-kilometer path is perfect for walking, running or biking.

Head indoors to tour the Gilded Age mansions of the rich U.S. families of yesteryear. Most notably the Vanderbilt family owned a total of eight houses in Newport, five of which were reserved specifically for summer vacation.

Tennis players and spectators also should put the International Tennis Hall of Fame on their lists. The facility recently underwent renovations to create a state-of-the art experience allowing visitors to learn about tennis stars from around the world and get into the game by announcing a tennis match themselves.

If you’re looking to make a road trip out of your Newport experience, be sure to check out other things to do in Rhode Island.