Aquidneck Island

Aquidneck Island is an island in Narragansett Bay in the U.S. state of Rhode Island and contains the city of Newport. It is the largest island in Narragansett Bay and is the population and cultural center of the bay islands.

The island contains the city of Newport, noted for its 18th- and 19th-century architecture and Gilded Age mansions, alongside seaside towns and public beaches. Recreational boating, coastal drives, and historic sites draw visitors to its three principal municipalities: Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth.

European settlement on the island began in the 17th century and the island was an early center of colonial trade and later of summer resort development. Over time Newport became nationally known for its maritime history and the construction of large summer homes by wealthy families in the 19th century.

Aquidneck Island sits in Narragansett Bay off the coast of Rhode Island and is connected to the mainland by vehicular bridges. It lies between the mainland and the mouth of the bay, serving as a prominent island gateway to the Atlantic.

• Access: Multiple bridges connect the island to the Rhode Island mainland, most notably the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge at Newport providing the main highway link.

What to See #

• Newport: Newport is the city on the southern tip of the island known for its colonial-era port and 19th-century Gilded Age mansions and cultural institutions.
• Middletown: Middletown is a largely residential and coastal town occupying the central part of the island with beaches and local parks.
• Portsmouth: Portsmouth occupies the northern end of the island and includes agricultural areas, historic sites, and the island's northern road connections to the mainland.