Newport: Schooner Adirondack Day Sailing & Harbor Landmarks

4.90

(110 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the creak of the wooden deck under my sneakers—kind of comforting, actually. We’d barely left the dock in Newport before the sails caught a little wind and suddenly everything felt lighter, like we were slipping out of regular time. Our captain (I think his name was Mike?) pointed out Fort Adams off to our left, but honestly I was distracted by the way the sun hit the water—sort of that silvery-blue you only get late afternoon here.

I didn’t expect how close we’d get to some of those old Gilded Age mansions. The Breakers looked almost unreal from the water, all stone and shadows behind trees. There was this moment when someone asked about Rosecliff and our guide just grinned, telling us about summer parties that used to spill out onto those lawns. You could hear gulls overhead and sometimes you’d catch a whiff of seaweed mixed with something sweet from shore—maybe waffle cones? Newport has a thing for ice cream stands.

We sailed under the big bridge (the Claiborne Pell one), which always looks massive from land but feels even bigger when you’re underneath it. A couple next to me tried to spot every lighthouse—there are more than you’d think—and traded stories with one of the crew who grew up sailing these waters. Drinks were passed around (I went for ginger beer, though there was wine if you wanted), and I kept thinking how easy it is to forget your phone exists out here. The whole day trip sailing Newport Harbor just sort of floats by—no rush at all.

Back on land I realized my hair smelled like salt and sunblock, which isn’t a bad souvenir if you ask me. If you’re looking for something loud or flashy this probably isn’t it—but if you want that feeling where everything slows down for a bit, well… I still think about that view past Castle Hill Light when the sky turned pinkish gold.