Naturally Newport

Destination: Newport, Rhode Island

| Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Bird watching

Is there anything better than coastal New England with its fresh salt air, delectable seafood, and stunning sunsets? Escape with Adventures in Good Company to the classic coastal gem of Newport, Rhode Island. Spend your days discovering the old-world charm surrounding Narragansett Bay and beautiful Block Island via lobster boat, ferry, kayak, and foot. A perfect choice for history-buffs and naturalists alike, our hikes will explore both the verdant trails of the Norman Bird Sanctuary (our home for the long weekend!), and an ocean-front path alongside Newport’s famously jaw-dropping gilded age mansions. Maximum group size: 10.

Highlights

  • Birdwatch right out the backdoor of our home at the Paradise Farmhouse at Norman Bird Sanctuary
  • Take a day trip via ferry to explore the highly walkable and adorable Block Island
  • Learn about the gilded age and America's first resort via harbor cruise and Breakers tour
  • Experience the famous "cliff walk" with opulent mansions to your right and crashing ocean waves to your left!
  • Indulge in local and delicious seafood

Departures and Prices

June 23 to June 27, 2025
$3595.00 - Available
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Inclusions

  • 1-2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
  • Four nights lodging at our beautifully restored farmhouse on a bird sanctuary
  • All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the Day 5 with the exception of one lunch on your own
  • Round-trip transportation to/from the Boston International airport to our lodging and transportation for all destinations listed on the itinerary
  • Park entry fees

Not included: Travel to and from Boston International Airport from your place of origin, alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities, one lunch, and travel insurance

Trip Documents

Trip Info

This trip is for women who want to enjoy the Natural and Cultural history of Newport and Block Island at an active but leisurely pace. While our days will be full of activity, we will also make sure that you have ample downtime to relax, explore Newport and Norman Bird Sanctuary, or do whatever you please. Since there are scaffolded options, a 1 rating is appropriate. However, if you choose to do the full hiking and kayaking options, it will be more like a 2. This trip is suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes. There are typically 4 to 7 hours of daily activity. Rating: [1] [2] 3 4 5

Explore the natural and cultural history (and gastronomy!) of Narragansett Bay via lobster boat, kayak, and foot.

We'll spend the entire trip at a beautifully restored 18th century farmhouse at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. This comfortable and unique lodging is situated amongst 300 acres of diverse wildlife habitat and the 7 miles of hiking trails. Full price spots on the trip are for a shared room with one other participant, with shared bathrooms, common areas and kitchens. There are 2 single supplements available with shared baths for an additional $400. There are three bunk-room bottom bed discounted spaces, and one bunk-room top-bunk discount.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1
Today is arrival day! Fly into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) by 2:30PM for a 3PM shuttle to our lodging for the week, the Paradise Farmhouse at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. The airport is an approximately 1.5-hour drive. Other options are to fly into Providence Airport and take a taxi to the lodging, or to drive. If you elect to drive, please meet us at the lodging at 4:30PM on day 1 of the trip. Settle into our restored 18th century farmhouse, catch your first glimpse of the ocean, or stretch your legs on a path out the backdoor as your guides prepare the first delicious group meal. (D)
DAY 2
Norman Bird Sanctuary is not only our home for the week, but also a nonprofit wildlife sanctuary and environmental education center with more than 300 acres of diverse habitats and 7 miles of hiking trails. We’ll start our trip with an exploration of this beautiful oasis, guided by an expert naturalist. Grab some binoculars off the hooks on the farmhouse wall and spend the morning rambling through the forests, fields, and wetlands of our weekend home. After lunch back at the house, we’ll head to Narragansett Bay for an afternoon cruise and introduction into the legends and history of this incredible seaport. Upon returning to the farmhouse, you may choose to relax at home, stroll more sanctuary paths, or enjoy sunset at the nearby beach. No matter your choice we’ll wrap up our day with a well-earned home-cooked dinner. (B, L, D)
DAY 3
Today our activities will dig into the rich history of America’s first resort town. After an early breakfast we’ll head into town to experience Newport’s famous cliff walk. This unique National Recreation Trail is a public right-of-way over private property – allowing visitors the opportunity to stroll through the front yards of some of New England’s most opulent properties. Relish the unique experience of hiking with sea cliffs and crashing waves on one side of you, and manicured lawns and mansions on the other. We’ll take this hike as a choose your own adventure, with the option to do the full 7 mile out and back, or a 3.5-mile end to end. Regardless of your choice, the whole group will reconvene to shop, peruse galleries, and eat lunch on your own on the bustling Thames St. in downtown Newport. In the afternoon we will tour the Breakers, the grandest of Newport’s gilded age summer “cottages” before returning home to our farmhouse sanctuary and another delicious dinner. (B, D)
DAY 4
Our final full day of the trip brings us to our biggest adventure yet – we’ll take to the open ocean to pay a visit to idyllic Block Island. After catching a ferry across the Atlantic, we’ll disembark in downtown Old Harbor. We'll walk to our main activity - a guided eco tour via kayak of the Great Salt Pond. We'll spend about 2 hours exploring the wetlands, fiddler crab colonies, and mooring fields of this beautifully protected harbor. Block Island is known for being exceedingly walkable, and we may have time post-paddle to visit the town and/or beach. Should you elect to forgo kayaking and spend the day on your own, the tourism council offers a self-guided walking tour that will take you to beaches, farms, nature preserves, and historical sights – all within 2 miles! We will reconvene at the ferry in the afternoon to return together to Newport. We’ll spend our final night celebrating at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)
DAY 5
Rise early and enjoy one last morning listening to the birds chirp as you drink your coffee. We’ll depart for the airport after breakfast and have you back to the airport by 10AM for flights out after 12PM (B)

4.8

(12 reviews)
5 Food
5 Lodging
5 Safety
5
(9)
4
(3)
3
(0)
2
(0)
1
(0)

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

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Lori D.
3 months ago

I had never been to Rhode Island and when I saw this trip, I thought it would be a great way to see this beautiful state. It was extra special because of the wonderful job the guides did in putting together the itinerary. I loved all of the activities but canoeing was my favorite along with visiting the oyster farm and trying oysters. Spending the week with the group of women who I shared this adventure with was also very special to me. The group dynamic was very congenial, warm, and relaxed.

Keith L.
3 months ago

The camaraderie among all of the guests and the two guides. Sharing mealtime together was really special!

Anna K.
3 months ago

I got to visit a state I had not previously visited.

Brenda M.
3 months ago

This was my initial AGC trip and Kaitlyn and Deb assured it exceeded expectations. While the planned events and the serenity of the Norman Bird Sanctuary were ideal, Kaitlyn and Deb’s attention to detail and flexibility made for an experience that was enjoyable at every turn!

Maxanne W.
3 months ago

The women on the trip, our amazing guides, the delicious food, and Block Island kayaking

Catherine L.
1 year ago

Very relaxing, great variety, wonderful guides

Alma W.
1 year ago

The guides as usual were amazing and the bonus was this is their home. They have such pride, know the area and added extra hometown info!

Ellen K.
1 year ago

The guides were so personable and the food was great!

Barbra G.
1 year ago

The Norman Bird Sanctuary was a lovely place to come back to each day, and to explore on the nature walk and also independently. It's a great facility and seems tailor made for the kind of base we love as AGC travelers. I also especially loved biking on Block Island.

Patricia L.
1 year ago

staying at the Paradise farmhouse at Norman Bird Sanctuary was really unique, beautiful and special

Nancy W.
1 year ago

Totally covered all my expectations: comfy historic accommodations, beautiful weather, scenic locations. cruises, cliff walk and great bunk mates. But of course the guides Deb and Kaitlyn could not have been more amazing. So organized, happy and helpful; always ready to do more for us. I would repeat this trip.

Barbara F.
1 year ago

The harbor cruise, the cliff walk, the people

  1. Where do we eat?

    This trip will be a combination of meals cooked by AGC guides, and meals out at local restaurants. One day you will be able to lunch at a restaurant of your choice in downtown Newport. The dinner on the last night is at a restaurant where you can order off the menu. Breakfast and lunches will be prepared and packed by your guides.
  2. What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?

    We can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-intolerant although we can not guarantee a completely gluten-free diet, if we know well in advance. If you’re severely allergic or if you have other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register. If you’re vegan, you may want to bring some additional protein bars and favorite trail snacks.
  3. I've never kayaked before, is this the trip for me?

    Yes! This kayak tour is appropriate for beginners and focused on exploring the Salt Pond ecosystem. It will be a leisurely paddle at "conversation speed".
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