When Amy and I first moved across the country, we realized one of the major drawbacks was that we had no family to spend Thanksgiving with. We decided to distract ourselves we would get a cheap cabin out in the woods and relax together to celebrate in a whole new way. It was perhaps our first tradition that we started as a new family and immediately became my favorite holiday. Although the trip has evolved and added kids and grandparents, seventeen Thanksgivings later and this is still my favorite of our young family’s traditions. Newport, Rhode Island became our home this Thanksgiving, and although a far cry from the cabin in the woods of years past, we had an amazing time in one of the more unique towns in America.

For over 150 years, Newport has been home to some of the most influential families in American history and the absurd Mansions they have left behind along the coast are relics of a time long ago. A time where these “summer cottages” were built with one thing in mind. To show off wealth and power. Families like the Vanderbilt’s would spend summers here and host elaborate party’s that would go on to inspire The Great Gatsby.

We started our trip with the famed Newport Cliff Walk which is equally eye opening for both its natural stunning ocean views to the left and its man made architectural wonders to your right. The 3.5 mile hike begins along a paved bike path but soon turns to a moderately challenging rock scramble and sandy shores. I was very nervous judging by the number of people passing by who saw our children and told us we would soon need to turn back. Luckily nothing was dangerous and Maple found her way easily with little assistance and the boys found it fun, having to be recalled and corralled constantly.

In the morning, I got up early with Fitz and Maple and we found ourselves walking out over a bridge to Goat Island to a light house we could see from our hotel.

After listening to Anderson Cooper’s book about the history of his family, The Vanderbilt’s, during our drive, we were excited to tour The Breakers, one of the most famous mansions in America. You immediately enter into the Grand Hall which was built to remind you with its scale and wealth that this is not your mamas regular mansion. It’s difficult to imagine the insane number of servants and butlers required to maintain their lifestyle and after hearing about the family and their opulent parties, it was fun to visualize what it would have been like to be a Vanderbilt or any number of people living along this road. Although many of these mansions have become museums there are still several neighbors who actually live or “summer” in equally impressive compounds.

We twice visited Fort Adams. A stronghold that that protected our coast during the 1800’s and displays the absolute height of Military Technology for the time. The history of the fort is rather uneventful for the sheer fact that it was so foreboding, no one ever even tried to attack it. It also housed a fascinating old ship that is still sailed today.

We spent an afternoon at the local aquarium which was very hands on and impressive for its size. We touched many sharks and stingrays rays.

On Thanksgiving morning Amy ran in a local five mile race while we cheered on the runners from the sidelines. Whenever cooking prep allowed we played board games and Wiffleball at the park before finally enjoying our epic Thanksgiving feast made by Amy and Oma and Fitz.

We returned to the fort again hoping to find the gates open but both times we found ourselves walking the perimeter and creating our own self guided tour. Quite a windy adventure.

Amy and I took advantage of amazing grandparenting and went out for a night on the town. We love to go dancing any chance we can get, and this town had plenty of live music which kept us hopping from dance floor to dance floor. Thanks Pop and Oma.

Bonus Pictures

We got a little nature show when this American Bald Eagle decided to fly by the American Flag over the American Fort. It was all very American.