Fort Adams State Park is located in Newport, RI. It is the site of the second largest bastioned fort in the United States, which was key to the Narragansett Bay defense from the 1700's to about 1945. It was designed to be one of the most heavily armed forts in America; it could hold 2,400 troops and it had three tiers of guns.

The fort is situated at the mouth of Newport Harbor, so it offers a panoramic view of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay's East Passage. The fort and the land that immediately surround it have been made into a state park, complete with tours of the fort, a beach, boating docks, fishing areas, and areas where concerts and private parties are held, a yachting museum, and a gift shop. Fort Adams State Park is home to the famous annual Newport Folk and Newport Jazz Festivals, which draw thousands to enjoy the music and beautiful surroundings.

Edie and I picked a quiet Sunday afternoon to visit the park on one of the few Sundays she had off from work. It was a windy day, to say the least, but it was warm and sunny, so the afternoon was very delightful. We strolled along the different walkways and took in the sights of the park itself, the harbor, the bay, and the glimpses of the island of Jamestown, the Newport Bridge, and the Naval War College that we could see in the not-too-distant distance.



The entrance to the park is close to the beach and boating areas.



One of the first things visitors see is a view of Newport Harbor


And views of those enjoying being out on the water.



Fort Adams is also part of the Bay Islands Park system and reaching the other parks can be done by car or boat.


Here comes a water taxi now. This one connects Newport and Jamestown.


While visiting the park, some might also like to check out this museum. There's a lot relating to the America's Cup races to be seen.


And some may like to stand at this large chart (this is just a section of it) while looking out into the bay. It's fun to try to spot each type of boat and some families even make a game out of it.


And, of course, there's the fort.


This is the front of the fort and, yes, that is grass/turf on it's roof. (I'll explain later.) This faces Newport Harbor.


This is the side of the fort, facing the Narragansett Bay Passage. It is also facing another fort on the island of Jamestown, which is directly across on the other side of the Passage. (Try to notice how the structure "goes into" the trees in the far right side of the picture.)

The other side of the fort looks a bit similar, except there are more open access areas, for that's the side where supplies and troops would enter. However, it is the back of the fort that is what is very different from all the other sides. It is built right into the elevated landscape of the land here, sort of a large hill, so that any view of the fort is completely obscured to those sailing in from the ocean. As the enemy sailed in to reach the very desirable target of Newport, only the grass and trees could be seen, but the keen eyes of the lookouts would spot the ships and alert the troops. Then, as the ships sailed through the passage, the troops would fire on them from those "windows". By this time, the sailors would discover the presence of the fort, but it would be too late. (The fort across on Jamestown would fire upon the ships from the other side.)




Yeah, we sure did spend a nice afternoon at Fort Adams State Park.