3 Best Sights in Portsmouth, Newport County and East Bay

Fanciful animals, a sailing ship, and geometric shapes populate this large topiary garden on a Narragansett Bay-side Victorian estate that served as the summer residence of a Fall River, Massachusetts, textile mill owner. In addition to the whimsical topiaries, there are flower and herb gardens, orchards, and winding pathways. Picnicking among the shrubbery is encouraged.

A restored stable on an eight-generations-old farm houses the tasting room of this small producer. All wines, including the semisweet Skipping Stone White with peach notes and the well-balanced Meritage red blend, are made from grapes grown and hand-harvested on the property. Tastings are offered most of the year, and outdoor tables overlooking neat rows of vines abound. On Saturday, May–early December, the winery hosts live jazz concerts.

The tracks for the Old Colony Railroad were laid in the 1860s; Rail Explorers' tandem and quad rail machines are newfangled contraptions that make it easy to glide six miles along Narragansett Bay as long as at least one member of your group is willing to pedal. Guide-led tours of either the Northern Ramble or Southern Circuit offer glimpses of shorebirds, coastal woodlands, and historic sites few travelers get the chance to see.