As I run by Battery Park every morning, I am reminded of my run through Riverside Park along the Hudson, where I always took note of the boats moored at the 79th St. Boat Basin. It s entirely possible that some of them followed my course north to Newport. Instead, it s the Family Amusement Center across the way that makes me feel at home. It s a tiny piece of the old Times Square where kids can win small trinkets while their parents shop for larger ones. As in Manhattan, in Newport you own a car at your peril.
Parking is a nightmare.
Traffic is tortuous. But you can always call a yellow cab or take public transportation. For less than the cost of a subway ride, you can hop on a new trolley and get where you want to go, unruffled and unrumpled. Then there s foot power. Whether on pedal or in walking shoes, Newport and Manhattan are both made for self-propulsion because there s always something to see that you ve never noticed before.