The 40 Steps

Welcome to The Forty Steps, a legendary landmark situated along the world-famous Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island. As we stand at the precipice of the Atlantic, we are not just looking at a staircase; we are looking at a vital…

As you begin to walk down, take a moment to look closely at the steps beneath your feet. You will notice that each individual step bears a name. …

The true historical heart of The Forty Steps lies in its role as a gathering place for the servants who worked in the nearby mansions during the Gilded Age. In the eighteen hundreds, when Newport was the summer playground for the…

To truly appreciate The Forty Steps, one must engage all the senses. As you reach the midpoint of the descent, the roar of the Atlantic becomes the dominant sound, a constant percussive rhythm that masks the noise of the modern…

As we descend further, it is important to reflect on the engineering that keeps this landmark accessible. The ocean can be a treacherous neighbor. …

At the very base of The Forty Steps, you will find a small, natural cave-like opening in the rock. This is a spot of great local lore, particularly among those who have braved the waters of Newport for sport. …

From the vantage point of The Forty Steps, you can look both north and south to see the continuation of the Cliff Walk. This three-and-a-half-mile trail is a National Recreation Trail and one of Newport’s most visited attractions. …

As we begin our climb back up the forty donor-named steps, we leave behind the roar of the Atlantic and return to the refined atmosphere of Newport’s historic district. This ascent is a physical process that allows us to digest…