I've been a Newport, Rhode Island, local for a long time now, and I've made peace with a lot of the drawbacks that come with living in a beloved tourist destination.
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In 2002, I moved from Alexandria, Virginia, to Newport, Rhode Island, where my now-husband has family roots.I immediately fell for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant community, and cozy New England vibe. It's so breathtaking that we chose to marry there, despite having spent much longer stretches of our lives in other amazing cities.Newport is still a magical coastal enclave with fabulous restaurants, year-round events, and extraordinary hospitality, but over the past two decades, the area has seen an influx of second homeowners, new hotels and inns, and a surge in short-term rental properties.It's especially busy in the summer, though autumn in New England also lures visitors — including tens of thousands via cruise ships — to the city to take in the brilliant fall foliage.With a palpable increase in travel demand, some may argue Newport hardly has an "off season" anymore.The city, located on the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, now welcomes more than 3.5 million visitors annually, and that has come with some challenges.Major thoroughfares quickly become congested during the summer, especially on weekends
