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Audrains Concours Motor Week the automotive lifestyle event returns to Newport, October 2nd-6th

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One of the premier automotive events of the year is returning to historic Newport, Rhode Island.  Audrain’s Motor Week kicks runs October 2nd to October 6th.   This is not just a car show, this is an automotive and a lifestyle event not to be missed.  Since its inception which we were thrilled to attend, Audrain’s Motor Week has become one of the premier automotive events in the world.

Newport is the birthplace of auto racing with William K. Vanderbilt and his friends racing at a Newport horse track back in 1900.  This event would later evolve into the Vanderbilt Cup Races.  Newport is rich with history from sailing, tennis, to racing, and  to being the summer playground of the wealthy during the Gilded Age.  This historic town is the perfect venue for Audrain’s Motor Week which concludes with Audrain’s Concours on the lawn at the beautiful Vanderbilt mansion, The Breakers. The back lawn of the Breakers which overlooks the ocean will feature over 180 cars. The cars are some of the finest and unique classic cars you will see anywhere.

The perfect setting for a Concours

The organizers have organized so many events for Motor Week you need to plan ahead.  The Concours Village is The Headquarters for this World-class Automotive Event! The International Tennis Hall of Fame acts the Concours Village for the Motor Week.

The Concours Village at the Tennis Hall of Fame

The Village is open through the Motor Week and will feature concessions from local restaurants, vendors with unique booths and experiences as well . Patrons will be able to enjoy great food from LaForge Restaurant and other exceptional Rhode Island restaurants, purchase official motor week merch, view some very special autos and motorcycles.  It is also where some fantastic seminars are held.

Any time during motor week visit the Audrain Automobile Museum to check out the latest exhibition. Each temporary exhibition features 15+ cars allowing for an in-depth look at a collection of remarkable vehicles.  This museum always displays some of the most unique and interesting cars.

Cars, cocktails, and food at the beautiful Rough Point estate

On Friday October 4th, Rough Point the beautiful former home of Doris Duke will host “The Gathering”.  We attending this event several times during Audrain Motor Week and it is outstanding.  The lawns overlooking the ocean are breathtaking. As you wander the ground you can sip champagne, wine, cocktails and beer and enjoy a unique collection of cars. Fine food and bites are also served. You’ll be in good company with comedian, Jay Leno and other car enthusiasts alike. Full-day ticket holders have access to the grounds from 11:00 am onward. Half-day ticket holders have access from 2:00 pm onward.  Rough Point is a mansion and a museum with an extensive collection of fine arts and a sprawling historic landscape with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.  This is not an event to be missed.  The Gathering runs 11 am to 5pm. Cars of all kinds including super rare concept cars have graced the lawn at The Gathering.

Classics on the Audrain tour gather on Bellevue Avenue

Saturday will feature the Tour D’Elegance. The Tour d’Elegance is the scenic drive for all cars that are participating in the Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance and is a spectacle not worth missing. Cars are meant to be driven and this is a chance to see these amazing autos as the complete their tour and park on Bellevue Avenue right in front of the museum. Also on Saturday is a Cars and Coffee event starting at 8am for any classic car driver not on the tour.

The ultimate event, Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance is the pinnacle  of Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. The Concours team has gathered an outstanding  selection of judges from around the globe. The Concours classes cover the decades from early 1900 to 1980 with a focus on cars that exemplify the History, Luxury, and Sport of the automotive world. This is a judged event with over a dozen classes of cars. If you love cars or know one who does, this is the ultimate car event for automotive enthusiasts. The Concours opens at 8:30 am and concludes at 3:30pm.

There is so much to do during Motor Week including great seminars, Audrain’s Museum, Bonhams car auction, Wine By The Water, the Hilltop Hangout and more. So get your tickets now and start planning for a memorable experience in beautiful Newport.

You meet the nicest people at Audrain’s

Audrain Concours Motor Week

For tickets and information and to plan your visit: https://www.audrainconcours.com

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The perfect Newport escape awaits at the Hamilton Hoppin House

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Newport Rhode Island is a famous and desirable destination.  With its rich history of sailing and tennis, to its Gilded Age Mansions that line Bellevue Avenue, Newport has been a sought after vacation location for generations.   Though the stately mansions of the Gilded Age are now museums, we have found an inn where you can experience the elegance of Newport without having to be a Vanderbilt.

The Hamilton Hoppin House also known as Villa 120 is a beautifully restored Italianate villa style mansion.  Built in 1856, the house which is built in the wooden “stick style” is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Designed by Richard Upjohn, a famous 19th Century architect who helped popularize the Italianate design in the United States.   He was the founder of the American Institute of Architects, and designed many houses of worship and did extensive work in the Northeast including in the Hudson Valley.   Italianate style is known for its square or rectangular design, a flat roof with an overhang supported by corbels, and large oversized first floor windows. All of those details are here, as well as a beautiful large covered front porch supported by arched columns.

As lovely as the grounds and exterior of the house are, when the front door swings open, you know immediately you are in a special place.  The wide front hall runs from the front door to the back of the house.  You have to stop and take in the high ceilings, the complex wood floor, and the beautiful staircase lined with rich millwork.

Beautiful details and stain glass illuminate the stairway

Three large rooms are found on the main floor including a dining room, the breakfast room and the music room.  All are connected to the main hall by tall, grand hardwood double doors.  The 8 bedrooms are located on the second and third floor of the mansion.  As you ascend the stairs you will notice the stain glass window that illuminates the stair and hall.  The second floor hall is wide and nearly as grand as the first floor.

The Music Room

 We stayed in the Aquidneck room, which is named for the island on which Newport is located. The room is large and painted a soft relaxing shade of blue. Though renovated, the room still  retains its historic charm with hardwood floors, and large windows with wooden shutters. The king size bed is lined with crisp white sheets and comfortable pillows that ensured a restful sleep.  Modern touches included a renovated bath with shower, wi-fi, and a large screen tv with cable.  A gas fireplace in the corner is the perfect romantic touch to this room.

Aquidneck Room

Breakfast is included and the guests can gather on the first floor where coffee, tea, juice, muffins, fruit and other items are available.  You can also order eggs and sausage if you so desire.  The owner was present both days and entertained the guests with wonderful stories of the house, Newport and his own experiences.  It made our breakfast very special.

The Breakfast Room

The house is only a short 5 minute drive into downtown Newport.  There you can park and explore the narrow historic streets lined with 200 year (and older) homes.  There are also great shops, bars, music venues, and restaurants along Thames Street and down on the wharves. Of course Newport offers great scenery from a ride along Ocean Drive, to the famous Cliff Walk.  As Newport becomes a destination for collector car enthusiasts with two car museums, and the success of Audrains Concours Motor Week, the demand for upscale lodging will be high.  With ample parking and minutes from downtown, we can see the Hamilton Hoppin house being a future gathering place for auto enthusiasts. 

Though the mansion is grand, it still is able to convey a special warm and intimate atmosphere. These qualities makes it the perfect spot for an event, a small wedding or just a romantic getaway.   For a short time you can experience the history and grandeur of Newport by staying at the Hamilton Hoppin House.

The Hamilton Hoppin House (Villa 120)

20 Miantonomi Ave, Middletown, Newport, Rhode Island

http://www.hamiltonhoppinhouse.com

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The ultimate car event, Audrain’s Motor Week returns to Newport, R.I. , Sept 29th to October 2nd

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Concours Day on the lawn at The Breakers

One of the premier automotive events of the year is returning to historic Newport, Rhode Island.  Audrain’s Motor Week kicks runs September 29th to October 2nd.   This is not just a car show, this is an automotive and a lifestyle event not to be missed.  Newport is the birthplace of auto racing with William K. Vanderbilt and his friends racing at a Newport horse track back in 1900.  This event would later evolve into the Vanderbilt Cup Races.  Newport is rich with history from sailing, tennis, to racing, and  to being the summer playground of the wealthy during the Gilded Age.  This historic town is the perfect venue for Audrain’s Motor Week which concludes with Audrain’s Concours on the lawn at The Breakers, overlooking the ocean.

The organizers have organized so many events for Motor Week you need to plan ahead.  The Concours Village is The Headquarters for this World-class Automotive Event! The International Tennis Hall of Fame acts the Concours Village for the Motor Week. The Village is open through the Motor Week and will feature concessions from local restaurants, vendors with unique booths and experiences as well as an exciting and adventure-filled Family Zone. Patrons will be able to enjoy great food from LaForge Restaurant and other exceptional Rhode Island restaurants, purchase official motor week merch, view some very special autos and motorcycles.  It is also where some fantastic seminars are held.

Any time during motor week visit the Audrain Automobile Museum to check out the latest exhibition. Each temporary exhibition features 15-20 cars allowing for an in-depth look at a collection of remarkable vehicles.  This museum always displays some of the most unique and interesting cars.

Audrain’s Museum always amazes with its changing exhibits of rolling art

On Friday August 30th, Rough Point the beautiful former home of Doris Duke will host “The Gathering”.  We attending this event during the first Audrain’s Motor Week and it is outstanding.  The lawns overlooking the ocean are breathtaking. As you wander the grounds, sip champagne, wine, and Newport Craft specialty cocktails and beer. You’ll be in good company with comedian, Jay Leno and other car enthusiasts alike. Full-day ticket holders have access to the grounds from 11:00 am onward. Half-day ticket holders have access from 2:00 pm onward.  Rough Point is a mansion and a museum with an extensive collection of fine arts and a sprawling historic landscape with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.  This is not an event to be missed.  The Gathering runs 11 am to 5pm.

Friday will also feature a preview of the Bonhams Auto Auction as well as seminars both at the Concours Village. Saturday will feature the Tour D’Elegance.  The Tour d’Elegance is the scenic drive for all cars that are participating in the Audrain Newport Concours d’Elegance and is a spectacle not worth missing. In 2021, the tour began Saturday morning at Scarborough Beach in Narragansett. The tour then drove through downtown Jamestown and over the Newport Bridge. The tour followed through Aquidneck Island where it stopped at cars & coffee at Ft. Adams State Park overlooking the harbor, continuing with a Scenic drive along historic Ocean Drive and the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean. The tour ended on Bellevue Avenue with all cars parking together on the closed street for the public to view and interact with drivers and owners.  In 2019 we enjoyed this amazing spectacle as exquisite cars arrived in the street in front of Audrain’s Museum  where drivers and owners could meet the public.  Historic Bellevue Avenue was closed as cars assembled in the street.  It was quite the experience.

Meeting Jay Leno during Audrain’s Motor Week

Sunday’s Concours d’Elegance is the pinnacle  of Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. The Concours team has gathered an outstanding  selection of judges from around the globe. The Concours classes covers the decades from early 1900 to 1980 with a focus on cars that exemplify the History, Luxury, and Sport of the automotive world.  Donald Osborne, Nic Waller and the rest of the selection committee search diligently for special cars to engage guests from around the world.

First, second, and third-class trophies and ribbons will be awarded with the first in class winners competing for the Willie K. Vanderbilt Trophy. There will also be one of a kind awards  given by some very special guests and judges.

At the Concours, attendees will find rare and beautiful autos.

The 2022 Audrain Concours d’Elegance will take place on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at the Breakers Mansion in Newport.  The Concours runs from 8:30 am to 3:30pm. 

The Audrain’s website provides more detailed information and ticket information for all these events, and we encourage you to visit the page to plan your visit.

Audrain’s Motor week is an event not to be missed. The history of Newport, the elegance of the Gilded Age and the artful design of the automobile all merge for an unforgettable experience.

See you on the show field!

Audrains Motor Week

For tickets and information and to plan your visit:

https://www.audrainconcours.com

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