LocalFunGuide

Falling for Newport, Rhode Island: Why Autumn is the Perfect Time to Visit! Newport, Rhode Island . Just the name conjures images of Gilded Age mansions, sparkling harbors, and a certain undeniable charm. While it's a popular summer destination, I'm here to tell you that  fall is, without a doubt, the absolute best time to experience this coastal gem. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Newport as the leaves were just beginning to turn, and it was pure magic. The air was crisp, the crowds were thinner, and a sense of cozy elegance permeated everything. If you're looking for a perfect autumn getaway, let me convince you why Newport should be at the top of your list! Mansion Magic Without the Mayhem First things first: the mansions. You can't go to Newport and not marvel at the opulent " summer cottages " built by America's wealthiest families . In the summer, these incredible homes can be packed. But in the fall? It's a completely different experie...

  Ride a moving landmark! This short video captures the  clank  and  clang  of San Francisco's historic cable cars —the only one of their kind left in the world. Hop aboard for a timeless slice of SF life!  The Brief History of San Francisco's Cable Cars San Francisco's cable cars are the world's last manually-operated cable car system and were named a National Historic Landmark . The Birth ( 1873 ):  The system was invented by Scottish-born engineer Andrew Smith Hallidie . He was reportedly inspired after witnessing horses struggling—and sometimes dying—while trying to pull railcars up the city's notoriously steep, wet hills. His solution was an ingenious steam-powered system where a car "grips" a continually moving steel cable running beneath the street. The first line successfully launched on Clay Street in 1873. The Peak:  By 1890 , the city had a vast network of 23 cable car lines. The Decline & Rescue:  The 1906 Earthquake and the...