Dispatch: A Long Layover In Newport For The Audrain Concours d'Elegance
Newport was always an enigma to me. For years, I heard tales of beautiful mansions, streets of opulence, centuries of history, a very endearing grass tennis court, a music festival, and, well, sailing. Yet despite living in New York City for over a decade, I'd never made the trip up I-95 (or the Northeast Corridor line) to see this historic town. So when the invitation came from A. Lange & Söhne to join them at the Audrain Concours d'Elegance, I leaped at the opportunity. I was excited to experience the car show, but I was equally excited to see the backdrop. The history is everywhere the moment you enter Newport, and the town offers so much that it's worth the trip regardless. Audrain just sweetens the deal. The timing, late September/early October, is smart. It's just at the tail end of the season, so you still get those beautiful summer sunsets and light, but the crowds have lessened. I think these picks would hold true if you were in town for the Newport Folk Festival, attending the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, or just spending a long weekend here, but if watches (and cars) are your thing, there's no better place to be than Newport. With The Long Layover, I'll look at events and cities around the world and give a 24- to 72-hour watch (or watch-adjacent) guide to each. The idea is to paint a picture of the city and help contextualize the watches, or, in this case, the event. First up is Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. The cars might be t...
