Rhode Island: Newport

Score: 62

"The civic buildings, colonial city, 19th-century mansions, and riverfront offer a unique and engaging combination for residents and tourists. Modern hotels are somewhat out of scale."

"The downtown waterfront area is a disappointing hodgepodge, but the rest of the historic area—especially Cliff Walk and the Gilded Age 'cottages'—is spectacular."

"Too much shopping has detracted from historic town. Totally congested. Tacky sprawl outside central area."