Ryde has good transport links to the mainland and around the Isle of Wight. A hovercraft operates from Ryde to Southsea from the Ryde Esplanade Railway located on Esplanade. Also, a catamaran service goes from Ryde Pier to Portsmouth Harbour, where you can find Island Line trains and trains to London Waterloo. The Island Line train runs 8.5 miles down the Eastern coast of the Isle of Wright, this connects Ryde to Shanklin. Ryde also has a very extensive bus system with frequent services to Newport and many other towns. For tourists, there is an open top bus tour that goes around the city called The Downs Tour.Ryde's main attraction is its stunning beach, with beautiful golden sand and clear water. The Esplanade is located on the coast and contains many entertainment options for the whole family. The Esplanade contains a marina, a bowling green, an amusement park, an ice rink, a nightclub, a swimming pool and so much more! Also, for more entertainment and pubs, Union Street is the place to be. On this street there is the Victoria Arcade which houses many boutiques and cafés. Long High Street and Upper High Street are also great streets for shopping and entertainment. For live music, The Venue at Ryde Theatre is the perfect place. This venue is located on Lind Street and features some great artists. Some of the best attractions in Ryde are its carnivals. There are five carnivals throughout the year including an art parade and a lantern parade. However, the most important and famous carnival is the Carnival at Ryde. This carnival is the oldest in England and hosts over 2,000 entertainment acts.