Despite its setting on the shores of Lake Memphremagog. Newport is not known as a tourist destination. Vermont's northernmost city is often overshadowed by the nearby Jay Peak Resort, which attracts skiers from both sides of the border. People usually have a good reason (such as a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse) to visit the state's second-smallest city by population. Once a bustling lumber port, the city of fewer than 5,000 residents has struggled since the industry's decline — a large lumber firm, Prouty & Miller, closed in the late 1980s. In 2015, a group of investors promised Newport an ambitious economic revitalization plan, including the construction of a conference center, hotel and biotech facility. Those hopes were dashed in 2016, when the investors were convicted of crimes related to an EB-5 investment scheme, the largest financial fraud in Vermont history. The failed venture is still painfully visible in the form of a large vacant lot in the middle of downtown. But the city offers more than meets the eye. "Newport is Vermont's best-kept secret," said Adam Dobler, program director of Northern Star Cruises on Lake Memphremagog. Its modest size notwithstanding, the area has all the ingredients for a quintessential Vermont summer getaway: a lake for water sports, dense forests with trails for hiking and mountain biking, and a small but vibrant downtown. The city's proximity to Québec lends it an international vibe, reflected in bilingual signage and the twin spires of St. Mary Star of the Sea, a church in the French Canadian style, overlooking downtown. Venture far enough out on Lake Memphremagog, and you'll spot a break in the shore's tree line at the 45th parallel, a visible marker of the U.S.-Canadian border. Every summer, open-water swimmers flock to the lake for the Kingdom Swim (on July 27 this year), a "border buster" event during which they can swim across the divide — no passport required. As the water is Newport's main attraction, this season is the ideal time to visit. Here's an itinerary for exploring, three to six hours at a time. 9 a.m. to noon Start your day at the Brown Cow, a breakfast and brunch spot with an Americana diner feel. A local favorite is the Cow Plop, two scrambled eggs topped with home fries and sausage gravy, served with a biscuit. While this itinerary technically begins at 9 a.m., hard-core early risers…