Newport Attractions
ITINERARIES
Newport Rhode Island offers much to see and do. From a quick day trip
to an extended vacation, there is plenty to see and do for every member
of the family. Newport really is a walking town and there is more to
be seen on foot and as parking is so difficult, it is better to walk.
Day-Trippin’: Start by taking a drive around town beginning
at the waterfront on America’s Cup Avenue. If you can park, be
sure to visit some of the great shops. Continue south down Thames Street
which leads into Ocean Drive. Yes, people really do live in those enormous
houses! Brenton Point State Park is a great spot to stop and walk around.
Ocean Drive ends at Bellevue Avenue, home to the famous Gilded Age
mansions. Tours are offered daily and operating schedules vary by season.
Plan on a couple hours for the tour. Grab something quick from a deli
for a quick bite and take it with you. Enjoy lunch on either the lawn
of a mansion or on the Cliffwalk. Access points are limited, but if
you park at the Breakers you can stroll the Cliffwalk, enjoy a quick
bite and tour the mansion. That is going to take a few hours. A nice
way to end is with a sunset harbor cruise when available. These book
up quick, so reserve early. There are numerous great restaurants in
Newport. Check websites for menus, reservations and dress code.
Weekend Getaway: Parking should be provided
where you are staying, so get our your walking shoes. A good place
to start is with a narrated bus/trolley tour. This will give you
an overview of Newport Rhode Island and they many attractions here.
Newport has many museums and historical points of interest. Pick
a few that you’re really interested
in and don’t try to see more than two or three in a day. In between
museums, stroll the waterfront and stop into the many unique shops
and galleries. On one of your days, incorporate a harbor tour. There
are a variety of options to choose from.
Memorable Midweek: This is the ideal time to
experience the best of Newport, Rhode Island, specifically in the
summertime. This amount of time allows for mansions, wineries, harbor
tours and shopping, in others, the quintessential Newport vacation.
Best bet is to purchase a combination ticket to the Newport Mansions.
With the Gilded Age Experience, you can see five mansions which is
plenty. We suggest no more than two mansions per day. Tour a mansion
in the morning, then venture north on the island to a winery. On
another day, begin with a museum, such as the Tennis Hall of Fame
and continue down Bellevue Avenue to a mansion. On the way down the
Avenue, stop at the Market on the Boulevard for a sandwich to bring
with you and after touring a mansion, have a picnic-lunch on the
mansion’s lawn or the Cliffwalk. As it is now mid-afternoon,
take the time to stroll along Thames Street and browse the boutiques
and shops and finally, end the day with a sunset harbor tour.
Newport Musts: The Newport mansions that must
be seen at least once in a lifetime, but Newport offers so much more.
Whether you’re
a tennis enthusiast or not, Newport is the home to International Tennis
Hall of Fame and the Yachting Museum which shows the history of America’s
Cup racing and is located on the grounds of Fort Adams. Newport has
several wineries which offer tours and tasting's in beautiful settings.
Both the Ocean Drive and Cliffwalk are definitely Newport must sees.
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