Newport, Rhode Island - Information Needed

[HeyIt'sMe]

My DH & I are in the very early stages of planning our Summer 2009 vacation. We are thinking about a road trip out to New England and would like to visit Newport, RI. I've heard about the mansions and Cliff Walk but that's about it. My sister visited Newport many years ago and fell in love with it.

I'm looking for some "insider" information --- where are the best places to stay, eat, visit? Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[C.Ann]

I love Newport - especially the Cliff Walk and the mansion tours.. Down on the wharf there's all kinds of neat shopping and great restaurants..

Be adivsed though that there is a "safe" side of Newport and a "not so safe" side.. I would beef up the budget for one of the more expensive hotels in a safer area.. We ended up there once - late at night - and couldn't find a vacancy.. Finally found a place that looked fine from the outside, but once we registered and got into our room it was very scary.. There were three chain locks on the door - along with a dead bolt - bars on the bathroom window - and behind that what appeared to be an "electric fence".. We didn't sleep a wink.. Checked out first thing in the morning and were able to find another room (very pricey) down near the wharf.. No triple locks - no bars - no electric fence - and we felt a million times safer..

 

[kpm76]

Newport's alot of fun, but us locals avoid it like the plague May-September because it's so crowded. I think you will really enjoy it though. There are several charter boat lines that will take you out into the bay and it's lovely. St. Mary's is the church where JFK was married so that's worth a visit. The mansions are nice but admission is pricy and you can't do them all in one day so maybe pick one. Honestly, I think the lodging options are really lacking in Newport. There's no great hotel. The Marriott is nice and the location is great. I love B & Bs and there are several in Newport. My in laws have stayed at the Jailhouse Inn and loved it....and they are really particular about where they stay. Where to eat can be tricky because there are so many tourist traps. For a really nice meal (but pricy) the Black Pearl is excellent. 22 Bowen is also very good. For casual dining, I'd recommend Yesterday's. If I think of anything else, I will post. Have fun!!

 

[C.Ann]

Newport's alot of fun, but us locals avoid it like the plague May-September because it's so crowded. I think you will really enjoy it though. There are several charter boat lines that will take you out into the bay and it's lovely. St. Mary's is the church where JFK was married so that's worth a visit. The mansions are nice but admission is pricy and you can't do them all in one day so maybe pick one. Honestly, I think the lodging options are really lacking in Newport. There's no great hotel. The Marriott is nice and the location is great. I love B & Bs and there are several in Newport. My in laws have stayed at the Jailhouse Inn and loved it....and they are really particular about where they stay. Where to eat can be tricky because there are so many tourist traps. For a really nice meal (but pricy) the Black Pearl is excellent. 22 Bowen is also very good. For casual dining, I'd recommend Yesterday's. If I think of anything else, I will post. Have fun!!

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LOL.. I couldn't remember the safer hotel we stayed at (kept thinking Hilton for some reason), but as soon as you mentioned the Marriott it rang a bell..

B&B's are also a good choice - in the safer areas..

Also, if the OP has any interest in Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis' former childhood summer home - Hammersmith Farm (also the location of her and JFK's wedding recption) - it's a pretty neat place to visit..

There are combo tickets available for the mansions - from just a few to all of them.. Personally DD and I found them (and the stories behind them) fascinating and we toured them all..

 

[pajamommy]

I've been to Newport a million times and I've never seen the unsafe side. Yes, there is the side of town that is not so nice as the other side, but I have never felt unsafe. To be honest, that side of town is so small, you blink and you miss it. It just isn't as rich or glamourous as the downtown part of town, but unsafe??? Not! I don't know, I've been to some of the unsafe parts of my state and Newport doesn't even come close.

Anyhow, I love Newport so much that someday I hope to live there. As for hotels and restaurants.....I have stayed at many, and my favorites are Newport Hyatt on Goat Island, and I also like the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina. As for where to eat....I love the Brick Alley Pub, the Red Parrot, The Mooring, the Black Pearl, Salas' for pasta/Italian. It is a great town, with a rich history and just a fun place to be! I love reading about the families that owned the mansions, such as the Vanderbilts....if you can read about their history before you go to the mansions, that will make it oh so better.

Have fun!!

 

[pajamommy]

I believe that Hammersmith Farm is now privately owned and not open to the public, but it was a really cool place to visit! It's where JFK and Jackie had their wedding reception.

 

[C.Ann]

I believe that Hammersmith Farm is now privately owned and not open to the public, but it was a really cool place to visit! It's where JFK and Jackie had their wedding reception.

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I thought I had heard that, but I wasn't sure.. That's too bad.. I've been there 3 times - liked it so much I had to keep going back.. LOL I'm so glad that we had the opportunties to tour the inside and the grounds before it went private.. The view from the "backyard" was to die for!!

 

[pajamommy]

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I thought I had heard that, but I wasn't sure.. That's too bad.. I've been there 3 times - liked it so much I had to keep going back.. LOL I'm so glad that we had the opportunties to tour the inside and the grounds before it went private.. The view from the "backyard" was to die for!!

I know, isn't it beautiful? I could look at that bridge and harbor forever!

 

[gmboy95]

OK the cliff walk and mansions are a must do.....I also love the red parrot at the top of Thames st.

I would also suggest taking a trip over the two bridges, newport and Jamestown, and check out the south county beaches....I love Galillee!!

 

[C.Ann]

I know, isn't it beautiful? I could look at that bridge and harbor forever!

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Do you remember the building off to the right - I think there might have been a windmill on it - I recall something about it being a guest house..

Imagine just sitting there - on a nice sunny day - watching all the boats go by.. That's the life!

 

[pajamommy]

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Do you remember the building off to the right - I think there might have been a windmill on it - I recall something about it being a guest house..

Imagine just sitting there - on a nice sunny day - watching all the boats go by.. That's the life!

Yes, that is the life I want! lol I hope someday when I am old that I can live there and have that view whenever I want.

 

[TheTexasKid]

I see this thread has picked up some responses, since I looked at it yesterday.

I lived in Newport for three years, with the understanding it was from 1960-1963, so none of this may still exist, but Newport is more than citywalks and big mansions.

Touro Synagogue. If not the oldest Jewish synagogue in the U.S., then one of the oldest.

Redwood Library. If not the oldest public library in the U.S., then one of the oldest.

Whatever Tower. I call it that, because I can't remember its name, but it's claimed it was built by everyone from the ancent Phoenicians to Benedict Arnold's grandfather for everything from a watchtower to a windmill.

It was the home of Oliver Hazard Perry, "We have met the enemy, and they are ours," naval hero of the War of 1812, and his younger brother Matthew, who did much to open up Japan to the West 40 years later.

It was a site of a major battle of the American Revolution.

It was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Newport Creamery, where you can/could buy some of the best ice cream you'll ever eat.

The White Horse Tavern.

It was/is the home of the Newport Jazz Festival.

Take what was the ferry, now a bridge, over to Jamestown and walk along the beach and pick up broken piences of glass and crockery worn smooth by the action of the tides.

Despite the crowds, go in the spring, go in the summer, go in the fall, but don't go in the winter. You'll freeze.

Actually, Adventures by Disney offers a tour of Newport through its Beantown & Big Apple tour.

 

[Monte Cristo]

Lots of good posts so far...

If you're interested the Tennis Hall of Fame is also in Newport.

I agree with the restaurants listed especially the Black Pearl, love their milk chowder.

If you got some extra dough stay at the Inn at Castle Hill. Beautiful. (See pic below that I took.)



I also agree with going over the bridges and checking out Narragansett beaches and Galilee...if you do, give me a shout and I'll buy you guys a lobster and some quahogs at Champlain's. We keep our boat in Narragansett in the summer and are there all the time.


This was at the parade of the Tall Ships, there isn't usually that many people hanging out on the lawn!