5 hours in Newport (RI) on a Saturday in mid-July - - bad idea?
Jun 26th, 2006, 07:55 AM
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5 hours in Newport (RI) on a Saturday in mid-July - - bad idea?
We are hoping to make a short visit to/through Newport on Saturday, July 15... after a three day getaway to Cape Cod with our son-in-law's parents. The general plan is to get up early (depart Wellfleet by 8 am) and getaway from Providence by 3 pm - - we have a flight back home from Providence at 6:15 pm. Our hosts are mildly skeptical that we will have enough time to enjoy it - - and warn that the bridges can be backed up on summer weekends.
We understand that it will be just a "taste" - - but do you think we are asking for a day-long traffic jam?
Keep in mind that we have already purchased the plane tickets - - we have to get from Wellfleet to Providence either way.
Thanks in advance for any input... and...
Best wishes,
Rex
(from the Europe forum)
We understand that it will be just a "taste" - - but do you think we are asking for a day-long traffic jam?
Keep in mind that we have already purchased the plane tickets - - we have to get from Wellfleet to Providence either way.
Thanks in advance for any input... and...
Best wishes,
Rex
(from the Europe forum)
Jun 26th, 2006, 08:57 AM
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Not an expert so others may be better able to provide direction, however the airport that serves Providence is actually in Warwick which is slightly closer to Newport than Prov. If I recall correctly, it is a 45 minute drive without traffic from Newport to Warwick (hopefully others will confirm). But traveling off the Cape on a Saturday morning can be tough as Saturday is turnover day for cottage rentals. In other words the bridges will be jammed with people headed off the Cape. The earlier you go the better. Once you get to Newport I would do three things 1. Drive along Ocean Drive 2, Walk along the Cliff Walk and 3. Have lunch at the Black Pearl.
Jun 26th, 2006, 09:37 AM
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So, "the bridges" refers to getting across the Cape Cod Canal? from the Mid-Cape Hwy onto 3 or 26? We thought maybe they meant the bridges to get onto (and back off of) Newport. If we stick to an 8 am departure, won't we miss most of the departing crowds? I figure that most rental properties have a checkout/check-in at 10, 11 or noon - - and most people are procrastinators about getting up and getting out...
You mention driving along Ocean Drive - - but we will want to stop and actually tour (one? several? of the) mansions, right? I know I need to do my reading, but aren't there several open to the public? Fodor's Destinations doesn't seem to be all that useful on this. Do you recommend Doris Duke's Rough Point? (I know that it's expensive) - - we're big fans of all that Gilded Age stuff...
You mention driving along Ocean Drive - - but we will want to stop and actually tour (one? several? of the) mansions, right? I know I need to do my reading, but aren't there several open to the public? Fodor's Destinations doesn't seem to be all that useful on this. Do you recommend Doris Duke's Rough Point? (I know that it's expensive) - - we're big fans of all that Gilded Age stuff...
Jun 26th, 2006, 09:57 AM
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The most traffic that you will be dealing with is getting OFF the Cape....Route 6. Those are the "Bridges" that people refer to.
Depending on the weather, if you leave early enough, you'll able to get through RELATIVELY quickly if it's sunny out, or you could hit a few mile backup if the weather is bad.
Since you'll be packed up anyway, and have to head in the same general direction, I'd say head on down to Newport for a few hours. (If the traffic is sooo bad that you sat in it for hours, you can just stay on 195 west, and skip the Newport turn off (Route 24 South)and continue on to Providence.
Other than the traffic in Newport, you won't have any problems with traffic in that area.
You'd probably only have time for 1, maybe 2 mansions depending on your speed. Most have a self guided audio tour that you can make as short, or as long as you want. The Breakers, Doris Duke's Rough Point, and the Astors are all guided tours.
Depending on the weather, if you leave early enough, you'll able to get through RELATIVELY quickly if it's sunny out, or you could hit a few mile backup if the weather is bad.
Since you'll be packed up anyway, and have to head in the same general direction, I'd say head on down to Newport for a few hours. (If the traffic is sooo bad that you sat in it for hours, you can just stay on 195 west, and skip the Newport turn off (Route 24 South)and continue on to Providence.
Other than the traffic in Newport, you won't have any problems with traffic in that area.
You'd probably only have time for 1, maybe 2 mansions depending on your speed. Most have a self guided audio tour that you can make as short, or as long as you want. The Breakers, Doris Duke's Rough Point, and the Astors are all guided tours.
Jun 26th, 2006, 10:12 AM
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Thank you very much - - any idea why Fodors provides no mention of the Breakers or the Astors on their Destinations page? Politically incorrect to ogle at all that opulence these days? Can we tour in a Prius (grin...)?
Biltmore Estate and Hearst Castle are still as popular as ever, aren't they?
Biltmore Estate and Hearst Castle are still as popular as ever, aren't they?
Jun 26th, 2006, 10:46 AM
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Oh... sorry... didn't readily find them under "If you have three days..." etc.
But now i wonder if this is likely to contribute to heavier-than-usual Newport traffic (but then again, maybe this is just the kind of thing you would expect, to contribute to summer traffic)...
http://tickets.newportmansions.org/r...r.aspx?tid=165
"World's Greatest Music: July 14-16, 2006 at the Newport Mansions"
There don't seem to be any tickets left for these...
But now i wonder if this is likely to contribute to heavier-than-usual Newport traffic (but then again, maybe this is just the kind of thing you would expect, to contribute to summer traffic)...
http://tickets.newportmansions.org/r...r.aspx?tid=165
"World's Greatest Music: July 14-16, 2006 at the Newport Mansions"
There don't seem to be any tickets left for these...
Jun 26th, 2006, 10:56 AM
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No, that won't really add to the crowds...just something else available to do in Newport for the summer....
I see that there are tickets still available for the 15th....your only real option though would be the 11:00am show at the Elms, the other 2 are at 4:00 and 9:00....too late for your group. Not sure how you were seeing them as sold out....
I see that there are tickets still available for the 15th....your only real option though would be the 11:00am show at the Elms, the other 2 are at 4:00 and 9:00....too late for your group. Not sure how you were seeing them as sold out....
Jun 26th, 2006, 11:36 AM
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I interpreted the webpage as showing no seats available, even for the 11 am. when I clicked on "2", it returned an error message which said that my request exceeded the available number of seats.
Jun 26th, 2006, 12:21 PM
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Yes, that's a bit of an odd site to order from....apparently it's $35 for the lunch/tours AND $35 for the concert. You need to actually purchase 4 tickets for 2 people, and then on the next page pick the tours and lunch, and a concert....4 things total....even though there are only 2 people. You get the "exceeded number of seats" message when you only select 2 tickets, but then try to add a concert to the lunch.....make any sense..? Weird sight though, might be easier to just call them....
Jun 26th, 2006, 06:39 PM
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A few years ago while vacationing on Cape Cod we went to Newport for a day. We took a trolley tour, which gave a nice overview of the city and included a stop at stop at a mansion (your choice).
It was only for a few hours, but we got a really nice introduction to the city and its' mansions along with some of the history.
I hope to get back to Newport when I'll have more time to spend there; however, the trolley tour was a nice way to see the highlights on a very limited schedule.
Sorry, I don't remember the name of the tour, but it left right from the visitor's center downtown. It should be easy to find with a quick search.
Have fun....Newport is gorgeous!
It was only for a few hours, but we got a really nice introduction to the city and its' mansions along with some of the history.
I hope to get back to Newport when I'll have more time to spend there; however, the trolley tour was a nice way to see the highlights on a very limited schedule.
Sorry, I don't remember the name of the tour, but it left right from the visitor's center downtown. It should be easy to find with a quick search.
Have fun....Newport is gorgeous!
Jun 26th, 2006, 07:20 PM
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Hi Rex, here's some driving tips for the SE Mass / RI area. Hopefully they'll help you plan your timing and get the most out of your visit to Newport! 
I definitely agree that you'll need to get off-Cape as early as possible to beat the mid-month rental switchover.
Keep in mind that coming from Welfleet, Rt. 6 is one lane in each direction for a number of miles until you round the bend from Chatham; it widens into 2 lanes each direction at the Dennis-Yarmouth border. Stay on Rt. 6 over the Sagamore Bridge and follow Rt. 6 down the Cape Cod Canal (as opposed to following the canal on the cape-side), then merge onto Rt. 25. The exit for I-195 is at the other end of Rt. 25, and is only one direction as this is the beginning (or rather end) of I-195. Route 25 and I-195 should be fairly traffic-free except a bit of a slowdown when you go through New Bedford. Just before the center of Fall River, exit for Route 24 South, then follow the signs for Newport.
Once you're on Aquidneck Island (Newport's at the tip of the island), traffic can get pretty bogged down - not as bad as Cape rental traffic, but the highway is a local one with traffic lights and a number of malls. Give yourself about 30 minutes from exiting I-195 to the heart of Newport.
In Newport proper, you'll want to find parking as quickly as possible. It's unfortunately rather few and far between for street parking! Though you may have better luck up by the mansions. If you find parking off of Thames Street (the "main drag"), you'll walk uphill to get to where the mansions are. (Or take the trolley, which sounds like a nice option.)
Also, as another poster referred to, the airport is actually a bit easier to get to if you don't go through Providence. You would want to take Rt. 138 over the Jamestown bridge, then follow signs for Rt. 4 North, and finally onto I-95 North; the airport is Exit 13. At the very least, you'll avoid driving through Providence, which seems to be perennially under construction! (Note this is a different bridge than the one you will arrive on from Route 24 - looking at a map of the area will really help get your bearings!)
[If you do want to go through Providence to the airport, go back up Aquidneck Island the way you came to Route 24 North, then I-195 West. In Providence, bear left at the I-95 split onto I-95 South, then follow to Exit 13 / TF Green Airport.]
Either way, the airport is probably about 45 minutes away; the Jamestown Bridge option should be less congested and more scenic...
Happy travelling, ggreen
I definitely agree that you'll need to get off-Cape as early as possible to beat the mid-month rental switchover.
Keep in mind that coming from Welfleet, Rt. 6 is one lane in each direction for a number of miles until you round the bend from Chatham; it widens into 2 lanes each direction at the Dennis-Yarmouth border. Stay on Rt. 6 over the Sagamore Bridge and follow Rt. 6 down the Cape Cod Canal (as opposed to following the canal on the cape-side), then merge onto Rt. 25. The exit for I-195 is at the other end of Rt. 25, and is only one direction as this is the beginning (or rather end) of I-195. Route 25 and I-195 should be fairly traffic-free except a bit of a slowdown when you go through New Bedford. Just before the center of Fall River, exit for Route 24 South, then follow the signs for Newport.
Once you're on Aquidneck Island (Newport's at the tip of the island), traffic can get pretty bogged down - not as bad as Cape rental traffic, but the highway is a local one with traffic lights and a number of malls. Give yourself about 30 minutes from exiting I-195 to the heart of Newport.
In Newport proper, you'll want to find parking as quickly as possible. It's unfortunately rather few and far between for street parking! Though you may have better luck up by the mansions. If you find parking off of Thames Street (the "main drag"), you'll walk uphill to get to where the mansions are. (Or take the trolley, which sounds like a nice option.)
Also, as another poster referred to, the airport is actually a bit easier to get to if you don't go through Providence. You would want to take Rt. 138 over the Jamestown bridge, then follow signs for Rt. 4 North, and finally onto I-95 North; the airport is Exit 13. At the very least, you'll avoid driving through Providence, which seems to be perennially under construction! (Note this is a different bridge than the one you will arrive on from Route 24 - looking at a map of the area will really help get your bearings!)
[If you do want to go through Providence to the airport, go back up Aquidneck Island the way you came to Route 24 North, then I-195 West. In Providence, bear left at the I-95 split onto I-95 South, then follow to Exit 13 / TF Green Airport.]
Either way, the airport is probably about 45 minutes away; the Jamestown Bridge option should be less congested and more scenic...
Happy travelling, ggreen
Jun 26th, 2006, 07:33 PM
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P.S. Now for some non-driving opinions -LOL. The Cliff Walk is an interesting way to see a number of the mansions. It's a path that winds along the cliff with the ocean on one side and the lawns of the great houses on the other.
Each of the mansions has its own distinct pleasures.
- The Breakers is the blockbuster, showy and huge - there's even a children's "play house" big enough to walk inside! It's one of a few Vanderbilt "cottages" in Newport; Marble House is another (also amazing).
- Rosecliff is romantic; I've been to weddings in its ballroom, and films are often shot there (one that comes to mind is the opening scene of True Lies, of all things-!).
- Chateau-sur-Mer is I think one of the oldest mansions; I remember a lot of wood carvings inside, but I haven't been there in many years.
- Last year I went to the newly opened Isaac Bell house. It's not a mansion, and the preservation society has taken a different tack with it, showing how restoration is done. We found it very interesting, but probably something best left for a subsequent visit, given your short stay.
- Likewise, Green Animals should be left for another visit. It's in Portsmouth, at the top of Aquidneck Island, and will distract from really getting to see a bit of Newport during your short time.
Enjoy!
Each of the mansions has its own distinct pleasures.
- The Breakers is the blockbuster, showy and huge - there's even a children's "play house" big enough to walk inside! It's one of a few Vanderbilt "cottages" in Newport; Marble House is another (also amazing).
- Rosecliff is romantic; I've been to weddings in its ballroom, and films are often shot there (one that comes to mind is the opening scene of True Lies, of all things-!).
- Chateau-sur-Mer is I think one of the oldest mansions; I remember a lot of wood carvings inside, but I haven't been there in many years.
- Last year I went to the newly opened Isaac Bell house. It's not a mansion, and the preservation society has taken a different tack with it, showing how restoration is done. We found it very interesting, but probably something best left for a subsequent visit, given your short stay.
- Likewise, Green Animals should be left for another visit. It's in Portsmouth, at the top of Aquidneck Island, and will distract from really getting to see a bit of Newport during your short time.
Enjoy!
Jun 26th, 2006, 08:32 PM
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I agree you should give it a shot to enjoy a few hours in Newport.
Depending on your exact interests and what you want to see in your short time (mansion, Ocean Drive, lunch) I would suggest you might want to avoid the actual 'downtown' wharf area - while it is fun and on the water that particular stretch of America's Cup Avenue can be very crowded for parking and walking - and it is basically the main strip along the harbor with the various wharfs (Bowens, Bannister, etc) full of shops and restaurants where you will likely encounter long lines for lunch unless you are willing to grab a quick 'bite to go' and while Black Pearl is lovely, parking and eating in this area could 'eat up a lot of your time'
So, if shopping (boutiques mixed with chain stores) isn't what you want to occupy your time with - and in my opinion the views of the harbor from this vantage point can be crowded and don't give you a full out appreciation of the harbor - long lines also for the Adirondack sailing vessel cruise and harbor cruises, etc. - and I think you'd better occupy your time by avoiding this area unless at the end of your day you have time for it.
I would think you might prefer driving into Newport via the way past Easton's Beach and Cliff Walk, down Bellevue Avenue (where there is also the International Tennis Hall of Fame if that interests anyone in your party: an excellent museum, with the old grass croquet are in the horseshow)
You can see it on tennisfame.com
If you continued down Bellevue you would drive past all the mansions and choose the one that most interests you from the website which was already listed above.
If you are looking for the over the top, I would consider Marble House or Breakers. Astor's Beechwood is not opulent and RoseCliff, while lovely, is the one modeled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles - so more that flair than 'opulent' imported marbles, 'gilded age' etc.
You could consider walking the Cliff Walk, but check it out first on Cliffwalk.com, they are still doing renovations and the entire walk will likely not be possible - you can see on their web that you walk with the water on one side and the backside of the mansions on your other - and see if you want to take time out of your day to do this.
So I think you should drive down Bellevue, see a mansion (or two depending on the tour times) and continue on driving down Ocean Drive which is lovely and on to Castle Hill -
castlehillinn.com
You can read about it on their web and see if that area interests you - Castle Hill would offer you lovely grounds to walk and magnificent views of the water, bridge, and you could lunch there.
Then if you had time, you could venture into the 'downtown' wharf area.
The Elms is magnificent, but mostly for the gardens and isn't as opulent as Marble House or Breakers.
Taking into account the possibility of some traffic, I think you would have a more leisurely yet enjoyable time if you drove Bellevue, saw one mansion, continued on Ocean Drive, to Castle Hill, and then headed out via the America's Cup Avenue just to see the waterfront shopping area if you were so inclined.
Gonewport.com is a good site with lots of info -
tourist sites, getting around, etc and suggested driving routes for Bellevue, Ocean Drive, harbor, etc as well as drive times and directions from many points and to the airport (which I believe you can also get from the TFGreen airport site, which is in Warwick and not Providence) I think it is pdvairport.com
Depending on your exact interests and what you want to see in your short time (mansion, Ocean Drive, lunch) I would suggest you might want to avoid the actual 'downtown' wharf area - while it is fun and on the water that particular stretch of America's Cup Avenue can be very crowded for parking and walking - and it is basically the main strip along the harbor with the various wharfs (Bowens, Bannister, etc) full of shops and restaurants where you will likely encounter long lines for lunch unless you are willing to grab a quick 'bite to go' and while Black Pearl is lovely, parking and eating in this area could 'eat up a lot of your time'
So, if shopping (boutiques mixed with chain stores) isn't what you want to occupy your time with - and in my opinion the views of the harbor from this vantage point can be crowded and don't give you a full out appreciation of the harbor - long lines also for the Adirondack sailing vessel cruise and harbor cruises, etc. - and I think you'd better occupy your time by avoiding this area unless at the end of your day you have time for it.
I would think you might prefer driving into Newport via the way past Easton's Beach and Cliff Walk, down Bellevue Avenue (where there is also the International Tennis Hall of Fame if that interests anyone in your party: an excellent museum, with the old grass croquet are in the horseshow)
You can see it on tennisfame.com
If you continued down Bellevue you would drive past all the mansions and choose the one that most interests you from the website which was already listed above.
If you are looking for the over the top, I would consider Marble House or Breakers. Astor's Beechwood is not opulent and RoseCliff, while lovely, is the one modeled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles - so more that flair than 'opulent' imported marbles, 'gilded age' etc.
You could consider walking the Cliff Walk, but check it out first on Cliffwalk.com, they are still doing renovations and the entire walk will likely not be possible - you can see on their web that you walk with the water on one side and the backside of the mansions on your other - and see if you want to take time out of your day to do this.
So I think you should drive down Bellevue, see a mansion (or two depending on the tour times) and continue on driving down Ocean Drive which is lovely and on to Castle Hill -
castlehillinn.com
You can read about it on their web and see if that area interests you - Castle Hill would offer you lovely grounds to walk and magnificent views of the water, bridge, and you could lunch there.
Then if you had time, you could venture into the 'downtown' wharf area.
The Elms is magnificent, but mostly for the gardens and isn't as opulent as Marble House or Breakers.
Taking into account the possibility of some traffic, I think you would have a more leisurely yet enjoyable time if you drove Bellevue, saw one mansion, continued on Ocean Drive, to Castle Hill, and then headed out via the America's Cup Avenue just to see the waterfront shopping area if you were so inclined.
Gonewport.com is a good site with lots of info -
tourist sites, getting around, etc and suggested driving routes for Bellevue, Ocean Drive, harbor, etc as well as drive times and directions from many points and to the airport (which I believe you can also get from the TFGreen airport site, which is in Warwick and not Providence) I think it is pdvairport.com
Jun 27th, 2006, 05:00 AM
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Rex, given your interest in the Mansions/Guilded age, I couldn't agree more with Escargot's itinerary. Parking in the Harbourfront area, and waiting for a trolley or tour bus to take you to the mansions, will waste time you don't have. Drive directly to the mansions of your choice (using the "back way", past Easton's Beach that Escargot recommends), then do the cliff walk/ ocean drive and lunch at Castle Hill (maybe reservations needed on a Saturday?). Then if time the wharf area. I would add that one thing I have noticed over the last several years of flying out of PVD is although the airport traffic, parking, rental car return, etc are not crowded and a real breeze, ticketing lines (even the self check in kiosks), baggage screening lines, and security check point lines always seem to be inordinately long (at least when I have been there). So if you are one of those people who like to show up last minute, be prepared for some frustration....
Jun 27th, 2006, 06:04 AM
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Rex
You do have time to get a "taste' of Newport. Drive off the cape as early as you can. There are several options in Newport. When you first get there do the Ocean Drive (10 miles, gorgeous views). If you start on the harbor side, you will end up on Bellevue Ave where all the mansions are. There are many you can tour. As mentioned, The Breakers is the largest and arguably the best. The tour will take an hour or so (you go in groups and are escorted around the house). After this get a lunch somewhere off Thames St on the water.(Black Pearl has been mentioned. There are lots of places).
One word of caution, The International Tennis Hall of Fame has their annual Induction and Tournament that weekend so there will be "extra" traffic to contend with.
Getting to TF Green airport in Providence is easy and will take 30-45 min once you get out of Newport.
Have fun.
You do have time to get a "taste' of Newport. Drive off the cape as early as you can. There are several options in Newport. When you first get there do the Ocean Drive (10 miles, gorgeous views). If you start on the harbor side, you will end up on Bellevue Ave where all the mansions are. There are many you can tour. As mentioned, The Breakers is the largest and arguably the best. The tour will take an hour or so (you go in groups and are escorted around the house). After this get a lunch somewhere off Thames St on the water.(Black Pearl has been mentioned. There are lots of places).
One word of caution, The International Tennis Hall of Fame has their annual Induction and Tournament that weekend so there will be "extra" traffic to contend with.
Getting to TF Green airport in Providence is easy and will take 30-45 min once you get out of Newport.
Have fun.
Jun 27th, 2006, 06:17 AM
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All good advice Rex,
If you take the well given driving directions that ggreen gave, it will take approx. 3 hours for you to get to Newport.
Also, most cottages (including ours in Truro) make tenents depart no later than 10a - no lingering, so I would say try being on the road no later than 7a, as peek travel is 8a - 12p heading off Cape. It will take you about 50 min - 1 hr. to get to the Cape bridge from Wellfleet.
This will also cut down on the am beach and tourist traffic going into Newport. You have to cross the Sakonnet bridge in Tiverton RI and take narrow roads thru Portsmouth and Middletown as well, which can get jammed with traffic.
Enjoy!
If you take the well given driving directions that ggreen gave, it will take approx. 3 hours for you to get to Newport.
Also, most cottages (including ours in Truro) make tenents depart no later than 10a - no lingering, so I would say try being on the road no later than 7a, as peek travel is 8a - 12p heading off Cape. It will take you about 50 min - 1 hr. to get to the Cape bridge from Wellfleet.
This will also cut down on the am beach and tourist traffic going into Newport. You have to cross the Sakonnet bridge in Tiverton RI and take narrow roads thru Portsmouth and Middletown as well, which can get jammed with traffic.
Enjoy!
Jun 27th, 2006, 07:01 AM
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I can't offer suggestions on Newport itinerary - love the town, rarely get to visit, but have a couple of suggestions on handling Cape traffic (we have 3 vacation rentals down there, and I make the roundtrip nearly every Saturday).
You can check the traffic reports on this website prior to setting out:
www.smartraveler.com
or by phone at 617-374-1234.
For bridges and Cape traffic, hit 71*.
If Rt. 6 is reported to be jammed, you may want to consider taking Rt. 6A from the point where 6 is becoming too congested, and you probably will enjoy the drive more. It is parallel to Rt. 6 and while slower due to being one lane road, it could move faster when 6 is packed. You could get to Rt. 6A pretty much from any exit as there are north-south roads crossing both at regular intervals.
Also, tuning to 10:30 AM on your car radio will give you traffic report every 10 minutes, on the 3 (i.e., 8:03 am, 8:13 am, 8:23 am, etc).
Have a great trip!
Julia.
You can check the traffic reports on this website prior to setting out:
www.smartraveler.com
or by phone at 617-374-1234.
For bridges and Cape traffic, hit 71*.
If Rt. 6 is reported to be jammed, you may want to consider taking Rt. 6A from the point where 6 is becoming too congested, and you probably will enjoy the drive more. It is parallel to Rt. 6 and while slower due to being one lane road, it could move faster when 6 is packed. You could get to Rt. 6A pretty much from any exit as there are north-south roads crossing both at regular intervals.
Also, tuning to 10:30 AM on your car radio will give you traffic report every 10 minutes, on the 3 (i.e., 8:03 am, 8:13 am, 8:23 am, etc).
Have a great trip!
Julia.
Jun 27th, 2006, 07:39 AM
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Here's the website for the trolley tour I mentioned in an earlier post:
http://www.vikingtoursnewport.com/sightseeing.htm
We left our car in the visitor's center parking lot and rode the trolley around town. Tour #3 took us through past all the points of interest, including the Ocean Drive, and tours of two mansions. The tour guide was knowledgeable and answered all our questions.
Have fun no matter how you decide to tour Newport.
http://www.vikingtoursnewport.com/sightseeing.htm
We left our car in the visitor's center parking lot and rode the trolley around town. Tour #3 took us through past all the points of interest, including the Ocean Drive, and tours of two mansions. The tour guide was knowledgeable and answered all our questions.
Have fun no matter how you decide to tour Newport.
