Day Trip to Rhode Island
Jul 22nd, 2011, 07:56 AM
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Day Trip to Rhode Island
Can you believe being chilly outside in Newport while it is almost 100 degrees back in Boston? So it was yesterday in our day trip with friends to Rhode Island while on a Newport Harbor Cruise.
Setting forth we decided to explore quaint Wickford Village www.wickfordvillage.com This would be about two hours from Watertown, MA, depending on traffic. We went via I-95 & 295 & Rte 102 (returning Rte 24 & I-95). So we browsed the shops...not too many in this village but we also just enjoyed a little breeze by the harbor. Lunch was at Tavern by the Sea where I selected sole meuniere, chocolate mousse for dessert. Wife's chicken marsalla was a bit heavy for a hot day. Enjoyable dining outdoors.
On to Newport over the expansion bridge which is indeed quite a touristy seaport with shops lined along the main street. We had only visited Newport many years ago with our small children to visit The Breakers and other mansions. For this day trip we went on a harbor/bay cruise on Amazing Grace. www.oldmarine.com I can see there are many luxurious cruises including ones with dining and for celebrations. This one was OK for our general sightseeing of the important things, including mansions you can't see from land.
Here is where we got our surprise. It was overcast and delightfully breezy in Newport and especially aboard ship. And thus we were a little chilly! A tip: sit on the starboard side because what the guide describes in his narration is on that side (so we had to stand up and twist around to see). Seating is on benches behind the cabin, some also below. Newport has history going back to when it was a prominent port and naval base. Occupation by the British was devastating and after the war Newport couldn't quite regain its trade which had shifted north to Providence and elsewhere.
There was an attempt to regain commercial ventures with whaling and also the slave trade which I gather meant lots of rum in Newport. Then came a revival of popularity as a seaside destination for the rich with the building of the mansions. And now a tourist place. We passed Goat Island and unique mansion called Clingstone on a rock. One interesting piece of history: in the year 1723 there was a hanging of 26 pirates that were captured. I believe they were buried on or under Goat Island.
Ft. Adams State Park is on a peninsula occupied by a massive masonry fort dating back to 1824. Ft. Adams was constructed and remodeled over a number of years and a naval academy during the Civil War. www.riparks.com/fortadams.htm No water at the park. www.fortadams.org The Newport Folk Festival is about to start on the grounds (sold out) and after that comes the Newport Jazz Festival.
There are several lighthouses, one on Rose Island and another at the tip of Ft. Adams. Interesting story about a teenager Amy Lewis whose father the lighthouse keeper died and how she insisted on carrying on and rescued several from drowning. I think this was at the Ft. Adams lighthouse. Along the way various sailing vessels such at the sloop Providence I think owned by Nelson Rockefeller. And the Americas Cup winner. Out in Narragansett Bay we pass by the Naval War College. Oh yes, also moored was a ship used in "Pirates of the Caribbean" and other movies.
And then we looked at the mansions. Can't remember them by name. One was Hammersmith Farm once owned by Jacqueline Kennedy's Auchincloss family where she grew up and then used as the summer White House by JFK. Now in private hands. www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/1226987972 www.newportmansions.org Some mansions I guess are available for tourists such as Castle Hill. Newport seems to ooze money.
Our hour cruise was done and we had to get back home. Another time we will perhaps explore the shops and eateries that some Fodorites likely have enjoyed.
www.newportharborwalk.com By this time we were pretty well exhausted anyway, although not keen on re-entering the reality of summer heat! So back another time to this overlooked tourist destination so close to Boston.
Bill in Boston
Setting forth we decided to explore quaint Wickford Village www.wickfordvillage.com This would be about two hours from Watertown, MA, depending on traffic. We went via I-95 & 295 & Rte 102 (returning Rte 24 & I-95). So we browsed the shops...not too many in this village but we also just enjoyed a little breeze by the harbor. Lunch was at Tavern by the Sea where I selected sole meuniere, chocolate mousse for dessert. Wife's chicken marsalla was a bit heavy for a hot day. Enjoyable dining outdoors.
On to Newport over the expansion bridge which is indeed quite a touristy seaport with shops lined along the main street. We had only visited Newport many years ago with our small children to visit The Breakers and other mansions. For this day trip we went on a harbor/bay cruise on Amazing Grace. www.oldmarine.com I can see there are many luxurious cruises including ones with dining and for celebrations. This one was OK for our general sightseeing of the important things, including mansions you can't see from land.
Here is where we got our surprise. It was overcast and delightfully breezy in Newport and especially aboard ship. And thus we were a little chilly! A tip: sit on the starboard side because what the guide describes in his narration is on that side (so we had to stand up and twist around to see). Seating is on benches behind the cabin, some also below. Newport has history going back to when it was a prominent port and naval base. Occupation by the British was devastating and after the war Newport couldn't quite regain its trade which had shifted north to Providence and elsewhere.
There was an attempt to regain commercial ventures with whaling and also the slave trade which I gather meant lots of rum in Newport. Then came a revival of popularity as a seaside destination for the rich with the building of the mansions. And now a tourist place. We passed Goat Island and unique mansion called Clingstone on a rock. One interesting piece of history: in the year 1723 there was a hanging of 26 pirates that were captured. I believe they were buried on or under Goat Island.
Ft. Adams State Park is on a peninsula occupied by a massive masonry fort dating back to 1824. Ft. Adams was constructed and remodeled over a number of years and a naval academy during the Civil War. www.riparks.com/fortadams.htm No water at the park. www.fortadams.org The Newport Folk Festival is about to start on the grounds (sold out) and after that comes the Newport Jazz Festival.
There are several lighthouses, one on Rose Island and another at the tip of Ft. Adams. Interesting story about a teenager Amy Lewis whose father the lighthouse keeper died and how she insisted on carrying on and rescued several from drowning. I think this was at the Ft. Adams lighthouse. Along the way various sailing vessels such at the sloop Providence I think owned by Nelson Rockefeller. And the Americas Cup winner. Out in Narragansett Bay we pass by the Naval War College. Oh yes, also moored was a ship used in "Pirates of the Caribbean" and other movies.
And then we looked at the mansions. Can't remember them by name. One was Hammersmith Farm once owned by Jacqueline Kennedy's Auchincloss family where she grew up and then used as the summer White House by JFK. Now in private hands. www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/1226987972 www.newportmansions.org Some mansions I guess are available for tourists such as Castle Hill. Newport seems to ooze money.
Our hour cruise was done and we had to get back home. Another time we will perhaps explore the shops and eateries that some Fodorites likely have enjoyed.
www.newportharborwalk.com By this time we were pretty well exhausted anyway, although not keen on re-entering the reality of summer heat! So back another time to this overlooked tourist destination so close to Boston.
Bill in Boston
Jul 22nd, 2011, 08:36 AM
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Bill, thanks for the report! Can't imagine it could be chilly there when we were (and still) dying from the heat here. Never thought about a cruise in Newport but now it makes a lot of sense. I have been to Newport a number of times but sounds like we should return to do a cruise tour.
Jul 22nd, 2011, 10:33 AM
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Yes yk, we were thinking about you, i.e., all the suffering Bostonians! We do hope to return to Newport for further exploration.
Added note/correction: I have been checking on the famous young woman lighthouse keeper mentioned on the harbor cruise whose name was Ida (not Amy) Lewis. What a story of courage and heroism! Taking over duties from her father who suffered a stroke, and her mother as official lighthouse keeper, Ida who was an excellent swimmer had her first rescue at age 16 and gained national fame later on over the years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_Lew...hthouse_keeper)
Added note/correction: I have been checking on the famous young woman lighthouse keeper mentioned on the harbor cruise whose name was Ida (not Amy) Lewis. What a story of courage and heroism! Taking over duties from her father who suffered a stroke, and her mother as official lighthouse keeper, Ida who was an excellent swimmer had her first rescue at age 16 and gained national fame later on over the years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_Lew...hthouse_keeper)
Jul 23rd, 2011, 01:40 PM
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Yes, we did enjoy the hour long harbor cruise which goes out into the Narragansett Bay, a little choppier but no problem. Cost I might mention is reasonable...$15 for adults, $12 seniors, $8 children. As mentioned overcast and delightfully cool but usually we were told it is sunny. Cruises are every hour-and-a-half. My only "complaint" is the hard benches and being behind the cabin so that what is being described isn't yet into view. Location of Amazing Grace is on America's Cup Ave. next to Mooring Restaurant.
Wondering what is worthwhile to see/do in Newport (likely touring the mansions of course) and what eateries recommended for another trip.
Wondering what is worthwhile to see/do in Newport (likely touring the mansions of course) and what eateries recommended for another trip.
Jul 27th, 2011, 08:18 AM
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Ozarkbill, I just want to point out that the Newport Cruise you took was this one, in case others wanted to check it out: http://oldportmarine.com/harbor_tours.htm
[The link you provided in your OP was incorrect.]
[The link you provided in your OP was incorrect.]
Oct 26th, 2011, 01:21 AM
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Try the Brick Alley Pub...http://www.brickalley.com/ it is always a little crowded, but the food is good and the people are nice. I'm not a foodie but it is hard to get a good meal in Newport. If you are up to a 30 minute drive, Champlins in Point Judith is good fresh seafood, cheap, and right on the water. It is basically a shack on stilts but the cost is half or less than Newport prices and if you catch it right you can watch the fisherman unload. Also, the beaches are quite nice during the summer. George's is across the street. George's food is okay but expensive. Not as crowded as Champlin's. Champlin's Seafood 1-401-783-3152 [email protected]
Dec 31st, 2011, 10:38 PM
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Must disagree heartily with Meski re: "...hard to get a good meal in Newport." The town is awash with award winning restaurants at all price points and cuisine. "Farm-to-Table" was perfected at establishments like Tallulah on Thames, Thames Street Kitchen is this season's must, to say nothing of the nation's oldest operating tavern, The White Horse. The Black Pearl, 22 Bowen Moorings on the waterfront, as well as Christies at 41 North. Not to forget Buskers Irish Pub nor Mama Louisa's for the very best Italian cusisine. North Broadway has a pelthora of kitchen talent that draws local patrons year round, Fifth Element, assorted Far Eastern and take away. A favorite on Bellevue Ave. is La Forge next to the grass courts of The Tennis Hall of Fame. Just down Memorial lies Nikolas' Pizza (soon expanding). Castle Hill, The Chanler and Vanderbilt Grace take in the higher end dining classics. Meski, do your research!
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