sharbev

Hi...my family is thinking about spending Thanksgiving in Newport. We've never been and always enjoy checking out places "out of season". My husband and I are mid-late 30's and our 2 boys are 1 and 3. We'd also like to bring our small dog. We need suggestions for all the details.

We plan to arrive Wed and leave Sat.

Lodging: So far, considering Hotel Viking and Hyatt Regency. Are these good/wise choices? Differences between them? Others I should consider?
Dining: Main concern is Thanksgiving. We'd like something traditional, fun, etc. Should we travel out of Newport or is there someplace good in town? Other fun kid-friendly options for the rest of the trip?

Activity: We'd like a hotel with an indoor pool. I understand the outdoor Ice Skating Rink opens that weekend. Would be nice to see the Mansions or maybe just Astors Beechwood. Carriage rides available? Also would consider visiting a tree farm...I know some in New England will ship, but that may be more in VT, NH, etc. Suggestions for things to do with the kids?

Babysitting: Any hotels/services that provide good child care for an evening out?

Okay, please feel free to add anything you feel would be helpful. Forgive my naivete, as I mentioned, we've not been before.
Also, we are considering (to avoid holiday traffic a bit) breaking the trip up and staying in the Darien/Bridgeport/Stamford area on Tues night before arrival and Saturday night on the way home. Any recommendations for affordable hotels?
Thanks,
Shari

capecodshanty

Sharbey,

Last year, we spent Thanksgiving in Newport. We loved the Viking, but not sure they will allow a dog. Their Thanksgiving dinner is wonderful, but books very quickly, and you may be too late for reservations. The same with Castle Hill, whose Thanksgiving menu is also wonderful, with spectacular views to boot! The Viking can put you in touch with sitters for the children.

I would suggest you go online, and reserve before hand the mansion tour of your choice, and kid friendly activities thazt will be open that weekend.

LarryBee

The Hyatt is out on Goat Island, so you will generally have a very short drive to waterfront and other attractions. Parking and traffic are not much of problem this time of year, so I am not sure that would matter much.
A kid friendly option that may be open to you is a seal watch boat trip: http://www.savebay.org/news_sealwatch.asp

Also, the area you are looking to stay in CT is only 2.5 hours away from Newport. Not sure how that helps break up the drive?

lvk

I just wanted to chime in here and say, of all of the Newport Mansions, (I've seen them all except Doris Duke's Rough Point) Mrs. Astor's Beechwood was my least favorite. The Breakers is the most impressive, IMO. When we were there at Thanksgiving a few years ago, the interiors were decorated, but the exterior decorations had not been finished on the Friday after Thanksgiving. You may want to schedule your tour for Saturday or Sunday. www.newportmansions.org

You must do the ten mile drive www.oceandrivenewport.com. Brenton Point State Park is a nice place for letting them (and the pup) run around. Since it is always windy there, you might want to bring a kite to fly. I think your kids are too young for the Cliff Walk.

Other good restaurants, in addition to the suggestions above:
White Horse Tavern (one of the oldest in the country)
The Black Pearl
The Moorings
Christie's
You would have to check if these places are serving Thanksgiving dinner.

Enjoy!

escargot

I agree with IVk, I have also been to all the mansions, and while I enjoyed our evening at Astors Beechwood with the characters, etc - it is the least 'opulent' if you want to really see something from the Gilded Age, you should go to the mansion web site and look at perhaps Marble House or Breakers, which should be decorated by the time you arrive, but I believe are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Also a second for the ten mile drive, lots of spots to stop and see beautiful vistas and stop at Castle Hill for the views from there -

The International Tennis Hall of Fame museum is a great take -

Ice Skating is fun - you can check on the web site for newport yachting center and see if they have anything , in addition to that, going on during that time.

If you google 'pet friendly lodging, newport, ri" you will have lists to choose from if bringing the pet is a must.

I would check into Ford Adams and the Norman Bird Sanctuary for possible outdoor hikes , weather permitting, - good places for toddlers to be free -
unfortunately some of the other kid activity oriented places like bay exploration, etc I believe close on Labor Day.

checking out gonewport.com is always a good bet

Restaurants/places to eat:
(Christie's has closed/ I believe they are keeping the marina and making condos on the site)

Norey's - good diner food and then some -
Red Parrot - good for burgers, nachos, saladsk
Brick Alley Pub
if just the adults: Castle Hill, Black Pearl, 21 Bowens and a ton of other great night spots with dinner, music you can find on go newport page.

Ben & Jerry's for ice cream !!

I'm there every July, but my friend lives there yearround, I'll ask her about off season toddler things if I get the chance and post back

sharbev

I just want to thank EVERYONE for all the fabulous help and suggestions. We booked a great package at the Hotel Viking and b/c we booked a 2 night pkg and a 1 nt pkg (to cover our 3 night stay) we get 2 sets of each of the "vouchers" for free mansion tours, ice skating, etc.

Still in planning stages, so feel free to keep adding restaurant and toddler-happy activities we may want to check out.

Also interested in a laid-back bar/club/lounge to hear some good jazz on Friday night.

Thanks again!