Back in the days when the America's Cup was an annual event in Newport, it was sheer bedlam. Don't know about the present. Parking is always a problem. Look into the RIPTA parking on (of course) America's Cup Avenue near the Jamestown Bridge. http://www.gonewport.com/visitor-center

topping.

I also can only speak to back when the America's Cup was annually held in Newport. I agree with Fra both on my recollection of the event back then and the continual parking problems!

That said, the America's Cup crowd and visitors to the mansions/Cliff Walk tend to be two different breeds. Especially if the latter are scared away from town because of the volume of the former, you might be in luck up there! Thames, OTOH, will be a zoo...

Any chance you'd want recommendations for other places to visit in the vicinity?

Thanks Fra_Diavolo and ggreen

I've been to the area many times and actually tended to avoid going into Newport over the summer in general due to the crowds. I'm much happier visiting off-season.

On the other hand, I did stop by last year on Memorial Day weekend and I agree that mansion crowds are not always going to other places and vice versa, so I may try it this weekend anyway. I have some unused parts of a multi-house pass left, and summer is the only time when all the mansions are open.

On Thames I usually park all the way down past the International Yacht Restoration School, near or past "Scales & Shells" . Fewer visitors there usually so maybe I'll luck out again.

"Any chance you'd want recommendations for other places to visit in the vicinity?"

Always! I'm in the area a couple times a year and love to explore (up to Bristol, down Route 77 to Sakonnet point, the vineyards, etc) so add to my list

Any new casual restaurants? In Newport it's usually Cafe Zelda, though my last lunch there seemed below par. If I head down towards Little Compton I may try the Tap Room at Stone House. I thought that place had 2 restaurants and a much fussier menu last year, but what I see now looks pretty good.

I'm much happier visiting off-season.

Me too. I can't say for certain, but I'd think that lower Thames will still be more crowded (proximity to the boats) than up the hill... I usually try to find parking somewhere around the Hotel Viking: it's not too bad a walk (a little long) to the mansions, and an easy downhill to the waterfront.

// I have no good suggestions of late for casual restaurants. Last time there I ended up in Panero Bread! (Yuck!) For dinner, my fave is Fluke Wine Bar & Kitchen, right on Bowen's Wharf and up a flight of stairs.

It's a little hit-or-miss, but I enjoy an afternoon in Tiverton Four Corners. A few small art galleries there in addition to the shops. Sandwiches at the Provender and of course ice cream at Gray's! On summer weekends (Saturday I think?) there's a small farmers market, too. I like to walk down Neck Road from behind the Provender and all the way up around the bend to where there's a small local beach (maybe about 2 miles?). Pretty homes and farms make the walk.
www.tivertonfourcorners.com

Another good place for sandwiches is Partners Village Store in Westport, MA, though service can be slow. IMO the best lobster roll around! (Westport has one of the largest active lobster fleets in MA.) Partners itself is a fun gift shop, chock-a-block full of a variety of things. There are now two gallery spaces in the field behind Partners, one of which IMO rivals galleries in more cosmopolitan locales (DeeDee Shattuck Gallery), and the other with less-known local artists.
http://partnersvillagestore.com
www.dedeeshattuckgallery.com

Another suggestion would be New Bedford, MA. It's still a gritty fishing town, but there's a thriving art scene there too. UMass has an IMO terrific fine art program; if you can catch the MFA thesis show in university's gallery the old Star Building, it's really worthwhile. The UMass gallery also has had some very interesting solo shows over the years. Crowell's Fine Art is one of a number of galleries in the area (and the only one that comes to mind at the moment), near the wonderfully refurbished Whaling Museum. Soup and sandwiches at the Keltic Kaffe (sp?) across the street from the Whaling Museum are good. And if you like artisan jewelry, look for Be Jeweled.
http://shopbejeweledonline.com/