I will be visiting Newport, RI in September via cruise ship and would like to the Marble House and the Breakers. Is car rental necessary? How far is the harbor from the mansions, and how far apart are these two in particular. Thank you!
Transportation from cruise ship to mansions
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I visited both the Breakers and the Marble House last year. They are very close together. Renting a car would be best, you'll enjoy driving around the neighborhood looking at all of the mansions - they are unbelievable! The Breakers is 50 times more impressive than the Marble House - but both are spectacular! The entire area is so nice, plan a picnic on the water after seeing the mansions. Enjoy, you won't be disappointed!
Rather than renting a car consider taking a taxi to Marble House. Then walk to the Breakers - it is around one mile. You would be walking back towards the dock. From the Breakers you could continue walking back to the ship or take a taxi.
Tracy, I have been on lots of cruises and I imagine yours will be offering a tour to the mansions as another option. I lived in RI and doubt you could walk from pier to Ocean Drive unless you are a fitness freak.
Don't overlook Rosecliff..my favorite...There is a trolley service, but I'm not sure if they go towards the mansions.
Tracy,
I would also recommend taking a taxi to the mansions. If you aren't familiar with Newport, driving yourself around can be nerve racking because of all the one-way streets. Another attraction you should consider is the cliff walk which runs between the ocean and the mansions. The scenery is beatiful!
why not get in touch w/the cruise lines and find out if that would be one of their land tours...
Thank you everyone for the information. Yes, the cruiseline offers many land tours, at a nice price. I enjoy doing it on my own, anyway. It's great fun with everyone's help from Fodors. Thanks.
there is a trolley that goes between the harbor and all of the mansions.
what is the fee for the trolley, and will it still be running at the end of october?
From a Native Newporter:
Usually, the best way to see the mansions is on your own. The cruise ship may have its own package, but some of these packages (depending on the cruise line) are outrageously expensive. Most mansions are run by the Preservation Society (newportmansions.org.) There, you can find out mansions and prices to see which option is best for you.
To get to the mansions, the best way to do this (especially if you are coming by ship) is to take the trolley. Trolley service to and from the mansions operates along the RIPTA Yellow (67) line every 20 minutes all day long. One-way fare is $1.25; an all-day pass is $5. Once you are in the mansion area (Bellevue Avenue), walking between the houses is sometimes the best option.
The trolley service has stops about every two blocks along its route but the trolley originates at the Visitors Center, which is a block away from where your shuttle boat from the cruise ship will dock. At the Visitors Center, you can get a map of the mansions, the trolley, and information on everything else in town.
(I discourage you from renting a car because not only are car rental outlets are hard to find in Newport, but directions and traffic can become confusing and annoying.)
So, in a nutshell: take the trolley and be prepared to walk...you'll find tons of things others don't find when you walk. Newport was made for walking.
Have a great time!