Umpkane

After a year of planning my wife and I will vacation in Newport from Monday, August 9-through Thursday, August 12.
Many of you answered my questions last year as to where to eat,etc and I certainly would be willing to receive more input.
However, my specific questions are:
1. i have reservations at the Hampton Inn in Middletown (1.5 miles from Newport) for $183. per night as well as the Marriott Residence in Middletown (2.5 miles from Newport) and $20, cheaper per night and we would also receive Marriott points.

Will the extra mile from Newport make a difference since we intend to drive to Newport and park (WHERE) for the whole day and then return to the the motel? Obviously, the Marriott is a better financial situation but if the extra mile effects the vacation since it is on Commerce street and not Main street then we can be flexible.

2. Where is best place to leave your car during the day?

3. Could you prioritize the mansions in order if you had to choose only 2 mansions to see?

4. Best local place for breakfast and lunch and dinner?

Thank you all.

richard kane

mimda

my understanding is that these hotels are very, very close to each other.....both within easy driving distance to downtown Newport. All things being equal, I would consider the less expensive because Newport will certainly take the rest of your money! Perhaps an option to parking your car in town all day would be to leave your car at the hotel and take a bus or taxi. Parking can be quite costly.
summer is crowded, and August 9 is a holiday in RI. but Newport is a good walking city, for the most part.
a local place for dinner is the Salvation Army Cafe ( so named because of the decor ).
haven't been to the mansions in a while, but would recommend the Breakers. And don't forget to find the Cliff Walk ( behind the mansions )...The mansions and beaches are uphill from downtown, however. A good Newport city map is helpful.

whereto

I don't think the extra mile makes any difference so I would go with the cheaper hotel.

Park at the garage next to the Visitor Center. I believe if you buy a ticket for the trolley (which is recommended for visiting the mansions)you can park at the garage for $2. Take a look at the website www.gonewport.com and click on the Visitor Center tab for information.Note that this garage can fill up early.

The Breakers is a must. I liked the Marble House also. I would suggest figuring out which mansions you want to see and then determine which mansion ticket best fits, as there are several different types of tickets available.

Have a great time!

cw

Traffic can be heavy going into Newport so that's the only difference in your choice of hotels--a few minutes more in the car. Good advice to get there early, and park in the Visitor Center Garage. If you're just visiting a mansion or two, they have parking and so do the beaches--most of which are in Middletown anyway.

I would combine Rosecliff with the Breakers. Both are amazing but have different different styles.

EmilyC

There certainly is little difference in these two locations. I would pick the Marriott since you will get points.

As far as your other Q's - you already have good advice for parking if you are "doing" the Thames Street area.
You can park directly at the Mansions if you choose and you can park in many places for free on the ocean drive.

My recs for BK - Blue Plate diner..not far from your hotel

For lunch (or dinner) , drive over to Goat Island and eat outside at the new Marina Cafe...great food and great boat watching spot!Picnic lunch at Fort Adams or on the drive.

For dinner:
Best Fish - Scales and Shells
The Pier
Best Beef - 22 Bowen
Best Value - Brick Alley

Have a great trip!

bachslunch

Note that a RIPTA bus line (if memory serves, it's the #60) goes from Providence to Newport every day several times a day, and it runs through Middletown on the way. They head along both East Main Street and West Main Street -- not sure where your lodging is located, and how close it is to the bus routes.

Once you get to Newport, you can either take the trolley going past most of the mansions or walk to see most of the town's attractions. That's certainly one way to beat parking costs.

Liz5959

I think the Breakers is a must, but so does everyone else, so get to that one as early as possible. I love Marble House, with the Chinese Tea house overlooking the water.

The best clam chowder in Newport is at the Black Pearl. They have an outside stand that just sells hot dogs and chowder, an outside restaurant that is nice for lunch, and two inside restaurants, one of which is very upscale. So you should be able to figure out a way to eat chowder without it costing too much.

You have gotten good advice above about parking. IF you park at a meter, be careful. They are very good at giving out tickets. And, from personal experience, don't park in a shop parking lot to go to restaurants on Thames Street--you will be towed (a $150 lesson last May)

Liz5959

Forgot to add...this is the restaurant we went to when the car was towed

http://www.mammaluisa.com/2002/index.htm

Very good Italian

Umpkane

Salvation Cafe was great.

Thanks.

Umpkane

To all who helped on the Newport vacation:

Salvation Cafe was super.
Black Pearl did have the best clam chowder in the world.
We stayed at the Marriot and the the travel to Newport was no big. We parked in the visitors lot and then used the trolley for a $2.00 charge at the parking lot. Was very convenient.
Also ate at Flo's and enjoyed it very much.
Saw the Breakers and the Marble house and di the cliff walk.

Also sat at the bar at Castle Inn for a drink and an appetizer before we went to Flo's. What a place and what a view.

All worked out well and you were all very helpful.

Thank you.