Sheila

We are trying to find a place for a summer vacation that we do not have to rent a car on the east coast. I have posted questions about Maine also. We want to fly in from Memphis to the east coast and rely on public transportation if there is such a place. Lobster, seafood and relaxation is very important on this trip. Thanks for any help.

alex

We vacationed in Newport last year and are headed to Providence at the end of the week for a wedding. We found that once you are in Newport, you really do not need a car. We stayed at the Captain Preston House B&B and all of the sites were easily walkable. We did go to a wedding on Goat Island and found it useful to have a car to get there but we could have easily taken a taxi as well. There is very good seafood but we found that prices vary dramatically from one place to another and also on the season. I am not sure how you would get to Newport from Providence without a car but someone else might be able to provide more info.

chuckle

Someday, I'm going to compile a list of Fodor's post titles that (intentionally or not) made me laugh. This is one of them. When I first ready it, it sounded as if the poster wanted to know if, when in Newport, you had to rent a car to eat a lobster.

Don't be offended, Sheila. It's just my weird sense of humor.

Sheila

Thanks Alex. I was thinking maybe we could get to Newport by taxi from Providence. The only place we have been in the east is New York and we used local transportation.
You are right, chuckle. I reread my title and it did sound really dumb. Sometimes my fingers get ahead of my brain.

water

There is a ferri that operates a few times a day to take people from Providence to Newport. I've heard that it's a nice ride. Public transportation in Rhode Island isn't so great.

alex

That ferry sounds nice - I bet it is really scenic. I think there is also train service and bus service. I just went on www.visitnewport.com and www.gonewport.com and there is some good info on there. There is also a very small airport in Newport but I have no idea how much a flight into that airport would cost. Newport is about a 45 minute drive from Providence (about 30 miles) so you may want to go on the TF Green airport website and see if there are any shuttles or quoted rates for a cab because I think that a cab might get very expensive. I would definitely check into the ferry - the coast is so beautiful there.

Dick

Not dumb, Sheila, just humorous - and haven't we all done something similar?

You are not alone - with apologies to the self-appointed Fodor police because this is clearly not travel-related, here's a list I was sent of alleged actual headlines from newspapers:

Include Your Children When Baking Cookies
Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
Clinton Wins on Budget, but More Lies Ahead
Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told
Miners Refuse to Work After Death
Stolen Painting Found by Tree
Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout Counter
War Dims Hope for Peace
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last a While
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Chef Throws His Heart into Helping Feed Needy
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
New Vaccine May Contain Rabies
Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
Is There a Ring of Debris Around Uranus?
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jay Walkers
Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
Enraged Cow Injures Farmer with Axe
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
Two Soviet Ships Collide; One Dies
Never Withold Herpes Infection from Loved One
Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Ensfield Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide

George

As this is roaming far afield, I must contribute my favorite double newspaper headline (from his first inaugural): Nixon in a Joking Mood; Balls Too Tight for Dancing

The editor, bless his soul, saw nothing amiss until it was pointed out to him.

LCB

I can't attest to the current lobster prices but you might want to rent a car, if you can get reasonable rates. for some mobility. As previously mentioned, the public transportation leaves a lot to be desired. While everything in the downtown Neport area is close, other areas worth visitng are fairly spread out. (You didn't mention how long you were staying). Also, if you wanted to go the the beach, one of the better beaches in the vicinty is in Middletown, the next town over, and is known as '2nd Beach'. The public beach in Newport, 1st beach always has a lot of red seaweed and is smelly. It could be a long walk, depending on where you stay or you could take a cab. Did you think about perhaps visiting Boston? The public transportation system is great.

John

If you are flying into Providence, there is a shuttle from the airport called "The Newport Shuttle." THey have a desk near baggage claim; however, recommendations are probably a good idea during the summer. I think the fare is about $20/person each way. It is convenient and they will take you to your final destination in Newport.

ONce in Newport, you really only need a car if you are staying off the beaten path. ALso, there are several taxis. Do beware, though...I went to high school in Newport and it always seemed to me like cabs were somewhat pricey (I live in NYC now, and still think Newport cabs were expensive).

alex

One thought if you decide to rent a car, many of the B&B's (like the Captain Preston House) have free parking. We booked Budget's $19.99 Ford Ranger special and they were, of course, out of Rangers so we got a brand new Santa Fe which was quite nice.

eman

Place for Lobster in RI is Nordic Lodge-located in charlestown--They have an all you can eat buffet of lobster, crab, clams, shrimp & tons of other food. Haven't been but I have friends that rave about the place. I believr they have a web site

Ariela

Being a former Newport resident who has gone back without a car, I would definitely suggest the rental. You can get around downtown and the most popular uninteresting beach without one, but you'll see and enjoy more with one. Not sure about the lobster . . .