scowley

My husband and I are taking our first trip with our new baby (now 7 mos) and staying in Newport all of next week. Any ideas for easy day trips with an infant? I'm interested in Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, possibly Cape Cod or Block Island. I'm open to others as well. We will have a rental car, but would take a ferry as well. Any suggestions?

vjpblovesitaly

Providence? I think Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard would be a pain in the butt to go to for a day trip.

xrae

A friend and I did a week in Newport and for day trips we visited Mystic Seaport, did some lighthouse spotting, and drove to the end of Cape Cod and back in a day. But I've never traveled with a tot so I have no idea if any of those would work for you. Have a great trip! We loved Newport. I would go back.

scowley

Good idea, I was definitely thinking Providence for one day. Sounds like the Cape may be nice but could be a lot of driving. That's the thing about babies... he'll get pretty mad about being in the car all day Does anyone know if there's a ferry of some sort that leaves Newport that could make nice day trip?

msackton

There is a Providence - Newport ferry, which is supposed to be a nice ride although I don't think it really saves you time over driving (see http://www.ripta.com/schedules/ferry.php). Providence is worth a day, whether you drive or take the ferry.

There is also a Quonset - Martha's Vineyard ferry (which leaves from Quonset Point, which is about 15 miles from Newport), but it looks a bit long and a bit pricey, although it might be a decent way to see MV if you wanted to. (see http://www.vineyardfastferry.com/)

There is also a Block Island - Newport ferry, but it looks like it stops running Sept 1st.


If you just want a change of pace from Newport, somewhere like East Beach (in Westerly) is nice.

lvk

There's also the Jamestown ferry which allows you to explore the Rose Island Lighthouse, and other attractions: www.jamestownnewportferry.com/

Your little one might enjoy the Green Animals Topiary: http://tickets.newportmansions.org/mansion.aspx?id=1003

The adults may enjoy some wine tasting: www.coastalwinetrail.com/ (When we visited some of these wineries this summer, we noticed several people with small children asleep or occupied in their strollers.)

For real animals, the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence might be work a stop: www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org/

milemarker0

Nantucket and the Vineyard would be too much for a day trip IMO. You could get to the mid-cape area in about 1 1/2 hours and the outer cape in 2 or so.

There are no ferries to Block Island from newport after Labor Day, but you could head over to Point Judith and get the ferries. About 30-40 minutes from Newport.

escargot

While I love both Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard - I would never think of it as an "easy day trip" with an infant -

at either island, after arriving by ferry or plane, you will have to use the bus transport (on and off with infant and stroller) or rent a car/jeep unless you only stay in the main town the ferry arrives in and then to me it is not worth it b/c you do not get a taste of what the islands are really about

I would stick to one or two day trips - maybe Providence or Mystic or towards Plymouth/Cape -

you can easily fill four - five full days in Newport itself -

litefoot

There is an aquarium in Mystic the tot may like. Providence, RI has a children's museum, several other museums and an interesting mall. There's something called a market bazaar on Thursdays.

scowley

Thanks for the input! We just returned and had a fantastic time. I took your advice; the only day trip we did was Providence, and that was perfect. Newport definitely had plenty going on to keep us occupied. A lovely spot!!