newport RI ideas
Jun 26th, 2001, 12:02 PM
#2
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The Newport Historical Society operates all the mansion tours and you can buy entry to one mansion or get a combo ticket which gives you entry to more tours (the greater the number of tours you take, the more you pay). I would suggest doing 2 mansion tours - they last about two hours each; any more could be repeptitive, although the mansions are spectacular. The best mansion tour is the Breakers, which was owned by the Vanderbilts (I believe). Another good tour is Marble House where The Great Gatsby was filmed.
Beware the Cliff Walk. It is not officially operated by any government or tourist body - which is truly a shame because it offers some beautiful views of the mansions and the sea. Anyhow, The Cliff Walk is merely a path that, due to hurricanes and the elements, has been allowed to degrade over time. If you have anyone in your party who cannot periodically hop up on a wall and back down the other side, then perhaps the Cliff Walk is not for them. Otherwise, pack comfortable shoes. The Cliff Walk entrance is just before you hit 2nd Beach off Memorial Ave (I believe the name of the hotel which sits at the entrance is The Cliff House?).
It's been a while since I've been to Newport, but I remember that there are ample boating activities and oportunities to fish, etc. I am sure if you walk in among the piers and wharves along Thames Street (pronouced "Thaymes," not "Tems" like the river in London) you will find plenty of sea-faring options.
Beware the Cliff Walk. It is not officially operated by any government or tourist body - which is truly a shame because it offers some beautiful views of the mansions and the sea. Anyhow, The Cliff Walk is merely a path that, due to hurricanes and the elements, has been allowed to degrade over time. If you have anyone in your party who cannot periodically hop up on a wall and back down the other side, then perhaps the Cliff Walk is not for them. Otherwise, pack comfortable shoes. The Cliff Walk entrance is just before you hit 2nd Beach off Memorial Ave (I believe the name of the hotel which sits at the entrance is The Cliff House?).
It's been a while since I've been to Newport, but I remember that there are ample boating activities and oportunities to fish, etc. I am sure if you walk in among the piers and wharves along Thames Street (pronouced "Thaymes," not "Tems" like the river in London) you will find plenty of sea-faring options.
Jun 26th, 2001, 01:27 PM
#3
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Hi Michael. I was a day-tripper to Newport just 2 weeks ago for the sole purpose of touring the mansions. My friend and I opted for the Gilded Age Experience tour, which consisted of tours of the following: The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, The Elms, Marble House and Rosecliff. That ticket also gained entrance to the Breakers Stable & Carriage House. I have to warn you that touring 5 mansions in one day is almost impossible. We only managed to get to 4 and we were exhausted by the end of the day. If you have only limited time I would suggest The Breakers and Marble House. You have to see The Breakers to believe it. Our guide said it had been estimated that if The Breakers were built today it would cost $1 trillion to build. Yes, that is a "T". Marble House offered audio-cassettes that allowed you to take the quick tour or you could listen to all the extras that give you a flavor of the times. (Note to Ryan: The Great Gatsby was filmed at Rosecliff and not Marble House.) If you have time for a 3rd mansion I would suggest Rosecliff. It's beautiful and very tasteful and in fact is still used today for weddings, parties, etc.
You can find out more info on the mansions at www.newportmansions.org.
You can find out more info on the mansions at www.newportmansions.org.
Jun 27th, 2001, 10:21 AM
#5
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Michael,
I agree with Sharona about too many mansions being overwhelming. Being from New England I've had the opportunity to visit Newport often and I usually only visit one mansion at a time and spend the rest of the visit either walking the cliff walk or biking.
I would like to recommend a mansion that has not been mentioned yet - it was owned by the Astors and I'm not sure of the name - maybe Beechwood or something like that. Anyways - there are actors in period dress playing the parts of the residents of the house. Your invited to have tea with Mrs Astor and your ticket is your "invitation". The doorman takes your invitation and ushers you into the drawing room to wait with the other guests. The maid comes in a chats with the group awhile - staying in character and commenting on style of dress (shorts), children out without their nannies, painted toenails (you must be gypsies) etc. etc. The tour continues like that and the group is always just missing seeing Mrs. Astor. It's a lot of fun and you see a lovely mansion and get a little view of the lifestyle that was enjoyed in the "cottages".
I also recommend biking - I'm sure you can rent them there. The bike ride along Ocean Drive is spectacular with beautiful views of the ocean. The cycling is on the road but the traffic is going slow to enjoy the view so it's not too bad.
Have a nice visit.
I agree with Sharona about too many mansions being overwhelming. Being from New England I've had the opportunity to visit Newport often and I usually only visit one mansion at a time and spend the rest of the visit either walking the cliff walk or biking.
I would like to recommend a mansion that has not been mentioned yet - it was owned by the Astors and I'm not sure of the name - maybe Beechwood or something like that. Anyways - there are actors in period dress playing the parts of the residents of the house. Your invited to have tea with Mrs Astor and your ticket is your "invitation". The doorman takes your invitation and ushers you into the drawing room to wait with the other guests. The maid comes in a chats with the group awhile - staying in character and commenting on style of dress (shorts), children out without their nannies, painted toenails (you must be gypsies) etc. etc. The tour continues like that and the group is always just missing seeing Mrs. Astor. It's a lot of fun and you see a lovely mansion and get a little view of the lifestyle that was enjoyed in the "cottages".
I also recommend biking - I'm sure you can rent them there. The bike ride along Ocean Drive is spectacular with beautiful views of the ocean. The cycling is on the road but the traffic is going slow to enjoy the view so it's not too bad.
Have a nice visit.
Jun 27th, 2001, 10:39 AM
#6
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Another mansion not part of the "package" is Doris Duke's Rough Point. You have to make reservation from some group (sorry, I don't know) but the tours are limited to a small number per day.
Doris Duke at one time was the richest girl in the world and led and interesting life. There have been several books on her and there was a miniseries on tv a year or two about her.
Doris Duke at one time was the richest girl in the world and led and interesting life. There have been several books on her and there was a miniseries on tv a year or two about her.
Jun 27th, 2001, 06:19 PM
#7
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Thank you again everyone
We are planning on arriving late on Tuesday the 3rd of July. Hopefully the weather and the mansions are open on the 4th and we will catch the fireworks from our hotel room. We are spending Thursday and leaving Friday.
We are planning to go to the Touro synagogue and maybe a boat trip? and biking?
thanks everyone
Michael
We are planning on arriving late on Tuesday the 3rd of July. Hopefully the weather and the mansions are open on the 4th and we will catch the fireworks from our hotel room. We are spending Thursday and leaving Friday.
We are planning to go to the Touro synagogue and maybe a boat trip? and biking?
thanks everyone
Michael
Jun 28th, 2001, 02:59 AM
#8
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The advice you are getting above is good (one small point, the Cliff Walk begins off Memorial Blvd at 1st beach, not second as stated above). For boat trips, there is a marina right at the hotel you are staying at; there you will find Viking tours(boat and bus tours), sailing lessons, and some fishing charters I think. If you want to get a feel for what you are in for go to www.livewave.com and click on the "Narragansett Bay" camera- it's a remote controlable webcam perched on top of the very hotel you'll be staying at and offers a fantastic view of the bay and Newport Harbor.
Jun 28th, 2001, 05:03 AM
#9
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Larry, Thanks so much for the web cam address. We've been thinking of going up for a long weekend, and would be staying at that hotel, so it was fun to take a "look around". Some beautiful boats in that anchorage! Is Bristol a reasonable drive for a couple day's activities, do you know?
Jun 28th, 2001, 06:39 AM
#10
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The Astors Beachwood also has a murder mystery show one night a week, that is really fun if you like that type of thing. "Guests" (ie. you) explore all over the house looking for clues. My favorite mansion is The Elms. I prefer the audio tape tours to human-guided. There is also a vineyard/tasting tour next door in Middletown. Have a blast! Wish I were going again!
