Road trip b/w NYC and Newport RI
 

Good day all

Trying to figure out what I want to do with some free time I may have coming up.

I am likely to drive to NYC from DC for a few days and then move on to more of the road trip before turning around to head back.

I think with the time I have, going onward to Newport RI for a few days before turning around and heading back to DC is likely the most doable.

Any tips on stopovers along the way? Or things to while there and nearby?

I haven't been to Newport in many years, I just remember it was gorgeous with the mansions and the ocean.

Thank you

It's not a long drive, perhaps 3 1/2 hours. In New Haven, CT, (about 1 1/2 hours from NYC) Yale University has two art museums and one for natural history, if either is of interest. Good pizza nearby.

In Mystic, CT (about 2 hours from NYC) the Seaport is perhaps our best maritime museum. Check their website to see what's on.

Nearby Stonington Borough boasts a well-maintained collection of 18th and 19th century houses, and a few good restaurants. It would be less than an hour from there to Newport.

Flygirl, I’ve enjoyed visits to Newport Mansions and have wanted to return and explore the Cliff Walk. ( It was too cold and windy on previous visits.)
On your way home, 2 hours from DC, if you have not visited, I recommend
https://www.winterthur.org in Delaware and
https://longwoodgardens.org in PA. They’re only 20 minutes apart.
If you like NC Wyeth paintings the Brandywine River Museum is located between the 2 places.

Agree you don't really need a "stop" between NY and Newport as it's not that far. But you could do a slight 'detour' to Providence (or as a day trip if you are spending a few nights in Newport). Providence has a lovely riverfront walk, a good historic section and Brown U has a nice campus.

Considering the costs and difficulty of parking in NYC are you sure you don't want to take an Amtrak train at least to New York Penn station if not onward to some place in CT? You should be able to rent a car someplace in CT to go into Rhode Island. Many people consider visiting New York City with a car to be quite a hassle.
There is an Amtrak station in Mystic.

Fra-Diablo mentioned most of the stops I would suggest, but just a short distance from your route is Mashantucket museum on the campus of Foxwoods casino. It is a wonderful look at the native Americans in the area from the recession of the glaciers to present. It is open Wednesday to Saturday, 9-5. You do not have to go to the casino it is a half mile or so away.

if you are driving back to DC there are lots of other routes with points of interest like rail trails for hike/walks, art museums, boat rentals, day cruises, etc. depending on your interests, the weather and the route you take.

Another enthusiastic vote for Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center Mashantucket Pequot Museum suggested by oldmalloy!