sistahlou

Castle Inn!!!!!!!!

I think the Arabella schooner still sails part time from Newport. I'd also start googling to see if you can find a private charter as there are sooo many beautiful boats.

escargot

I am so glad you found lodging at Castle Inn -you won't be disappointed. Sunset at Castle HIll is amazing. If there is not a wedding or function in the separate lower buildling, walk down the back to the archway they use for events - it's the perfect spot for photos during sunset with an amazing view behind your subjects of the bay and bridge !

If it is private charter you want, sail or power, then I would contact
Elizabeth Tiedemann at Seascope Yachts -
seascopenewport.com -
take a look at the vessels she represents, they are fabulous as is her reputation, character and just an all around knowledgeable person.

The Adirondack I mentioned in above post does sails in Newport harbor, it's a 78' schooner that takes about 60 people and goes out about 5 or 6 times a day, if yoyu do that I would choose either day time or dusk to see sunset if it is a nice day.
the tix booth is righ ton the corner of America's Cup Ave -

You can access info thru either the Newport Yachting Center web site, or I think the site Wyatt mentioned might bring you to the same general info
I assumed you wanted to be a guest and not learning/ the latter brings different options.

Other than that, I would research the things mentioned in this thread and try and pace yourself but fill every moment! -

the vineyard I mentioned above is Newport Vineyard and the web site is newportvineyards.com -
now if you have been to Napa, etc you will not find this particularly exciting -but if you have not and enjoy wine and seeing how a vineyard operates, they are about 10 minutes from Castle Hill and a nice little side trip, the tours are at 1 and 3, see and learn about vineyards, how wine is made, have some wine tastings, and they have a lovely little store of course too !

There is also Sakonnet vineyards in Little Compton, but if something like this interests you, I'd stick with having this one, so close, on your list if it happens to work for you while you are there.

The mansion web site I gave you above will help yoyu determine which mansions to see - some are more over the top than others, more 'gilded age' and outrageous than say a Rosecliff which is more french (built after the petite trianon), etc - the Elms has beautiful gardens, so you will be able to make some choices from the web site to help you choose.

If you like tennis, the Int'l Tennis Hall of Fame is a beauty of a museum dedicated to tennis and seeing the entire facility is fabulous in itself.

I would suggest thinking of arriving via the ten mile ocean drive I mention above - you can begin it and end at Castle HIll and finish it another time, but it's a lovely way to get a feel for newport your first arriving, or do the whole 10 mile drive and then check in - click on that web link
oceandrivenewport.com
and read about what you woudl see to make sure it interests you and you can stop or not along the way

also perhaps stopping at the transportation/info center and grabbing all the latest publications and go newport magazines, etc for any last minute things -

Cliffwalk.com will let you know what is up with the cliffwalk/ if parts are open or closed/ and give you an idea if you want to enjoy that and the 'backside' of the mansions and the ocean view - nice early morning walk -

also, down from Castle Hill, all along the oceandrive, and esp at Bretton Point (you can ask at Castle Hill) they are often flying kites during weather appropriate weekends and it is a site to see - the sizes and colors are amazing - and all along opposite, if tide is low enough, a bit of a rocky walk, but lots of great 'finds' as far as shells and sea glass if that is your thing. you can google the bretton point/kites and see if something special is evengoing on , but ifnot, you'll still likely see plenty plenty of kites ! bring your camera.

you can check out the newport web sites too to see if there are any special events/concerts/music/etc you want to get tix for ahead of time - I do think June 3 or 4 is the great chowder cook off at the yachting center which is always fun, butyou don't need tix ahead for that and can play it by ear ify ou are there for that one.

Have fun and here's hoping for perfect weather !

stormygirl

We had such a great time in Newport thanks to your many suggestions!!

Castlehill is fabulous- we had a harbor house and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Sitting on the lawn having cocktails at sunset was the best!

Dinner at Castlehill one night and Shells and Scales another

Sailing on the Adironack II and only 15 people aboard was fantastic!

Mansion tours of Breakers and Marble House and some time spent on the Cliff Walk and driving the Ocean Drive.

Many pictures of many mansions!

And fried clams at Flo's!

thanks again!

escargot

Glad you had such a great time - thanks for posting

gplusg

If you go to the Cape try not to go on a weekend. It will be especially jammed.

Whenever you go---leave as early as you can.