Visiting Rhode Island - perfect 3-4 days?
 

We're going to Providence for a long weekend just because Southwest had such a cheap fare. We know very little about it. Any suggestions for mid-priced hotels, restaurants, things to see. Is it worth it to drive to Newport for the cliff walk? Other quaint places in Rhode Island?

It's worth it to drive to Newport...not sure for just the cliffwalk though...Newport has plenty to offer besides the cliff walk (which certainly is nice)

Definitely go to Newport and tour the mansions there.

When is the long weekend?

Thanks for the Newport affirmatins.
And thank you for asking Emily, we're going in December.

Random RI thoughts:

I would choose to stay in Newport most of the weekend and explore a little bit of Providence on your way back to the airport. The mansions are decorated beautifully for Christmas. www.newportmansions.org

Also, do a search on this board for Newport and Providence dining recommendations. I know I have seen some recently.

If you stay in Providence, Courtyard by Marriott is a reasonable hotel choice downtown. The PVD airport is actually in Warwick, not Providence, so an airport hotel would not be a good choice.

In Providence, check out www.waterfire.org for to see if the December dates coordinate with your weekend.

Have a great weekend!

Both Newport and Prov. both have outdoor skating rinks, if interested.

Both have numerous restaurants - tell us what you consider mod. pricing and your food preferences to help us direct you further.

Are you looking to stay in Prov. and do you prefer a B+B or hotel - lots of options - again price range will help.

Wakefield and Bristol have wonderful quant downtown areas. Depending on which weekend you choose you may hit some Xmas festivals.

It sounds as though your planning on renting a car - true?

Happy planning!

For a long weekend in December, I think that I would choose to rent a car and stay in Newport. At that time of year, you should be able to get some very good rates at a hotel. I would pick something in the Thames Street area so that you could easily walk to some shops and restaurants. If money is no object, I would stay at Castle Hill Inn for the drop dead views (as long as I had a rental car)-www.castlehillinn.com.
Activities could include the mansions, which will be decorated beautifully for Christmas, Ocean Drive, the Cliffwalk, Fort Adams, ice skating at the outdoor center,shopping and sightseeing on Thames Street, perhaps a "Save the Bay" tour over to Rose Island, a drive to any of the wineries over by Sakonnet, if the spirit moves you to play slots you can go to Newport Jai Ali or you can drive to Foxwoods Casino ( about 40 minutes). You could also visit Bristol, RI for a small town type of experience or Wickford on the other side of the bay. Mystic is also about 40 minutes away.Nearby Jamestown offers stunning views from Beavertail Point. Some of our favorite restaurants are Scales and Shells (excellent fish), 22 Bowen (excellent steak), Castle Hill Inn (great views and nice dining experience), Mama Louisa for great Italian, Black Pearl for Chowder. Try www.gonewport.com for lots more info.

After reading Emily's reply, I realized that I messed up and said Wakefield - I meant <b>Wickford</b> which is an adorable little walk around village.

Emily,
If your still out there, can you elaborate on Mama Luisa's - I can't find much on the web. We're looking for a late italian lunch today and don't feel like making the drive to Federal Hill (great location in Prov., peregrini for many Italian restaurants)
Thanks

The website for Mamma Louisa is www.mammalouisa.com.
Restaurants in Newport can be accessed via the gonewport website as well.
Just ate at ML last nite. Excellent Italian in a refurbished old home on Thames Street. Open nightly at 5 PM. Not open for lunch.

Thanks. Perhaps we'll wait and catch a movie first - any favorite must haves from the menu. Always love Newport at this time of the year. - Does Mama's have parking, btw?

Usually parking on the street at this time of year...small lot in back but we never use it.
We love the tagliatelle bolognese...

Thanks Emily. Can't wait!

Thank you everyone, these are wonderful suggestions.
Emily, I think we will stay in Newport and drive to Bristol and Wickford. I've heard Mystic got almost too much publicity from them movie? But it's nice in winter? Ice scating sounds wonderful and I loved the restaurant suggestions!! I've never heard of Rose Island, will research. Although I may be pushing it with a boat trip; as it is, my husband was reluctant to leave AZ for the Atlantic shore in December.
Looks like the entire Wyndham Hill crowd of musicians will be at the Castle Hill Inn. A bit pricey though..
Again thank you so much, this is very exciting!