Newport Mansions other fun things??

Submitted by Giuseppe_Lombardo007 t3_yozhff in RhodeIsland

Hello,

I will be going to Rhode Island in 2 Weeks, driving from NYC to RI. I would like to know some places I could go and visit the many mansions are on my list of things to see.

I would like to see your nature and famous spots, and nightlife we are a young couple. (I noticed you guys have a big Swingers thing here in RI). LOL but really looking to do tourist things, eat great food. Meet friendly locals, and over all have fun.

Any recommendations Thanks

1

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

bungocheese t1_ivgl9pm wrote

We have a big swingers thing here? That's news to me.

13

degggendorf t1_ivgq1w0 wrote

TBF, the mansions are all pretty similar and I get my fill of "expensive stuff someone wasted money on" after seeing like 2 or maybe 3 in a day. Your mileage may vary, of course. Fortunately/unfortunately, there are only two mansions open when you'll be here if I'm reading the site right. Only The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House open this season, and Marble House will be closed Nov 8-18.

That said, there are a couple "special" tours that are cool: "Servant Life" at The Elms, and "Beneath the Breakers" at The Breakers. I'd say start with one of those, then do the full self-guided audio tour of that house afterwards, then see if you feel up for another one. The in-person ticket people can upgrade your single pass to a discounted multi-house ticket (although now that I consider it, my info is like 4 years old now, hopefully it hasn't changed).

On your way from NYC after the first bridge from the mainland, swing down to the southeast corner of Jamestown to Fort Wetherill to walk around a bit along the abandoned fort structures (bright a flashlight if you're bold), and the craggy shoreline with views of Newport.

7

Giuseppe_Lombardo007 OP t1_ivgvtyi wrote

thanks this is some great info!!

2

degggendorf t1_ivhcjtq wrote

As for food, I am too jaded against Newport touristy food, and/or too inexperienced in it because of that jadedness. Basically any restaurant will be good, but I don't think the best restaurant in the state is in Newport. That said, my wife recommends The Mooring for something slightly upscale, or Brick Alley Pub for normal pub food.

For beer, Newport Craft Brewing is good but kind of unremarkable and maybe a little big for their britches now? They've definitely rounded the corner into being a regional distributing player. Good, well-made beer, but they've kind of lost that spark of a newer/smaller brewery if you know what I mean? Then in my experience, Rejects Beer Co beers are kind of hit or miss, but the setting is nice from the back balcony (as long as you don't look left to the gas station lol). If you want excellent beer, Tilted Barn back on the mainland is brewing the best beers in the state.

2

Intelligent_Sundae_5 t1_ivhzr87 wrote

When we visited the area last year, we did three touristy things in Newport.

We went to the Breakers. It was cool, but I don't know how many fancy houses my husband could have handled. I'm glad we only did the one.

We visited the Tennis Hall of Fame. I'm not into tennis at all, but I really enjoyed the museum and found it very interesting. If you can appreciate tennis/museums, don't discount this.

On the same block of the Tennis Hall of Fame is the Audrain Auto Museum. Again, neither my husband nor I are really into cars, but if I lived in the area, I'd buy a yearly pass to this museum. They change the displays often and there are people in there just appreciating the cars. We enjoyed the time we spent walking around.

3

saucyB52 t1_ivhqyvw wrote

ive never been but ive heard really good things about the antique and souped up car show place in I think Midletown

i wanna go see

2

aly-moon t1_ivi3z0z wrote

While I appreciate these suggestions, some have been done to death. There is so much more in Newport that can be done. There are haunted walking tours, the museum of American illustration, the art museum, helicopter tours, portsmouth nearby is dotted with family farms and lovely vineyards open to try niche wines. If you must tourist, the white horse tavern is the oldest tavern in America. See purgatory chasm in Middletown. Check out rail explorers in portsmouth where you can ride the old rail tracks along the island on a cart and explore nature. If you want interesting food, try Bouchard restaurant, castle hill inn restaurant, drift Cafe, scratch kitchen, clarke cooke house, boru noodle bar, just to name a few. There are plenty of small artisan shops scattered around the commercial streets and neighborhoods of the island.

Here is a list of some of our holiday events that have been listed so far: https://www.discovernewport.org/events/?view=list&sort=date&bounds=false

2

aly-moon t1_ivi4crf wrote

And newport is mostly pubs for nightlife in the colder months. The Pour judgment, O'Brians, the fastnet, the speakeasy... etc...

1

FlashbackBob t1_ivhks1r wrote

If you go in 2 weeks the mansions should be decorated for the holidays by then. Visit the big 4 (Breakers, Elms, Marble House, and Rosecliff). Have fun!

1

BlackbirdDesignRI t1_ivi1wnc wrote

If you’re planning to spend time in Newport, Parlor Bar & Kitchen on Broadway is a fun spot with good food. On the last Tuesday of each month, the Larry Brown Swinglane Orchestra plays at the Parlor — they are terrific!

1

nathanaz t1_ivm8szi wrote

Naturey Things to do:

walk on First/second beach

Norman Bird Sanctuary

Sachuest point wildlife refuge

Ocean Drive sightseeing

Walk Thames St (pronounced with a hard ‘a’ sound)

Beavertail state park (Jamestown)

Restaurants:

Scales and Shells (old school seafood)

The Mooring (mostly seafood, some non-seafood. Get the Bag of Donuts)

Pero Salado (Mexican, good margaritas)

Diego’s (Mexican, get the duck empanadas)

Castle Hill Inn

White Horse Tavern

Midtown Oyster Bar

Pour Judgement (pub with nice beer selection and quality food)

Fastnet (Irish bar, decent pub food)

1