My wife and I will be in Newport for 2 nights in mid-July. We are staying in Middletown. We typically avoid fancy dining, opting instead for more relaxed and casual fare. I would appreciate answers to the following questions (I realize that some of this is very objective):
1) What are 3-4 good, casual restaurants for lunch or dinner? Is there a really good casual Italian joint?
2) Of all the mansions, which 2 are the best to visit?
3) Besides the mansions and the Cliff Walk, what is one specific must-see/do thing in the area (the tennis hall of fame does not interest me)?
4) What is the most overrated thing to see/do in the area?
5) Is a trip to Jamestown, Providence, or West Beach worthwhile?
Thanks in advance!
Newport Questions
I will reply to your question number 2. The Breakers is a must see. It%26#39;s by far the grandest mansion of them all. I would then choose between The Elms or Marble House. Marble House is very ornate as its name suggests, and the Elms is not overlooking the ocean, but it was one of the first of the homes to have heat/electricity. It could be lived in year round, unlike some of the other mansions. It was the home of a man was involved in the coal business.
Sorry I can%26#39;t be of more help with your other questions. We visited Newport as a side trip from Mystic, CT about 5 years ago and went mainly to see the mansions. We were very impressed and wished we would have had time to have seen them all. I would plan to only see three houses in a day. I think cramming anymore would be rushing things.
Newport Questions
With 2 days to spend I don%26#39;t think I%26#39;d leave NPT, there is much to do instead of wasting time going elsewhere.
The Astors Beechwood mansion has actors that give you the tour. There play the part of people from that generation and stick to their parts, it%26#39;s fun and the mansion is the famous Mrs. Astors 400 club.
I like Salas for Italian, it%26#39;s inexpensive and the food is good. It%26#39;s right on Thames near the Post Office. There are many eateries of all sizes and budgets.
It%26#39;;s hard to pick and overrated spot because of the interests you may have.
The Breakes is a must, it%26#39;s by far the largest of the mansions.
HI
Yes, Jamestown is a MUST!!! Beautiful scenic views. GO to a place called Beavertail Park! Its a long road to the lighthouse and what a spectacular view. There are four parking areas and each with a different view of the ocean. YOu can also see Newport from a distance.
Question 1. Puerini%26#39;s Restaurant right on Memorial Blvd. Here is Puerini%26#39;s website http://www.puerinisrestaurant.com/
Black Pearl --you can either eat in or outside. They have the best clam chowder and your right in the middle of all the action! The Black Pearl is right on Bannister%26#39;s Wharf!!! Here is their webite http://www.blackpearlnewport.com/
Question 3. You must take a drive along Ocean Drive!!! Beautiful.
If you want a fantastic breakfast place, try the Atlantic Grill!!!! They are right in Middletown not far from the beach! check out this Middletown website below.
newenglandsite.com/ri-middletownrestaurants.…
There are just too many great places to see and eat at in Middletown and Newport!! I hope this helps
Here is the official website for Newport
http://www.gonewport.com/
We live in Providence and visit Newport often, including this next weekend. 2 Days in Newport itself means you%26#39;ll be able to take things VERY slowly since many people can do most of the tourist things in 1 day.
1) Restaurants- I%26#39;m surprised you%26#39;re asking about Italian places when Newport is known for its seafood! That%26#39;s like going to Paris and looking for the McDonald%26#39;s. Most places in Newport are casual so you don%26#39;t have to do more than wear shoes and shirts and don%26#39;t need reservations although a wait can be 30 minutes if you%26#39;re there on the weekend at lunchtime. Next to the Marriott and Visitors center you%26#39;ll find a wharf/pier dotted with tons of restaurants where you can get good food. Of course there are better places but its definately an option. Try the chowda, lobster roll or baked quahog (the local shellfish). Baked scrod %26amp; haddock is also to be found on most menus. If you%26#39;re looking for Italian specifically b/c of the pasta option, I%26#39;d still go to a seafood place b/c they%26#39;re sure to have pasta w/mussles, clams etc.
2) 2 MUST visits are the Astor Beechwood and Breakers. You can get a mansion pass which lets you in to everything but those two.
3) Must see/do could be renting bikes and riding around the rest of Newport- the places where regular people live. The beaches in the area are pretty rocky. Beaches known as 1 and 2 are slimy from seawood %26amp; algae so don%26#39;t be surprised or think it%26#39;s a fluke tide. I%26#39;d see if I could rent a boat w/captain and get around under the brodge b/c it is AWESOME.
4) Most overrated- probably the shopping.
5) If you go to Providence, I%26#39;d recommend you take the ferry.It is a fantastic way to avoid traffic and spend time on the water since the trip is close to an hour long. (It%26#39;ll also give you an ocean view without having to rent a boat yourself). Check the schedules though and line up early since you may miss the boat if you show up too late. The only problem is once you get to Providence you may be stuck since the drop off point is a little out of the way and you wouldn%26#39;t have a car waiting for you. I%26#39;d check to see if RIPTA (the Providence public bus system) picks up there b/c if they do, it%26#39;s also a good way to get around. RIPTA goes everywhere and looks like an Old Time Trolley (except its green).
Check the Newport schedule to see if you%26#39;ll be staying during an event since it%26#39;ll help you judge to crowds you%26#39;ll be facing. DON%26#39;T take a chance with parking- it%26#39;s not worth the ticket.
Have fun.
Ditto on Jamestown, Beavertail and Fort Whetherill parks. Some local, very casual good food places away from the tourist fare are:
Coddinton Brewery in Middletown, and Anthony%26#39;s Seafood in Middletown, which is also a fish market.
Couple of things:
I wouldn%26#39;t eat at SALAS if it were free
best inexpesive
Puerinis or black pearl - both are outside
Best breakfast in newport is Ocean breeze - on lower thames
Cliff walk is a must do!
Best beach without seaweed and crowds - Gooseberry on Ocean Drive - parking is 20 bucks
Grab a five dollar and head to the kite park on ocean drive
Also for 25 you can sail around jamestown and newport on the Adirondeck
Oh come on...Salas isn%26#39;t so bad, I mean yea they%26#39;ve been around for something like 80 years now, the price, location and atmosphere are fine..the family run place must be doing SOMEthing right.
Sounds like you photo-copied our plans! My wife and I will be there Jul 10-13, staying in Middletown, and had the same exact questions.
No comments:
Post a Comment