First Time in Newport 8/10 - 8/13

hi

we are planning on going to Newport this weekend - our first time, surprise for my wife. I have been reading the forums, would like to get some ideas/suggestions of what to do. If possible, romantic (not stuffy), and, perhaps, adventurous. we are staying at 50 william st.

also, i see it might rain fri/sat.

this is what i gathered so far, any thing i am missing?

---------------------

YES

-spa/massage (indoors)

-America%26#39;s cup charter racing cup charter - sunset?

-rent/bring bikes

-cliff walk

MAYBE

-something literary?

-jazz festival

-mansion tours (Breakers/The Elms / Marble House)

-restaurant - mooring / black pearl

-helicopter

NO

-Block Island Info

-horseback riding

-tennis

thanks

cj

First Time in Newport 8/10 - 8/13

oh

and what about block island?

First Time in Newport 8/10 - 8/13

I%26#39;m confused? I thought you put Block Island on your NO list...?

In any event, if you are just coming to Newport for the weekend, I would skip Block Island...that%26#39;s a full day itself, and you%26#39;d be missing all that Newport has to offer.

You could take the Jamestown Ferry for a short ride across the Bay and check out Jamestown for a couple hours.....Simpatico is a great romantic but not stuffy restaurant there. Al Fresco dining on their outside trellaced yard.

I%26#39;d probably put a mansion from Maybe to Yes....at least one...The Breakers or Doris Dukes Rough Point.

For another romantic idea, grab a lunch and/or cocktail out on the lawn at Castle Hill....grab a couple adirondacks and hang out on the back lawn with great views....or grab a sandwich to go, and find a quiet spot out on the 10 mile drive near Brenton Point.

There is a sunset rum runner cocktail cruise on a small boat . Usually just nice couples .Boards near the black pearl .It serves rums drinks included in the price of the cruise . You can get some discount tickets at the information center as you drive into town .

You can get some good info at : gonewport.com

The Newport winery tour is fun and inexpensive . Also good for souviners to bring or ship back .

There is a short train ride along the river . Very enjoyable .

I recomend the Newport Blues Cafe for live music and good bar snacks . I like many other restaurants much better than the black pearl which is cramped and old downstairs . Try Red Parrot , Quohog , Asterix . Or most of the restaurants on Jamestown . I suggest to check out the Coast Guard Station Restaurant ( casual upstairs outdoor deck , or very nice dining rooms downstairs ) in Naragansette just a bit before Newport . We always stop for dinner or lunch when we go to Newport . I second going to the Breakers . My wife ';dragged'; me to it and I loved it !

Well, walking ALL of cliff walk to the very end can get adventurous..if you like to swim, there is a beautiful beach at the end...only the further half is private...taking your bikes to Newport is a great idea..and to Block Island if you could do it....but for a three day weekend better to leave that for another visit....if you have any literary inclinations don%26#39;t miss the Redwood Library, it%26#39;s on Bellevue and wouldn%26#39;t take but a half hour..a great place to relax too. Other things...Rose Island Lighthouse is in the middle of the harbor and is a very special place; from there you could take the ferry to Jamestown and yes eat at the Trattoria outside. Yes to charter racing a 12 meter, yes to Rough Point and the Breakers...

How about flying a kite at Brenton Point Park? Right on Ocean Drive for great views. Always a breeze, even the most inexpensive of kites can take flight there. Bring a picnic lunch-you can spread a blanket on the grass or there are a number of picnic tables too. (sandwiches from Sigs Deli). There are also clean public restrooms there too.

I second the Mooring for dinner. Get a table on the deck. Ocean Breeze Cafe for breakfast.

Alright. Some good ideas and some that need to put on the back burner.

www.GoNewport.com is a fantastic resource for all things Newport. Be sure to check out the calendar of events

www.TableHound.com is a good restaurant site.

Suggestions to put on the Back Burner:

- Narragansett and the Coast Guard House. Too many places to eat in Newport before you drive a half hour for a meal. Good, but not worth taking you out of Newport

- Block Island is an entire day trip. Once again, too much to do in Newport. Save it for another trip as it is an enjoyable visit. Avoid weekends there if possible during peak season.

- Recommendation to aviod the Black Pearl. This restaurant is an institution in Newport and has a great location for people watching and the best clam chowder you will ever taste. There isn%26#39;t even a downstairs so I don%26#39;t know how the downstairs can be cramped and stuffy as one of the posts suggests. Eat there!

MUST-DO%26#39;s in one weekend...

- Tour a mansion - Breakers is the number one Newport attraction. To make the most of this location, after the tour, walk down the street to the Cliff Walk and take a right onto the Cliff Walk. Go at least as far as the Chinese Tea House. On your way there will be a gate to enter the estate of the Astors%26#39; Beechwood Mansion. You will see an expansive lawn with a short set of stairs that lead up to the house with two stone dogs at the top. This is Astors%26#39; which offers a Living History Tour done with professional actors. When you enter the house you step back in time to the year 1891. Great tour to compliment the Breakers mansion since it is so different.

Go to the Visitors Center and grab a copy of the Best Read Guide which has a detailed map and description of the Cliff Walk.

- Take a harbor tour. Some of the most popular are Madeleine, Adirondack II, RunRunner and Gansett Cruises. If you have the budget to do a 12 meter America%26#39;s Cup harbor tour by all means do it!

www.AmericasCupCharters.com

- Tour %26amp; tasting at Newport Vineyards. Just a short 5-10 minute ride from downtown. Great deli right next to it also, Fateulli%26#39;s.

- Drive 10 Mile Ocaen Drive and also stop in at Castle Hill while doing so. Sit in the Adirondack chairs and enjoy the best view on the island. Best at sunset!

- Grab a picnic lunch at Sig%26#39;s Deli and go the Brenton Point State Park. Bring a kite as the afternoon winds are fantastic and international kite festivals are held here so it has to be good. At Sig%26#39;s every Mon, Wed %26amp; Fri is fresh baked turkey sandwich day. Get the mac %26amp; chese if it is on display.

- Literary??? Visit Redwood Library and call ahead to see when the formal free tours are conducted. Oldest Lending Library in the US. If you want a keepsake buy a signed copy of ';Newport - A Lively Experiment'; while at Redwood.

Lots of other things to do, but you only have a weekend!

Restaurants

- Black Pearl as I mentioned for chowder and a delicious meal

- Mooring, the Bag of Donuts is a must and the scallop chowder

- Smokehouse for BBQ

- West Deck for a great meal.

- Scales %26amp; Shells

- Zelda%26#39;s

- Brick Alley Pub

Breakfast with the locals - Corner Cafe, Gary%26#39;s Handy or the Franklin Spa is a short walk from Williams Street which by the way is a very central location.

Keep in mind that it is Jazz Fest weekend and traffic on Ocean Drive will be very heavy from about 10am - noon and then from 7-8pm as concert attendees are going and leaving Fort Adams

thanks for all the suggestions!