My girlfriend and I are going to Newport for the second time this coming weekend (Sunday/Monday) but I have heard that the jazz fest makes nearly incapacitated due to large crowds. Would it be a bad idea to attend this weekend without the intention of enjoying the actual jazz fest? I am more interested in the mansions and cliff walk tours as opposed to the music. Has anyone been here during the fest before? And if so, did you need to make reservations ahead of time for the mansions and restaurants? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!
Jazz fest very crowded?
I was driving around town on Sat during the Folk fest and I actually thought traffic was light, but then I would never go with my car on the main drag on any weekend day. I think many people are either at the festival or stay away cuz they think its going to be swamped--plus the hot, hot weather...so no it wasn%26#39;t by any means incapacitated. After the festivals get out it probably gets quite busy, just stay away from the road to FOrt Adams and you%26#39;d probably be fine. Actually I think the jazz fest especially brings some of the cooler people to town..be sure to take the water taxi around to by-pass traffic. Have fun!
Jazz fest very crowded?
Where is the water taxi located? That sounds like a great idea
It starts at Perotti Park on America%26#39;s Cup ave, but you could catch it at of the drop off/pick up locations....Bowen%26#39;s Wharf, Fort Adams, Museum of Yachting etc. The Jamestown ferry also does this and goes to the Rose Island lighthouse in the harbor as well..its difficult to tell the difference some times..
No worries about being too crowded for Jazz Fest. The majority of people will be at Fort Adams, but the town will be very busy Saturday night after the fest is over. If you don%26#39;t have a place to stay yet, that will be your biggest challenge and could be expensive. Try to eat early or late to aviod the 7-8:30pm crunch of the large crowds all going out at the same time.
Avoid the water shuttles as they are packed with taking people to the festival.
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.
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.
- 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.
Restaurants
- Black Pearl 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
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
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