Which 5 mansions to see and Cliff Walk question

We are coming to Newport for two nights and almost 3 days in early May (arriving around noon on a Friday and departing early afternoon on a Sunday). We have never been to Newport before. We%26#39;d like to do the Cliff Walk and buy a combo ticket that lets you into five of the Preservation Society mansions which include The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff, Green Animals Topiary Gardens, Kingscote, Chepstow, or Issac Bell House. Which ones should we choose?

Also, is it possible to see all 5 in one day? Is the ticket only valid for 1 day?

Finally, I read that the Cliff Walk is 3.5 miles. That is one way, right? So, to walk it and return would be 7 miles? That sounds like it could take the rest of our Friday if we decided to do it then. Would we be able to see 5 mansions on Saturday and 1/2 Sunday?

Which 5 mansions to see and Cliff Walk question

Regarding the Cliff Walk, it%26#39;s as long as you want to make it....the whole thing is around 3.5 miles ';one way'; but the last portion is pretty rugged, ie. climbing on rocks, avoiding some water puddles, etc....there are many entrance/exit points along the way, you can also catch a trolley at the end if you decided to do the whole thing one way....check out: www.cliffwalk.com for more information. There is also a link to the ';10 Mile Drive'; if you%26#39;ll have a car.

Not sure if your tickets would be good for multiple days, if they are, I would definitely split it up....unless you%26#39;re a real ';mansion buff'; I%26#39;d say 3 would be the limit for me in a day....There%26#39;s so much else to see in Newport.....especially if the weather is nice.

The Breakers is a must, it%26#39;s a guided tour....most of the others are at your own pace...you get an i-pod type thing that gives you the tour, and you can click on additional numbers in each room to make the tour as involved as you want. I like the Elms and Marble House as well....

Also, Doris Duke%26#39;s mansion Rough Point is open for tours, but you need to make reservations, and is not part of the ';mansion group';

Which 5 mansions to see and Cliff Walk question

thanks very much (again!) this is very helpful. I will call the mansion people to see if we can split the 5 mansions and see them over 2 days. What other activities would you recommend in Newport in addition to the mansions and the Cliff Walk?

Early May the weather should be warming up, so the possibility of a harbor sail will be available....although there won%26#39;t be nearly as many ';luxury yachts'; and other boats to look at quite yet.

The Atwater Villa is right next to the Newport Art Museum and the Redwood Library (lots of old historic documents and books) if that interests you. Also the little known National Museum of American Illustration is down the street on Bellevue.

Tennis Hall of Fame is located on Bellevue as well....if you%26#39;re not that into tennis, you can still poke your head into the entrance that has a grass court, and a few statues on display....

Tons of little shops and restaurants throughout the Thames St. and Wharf areas.

A stop at the Visitors Center, can give you a better idea of what%26#39;s going on that particular weekend.

If you have a car, the 10 mile drive is nice....you%26#39;ll pass some of the ';new'; mansions out on Ocean Drive....there are also a couple of wineries that offer tours/tastings if that interests you.

Again, lots of cool restaurants/bars to grab a bite or a drink.

Fort Adams offers tours at times (not sure if they%26#39;re open in May..but probably)

If sailing interests you there is the Museum of Yachting right next to Fort Adams, and the International Yacht Restoration School is on Thames Street....you can poke your head into the IYRS to see students restoring old wooden boats...

Newport Grand has slot machines, if you want to try your luck at those.

Touro Synagogue (The oldest Synagogue in the country) has tours.

There%26#39;s self guided walking tour around part of the city with plaques along the way that tell you about some of the architecture and sites that you see along the way.

As you can see, there%26#39;s pretty much something for everyone....let me know if there%26#39;s anything in particular that you guys like....

this is very helpful.

We are not into sailing or winery tours. Tennis is fine, but because we only have a couple of days, we won%26#39;t do the hall of fame. We will have a car, so we may try toe 10-mile drive you mentioned.

We are in our late 20s, pretty outdoorsy (hiking), like good food that is not too fancy/overpriced. Any inside knowledge as far as restaurants go would be appreciated. We would prefer to go to a simple local ';gem'; instead of some super-fancy tourist trap...

For hiking, you could check out the Norman Bird Sanctuary....they have all sorts of nature trails....it%26#39;s out by ';2nd Beach'; in Middletown...about a 5-7 minute drive from your Inn.

http://www.normanbirdsanctuary.org/home.shtml

All sorts fo dining options....our local favorites:

5th Element: http://www.5eri.com/

Brick Alley Pub: www.brickalley.com (Some will argue that because it can get crowded it%26#39;s a %26#39;tourist trap%26#39;...it%26#39;s not....) good food that locals and tourist all like.....bar scene is a little bit like Cheers with the regulars and tourists mixed in....bartenders are really friendly.

Salvation Cafe: www.salvationcafe.com

Eclectic food on Broadway

The Mooring: www.mooringrestaurant.com/

Sefood and Nice Views of the Harbor

Black Pearl: www.blackpearlrestaurant.com

The more casual Tavern area rather than the %26#39;Commodores Room%26#39; which is more formal.

Red Parrot: www.redparrotrestaurant.com

Huge menu...burgers to steaks

Scales and Shells: www.scalesandshells.com

Seafood...no Credit Cards

Cafe Zelda%26#39;s: www.cafezelda.com

Casual Fine Dining...i.e...you don%26#39;t have to get dressed up...

The Smoke House: www.smokehousecafe.com

Outside Bar / BBQ place...good people watching. Not sure if it will be open yet though. Usually Mid-May.

Mudville Pub: Located next to the Baseball Stadium across from the Visitors Center....Pub Food

Buskers: www.buskerspub.com

Authentic Irish Pub....owned by real Irish Guys

180: Located on Broadway....funky lounge/bistro type place

Rhumbline: Hidden in the Point Section...ask for directions...casual fine dining.

thanks so much! I have saved all your responses to my ';Newport'; trip folder!

The ticket is not valid for only one day. I think you have at least a year, if not longer to see the attractions listed. Also, it%26#39;s possible to see three mansions in a day but please don%26#39;t rush through. Take you time to walk the grounds and imagine another time in history. Walking around outside can be just as enjoyable as inside, especially for some mansions. So if you do three in a day, start early and schedule yor visits, allowing yourself enough time to enjoy every part of your tour. You live close enough to be able to return again if you like Newport, which I%26#39;m sure you will. Don%26#39;t rush it. Each of these mansions has a different story. Allow yourselves the opportunity to savor the history of each one. It will give you an excuse, (not that you%26#39;ll need one), to return again and see the others.

I think we may just go to two or three -- the Breakers, the Elms, and Marble House. I have not decided whether to buy a ticket for all 5 (seems like a good deal for $31) and just use it later, like you mentioned...

I would highly recommend Astor%26#39;s Beechwood as one of your mansion tours, it is a lot of fun. It is not as huge as the others, but has actors and actresses that role play the Astor%26#39;s family and their servants, they actually do the tour, they%26#39;re very talented. The Breaker%26#39;s is a must because it%26#39;s the most elaborate. Those would be my 2 definites, the 3rd would probably be the Isaac Bell house or Kingscote, because they are different from the other 2 in architecture. Just MHO.

Thanks very much for the tip!