Girlfriend Getaway to Newport 10/11/08 - 10/16/08

Hello!

My best girlfriend and I are planning a getaway to Newport. Neither of us have ever visited this area of the country and we are very excited to get to take this trip together. We are both in our 30%26#39;s and would so appreciate any guidance that we could get.

1. Where to stay? We are looking at B%26amp;B%26#39;s but don%26#39;t want to spend a fortune.

2. Any day trip ideas would be so very welcome.

3. What can we expect weather wise in mid-October?

Anything else that might be helpful is very appreciated. Thanks to everyone in advance!

Girlfriend Getaway to Newport 10/11/08 - 10/16/08

1) You%26#39;ll most likely want to stay downtown, walking distance to shops, restaurants, wharfs etc...you can drive up to the Cliff Walk and Mansions and parking won;t be as hard to find that time of year. check out: www.gonewport.com for links to lodging and lots more.

2) Since you%26#39;ll be there for a few days, you could easily head out towards Little Compton and check out Sakonett Vineyards and other scenic small town stops along the way. Providence is about 45 minutes away if you%26#39;re looking to sample a medium sizeed city. Boston is also doable in a day, either driving up (About 1 1/2 hours) or bus from Newport. You could also head out to Cape Cod, also about 1 1/2 hours to the midcape area....I probably wouldn%26#39;t go much further than say Chatham or it could make for a lot longer day driving if you head all the way out to P-Town, but that%26#39;s up to you. Block Island is also accessible from Southern RI (Point Judith) that time of year.

3) That time of year, the Fall weather will probably be in full swing (50%26#39;s 60%26#39;s in the days...you might luck out and hit a 70%26#39; inland) It will feel cooler when the wind kicks up, and can feel warmer if you%26#39;re sitting in the sun, away from the sun. Bring sweaters and jackets that you can layer, and/or keep nearby incase the temps change....it%26#39;s not USUALLY one of the rainier months.

Girlfriend Getaway to Newport 10/11/08 - 10/16/08

Since the dates you want to come is the Columbus Day weekend may be a little harder to find a cheaper place. Other than that weekend, October can be a lot easier on the budget than the summer months. You could try nearby Middletown, RI for hotels. They have more chain hotels and budget accommodations. Most are a short drive into Newport (parking available at the Newport Visitor Center). After you do your research about a place to stay don%26#39;t hesitate to make your booking since it is the holiday weekend and things will book up.

Since you will be here for a good number of days you can definitely do some day trips. Newport to Boston isn%26#39;t a bad ride. How about Nantucket or Martha%26#39;s Vineyard for the day. I%26#39;d try to do the day trips on the week days the driving will be easier and less crowded than the weekends. If you like gardens, see my goList:

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i7501-Newport_f…

Thank you both so much for your input. We have discussed the chain hotels versus the B %26amp; B%26#39;s and have both decided that we really want the B %26amp; B experience. Have you heard any feed back on the Architects Inn? We are coming from Fayetteville, Arkansas and after much research found that Newport has so much of what we are looking for in a getaway.

Do you have any restaurant suggestions? Also, what is the appropriate dress in Newport?

Thanks in advance. You cannot imagine how helpful you have been to us already.

Can%26#39;t really comment on the Architect Inn, but it%26#39;s location is ok, in a quiet residential area, but then a short walk to Bellevue and then down the hill into town.

LOTS of restarants in town, depends on what you like seafood, steaks, pub food, etc...some favorites:

Casual:

Brick Alley

Mudville Pub

Red Parrot

5th Element

O%26#39;Briens

Nicer:

Cooke House

22 Bowens

Black Pearl (Tavern)

The Mooring

Asterisks

Check out the menu pages of www.gonewport.com for links to their websites with menues.

Dress according to the weather, but most places are pretty casual...at night most people just wear nice jeans....unless you%26#39;re going to one of the nicer restaurants, in which case a skirt or nice pants would be in order...all of the restaurants I mentioned though you%26#39;re good to go with nice jeans.

Newport is very casual despite the stereotype of Yacht Club parties with Blue Blazers everywhere....they do exist, but just not something the casual visitor will really encounter.

Do you think that the location of the Architects Inn is too far from the heart of the city?

It depends on what you want....if you want stores, restaurants etc right outside your door, than yes it%26#39;s slightly removed.

But if you don%26#39;t mind a leisurly walk, or want more peace and quiet, than the location is fine...about a 5 minute walk to Bellevue, and maybe 10 minutes to Thames Street (The main shopping, eating area)

We definitely do not mind a walk and as long as it is in a safe area and from all accounts that I have ready, we would be hard pressed to find an area of Newport that is not safe. Do you have any other specific recommendations for a B %26amp; B?

Well actually there ARE less desierable parts of Newport believe it or not...and not to scare you, but there is a housing project not too far from that Inn.....

THAT BEING SAID, it%26#39;s not anything you need to worry about, I doubt you would even walk by it in your travels.

I used to live RIGHT next to it, and other than noise that comes from there sometimes at night, it was never really an issue.

I just thought I%26#39;d mention it because when I tell people that there are indeed ';projects'; in Newport they don%26#39;t believe me until I show them....especially the one right near Bellevue that out of town visitors drive by all the time, but don%26#39;t see.

Ooops, to answer your second question, I don;t really have specific reccomendations, but lots of people on TA like the Francis Malbone House (right on Thames) Not sure if that fits with your budget.

I%26#39;ve also had friends stay at the Newport Bluess Inn and loved it, but other than that, there are so many, I don%26#39;t really have any first hand experience, other than knowing their locations.

milemarker, thank you so very much for all of your assistance and I hope that I am not being a pain by continuing to ask you questions. I would just like to clear up one more question that I have. You said that all of restaurants/pubs that you listed were going to be fine in a nice pair of jeans and heels correct? I just do not want to get there and look like an idiot for not dressing appropriately.

Thank you so much! You have made planning this trip a pleasure!

manual transmission