Christmas in Newport Events and 2 Questions

I just wanted to post this helpful link to Christmas events in Newport. Lots of great ideas for visitors or locals alike!

http://www.christmasinnewport.org/

In previous years, we%26#39;ve gone to see the 3 Newport Mansions decorated for Christmas and it was a great time. This year we are thinking of the Victorian Christmas Tour of the Astors%26#39; Beechwood.

QUESTION: Has anyone been on this tour in past years or could comment on how long the tour is? It appears to run hourly (except lunch time) but wondered if the tours are just staggered and take longer than an hour?

QUESTION2: The Nutcracker Suite Christmas shop on Mill Street. How is the parking near there and anyone happen to know the hours?

Christmas in Newport Events and 2 Questions

I can really only answer question #2...there%26#39;s very limited parking on mill street as it%26#39;s very narrow, but there are sometimes parking spots towards the end where it meets Spring Street at Trinity Church. Your best bet would be to see if you can get a meter on Thames across from the park and Starbucks, or the Mary Street lot across the park from the store. (I think however that lately the lot has been charging for parking through the holidays, I know they were charging last weeekend.)

You could also try and park at the Neport Harbor Hotel across America%26#39;s Cup. They generally don%26#39;t require their parking passes unless it%26#39;s a busy weekend for them.

They%26#39;re open 10-6 M-Sat and 11-6 Sunday. Not sure if it%26#39;ll change during the season, but you can give thema call: 401.846.7385

Christmas in Newport Events and 2 Questions

Thanks Milemarker for your parking ideas! Ordinarily we don%26#39;t mind walking but someone in party has trouble walking so the closest we can get the better. I guess we can always drop her at the door and look for a spot. Good idea to call. I was surprised they didn%26#39;t have a web page (which was the first place I%26#39;d look for hours).

I just wanted to give a review of our visit to the Astors Beechwood Mansion decorated for Christmas (Victorian Christmas Tour).

We went this past Saturday. No advanced tickets are required just show up 15 mins before the time to buy your tickets.

The tour consisted of 20 minutes that you can tour the various rooms on your own. In each room was a costumed guide that recounted information about the people, furniture, history, etc. Each person kept in character as they answered questions. The various guides in each room had fascinating stories but we felt rushed to see all the rooms as it had been quite a long time since we visited the mansion. Each room was decorated with Christmas related decorations.

Next all were invited to the ballroom where the costumed guides put on a show for 40 minutes. The show consisted of piano playing, singing Christmas carols, dancing, playing popular parlor games of the time, etc. (all keeping with the time period of the house). Various audience members participated in all the events except the initial Christmas carols. So if you are shy avoid sitting in the front rows and you won%26#39;t be asked to participate!

Some comments: The Christmas decorations were much simplier than the Newport Mansions decorated for XMas. We did feel rushed touring the rooms in the initial 20 minutes portion. I think if we had more time for this it would have been better. The Xmas songs and performances by the guides was very good (voices/music etc.) The price of an adult ticket was $20 for this hour long event (so kind of steep!). I would say if you are more interested in decorations touring the 3 Newport Mansions for $25 total (Breakers, Marble House and Elms) would be the thing to do.

Hi sedum37

Thanks for posting. I will be going to Newport next weekend and will do the 3 Mansions decorated for xmas. What restaurants did you eat at and recommend? we are two friends 47 and 50.

Thanks,

NYChubby

NYChubby sorry we didn%26#39;t eat at any Newport restaurants this time... just there for the day.

Look for posts by Milemarker0. He usually has very good suggestions for restaurants.

NYChubby you%26#39;ll have a great time visiting the mansions decorated for Christmas! We loved it. We went a couple of years ago and bought the Winter Passport. In 2006 due to time constraints we only got to see two of the mansions that day (Marble House %26amp; Breakers). The lady at the ticket booth told us we could save our third ticket and use it again in winter (apparently the tickets never expire). And we did this past weekend (no problem)! Getting to see the Elms decorated for Christmas topped of a fun day.

I took a few photos last visit (2006) if you want to take a look:

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid14086361

Note that they only allow you to take inside photos in the front hall of the Breakers. The Breakers has the most elaborate decorations by far of the 3 and the gift shop there is quite impressive. Each mansion has a gift shop but the Breakers is the largest/most comprehensive one so if you see something you like buy it at the Breakers.

the phone toll free # to the nutcracker suite xmas shop is 877-388-4578. It is on the web site www.gonewport.com Lots of great info on that site about Newport