Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Newport visit in 6 hours

We will be in Newport (QM2 cruise) for only about 6 hours. We obviously want to see a little of the town and go round the mansions(s). Just how much could we do in such a short time?



Newport visit in 6 hours


Newport there is so much to do. If you can get yourself to the Newport visitors center located on America%26#39;s Cup and W. Marlborough you can get brochures, tickets, etc. You can pick up the shuttle bus that takes you around Newport and would be the fastest way to visit the mansions along Bellevue Ave. I%26#39;d suggest visiting one mansion. The Breakers often has a line so may be skip this one so you won%26#39;t waste time waiting. All of the mansions have their own personalities and histories so each is interesting in its own right. Study the descriptions on the web site:



http://www.newportmansions.org/





Also run by different preservation organizations: Astors%26#39; Beechwood Mansion, Rough Point, the home of Doris Duke (check reviews here at TA)





Once done touring a mansion you could walk part of the Cliff walk (depending on your time or interest) -- a pretty walk along the shore line in front of the mansions.





Then you could go back to the shopping area: Thames Street, Spring Street, and Broadway (where you started) if you are interested in shopping.





Other fun things to visit: Viking Tower, Touro Synagogue, Trinity Church, Newport Art Museum, Tennis Hall of Fame.





I guess depends on how long you stay at each site.



Newport visit in 6 hours


It%26#39;s totally possible to see much of Newport in 6 hours. I would agree with the other post about going to the Vistor%26#39;s Center (look for the Marriott...it%26#39;s right next to it). The cruise ships usually come into the harbor and drop you downtown. It is walkable - lots of little streets and shops...very British seaport city :-)





You can take a trolley or bus from the Visitor%26#39;s Center to Bellevue Avenue to see the mansions. If you%26#39;re only going to see one, it depends what you%26#39;re interested in: If you want to see the epitamy of extravagance, see the Breakers. It%26#39;s the biggest and most elaborate of the mansions. However, if you%26#39;re interested in an ';experience'; of the era, go to The Astor%26#39;s Beechwood. Their tours are guided by actors in period dress and they treat you as a guest in the Astor%26#39;s home. It%26#39;s not the biggest and brightest, but I think it%26#39;s the most fun and gives you a sense of what it was like to be there.





If you%26#39;re interested in beautiful coastline, take a taxi or the trolley around Ocean Drive. Or if you would rather go for a walk, go to Cliff Walk.





Have fun!!

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