Trip to Wyndham Onshore, Newport RI

[lprstn]

Hello,

We have to cut our trip short from 1 week to 4 days because I started a new job.

What are MUST do's for the area? I am going with 4 kids.

Thanks!

[massvacationer]

Newport has nice nearby beaches, and of course mansions and shops

Boys might like a trip to Battleship Cove in nearby Fall River, MA

A father drive is Mystic (CT) seaport and Mystic Aquarium -good for kids

[zazz]

Originally Posted by lprstn

Hello,

We have to cut our trip short from 1 week to 4 days because I started a new job.

What are MUST do's for the area? I am going with 4 kids.

Thanks!

I would try to take them to at least one of the mansions. Probably the Breakers.

A harbor cruise is a great way to get around the Bay and see everything in the area. Along the same lines, the dinner train (that doesn't only run for dinner, nor are you required to buy food) has a nice route that takes you the length of the Island.

[Lisa P]

Visit the Breakers. Add the Cliffwalk if the weather is good.

For me, those are the two must-sees.

We also liked Fort Adams State Park - a cool fort with views of the harbor and a yachting museum, just the kind of thing we enjoy.

There are historic walking tours, kayak tours, harbor tours, helicoptor tours and my favorites, self-guided tours. Check out Go Newport for lots of links to these, to special events, maps of area landmarks, beaches and parks.

If the kids are older, bicycle or scooter rentals are fun. Try an area beach, fly kites, check out a lighthouse, take a sailing lesson, have a picnic, go deep sea fishing, wander the intown harbor area where the professional fishermen haul in and sort their day's catch and there are shops and restaurants with a local flavor.

If you're going this summer, there may be a jazz, folk music or ethnic Festival at one of the historic sites, parks or beaches - see the same website for details.

Have a great time. It's been too many years since we were last in Newport. There's so much to do there, it's seriously under-rated IMO.

[SailBadtheSinner]

Here are some suggestions, some have already been posted and some, your children may not find them interesting:

Visit one of the Newport Mansions, the Breakers in particular.
http://www.newportmansions.org/

Take a walk on Cliff Walk after visiting a mansion.
http://www.cliffwalk.com/

Rent a grass tennis court and play tennis at the International Tennis Hall of Fame - http://www.tennisfame.com/

If your visit is in the summer, visit Fort Adams State Park:
http://www.fortadams.org/

View an art collection that just happens to be in a mansion, Doris Duke’s mansion & art collection at Rough Point - http://www.newportrestoration.com/roughPOINT/rough.html

If in season, take a train ride - http://www.ocnrr.com/

Take a tour of local waters either on a classic speedboat or a 72-foot schooner - http://www.cruisenewport.com/

Take a tour of the restored Rose Island Lighthouse - http://roseislandlighthouse.org/
And then rent it for an overnight stay when you return to Newport for a visit. You will become the overnight keeper.

Visit the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) and watch the students restore wooden boats. Sign up for classes on wooden boat restoration - http://www.iyrs.org/

Charter a retired America’s Cup 12 Meter yacht - http://www.americascupcharters.com/family_events.html
You & your children do know what a 12 Meter yacht is?

Are you interested in Revolutionary (and before) dwellings? All are within walking distance of Newport center.
REDWOOD LIBRARY AND ATHENAEUM. (1748-50) 50 Bellevue Ave
FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE. (1699) 21 Farewell St
HUNTER HOUSE. (1748) 54 Washington St
NEWPORT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. (1860) Spring and Pelham Sts
OLD COLONY HOUSE. (1739) Washington Square
OLD STONE MILL. Touro Park
SAMUEL WHITEHORNE HOUSE. 416 Thames St.
SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE. (1729) 82 Touro St
St. MARY'S CHURCH. Spring St
TOURO SYNAGOGUE. (1763) 85 Touro St, the oldest Synagogue in America
TRINITY CHURCH. (1725-26) Queen Anne Sq., Spring and Church Sts
WANTON-LYMAN-HAZARD HOUSE. (1675) 17 Broadway near Washington Square.
WHITE HORSE TAVERN. (1673) corner of Marlborough and Farewell Sts
ABRAHAM RODRIGUES RIVERA HOUSE. Washington Square

Not from the Revolutionary period but…..

St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (1852), 70 Church St, church where Jacqueline Lee Bouvier and John F. Kennedy were married

Visit Bretton Point State Park and fly a kite–
http://miniatures.kitingusa.com/loc/bretton_point.pdf

in season, visit the Green Animals Topiary Garden, Portsmouth, RI http://tickets.newportmansions.org/mansion.aspx?id=1003

visit the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, Bristol RI
http://www.blithewold.org/

There was a Segway rental business but their site seems to be down. If it is still in business: Segway of Newport, 5 West Howard St., 401-619-4010, http://www.segwayofnewport.com/index.htm

Here’s a link to a very complete guide for Newport:
http://www.captainvic.com/

I won't even mention the Newport beaches (2), the RI State Beaches on the south facing shore, the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, or a day trip by ferry to Block Island, RI

Enjoy Newport as much as I do.



SBtS

[basham]

When are you going and how old are the kids.?

Between the captainvic site and the gonewport site you should be able to decide what to do.

The two musts would be the cliff walk and the mansions, for the mansions look into a family pass to see if worthwhile.

As a Wyndham owner it is also nice to do the rooftop views from some of the resorts. Inn on Long Wharf, Inn on the Harbor and Onshore have them. Fun for the kids to find how to access.

There are some walking tours, pirates, historical things that may be of interest and be sure to do something on the water, even if only a harbor tour.

I also enjoy walking past the New York Yacht Club and reflecting on how the mighty have fallen. That's optional.

PS. Onshore doesn't have internet access, they rely on the signal from the Admiral Fitzroy House across the street which is accessed in check in area. The local library, from the resort turn right, next left, turn left and turn right into parking lot, also is a good option.

[lprstn]

Kids are ages 5,8,12 and 14 and the girls would like the mansions... the boys the pirates

This is a lot of great information, I am going to ask them what they want to do from that awesome list posted.

[liborn2]

http://www.fortadams.org/tours.htm
pack a lunch, fly a kite..kids might seeing a Fort used during the civil war..its a great gathering place for families.

http://www.newportgulls.com/ take in a baseball game in the heart of town.

http://www.ghostsofnewport.com/index.html ..do they dare???

http://www.riparks.com/beaverta1.htm..great place for hiking, fishing..just over the Newport bridge..

we have always enjoyed the Cliff Walk..but warning..boys will be boys..my 22 year old still likes to take years off my life and walk to close for my comfort..so keep your eyes OPEN ..the view is outstanding..and the end of the trail takes you to broken path where you walk on rocks..

Girls loved walking Thames street for all the little shops...

I highly recommend the Rough Point, Doris Duke if you are animal lovers..she truly loved her animals and interesting to see her home the breathtaking view on Rough point...girls might enjoy her color scheme in her bedroom..

We often visit Newport in February for the Winter Festival..and tons of choices for kids..its our favorite week to enjoy Newport..
But have fun..its a great town.

[MeterMaid]

Just a note - Segway of Newport's site is at www.segwayofnewport.com (not the link shown in SBtS's great list) and their tours are highly recommended. It's a lot of fun and a great way to see the city, especially Ocean Drive. Their office is just off Thames on Lee's Wharf.

[SailBadtheSinner]

MeterMaid -

Thank you for the update, the new URL has been added to my list.


SBtS

Going to Bermuda October 3, 2009 aboard NCL Majesty? Then join our roll call now!
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=894685