Staying in Newport: America's Original Summer Resort Town

	Historical Downtown Newport is Pretty in Winter too 1

Staying at one of Newport's many elegant bed and breakfasts is an essential Newport experience, and there are definitely plenty to choose from, each as lovely as the next. Hotel choices range from upscale waterfront properties to more affordable rooms convenient to main routes. Even camping is a pleasant summertime possibility near the coast between Newport and neighboring Middletown.

Helpful Links
Following, are some useful WorldWeb.com links that will help Newport-bound visitors find a great place to stay.

Accommodation Directory—This is a complete Newport accommodation directory containing detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, luxury resorts, campgrounds and more. With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their personal preferences.

Secure Room Reservations—Check for Newport room availability and then make secure online room reservations for participating properties with this convenient link.

Maps—The Newport map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only indicating where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.

The Breakers Mansion2

GETTING THERE

Newport is located approximately one hour south of Boston, Massachusetts and three hours from New York City by car. Once in Rhode Island, the city lies just 30 mi (48 km) south of the state's capital, Providence. The city can be accessed off Interstate 95 from the northwest or Interstate 195 from the northeast. From the northwest, follow I-95 south from Providence, taking State Highway 4 just south of Warwick, and then State Highway 138, which travels east across to Conanicut Island, arriving in Newport via the Claiborne Pell Bridge (the longest suspension bridge in New England) from Jamestown. From the north/northeast, take State Highway 114 south through Bristol from the I-195 in Providence, or State Highway 24 through Tiverton from the I-195 in Fall River. Continue traveling south through Middletown to Newport.

Newport has a small airport that services small planes and charters, but the closest major airport is the T.F. Green Airport, located just 25 mi (40 km) away in nearby Warwick. Rental car and shuttle services are available from the airport.

Long distance buses also travel to Newport. Greyhound and Peter Pan offer frequent services from (and to) surrounding states, and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) runs routes throughout Rhode Island. RIPTA also operates a seasonal ferry service between Providence and Newport, while Conanicut Marine Services runs a Jamestown-Newport passenger ferry.

ORIENTATION & GETTING AROUND

Newport can be divided into three main areas of interest, each of which should not be missed.

Downtown
Downtown Newport is the lively heart of the city, embracing Newport Harbor on Narragansett Bay. This hub of restaurants, bars and shops reflects the energy of a maritime city, and the attractive downtown waterfront draws myriads of visitors and locals with the promise of relaxation and adventure. In addition to dining, shopping and people-watching, visitors can also engage in one of the numerous boat tours leaving from this central location, including ex-America's Cup racing yacht charters on the bay. There are many hotels and bed and breakfasts situated along downtown streets, including the famous and historic Bellevue Avenue, which leads south from the downtown area, past a number of mansions and toward the stunning south coast.

	The Famous Cliff Walk3

The Mansions and the East Coast
Following Bellevue Avenue south takes one past the east coast where the famous mansions were built. In fact, many of these extravagant structures are located along the avenue. The renowned Cliff Walk meanders along the dramatic coastal cliffs, overlooking the Atlantic and offering another route by which to view the mansions. This 3.5-mi (5.6-km) National Recreational Trail begins at First Beach (Easton's Beach) and follows the coast south to the end of Bellevue Avenue. A handful of upscale inns can also be found in this area, offering breathtaking sea views and convenient access to attractions.

Heading South
Ocean Avenue is another popular Newport destination. Attracted by this scenic drive along Aquidneck Island's south coast, visitors to this area will also be impressed by lush parks, the Newport Country Club, exclusive private and public beaches, and a high concentration of historic homes set on sweeping grounds overlooking Rhode Island Sound. At the end of Ocean Avenue, Brenton Point State Park sits beautiful and dramatic as the waves crash upon the rocky headland. Although accommodation options in this area are sparse, a couple of luxurious resort hotels are located here.

Transport
The most convenient way to travel around Newport is by car. Rental cars are available from the airport or in town. There are four city-operated parking lots throughout the downtown area and lots of parking is available at the visitors' center on America's Cup Avenue, although parking can be scarce during busy summer weekends. Bicycles and scooters are another popular means by which to travel the city and there are plenty of rental companies located here. Alternatively, RIPTA offers a convenient and frequent public trolley bus service around the city that will take passengers to or near many of Newport's attractions.

WHEN TO VISIT

Summer is and has been Newport's peak tourist season for well over 100 years. Hot (but often rainy) summers provide the perfect backdrop for beach combing, boating and events like the Newport Jazz Festival. Bear in mind that Newport summers also mean big holiday crowds and higher rates, so be sure to make reservations well in advance. Consider visiting the city in autumn or spring. Typically agreeable weather for strolling, cycling, boating and visiting attractions is complemented by the beautiful fall colors or spring fragrances. Winter is also magical in Newport. Dramatic coastlines become even more rugged, the mansions sparkle under a blanket of snow and the Winter Festival is one of New England's largest. Low accommodation rates are an added bonus.

FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS

Most accommodations are centralized throughout the downtown area and in the east; near First Beach and around Bellevue Avenue, with easy access to the Cliff Walk and mansions.

Bed and Breakfasts & Inns
As much as for the coastlines and impressive heritage architecture, people flock to this idyllic city for the experience of staying at a Newport bed and breakfast. Newport has the bed and breakfast business down to an art and there are seemingly unlimited charming and elegant properties to choose from.

Most bed and breakfasts and intimate inns are situated downtown, many of which enjoy waterfront area locations. Both the Spring Street Inn and Pilgrim House Inn reside on Spring Street, within the historical waterfront district. These grand Victorian homes offer classically appointed rooms with private baths, substantial breakfasts and views over the harbor. Each is also a long-standing fixture in the history of Newport; the Spring Street Inn was built in 1858 and Pilgrim House Inn is also over a century old. Heading back from the waterfront, Hydrangea House blends in with the historical shop fronts at the beginning of Bellevue Avenue. Guests staying here will enjoy the history-rich location with easy access to museums, galleries and enchanting stores. Hydrangea House boasts luxurious quest rooms with equally luxurious private baths, and an elegant formal dining room in which to enjoy the gourmet breakfasts. Complimentary mansion tickets or harbor sailing tickets are included.

	Pure Waterfront Comfort at the Hyatt Regency4

A little further south, located just off Bellevue Avenue on Clay Street, Ivy Lodge astounds guests with its distinctive Gothic Victorian architecture, intricate woodwork and opulent guest rooms. And to top it all off, Ivy Lodge is just a short stroll to Newport's top attractions: the mansion district, Cliff Walk, First Beach and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Cliffside Inn is another notable bed and breakfast property located near the celebrated Cliff Walk, mansions and First Beach. Located on the east coast, this former home of artist Beatrice Turner is now one of Newport's most extravagant inns, with indulgent special touches and breathtaking views over the Cliff Walk and Atlantic Ocean.

Hotels & Resorts
Most Newport hotels and resorts are situated downtown, on or near the harbor's northern waterfront, and just north of downtown, near main routes and highways.

For an island retreat from the island, the Hyatt Regency resort offers upscale accommodation, a full-service day spa, its own marina and a refreshing outdoor pool, all on tiny Goat Island, located just offshore on Newport Harbor. Back on the island mainland, the Marriott hotel also boasts a harbor waterfront location, set on America's Cup Boulevard in the heart of downtown. This stunning hotel offers all the amenities one could want, including a fitness center, indoor pool and restaurant. Further inland, yet within downtown limits, Hotel Viking can be found on Bellevue Avenue, convenient to both central shops, restaurants, the waterfront and the east coast's mansions and Cliff Walk. Built in 1926, this fine boutique hotel has played host to famous guests such as the Kennedy's and Ella Fitzgerald.

Those wanting to stay as close as possible to the mansions and Cliff Walk on the east coast should consider the Chanler at Cliffwalk. Located at the west end of First Beach on Memorial Boulevard, the Chanler is pure luxury with exquisite furnishings, a variety of guest rooms, a fine dining restaurant, priceless ocean views and all the grandeur of the mansions themselves.

Away from it all, Castle Hill Inn and Resort is one of the only accommodation options on the south coast, but what an option it is. Located at the end of beautiful Ocean Avenue on a 40-acre peninsula, this regal resort features elegant mansion guest rooms, pretty beach cottages, a chalet and harbor houses. Boasting private trails, the Castle Hill Lighthouse and a private beach, Castle Hill Inn is also an ideal base for exploring south coast attractions, such as the Newport Country Club Golf Course, Brenton Point and Fort Adams state parks, and the world renowned Ocean Avenue itself.

1. c/o Rhode Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; Downtown Newport in Winter; Newport, RI, USA
2. The Breakers Mansion; Newport, RI, USA
3. c/o Rhode Island Convention & Visitors Bureau; The Cliff Walk; Newport, RI, USA
4. c/o Hyatt Regency Newport; Hyatt Regency Hotel Room; Newport, RI, USA