Best way for day trip from Manhattan to Providence?

We have one day (Memorial Day) we could go visit a friend in Providence from our base hotel near the UN. Should we do it? Would we take Amtrak all the way or take a train out of the city and rent a car at some other location? Any other options you can think of? Would we have time to see any mansions? Should we splurge for Business Class? We%26#39;re from the Pacific NW and know nothing about these distances and drive times. Thanks!

Best way for day trip from Manhattan to Providence?

For an easy relaxing trip take the train. The trip on the train takes between 3 and 31/2 hours. The faster train, the Acela ,costs more. You can decide if it%26#39;s worth it when you look at the schedule. Providence is easy to get around by foot or public transport, RIPTA.The mansions are in Newport an hour from Providence. There is a nice ferry run by RIPTA that can get you there. Providence is a beautiful, old city with an interesting history and architecture worth exploring. It also has great restaurants. You could plan a fun hassle free day in Providence and visit with your friend all in one day. Check out erikhastings.com, click on map,then on Providence below the map,and you';ll find Erik%26#39;s report on Providence. He%26#39;s a reporter for WABC in Manhattan.

Best way for day trip from Manhattan to Providence?

We often do day trips to NYC from Newport, by car...not the most relaxing driving but doable. Narragansett Bay is an interesting comparison to Puget Sound- the ferry ride to Npt would be worth it but the mansions too...may be pushing it. Prov is beautiful but Npt even more so, plus we have Atlantic Salmon..

Be advised that on a holiday weekend, the traffic going back to NYC in the evening could (and probably will) be hellish. If I had a choice, I%26#39;d take the train. The trains will also be full, but you won%26#39;t have to deal with the traffic. The economy class is comfortable enough, with more room than on a plane; I don%26#39;t think I would spend the extra for business class, especially since the ride is not that long -- but I%26#39;d say it%26#39;s closer to 4 hours to Providence.

I also think it would be a bit much to fit in a trip to Newport, unless you really like packing it in. There are plenty of things to do in Providence.

Thanks so much to all of you. I hadn%26#39;t even thought about the return-to-NYC traffic problem! I appreciate the hints --- think we%26#39;ll take the train and see what sort of adventures we can have in Providence!