I need some help!!

I am planning my honeymoon September 4-10. I had looked at going to Rockport, but have recently thought about Newport. My fiance%26#39; would like to be within walking distance of the beach. How are the beaches in the area? We would also like to find some romantic accomodations that are not cookie cutter, but not too antiqued either. We are willing to spend up to $249/night. Any recommendations on where we could stay or what we could do? Can you rent bikes and ride along the beach? Things like that. We would fly into Providence and not sure if we spend the whole time in Newport, but we are open to day trips if they are close by or even an overnight in a place close by. Any suggestions would be helpful, you all are always extremely helpful and I am VERY grateful. My email address is stephenk99@hotmail.com, if you want to contact me directly.

I need some help!!

Steve, for accommodations, you might want to look at www.gonewport.com/ and send for their complete color guide to the city. You might also check out a site like

www.newportreservations.com/index.asp

Besides the numerous B%26amp;Bs you can consider the Viking Hotel (Bellevue Ave area) or one of several time share resorts along the intown waterfront. You can see these resorts at

www.rci.com/RCIW/RCIW_index

(Click on ';resort directory'; at the left then search by state (RI) to see a list of 8+ resorts in the Newport area. You can contact resorts directly to reserve or can sometimes find availability at certain ones for inexpensive bidding through skyauction.com)

Newport generally has a rocky coast but does have three beaches. First Beach is within a fair walking distance (10 - 15 min.)from the Bellevue Ave. area mansions and Viking Hotel. It is also close to the beginning of the 5 miles cliff walk that skirts all the famous mansions along the ocean side. The Cliff Walk is a must if you want romance!

The other two beaches are farther east and require a bike, car or taxi. But Second Beach is much broader and longer than First Beach. (yes, you can rent bikes easily.)

Ocean Drive is a great 5 mile loop by bike or you can take a narrated trolley tour that includes the mansions. At the far end of the drive is Bretton Point State Park, famous for kite flying and a great picnic spot on the coast. Also along Ocean Drive are Hammersmith Farm (girlhood home of Jackie Kennedy) and Revolutionary War era Fort Adams.

Strolling the numerous shops of Thames Street on the intown waterfront is a relaxing past time, adn restaurants and pubs are numerous. For a day trip, I recommend the Newport-Providence Ferry to downtown Providence, and if timed right, an evening at Waterfire downtown (see%26gt; www.waterfire.org/about/index.html )

I need some help!!

i sent you an email - let me know if you have q%26#39;s.

For a day trip plan on Block Island - there are many posts extolling the virtues of the Island. Wickford is a nice strolling village of shops without being as commercial as Newport. Narragansett has a great beach as do several areas down the coast on the west side of the bay, AKA South County/Washington County. Check out the lighthouse on Jamestown Island (Beavertail Park) on your way to South County. Looks like Spain of Narragansett is the current #1 dining establishment on Trip Advisor. It is well worth the trip and near the Point Judith lighthouse if you are into lighthouses. If you like golf there are a lot of courses reasonalbly priced.

Second Beach in Newport is my favorite in the world. Thats probably because I grew up going there every weekend but it is really beautiful. It can get a bit crowded on the weekends in the summer but if you are going after labor day it wont be too bad. It is in middletown which is right across a small bridge from newport.

I agree with the previous poster who suggested Block Island as a side trip, you might want to stay out there one or two nights - depending on your budget. if you would like to go there, i suggest booking early, they can fill up and get expensive. That is a beautiful island and a great place to rent bikes and ride around - its impossible to get lost and if you do someone might offer to give you a ride back.

There is a great bike trail that runs along the bay for at least 17 miles. I think it ends in warren or bristol. Bristol is a very cute town that would be a great place to end your bike ride. Take your bikes there and do a round trip, end at Aiden%26#39;s in Bristol for some great pub food.

It is beautiful and safe and runs along the water. http://www.eastbaybikepath.com/ This is a car ride away from Newport, but I would assume that you would rent a car.

The newport mansions are interesting, I suggest marble house - its much less crowded than ';The Breakers'; which is the one everyone seems to head for for some reason.

If you stay in providence for the night head to federal hill (everyone knows where it is) for delicious authentic italian food.

I hope that helps!

Cliffside Inn in Newport is it! Romantic restored mansion, decorated in antiques. Every room has fireplace, some have 3 and there is either a whirpool tub or steam shower. Delicious breakfast and they serve Tea every afternoon, it includes tarts, pie, cookies, scones and finger sandwiches. All wonderful. You will love this place. Check out www.cliffsideinn.com My husband and I loved it.

Citychicky is right about the bike path--if you are into biking. The East Bay Pike Path is the premier bike path in RI running 14.5 mi from India Point Park in Providence south to Bristol along Narragansett Bay. Very scenic and dotted with parks and numerous amenities along the way.

A great idea is to take the Prov-Newport Ferry with your bikes [which are free!] to Providence, then bike over to the head of the bike path at India Point Park [this IS do-able despite the new I-195 construction], then bike to Bristol, then catch a RIPTA bus [$1.50] back to Newport [RIPTA busses carry 2 bikes on a front mounted rack--again for free!]. This is an EXCELLENT circuit if you love biking as we do.

The Blackstone River Valley Bike Path in N RI is also very nice as well as the one in South Kingstown from Wakefield to the URI Amtrack station--though both are only about 6 miles long each. Block Island is also great but hilly. [All the other suggestions about Block Island and South County for day trips are very good also.]

Pilgrim:

What a great circuit for the bike path! I%26#39;ll have to try that one, a beautiful boat ride and then a cruise down the path, perfect!

I miss that bike path, I was just telling my husband about how next time we visit my parents we will have to go on it, it is a real treasure.