Newport

Hi

I am travelling to New England at the end of March and would like to visit Rhode Island. Would it be feasible to stay in Newport and visit all the other areas from there or do you recommend staying somewhere else/changing hotels each time we want to visit another area?

Thanks!

Newport

Newport is not exactly central, though the answer to your question depends largely on what you plan to see while in Rhode Island.

It might well make sense to spend a few nights in the Providence area as well as in Newport. Providence is over an hour drive from Newport, there is a lot to see in the city, and Providence is also much more central than Newport.

Newport

Thanks for your reply. I wanted to go to the Newport area and Providene area as they both look really nice in the guide books. Maybe we should stay for one or more nights in both places then. Does anyone know how easy it is to travel between Newport and Providence by public transport? thanks...

RIPTA runs a bus between Newport and Providence--number 60. It runs about every half hour during the week and every hour on weekends and takes a little over an hour.

Thank you for your help. I have just heard that as we are travelling at the end of March, a lot of places in Rhode Island will be cloased as it is out of season. Is this right? are we mad to be considering visiting at this time?!

I don%26#39;t think you are crazy to come in March. The advantage is that Newport is less crowded then. The downside is that it could be cold, and some things will be closed. Some of the smaller attractions are closed until April, but main attractions like RISD museum and the Newport Mansions are open year-round. So are shops.

I thought I sent my response, but I didn%26#39;t see it. My answer is March is not too live in Npt., so check if the mansions are doing tours. they are beautiful. I suggest stay in Providence, more to do, and the bus is only an hour. Boston 1.5 hours. Bus is easy to npt and as long as you are only touring newport and not bar hopping, catching the bus is just fine. buses only run until 11 last time i knew and on sunday they don%26#39;t run as often.

Most everything (restaurants, inns, hotels, mansions, bars, etc..)is open in March.

Check out a calendar of events and other info at www.gonewport.com

New Englans is big, so you will have to change accommodations with every area you travel to. You cannot really have one home base, unless you are only sticking to RI.I would suggest at least 2 nights wherever you go.. 1 night will be very rushed.

I live in Providence. What do you hope to see in RI? Providence is probably not the place to stay. We are known for our universities and our food- because of the influence of Johnson and Wales U, we have some amazing restaurants, big and small, expensive and cheap. But, other than some quaint neighborhhods and art galleries, Providence is NOT comparable with, say, Boston. Yes, the RISD Museum is great, but it is tiny. It can be seen in an hour or two. I would only suggest you stay in Providence IF a ';Waterfire'; event is scheduled. (Look online for more.) Plus, Providence will be an expensive option. Newport will also be pricey- but now you%26#39;re near the water, in a quaint, old seafaring town. (Tripadvisor has many B%26amp;B%26#39;s shown- we ourselves are considering a getaway to Newport.) Sometimes you can see cruise ships in the bay, sometimes military ships. And, there are the Newport Mansions- not to be missed. Did you know that RI is roughly one hour, from the northern border to the southern. Thus, you could stay in Newport (or its environs, if $ is an issue) and easily trek up to Providence or out to another area. March is probably ok for travel. Some recent years, it has been blustery and rainy through the month. Most of RI that you would visit or near tourist areas is clean and safe. Good Luck.