Providence or Newport? - 1 Day

My wife and I will be going through Rhode Island in mid-November and have basically 24 hours (Sat-Sun) to spend in either Providence or Newport. We have never been to New England, are interested in history, have no problems with walking around, and would enjoy either location.

I would love any opinions for which city to visit. Thanks!

Providence or Newport? - 1 Day

I favor the state capitol, Providence. It%26#39;s very walkable. On Sat. you%26#39;ll be able to visit the RISD art museum, Stephen Hopkins House, John Brown House, and Roger Williams National Monument. On Sun the National Monument and RISD are open. There is a Volkswalk available at the RWNational Monument. that will lead you on a 6 mile walk around all the attractions even telling you where the bathrooms are. On Sunday morning after services , which you may attend, there is a guided tour of the First Baptist Church in America

Providence or Newport? - 1 Day

Be warned that it could be quite cold for a lot of walking in November and we are not a city where you just pop outside and hail a cab. (We do have an ';indian summer,'; but it%26#39;s not predictable.) Other than that, which city depends on your interests. Providence has superb dining- as I say all the time, the influence of the Johnson and Wales culinary program is felt throughout the city. The RISD Museum is lovely- a combination of the traditional and the hip-- but it%26#39;s small!!! We just took a guest there and did half the permanent galleries and all the new visiting exhibitions in under 2 hours. Roger Williams Park is beautiful (laid out by Frederick Law Olmstead, who designed Central Park) but, really, in November, it%26#39;s just a drive through. Other oft-mentioned sites are for true afficianados of local history.

What Newport offers is the charm of an old seafaring town. I rarely spend more than a few hours there at a time- BUT, for a visitor who is new to New England, it IS charming! There are many colonial homes, the old church is lovely. There is great dining along the wharves. You can drive Bellevue Ave past the former summer ';cottages'; (mansions!) of the rich and tours are offered at several. (And, there%26#39;s an awesome view of the ocean at the end.) You can, walk along Cliffwalk (along the ocean.) There are numerous B%26amp;Bs in quaint old homes and The White Horse Tavern is the oldest continuously operating tavern/restaurant in the US (or so everyone says.) Good luck.