Bored....

I%26#39;m spending my first night at Newport and I%26#39;m already getting bored. Most shops at Thames street are closed and only one mansion is open during the winter. I%26#39;ve done the cliff walk and ocean drive today and am not sure what else to do tomorrow.

I%26#39;m sorry to say but I%26#39;m quite disappointed to be here...Can anyone recommend me what else I can do here...I%26#39;ve got another two more days to go...

Bored....

Drive to Providence about an hour away. In Providence visit the State House, RISD art museum, the arcade, bundle up and walk along Waterplace Park and the Riverwalk. Visit the Culinary Archives and Museum. Go to the Providence Place Mall and see an IMAX movie there.

Bored....

Sorry you%26#39;re getting bored...unfortunately it%26#39;s turning out to be the coldest days of the winter...with the wind on top of it! Such a change from the 50%26#39;s this past Saturday.....but isn%26#39;t that always the case.

Have you checked out the visitors center right next to the Mariott? They have helpful people that might be able to clue you in to things you might be interested in.

A few ideas, not really knowing what you%26#39;re in to:

Tennis Hall of Fame on Bellevue

http://www.tennisfame.com/

Newport Art Museum (also on Bellevue)

http://www.newportartmuseum.com/

Redwood Library and Antheneum (http://www.redwoodlibrary.org/general.htm)

There%26#39;s a self guided walking tour of the Historic Hill that has plaques along the way that explain the various houses and their history...(if it gets a little warmer....or you%26#39;re very hardy)

Unfortunately or Fortunately, depending on how you look at it....this time of year, Newport can live up to it%26#39;s reputation of ';A Drinking Town with a Sailing Problem';

Maybe split a bowl of Chowder and a drink at the Black Pearl on Bowens Wharf

Head over to the Brick Alley for a more hearty appetizer and warm drink....talk with the regulars and the bartenders there about their ideas.

Dinner options are numerous....Eclectic restaurants up on Broadway, Irish Bar at Buskers on Thames. Mooring for Seafood and or Drinks at Sunset.

On Tuesday nights at 9:30 they play Pub Trivia at O%26#39;Briens on lower Thames...get%26#39;s a good crowd...kind of fun with a couple of drinks.

Next door to O%26#39;Briens is the Fifth Element funky lounge/grill with good grilled pizzas, dishes. (http://www.5eri.com)

If you like to play slots, there%26#39;s Newport Grand.

There%26#39;s a funky group of antique shops at the Armory on Lower Thames to explore....

A a funky architectural antique store called AArdvarks. They reclaim alot of things from historic houses and estates that are being torn down...(www.aardvarkantiques.com)

Let me know what you%26#39;re interested in and I might be able to think of some better ideas...

Oh, that%26#39;s really too bad. I thought that there were at least three of the mansions that were always open. Did you look into the Newport Dinner Train? How about movies -- the Jane Pickens and the Opera House, right near the Thames Street area (Courthouse Square) show some interesting films. You could see a show at the Newport Playhouse (dinner theater). Have you checked out the various galleries on Bellevue Avenue? How about the Tennis Hall of Fame?

The weather%26#39;s so brutal this week so outside activities will be difficult, but if you%26#39;re into ice skating and it calms down, there%26#39;s a public rink near the harbor.

I don%26#39;t know if anyone has mentioned it but i love the White Horse Tavern...it%26#39;s the oldest continuously running tavern in the country...since 1673. It%26#39;s very nice and not too pricey for lunch.

I LOVE Newport but that%26#39;s probably because the love of my life lives there. :)