mansions & newport

we%26#39;re planning to visit RI on our way up to Cape Cod. We%26#39;ll have 1 full day to spend RI, the friday of memorial day wkend. We%26#39;re not quite sure what to expect in terms of crowds and traffic. We%26#39;d like to see 2 mansions, do the cliff walk and then just walk around newport. We found tkts are $23 for the breakers +1 more. We get to choose fr: elms, marble house, rosecliff, chateau sur mer, chepstow, isaac bell, kingscote, or green animals garden. any recommendations? we%26#39;ll check in afterwards and then head out to newport. does this seem feasible? where to park w/ going to cliff walk/mansions - are all mansions and cliff walk walking distance fr each other? and where to park in newport - late afternoon?

also, budget friendly restaurants?

mansions %26amp; newport

I don%26#39;t think it will be all that unbearable traffic or crowd wise on Memorial Day Friday. Most people will be arriving for the long weekend as you are heading off to Cape Cod. Try and save yourself some parking fees by looking for free parking along Narragansett Ave or Ruggles Ave off of Bellevue Ave. This will put you within walking distance to the mansions as well as the halfway point of the Cliff Walk. If you feel more comfortable just parking the car, I recommend you take a drive through before parking. Driving down Bellevue will allow you to see the fronts of the various mansions. Maybe this will help you decide which other one to visit besides the Breakers? My vote goes for Chateau sur Mer. Follow Bellevue to the end and take a drive along Ocean Drive (very enjoyable). You could then head back into town and park at the Visitors Center and hop on a trolley to take you to the Cliff Walk ( backside of the mansions) and the mansions themselves. Walking between the mansions and Cliff Walk isn%26#39;t bad at all, since they are all located in the same area. After that, take a trolley back into town and meander along Thames Street and the nearby wharfs. Plenty of places to eat in this area, so select one that appeals to you. I love the Brick Alley Pub %26amp; Restaurant for moderately priced. Clark Cooke is another good one. As for the others you mentioned in your other post, I find The Black Pearl is so so and I wouldn%26#39;t recommend it. White Horse is expensive and I believe Fluke is open for dinner only.

mansions %26amp; newport

I%26#39;d say marble house for your plus one. But nothing beats the breakers. They are both self guided audio tours so you can spend as much or less time there as you want.

I love Brick Alley Pub. So worth it.

We have always parked near the small college located right by the Breakers, on the street. Free and close to the entrance area to the Cliff Walk. I%26#39;d try and see if you can catch a trolley back, if you do the whole Cliff Walk. I%26#39;s suggest Marble House, it is very cool. But you should check them all out online and see what one appeals to you the most. Have a great time-this is how we spend out time in Newport twice-exactly what you are doing.

All great advice....I%26#39;ll just throw my vote for the second mansion to The Elms....so, as you can see you can%26#39;t really go wrong, just pick the one that appeals to you that day.

After the Breakers, my second choice would also be Marble House. In addition to the main house, the Chinese Tea house is close to the waterfront.

The Cliff Walk is great, especially on a good weather day. Nice perspective to see houses (Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff) on one side and beautiful ocean view on the other.

We%26#39;ve enjoyed both Brick Alley Pub and Yesterday%26#39;s (Washington Square).

Enjoy your visit!!!

Hi jerseyians-

I third Marble House, which is my favorite - even over the Breakers (which is a little too ornate for me). All of the houses are amazing, though. It%26#39;s hard to believe these places were considered ';summer cottages'; by the owners. Cliff Walk is also a must-do - the views of the coast are spectacular.

You%26#39;ve already gotten some good advice regarding where to park and where to eat, so I%26#39;ll just second their advice. Check out this article about an east coast road trip - it%26#39;s got some great pointers on Newport. We%26#39;re definitely planning on doing the sunset cruise the article recommends the next time we%26#39;re there. planning-fun-road-trips.com/east-coast-road-…

Have fun - I love Newport and the Cape!

Tara