Excursion Question-Newport Cliff Walk and The Breakers

[believer33323]

Has anyone taken the Royal Cribbena excursion "Newport Cliff Walk and The Breakers" in Rode Island I was wondering how it was and is it wrth the money.

[SailBadtheSinner]

Has anyone taken the Royal Cribbena excursion "Newport Cliff Walk and The Breakers" in Rode Island I was wondering how it was and is it wrth the money.

 

Since you can easily tour the Breakers and Cliff Walk using public transportation, what does RC add to make the excursion worth what they are asking. If you DIY, the only costs to you will be city bus fare and entry fee to the Breakers and if you DIY, you can set your own schedule, pace, length of walk on CW, and side visits to anything you find interesting.

 

I did read the excursion description on the RC site. I guess the added feature is a guide and an interstate tour bus. I know that once inside the Breakers, you will be led around by Breaker's tour staff and get the standard tour there. The walk on CW is only about ¾ mile; CW total length is 3.5 miles.

 

I honestly would do it on my own; but I rarely will take the cruise ship excursion.

 

 

SBtS

[Keith1010]

We took the same tour on another cruise line.

 

I would recommend it and having the tour guide was a major plus.

 

Keith

[Rick02809]

IF you decide to DIY as SBtS states, check out the Rhode Island Public Transportation website RIPTA Bus 67 departs the visitor's center and you will pay about $ 2.00 for a fare.

 

If you pull up map of the area, look for Rt 138A or "Memorial Boulevard" and Cliff Ave. to the East of Cliff Ave is the beginning of the cliffwalk. BE aware, parts of the cliff are unpaved, so wear comfortable shoes (No heels). You might want sunscreen and sunglasses, don't forget the camera!

 

You can google "cliffwalkmap" to get better information or pick up a copy at the Newport Visitor's center as you depart the tender.

 

Welcome to Rhode Island!

[mtsnd1900]

Great description Rick (as always!). I might add that if you go on your own, try to pick up a copy of a book like :A Guide to Newport's Cliff Walk (RI): Tales of Seaside Mansions and the Gilded Age Elite or something similar as your own guide, can get a lot of information from tour books, and I am sure this is not the only one.

 

Another great option for information is this website: http://www.newport-discovery-guide.com/newport-cliff-walk.html

 

Enjoy your vacation here in the Ocean State!

[Rick02809]

As a quick reminder, for those of you DIY'ers, if you decide to go it alone, you can take a RIPTA bus to the beginning of the walk. If you decide that it's too long of a walk, you can pick up the bus along Ochre Point Ave, or walk up to Bellevue Ave or the "Billion Dollar Mile" as some refer to it. Bellevue Ave is the road where most of the Mansions are located.

 

It's sad, I've lived in RI about 20 minutes away and I've only been to the Breakers once.... almost 30 years ago. :rolleyes:

[DMaugle]

Just back and did it ourselves. Last year we did the ship's tour. Biggest plus for the ship's tour (our reason) was the ability to get off the ship early due to the looong tendering process. Cost a few bucks but we got more time in Newport. This year we had a suite so we were off first regardless. $2 for a bus one block from the pier, dropped at Breakers front gate, and walked back along the Cliff Walk, left onto Memorial and back to town. Nothing to it! We wouldn't spend the $$$ unless it assisted us with the tendering. DMaugle

[EBM]

You can even walk to the cliff walk from the pier. About a fifteen minute walk and mostly uphill, but definitely doable. I used to live on cliff ave. (right before the cliff walk) and have done it many, many times.

[love2cruisegal]

As a quick reminder, for those of you DIY'ers, if you decide to go it alone, you can take a RIPTA bus to the beginning of the walk. If you decide that it's too long of a walk, you can pick up the bus along Ochre Point Ave, or walk up to Bellevue Ave or the "Billion Dollar Mile" as some refer to it. Bellevue Ave is the road where most of the Mansions are located.

 

It's sad, I've lived in RI about 20 minutes away and I've only been to the Breakers once.... almost 30 years ago. :rolleyes:

 

Rick, all your information is great. We will be in Newport on Princess first week of Oct. Planning to do a couple mansions (Breakers for sure) and part of the cliff walk. I went on the website that was recommended by mtsnd1900 (Newport Discovery Guide) and the google map shows the mansions (Breakers, Marble House, etc.) on Ochre Point and not Bellevue. Is that an error on the map? Bellevue is a block or two further away per the map. No matter what, we will still do mansions and cliff walk but will also use the bus both ways.

 

Just curious. Thanks for all you help. It will make our trip even better.

[SailBadtheSinner]

Rick, all your information is great. We will be in Newport on Princess first week of Oct. Planning to do a couple mansions (Breakers for sure) and part of the cliff walk. I went on the website that was recommended by mtsnd1900 (Newport Discovery Guide) and the google map shows the mansions (Breakers, Marble House, etc.) on Ochre Point and not Bellevue. Is that an error on the map? Bellevue is a block or two further away per the map. No matter what, we will still do mansions and cliff walk but will also use the bus both ways.

 

Just curious. Thanks for all you help. It will make our trip even better.

 

Only the Breakers is on Ochre Point Ave; Marble House and the rest of the mansions front on Bellevue Ave. I just checked on Google maps and they all seem to be where they should be.

 

 

SBtS

[canadarocks]

Has anyone done a tour with Viking Tours? Are there other sights to be seen in Newport besides the mansions and Cliff Walk that would make that tour worthwhile? :confused:

[Rick02809]

Has anyone done a tour with Viking Tours? Are there other sights to be seen in Newport besides the mansions and Cliff Walk that would make that tour worthwhile? :confused:

 

Harbor cruises on the Rum Runner II and the Schooner Madeline:

Shopping on Thames Street

Mansions on Bellevue Ave

Cliff Walk

(Ochre Court is a building Built by Robert Goelet and was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, it is now owned by Salve Regina University and is not open to the public, HOWEVER it was filmed in True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger opening scene at the chateau)

 

I don't know alot about Viking, but they are well known in the area.

There are pedi-cabs kind of like a rickshaw that will take you around (2 people max)

There is the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Bellevue

There is the Newport Dinner train which takes you on a 22 mile long ride along Aquidneck Island they have a lunch ride, I would STRONGLY check your times in port to see if you can attend. http://www.newportdinnertrain.com they were profiled on the Food Network. I think that the ride is 90 minutes long, you should double check times in port before booking this

[canadarocks]

Thanks so much for your response Rick02809. I guess I should have been more specific in my question..... we have a very limited time in Newport and I'm wondering if Viking Tours' tour is worthwhile? I was thinking of doing their basic tour combined with a tour of The Breakers (3 hours).

 

Otherwise, we will have to a tour on our own, which I'm sure will be fine as well.

 

Thanks! :)

[love2cruisegal]

Only the Breakers is on Ochre Point Ave; Marble House and the rest of the mansions front on Bellevue Ave. I just checked on Google maps and they all seem to be where they should be.

 

 

SBtS

 

Thank you, you are correct. I doubled checked again and was thinking for some reason all were on Ochre Point Ave. Thanks for setting me straight.

 

If we do a portion of the north cliff walk and then go to the Breakers or vice versa, how long does it take to do the tour? I realize we would probably have a long wait also to get in. We are planning to purchase tickets ahead of time. May include Marble House if there is enough time. Also want to stop at one of the restaurants downtown before heading back to the ship.

 

Thanks.

[SailBadtheSinner]

Thank you, you are correct. I doubled checked again and was thinking for some reason all were on Ochre Point Ave. Thanks for setting me straight.

 

If we do a portion of the north cliff walk and then go to the Breakers or vice versa, how long does it take to do the tour? I realize we would probably have a long wait also to get in. We are planning to purchase tickets ahead of time. May include Marble House if there is enough time. Also want to stop at one of the restaurants downtown before heading back to the ship.

 

Thanks.

 

You can not enter or exit Cliff Walk directly from the grounds of any mansion. You enter/exit CW from many east/west side streets off Bellevue Ave that dead end at CW.

 

For instance, Ruggles Ave is the southern property border of the Breakers and also an entry/exit to/from CW. So if you were at the Breakers and took a left as you exited on to Ochre Point Ave and took a left onto Ruggles Ave and walked to the end, you would be at CW. Walking time 5-7 minutes. Not all mansions have a side street property border street that you can take to CW.

 

I believe that most mansion tours are less than an hour, but I can't be more precise.

 

Here are 2 links for CW that include a map:

• http://www.cliffwalk.com/
  
  
• http://www.cliffwalk.com/sect1.htm
  

 

 

SBtS

[love2cruisegal]

You can not enter or exit Cliff Walk directly from the grounds of any mansion. You enter/exit CW from many east/west side streets off Bellevue Ave that dead end at CW.

 

For instance, Ruggles Ave is the southern property border of the Breakers and also an entry/exit to/from CW. So if you were at the Breakers and took a left as you exited on to Ochre Point Ave and took a left onto Ruggles Ave and walked to the end, you would be at CW. Walking time 5-7 minutes. Not all mansions have a side street property border street that you can take to CW.

 

I believe that most mansion tours are less than an hour, but I can't be more precise.

 

Here are 2 links for CW that include a map:

 

• http://www.cliffwalk.com/
   
  
• http://www.cliffwalk.com/sect1.htm
  

SBtS

 

I realize there are certain areas where you can enter/exit the cliff walk as I've seen the map. I believe we are going to take the #67 bus to the Breakers and do that first and then the cliff walk to probably 40 steps and then bus back to town. We may do it in reverse and do cliff walk first but haven't decided. Thought about also doing the Marble house but looks like we will have to bus it there as it seems like a rather long walk, but maybe not.

 

Thanks for everyones suggestions. It's been a great help.

[Rick02809]

I realize there are certain areas where you can enter/exit the cliff walk as I've seen the map. I believe we are going to take the #67 bus to the Breakers and do that first and then the cliff walk to probably 40 steps and then bus back to town. We may do it in reverse and do cliff walk first but haven't decided. Thought about also doing the Marble house but looks like we will have to bus it there as it seems like a rather long walk, but maybe not.

 

Thanks for everyones suggestions. It's been a great help.

 

If you bus to the Breakers, you can enter Cliff Walk on Ruggles Ave or Shepard Ave (both border the Breakers). Proceed North to 40 steps on the CW to Narragansett Ave where you can hop on the RIPTA Bus at Narragansett and Ochre Point Ave, or you can continue on the CW to Memorial Boulevard , turn Left and follow West to America's Cup ave to the Visitor's center. The walk is about 37 minutes at a leisurely pace (from 40 steps on Narragansett Ave to the Visitors center)

 

Google maps:

Narragansett Ave to 23 America's Cup Avenue, Newport, RI

"Memorial Blvd and America's Cup Ave" 1.9 miles 37 minutes on foot.

 

From the Breakers along the Cliffwalk is 2.5 miles at a 47 minute timeframe

[love2cruisegal]

If you bus to the Breakers, you can enter Cliff Walk on Ruggles Ave or Shepard Ave (both border the Breakers). Proceed North to 40 steps on the CW to Narragansett Ave where you can hop on the RIPTA Bus at Narragansett and Ochre Point Ave, or you can continue on the CW to Memorial Boulevard , turn Left and follow West to America's Cup ave to the Visitor's center. The walk is about 37 minutes at a leisurely pace (from 40 steps on Narragansett Ave to the Visitors center)

 

Google maps:

Narragansett Ave to 23 America's Cup Avenue, Newport, RI

"Memorial Blvd and America's Cup Ave" 1.9 miles 37 minutes on foot.

 

From the Breakers along the Cliffwalk is 2.5 miles at a 47 minute timeframe

 

Thanks Rick for your advice. We think we'll do the Breakers first and then take Ruggles to Cliff Walk and to 40 steps and take the bus back to town at Narragansett & Ochre Point.

 

Do you recommend buying tickets to the Breakers online or wait and purchase at Visitor Center in Newport? I have read that once in awhile the weather has prevented ships from being able to tender in port. In that case, it's probably better to purchase in Newport, but then I'm sure there is a long line to get them.

 

Thanks again.

[Rick02809]

You might be able to purchase tickets at the Visitor's Center on America's Cup Blvd in Newport.

 

From their website : "Visitor Information Center hours are: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Sunday. We are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Information specialists are available for your destination planning needs with free maps and brochures on local events, attractions, lodging, shopping and dining. Tickets available on site for sale to most major attractions and events daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ticket office phone: 401-845-9130. Services: ATM, Post Cards and a Change Machine. There is also an on-site coffee cafe."

 

http://www.gonewport.com/visitor-services

 

If not, you probably will have to get them through the Preservation Society:

https://tix.newportmansions.org/ecommerce/

 

Rick

 

BTW, when are you coming to RI??

[love2cruisegal]

You might be able to purchase tickets at the Visitor's Center on America's Cup Blvd in Newport.

 

From their website : "Visitor Information Center hours are: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Sunday. We are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Information specialists are available for your destination planning needs with free maps and brochures on local events, attractions, lodging, shopping and dining. Tickets available on site for sale to most major attractions and events daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ticket office phone: 401-845-9130. Services: ATM, Post Cards and a Change Machine. There is also an on-site coffee cafe."

 

http://www.gonewport.com/visitor-services

 

If not, you probably will have to get them through the Preservation Society:

https://tix.newportmansions.org/ecommerce/

 

Rick

 

BTW, when are you coming to RI??

 

I believe I read somewhere on one of the threads awhile ago that you can purchase tickets at the visitor center but I will make sure.

 

Thanks for all your info. We are looking forward to Newport and all the ports of our cruise. We will be in Newport on Oct. 5 from 9am to 6pm on Princess.

[Rick02809]

You are arriving 1-day too early. You'll miss Oktoberfest, oh well, You'll still have plenty to keep you occupied! :)