Newport, Rhode Island ?

[cataylor2]

We want to see 2 iof the mansions in Newport, the Astor's Beechwood and the Breakers? Is this something we could get tickets for cheaper when we get there, than doing the shore excursion. How long do they each actually take? How far apart are they? Would we be able to walk from the pier where the ship docks or what other means would we need to take.

 

Can anyone give me some tips on these excursions? Thanks!:)

[SailBadtheSinner]

Here’s an edited version of my reply to a recent question along the same lines –

 

Here’s an MSN map of Newport: http://*****.com/bzdga for Bellevue Ave. Hit ZOOM IN twice (PLUS sign on left of map). Take a taxi to Beechwood, (click SOUTH 3Xs on the map); then walk to the Breakers (click NORTH then EAST on the map). There is a legend at the bottom of the map in tenths of a mile.

 

Depending on the age and condition of your legs, and time left before the last tender, you could walk back.

 

From the Breakers, exit right onto Ochra Point Ave; make left onto Sheppard Ave; make right onto Bellevue Ave; go north (on the map) until Memorial Blvd (Rte 138A), turn left (west on the map) and follow 138A back to the tender pick up (corner of 138A and Long Wharf Mall). The map legend is still in tenths of a mile.

 

Remember, you’ll be contending with other sightseers of the mansions so by taking a taxi/bus/tram you'll get to one mansion before the crowds.

 

Enjoy your visit to Newport.

 

If you only have time for one mansion, do the Breakers.

 

Any other questions?

 

 

 

SBtS

 

Here's to swimmin' with bowlegged women......

-- Cpt Quint of The Orca, Amity, USA

[cataylor2]

How long does the Breaker tour last? What do you think is the average wait time? How long does it take to get from Breaker to the Beechwood? How long does that tour take?

 

It's $46. each person, for each tour from the ship. Do you think it would just be easier to take the shore excursion?

 

Thanks so much for your help!

 

C

[kenandlaura06]

$46 a person for each individual mansion???? That is outrageous if that is the case. $46 for all mansions would be more like it.

[SailBadtheSinner]

The distance from Beechwood to the Breakers is just under a mile (about .9 miles).

I’m not exactly sure of each tour’s length, but I’ll guess at 1.5 hours, certainly no more than 2 hours (most likely closer to 1). I would contact each mansion to find out exactly.

Wait time varies with the season; we waited about 5 minutes when we took the tour in October, 2003; just beating 2 bus loads from 2 cruise ships that were visiting then. Waited 3/4 hour when we took the Christmas evening tour last year.

If the price you quoted is just to tour one mansion and transportation then you are way overpaying.

Here are the sites which include pricing and other info; you may be able to buy the tickets in advance over the net.

 

Beechwood: http://www.astorsbeechwood.com/tours.shtml

Breakers: http://tickets.newportmansions.org/mansion.aspx?id=1000

 

Here’s a site that you may find helpful:

http://www.captainvic.com/top100/capvt100.htm

 

 

SBtS

[suedon]

I thought I saw a post a while back about a trolley that went by the mansions that you could get on and off. Was I dreaming or does this exist? If it does exist would this work to visit a couple places? Or would the taxi be best? I do like the idea of beating the tour buses:)

[SailBadtheSinner]

Yes, there is a seasonal trolley service available.

 

Here are some links for info:

http://www.ripta.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/320

http://www.newportmansions.org/page3554.cfm.

 

The bus/trolley terminal is at the Newport Visitors Center which is about 1 block north from where the tender docks is on Americas Cup Blvd (rte 138A)

 

 

SBtS

[cataylor2]

:D Thanks so much for all the great information. Forget the shore excursions, we can do this on our own with everyone's helpful advice. Thanks again!:D

[kenandlaura06]

Enjoy Newport, it is beautiful!!!

[Nightengale212]

You will certainly enjoy Newport. I am from R.I. and was a Breakers and Newport City your guide. The Breakers tour takes aprox 55 minutes, and Astors about the same.

 

You can purchase a multi mansions tour pass at the Newport Visitor's Center to visit the Preservation Society managed mansions for much less money than what the ship charges. Unfortunately Astors is not part of the Preservation Society mansions nor is Belcourt Castle or Rough Point which was Doris's Duke's summer cottage, but Marble House, The Elms, Castle Sur Mer, and Rosecliff to name a few are.

 

If I only has a short time in Newport I would take a city tour, see the Breakers, and do some shopping in the very nice shops along the wharf.

[cataylor2]

We are there from 8-5. You wouldn't do the Astor's???

[Mike2131]

:D Thanks so much for all the great information. Forget the shore excursions, we can do this on our own with everyone's helpful advice. Thanks again!:D

 

One of your earlier posts mentioned the tour costs $46 for one mansion. As another poster mentioned, that is really high. Since you are in port from 8-5, there are a lot of choices: you can visit several mansions, explore Newport's historical past, take a harbor sail, have a drink or late lunch on the waterfront - just to name a few. Enjoy Newport, it is a special place.

[suedon]

Thanks for all the great info! I agree this definitely sounds like a great port to do on your own. Has anyone done the cliff walk? And, if you were only going to 2 mansions which ones would you choose?

[SailBadtheSinner]

Yes, twice ; it takes 2-3 hours from Eastons Beach to Ledge Road.

 

The southern part of the walk is very rough!!! From http://www.cliffwalk.com/mapsouth.htm (referring to the southern end of the walk) This section of the walk is also the most difficult. This part of the walk is not paved or leveled; you follow a path when there is one and make your own when there is none; you climb, you jump from boulder to boulder. I was going to describe it more, but look at the pictures here (they do it better than I ever could):

http://www.cliffwalk.com/sect6.htm

http://www.cliffwalk.com/sect7.htm

http://www.cliffwalk.com/sect8.htm

 

if you really want to get a feel for the terrain at the southern end of the walk, go to South Map with 360 Panoramas at http://www.cliffwalk.com/360/360SouthMap.htm and click on the Red Hot Spots .

 

BTW, you don't have to do the entire length of Cliff Walk; there are exits along the nothern part of the walk. The last exit before the rough southern part of the walk is at Ruggles Ave, IIRC. Once you pass that exit, the next exit is Ledge Road, about 1.7 miles away.

 

 

If I have the time, the 2 mansions I would do are the Breakers (of course) and Doris Duke's mansion at Rough Point.

 

 

 

SBtS

 

Here's to swimmin' with bowlegged women........

-- Cpt Quint of The Orca, Amity, USA

[suedon]

Wow! You did the whole think twice? Thanks for the info and pictures. I think part of it will be enough for us.