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Newport RI Travel Guide | |
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Whatever glittering reports you've had of Newport, they're probably correct, because Newport is beautiful, historic, fun and well-organized. |
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Palatial mansions, the wealthy yachting set, major US Navy and Coast Guard installations, tennis tournaments, cocktails on marble terraces in the soft air of a summer's evening, or succulent seafood served in a waterfront restaurant—Newport is all of these. There's lots to see & do. Newport has enjoyed prominence during two periods in American history. In colonial times it was an important trade center, and so, like Salem MA, it has a lovely colonial district right downtown, much of which has been restored authentically in the styles of centuries ago. In the mid-19th century it became a resort for the very wealthy, who built "summer cottages" that are in fact palatial mansions in another part of town. Today the city's symbol is the pineapple, a sign of welcome left from Newport's great commercial era when traders back from West Indies with this fruit would put a pineapple outside their warehouses to invite customers to come in and look over the stock. Many hotels, inns B&Bs and motels have adopted it as their symbol as well. Several things are important to remember when you're planning a visit to Newport. First, it's crowded in summer, particularly on weekends, and when the important tennis tournaments and yacht races are being held. Second, prices go up on weekends and when the yachters are around, so plan your visit for mid-week when there's no yachting, if possible. Third, Newport prides itself on having style, and many visitors will be dressed like movie stars. A few restaurants, cocktail lounges, and hotels still require "proper" dress at dinner, and perhaps even lunch: jacket, or jacket and tie for men, skirt and top or pants suit, or similar attire, for women. The most important streets in Newport are: — Thames Street (pronounced "thaymz," not "temz"), center of the colonial section, the wharves, and modern downtown. — Bellevue Avenue, southeast of and parallel to Thames. Bellevue is the street with many of the old mansions on it. — America's Cup Avenue is parallel to Thames and runs right along the water downtown. The place to start your Newport adventures is the Newport Gateway Transportation Visitors Center, at 23 America's Cup Avenue (map) next to the Newport Marriott Hotel, with reasonably-priced parking, local and inter-city buses, and a great tourist information office. Newport is a great place to visit all year, including in December, when the mansions are decorated for Christmas, with lots of special events. More... Tourist Information for Newport |
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Above, The
Breakers,
Cornelius Vanderbilt's palatial summer mansion in Newport RI.
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