Fall in New England

October is here and the leaves are changing and there is crisp coolness to the air in the mornings. Having lived in Newport for twenty years, I can easily say the Fall is my favorite time of the year. All the attractions and restaurants are still open, but there are no long lines, not much traffic and the colors, ah those beautiful leaves.

Most of the trees here in Newport are not indigenous, but rather were brought here from Europe when Newport was settled. Bellevue avenue, where all the mansions are located is lined with trees of gold, copper and deep reds and browns.

All throughout New England, visitors will discover many Harvest Fairs and Festivals and if you are fortunate enough to be near an area that has a winery, you are in for an extra special treat and this is indeed the time of the year when the grapes are bursting off the vines.

We are lucky here to have several world class wineries...all of which offer tours and gifts shops. Be sure to include a stop at one of our vineyards while you are here.

And just a tip for some advanced Christmas Shopping. In November and December, you can find incredible bargins at the shops and stores downtown. Plus, Christmas in Newport is a month long celebration of Victorian Christmas and Newporters really go all out to decorate their homes.

We look forward to seeing you here!

America’s 400th Anniversary
The Journey That Changed the World
ALL ABOARD!
THE GODSPEED SAILS TO NEWPORT, RI
COMMEMORATING AMERICA’S 400TH ANNIVERSARY
WHAT: The story of the nation’s birthplace, Jamestown, Va. will come to life this spring when the 17th-century replica ship Godspeed and her "Landing Party Festival" visit Newport’s Yachting Center from July 25 - July 30. All events and activities are free and open to the public, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. weekends and holidays.
FAST FACTS: The Godspeed, one of the three ships that carried America’s first permanent English settlers to the shores of this country will serve as the world’s largest floating museum offering students, families and visitors a glimpse into 17th century America and Jamestown, Va. Tours of the ship will be conducted by historical interpreters dressed in period costume.
The ship’s "Landing Party" will showcase a variety of live music, children's entertainment and historical and cultural displays including:
Anniversary Voices, a live contemporary musical and dance production themed around America’s 400th Anniversary.
Baa-baah and the Windingo, an original children’s show with a cast of whimsical characters will tells the story of 1607 events from the point-of-view of a young Indian girl and some of the indigenous animals present when the ships first arrived.
American People, American Progress, a gallery-in-the-round that takes visitors on a journey through 400 years of contributions made by the English/European, American Indian and African-American cultures that first converged at Jamestown in the early 1600s.
Voyage to the New World Simulator Ride, a 3-4 minute virtual sail with music, narration, film and motion.
The Jamestown Experience gives visitors the opportunity to get a sense of what life was like on board ship and in early Jamestown through interactive displays, hands-on activities and scale models of the ships and island.
America’s Heritage Flag allows kids of all ages to create panels that will become part of a huge backdrop for display during America’s Anniversary Weekend in Jamestown on May 11-13, 2007.
"Jamestown and NASA: Exploring the Past, Discovering the Future, Understanding the Journey" uses interactive displays and experiences to help visitors compare and contrast 17th-century exploration to today’s and tomorrows journeys to the moon, Mars and beyond.

WHEN: Monday, July 25 - Sunday, July 30, 2006
Weekdays: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Weekends and Holidays: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Newport Yachting Center- America’s Cup Avenue at 4 Commercial Wharf
ADMISSION: Free!
MORE: For more information, please visit www.Americas400thAnniversary.org.
MEDIA Lindsey Berk
CONTACT: 202.974.5084 ph
berkl@ruderfinn.com

Summer is here

It is almost July and I have been terribly remiss in not updating this blog as often as I should have. Oh well. It is a rainy Sunday afternoon as I write this, but from where I live I can see the traffic pouring into town.

This summer's grand event, The US Women's Open is getting ready to begin and the beautiful Newport Country Club, normally closed to the public, will the setting for this tournament. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the best of the best in the sport of Women's golf. If you're nearby as you read this, try to get here to see this.

This summer thus far has been quite a soggy one. But fortunately for those visiting Newport, there is much to see inside. The beautiful mansions and one of a kind shops and one cannot forget the many museums there are here. Don't miss the Newport Art Museum. Great exhibits!

Throughout this website, I have stressed how much nicer Newport is during the week than on the weekend. It is just so much more enjoyable on a Tuesday and Wednesday than on a Saturday night.

When I was an innkeeper in Newport, I offered a midweek package that my guests throughly loved. This is what we offered and I suggest to you the traveler to Newport, a great way to spend three days.

Be sure to get out on the water. Either a harbor tour and sailing tour is a great way to see Newport from the water. (www.sightsailing.com and www.cruisenewport.com) Both do a great job. A sunset tour is great, but on a hot day, there is no better place than to be out on the water.

The mansions sell a combination ticket - that is your best bet. But don't miss the Tennis Hall of Fame while you're here. Even if you're not a tennis fan, it would be like being near Cooperstown, NY and not seeing the Baseball Hall of fame. Doesn't matter if you're a fan or not. The museum has great displays and is a beautiful building.

There are numerous guided tours, but for a really personal experience, try Newport tours at www.newport101.com. Very interesting and entertaining and Newport is just so much better on foot.

As far as where to eat, I like different places for very different things. I love the Lobster Roll at La Forge Casino - great lunch spot. For dinner, I am a big fan or both the food and atmosphere at the Canfield House. The Mooring is good for lunch, but getting pricy although their crab focaccia is outstanding and scallop chowder is award winning.

When I owned an inn, I offered my guests a lobster dinner in house, on the deck which was just so much fun to eat it in the rough, without pretense in a casual setting. We did this because lobster is just such a New England in the summer must, but unfortunatley, there isn't really a restaurant that is casual and offers lobster that doesn't require a second mortgage, so my suggestion is to go to the Cape or Maine or, well, just anywhere but downtown Newport.

Some other links that are helpful for travel planning:
www.gonewport.com
www.newportri.com
www.newportonline.com

Have a great trip and welcome!

Julie

Early Summer - Getting Ready For Summer

Wow - Is it May already? I just believe how fast time goes by. Why is that the older we get, the faster time passes? When we are kids we live for Summer vacation, yet every day from January to the end of the year goes by at a crawl. And then, like magic, summer's here and we're out every day, enjoying hours of glorious sunshine and having fun with our friends and family. Time marches on and now we have families of our own, jobs, chores and all the tasks of daily life, yet somewhere in the mix we have to plan for what we are going to do this summer. Coordinate schedules, pick a destination, then make the arrangements.

If you stumbled upon this website, it looks like you're thinking about coming to Newport. Great choice. No shortage of things to do, places to stay or seafood to savor. For accommodations, you are going to get a much more personal experience at Bed and Breakfast Inn. May we suggest:
The Architects Inn, The Samuel Durfee House, or The Touro Park Inn. For a more romantic and intimate experience may we suggest Shamrock Farm Inn, a beautiful Irish country inn located just 10 minutes from downtown Newport with stunning grounds and landscaping

For things to do, check out PirateFest, Saturday, May 27, 2006(downtown Newport).First annual day-long celebration of all things pirate. Family pirate school and costume contest, treasure hunt, Smugglers Cocktail Cruise, free craft workshops for children and Cap'n Nick's Newport Pirate Walk. Events located at various Newport locations and times.

SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS:
Book early! And plan for at least three days in our beautiful city.
Venture out - Portmouth, Bristol, and Little Compton are charming communities with a flavor all their own - quaint shops and stores with one of a kind treasures to be found.

APRIL IN NEWPORT RI

It is April now and Spring has most certainly sprung. Everywhere you look in Newport, the gardens are in bloom, yards are cleaned up, there are flowers everywhere and the town has a look and feel to it that says, Welcome To Newport. April can be strange weather wise in Newport as there have been snow storms here in the past, but if the last few days are any idicator, the cold weather is in the past.

With Summer just around the corner, my suggestion to those thinking about coming to Newport in the summer is BOOK EARLY. And I can't emphasize enough how much more fun there is to be had during the week rather than on the weekend.

If you are coming to Newport for a wedding this summer, make a vacation out of it. Plan on spending a few days prior to or after the wedding or event you are attending and taking in the sites. The mansions are here, but there is so much to Newport.

Just walking around town and seeing, up close and personal, the fine architecture and buildings we have here. That is an attraction; the Musuem of Yachting or Fort Adams - great attractions to be seen.

Remember, Newport was founded in the 1600's and as such, cars and parking were not planned for. Walk, walk, walk! Great town for it.

We look forward to seeing you here!

April In Newport RI

It is April now and Spring has most certainly sprung. Everywhere you look in Newport, the gardens are in bloom, yards are cleaned up, there are flowers everywhere and the town has a look and feel to it that says, Welcome To Newport. April can be strange weather wise in Newport as there have been snow storms here in the past, but if the last few days are any idicator, the cold weather is in the past.

With Summer just around the corner, my suggestion to those thinking about coming to Newport in the summer is BOOK EARLY. And I can't emphasize enough how much more fun there is to be had during the week rather than on the weekend.

If you are coming to Newport for a wedding this summer, make a vacation out of it. Plan on spending a few days prior to or after the wedding or event you are attending and taking in the sites. The mansions are here, but there is so much to Newport.

Just walking around town and seeing, up close and personal, the fine architecture and buildings we have here. That is an attraction; the Musuem of Yachting or Fort Adams - great attractions to be seen.

Remember, Newport was founded in the 1600's and as such, cars and parking were not planned for. Walk, walk, walk! Great town for it.

We look forward to seeing you here!