Ideas needed for Newport with teens

[Cruz4us4]

Our family of 4 is booked on a cruise in mid-May that stops in Newport., RI. I have spent hours looking for things that would interest my 2 teenagers; one girl and one boy. They are pretty easy to please, but wandering around mansions isn't something we'd like to spend our time on and they wouldn't enjoy the tennis museum. We are more "active" activity oriented.

I have pursued renting bikes or electric vehicles, but haven't had much success as phone numbers are not connected and e-mails are not answered.

I also contacted a company that runs sightseeing/learn to sail trips, but they aren't sure if their boats will be sailing that early in the month. I was asked to call back 2 days prior to our arrival. However, I'd like to have a back-up plan if they don't have boats available and also some additional ideas if they do, because that trip is only a couple of hours long.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[CMM]

I have contemplated what we would do if we did this port again with our own teens.

 

I don't think this will be the adventurous/action packed port of the cruise, but that is ok as it does have some unique things to offer and having a variety of experiences in different ports with some down time is always nice on a cruise.

 

My suggestion is to look into walking the Cliff Walk. Some of the knowledgeable regulars who know this area well on this board can surely clarify, but there is a beautiful university along the way.

 

We enjoyed walking the Cliff Walk and stopping at the Breakers and touring it. It was a gorgeous day and the paved Cliff Walk path is free. It runs along the gorgeous waters edge and then all the incredible mansions are along the other side. It is interesting just to pass by them along the way.

 

While my kids would have been bored to tears at the Breakers, the walk itself would be enjoyable/free. There is a visitors center near the tender area with maps and you can hop a trolley ride to get closer to where you would like to start. Maybe your family would enjoy starting the Cliff Walk about 30 minutes before you get to the University, then checking it out, and continue the walk checking out all the mansions fromt the outside.

 

Also, since it was such a nice day when we were there, we enjoyed the tender ride too.

[SailBadtheSinner]

I agree with what CMM wrote about CW. Maybe, once your teens see the back of some of the mansions it will piqued their interest in seeing the insides.

 

Another suggestion is to visit the International Yacht Restoration School on Thames St. http://www.iyrs.org/ . If your timing is right, you will be able to watch the students from the second floor gallery as they are working on wooden boats.

 

Did you look into doing a tour of the restored Rose Island Lighthouse http://www.roseislandlighthouse.org/? A ferry (seasonal) would be required to get there.

 

Also, if you can rent bikes, you could ride to Fort Adams State Park and Bretton Point Park. http://www.fortadams.org/ & http://miniatures.kitingusa.com/loc/bretton_point.pdf . From there continue on Ocean Drive and ride Bellevue Ave.

 

I know you looked into sailing which is seasonal. Did you make inquiries to America’s Cup Charters: http://www.americascupcharters.com/ . The cruise ship may have an excursion on this one; or Classic Cruises of Newport:http://www.cruisenewport.com/ . They offer a sailing tour on their 72 foot schooner Madeleine beginning 5/1.

 

There is an arcade on Thames St. It is located southeast from the tender dock. Nuff said.

 

Enjoy your cruise & Newport.

 

 

SBtS

[Cruz4us4]

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas!

[CMM]

It was Salve Regina College that is right along the cliff walk. In the link below if you click on the block at the top "cliff walk" it will give you more info.

 

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

[don2738]

To each his own, but my 18 year old daughter found The Breakers fascinating and we did the entire audio tour! Then walked almost all of the Cliff Walk, there were surfers to watch that day. More here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1347192/cr09/cp09.html

 

The rougher, unpaved part of the cliff walk:

[starboarder]

The Breakers are interesting, and the mansions are alot more fun then you'd think...I swear ;)

Eitherway, Newport is the kind of place you can just walk around and find your own things to do...It's very cute and I reccomend you go to a fish resteraunt.

 

Dont forget the famous Frozen Lemonade ( I dont remember the name but its EPIC)

[SailBadtheSinner]

starboarder wrote: ....Dont forget the famous Frozen Lemonade ( I dont remember the name but its EPIC)....

 

Are you thinking of Dels Frozen Lemonad? Yummy!!!! http://www.dels.com/

 

 

 

SBtS