Newport RI

As larger cruise ships are not able to dock here you will be tendered ashore to Perotti park, the center of town. The tender trip is like a sightseeing tour.

The mansions and cliff walk are a long way from the Tender Dock. The are few cabs available. Take bus 67 instead. $2. Every 20 minutes.

Printable map to take along.

Perhaps the most attractive characteristic of Newport is the ability that the destination has to appeal to a variety of traveling styles. Newport is home to miles of scenic coastline ideal for exhilarating sailing excursions, relaxing beach time, and rejuvenating walks. For those whose heart lies in architecture, design, and history Newport offers tours of opulent mansions, interesting museums, and a number of walking tours that reveal the history and charm of the city. For a mouth-watering getaway, visitors can enjoy a tour and tasting at the three local vineyards followed by a memorable dining experience at a waterfront restaurant. For…

Between Memorial Day and Columbus Day weekend, purchase an all-day RIPTA pass and enjoy discounted parking and admissions to area attractions. RIPTA trolleys leave the Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium (23 America’s Cup Ave, Newport, R.I. 02840)every 20 minutes from 8 am to 8 pm, providing service to the mansions, Cliff Walk and more. Only 5$ per day/person.

The entire length of Cliffwalk from Bailey's Beach to Memorial Boulevard is approximately 3 1/2 miles. The area by Rough point is not paved, so wear good shoes and comfortable clothing, bring a jacket too.

The Jamestown Newport Ferry offers scenic transportation on lower Narragansett Bay as well as in NewportHarbor and provides easy access for visiting a variety of destinations where you will find many opportunities for sightseeing, historical tours, museum visits, shopping and dining.

Newport is very walkable.

The city-by-the-sea's historic waterfront downtown is filled with cobblestone shopping wharves lined with antique stores, art galleries, resort clothing shops, and specialty shops. Be sure to stop by the Newport Visitors Center to pick up the official Destination Newport Coupon Book loaded with valuable savings throughout the city.

Fresh lobster and steaming bowls of clam chowder are found all along New England's coast, and Newport seafood restaurants do its best!

The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar (symbol: $). ATM's everywhere.

Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely used and accepted, even for transactions worth only a few dollars. In fact, in some cases, it may be the only way to make a transaction. Note to overseas visitors: Prices of goods and services always seem lower than they really are, as taxes and gratuities are seldom included.

Most states have a sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is typical. Sales tax is almost never included in posted prices (except for gasoline, and in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises), but instead will be calculated and added to the total when you pay.

Tipping in America is widely used and expected. While Americans themselves often debate correct levels and exactly who deserves to be tipped, generally accepted standard rates are:

• Full-service restaurants: 15-20% (Often this is the only income of the wait(ress). Tips are either left in cash or you can add it to the credit card slip) Note: Few restaurants add an automatic service charge, in which case it is up to you how much you tip extra. Check your bill!
• Taxi drivers, hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15%
• Bartenders: $1 per drink if inexpensive or 15% of total
• Bellhops: $1-2 per bag ($3-5 minimum regardless)
• Hotel doorman: $1 per bag (if they assist), $1 for calling a cab
• Tour guides: Depending on tour length, size, and overall quality of guided tours; for half day tours or less $5-10 per person, for longer tours $10-20 per person.
• Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20%
• Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 per day for long stays or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional)
• Food delivery (pizza, etc.): $2-5, possibly more for very large orders

Check your mail at the Newport Public Library, which has 20 computers at 300 Spring Street. Another option is the Empire Cafe or Jack and Josie's, located at 111 Broadway.

Emergency 911

In major metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles, many drugstores and supermarkets are routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, while department stores, shopping centers and most other large retailers are typically open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and often with shorter hours on Sundays - generally 11 a.m. or noon to 5 or 6 p.m. On holidays, the tendency is to remain open (with the exception of the most important holidays like Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day where stores are generally closed)