Jarod
Kentucky
My wife and I are taking our kids (ages 7 and 4) to Newport Folk Festival in July '15. We will be in Newport for several days following the festival, and I am interested in fun activities and day trips that are worthwhile. We will have a rental vehicle so a reasonable drive out of town will be no problem. Any specific beaches or other swimming spots would be nice to know about. Also, any small lesser known towns that are must see?
Block Island Is also really nice. Another island in the area but really cool for kids because 1) you have to get a ferry there 2) There aren't any cars on the island (it is really tiny) so everyone is driving around on scooters. You can rent scooters for the day and there are free beaches all over the place. The lighthouse is also really fun to go see. It is nice for adults because it is really calm and quaint and there are great food places around.
If you make it into Providence and it happens to be a WaterFire night, I would highly recommend that. It is a really neat event that is specific to Rhode Island. http://waterfire.org/
Mystic Connecticut is one easy hour from Newport and has Mystic Seaport -- the largest maritime marine museum in the world (lots of kid-welcoming activities), as well as the Mystic Aquarium (a crowd pleaser for all ages), various historical sites like Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center-- in addition to the fascinating and unique drawbridge in town (best viewed while having dessert from Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream). Simple, tasty, inexpensive meals can be had al fresco at Sea Swirl (known locally as The Squirrel) or there are numerous other options either in town or at the charming Olde Mystic Village (Our favorite: Mango's Wood-Fired Pizza Co., which is right next to a duck pond.)
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Right near the festival is 10 mile drive, which travels right by the Atlantic Ocean, It has many great spots to stop and have a picnic and see the birds, walk on rocks, see beautiful sights.
Take a sail on the Madeline at Bannister's Wharf. Charters leave several times a day. First and second beach are right nearby and the Cliff Walk is a must. Get on near Salve Regina University and walk down to The Breakers. Check out the Newport tourism website for more info on fun things to do on the dates you are there.
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Second Beach in Newport is great. The kids would probably not be into tours of the magnificent mansions, but there is the Cliff Walk. It is a path that runs between the backs of the houses and the ocean. Check out Bristol, Jamestown, Cape Cod and all the beach towns. You might even go into Boston for a day. It is pretty close.
Debbie
Valerie
Jarod
