What an amazing way to end the summer!…read more We ended up booking a sunset tour for 730 and the instructions began promptly at that time. The staff are friendly and accommodating and explain the rules of riding on the rail and how to operate the cart. This is the first time I did a night trail so I was pretty stoked to find out we had a little lights on the carts! The whole trail is about 6 miles long with 3 miles to the halfway point. We got off here and had a campfire with two s'mores per person. We enjoyed 20 to 30 minutes of sitting by the water enjoying a campfire while the rest of the peddlers made their way to the fire pits. However, this time is based on your spot in line. We were probably the sixth cart out of the whole lot. So we were there pretty early and had about 10 to 15 minutes to enjoy before the last cart pulled in. Pedaling back was cool. We did see a lot of wildlife and even spotted a buck on the side of the trail. A little scary knowing the wildlife is that close to you. Overall, I had a very good time, and I will continue to book these tours

We booked Rail Explorers in Portsmouth RI for my son's birthday and we had the best time. It was a…read morebucket list item we wanted to check off. The first time I've seen it was on the show, The Real Housewives of RI. The weather was chilly and drizzly, but it turned out nice for us at our 5 pm departure. It's kid-friendly, we got to stop at a picnic spot with a fire and beautiful views of the water and the Newport bridge. It was easy but exhilarating; definitely a unique experience and I highly recommend. We booked a week in advance. The check in process was seamless. The ride took about an hour and a half with the stop at the picnic spot (there were bathrooms too). There is a parking lot as well. Yes, we would definitely do it again!

We just got back from a little summer vacation in Narragansett, RI, and boy were we glad we made a…read morefishing trip on Seven B'S V part of the trip. It was a fun and affordable trip, and we caught enough sea bass to bring back to the campsite for a meal so large we could barely finish it. I'll break down the key highlights of our morning fishing trip on this ship: -Service: The crew could not have been more courteous and professional. They moved quickly and readily to help unhook fish, untangle lines and provide advice. The also filet the fish you catch at the end of the trip. The ship was also clean and well kept, and it is just obvious they want to put their best foot forward for the passengers. -Value: Compared to the egregious cost of private charters, this trip was a very fair deal, especially for casual fisherpeople who don't have much equipment or boat access.. Rods and bait are provided, and you are allowed to bring two beers per person and snacks in a cooler. -Fish: There were plenty of fish to be caught. At times there was a fish coming up every minute on someone's pole. The ship knew where to go for fish, and when to move on to the next spot when things got quiet. -Fun: We had a blast, and will make this a regular part of visits to this area.

Went on a squid fishing trip on their boat and it was an awesome experience. And this is coming…read morefrom someone who gets seasick. ***In a rush? Skip to the end for my tips.*** The squid fishing excursion was from 7pm to 1am, which started with a nice sunset view while we moved towards our destination. When we finally anchored, we were instructed to start by lowering our lines. And from that point, it was so much fun being able to haul up 1 or 2 or even 3 squids at a time. There were definitely moments where we had to be patient, but success rate was 80% of the time. It was a great, positive first time experience squid fishing. We did relocate to a second location before the night ended and we caught a lot there, too. Our group of 6 (one of them a 10 year old) caught about 160 squids! The kid caught the most out of all of us, one squid after another, almost nonstop. The crew was awesome. AWESOME! They were so courteous, helpful, patient, kind, and thoughtful. They were constantly going around and giving people tips, helping us unhook squids or untangle our lines, and were constantly cleaning. They were so helpful, so tipping was a must! Once we started squid fishing, everyone on the boat was very helpful and friendly to each other. So, even if it's your first time or going by yourself, there will always be someone nearby who can give you advice or help you out. COVID safety - When we were in the inside area, we had to wear masks, but when we were out on the deck, that was a personal choice. Tips for Squid Fishing (from a total newbie - wish someone gave me this kind of advice beforehand) - Wear layers because it gets colder at night and it can get windier and even colder on the water. Take a look at the night time temperature and wind speed beforehand. - Arrive earlier so that you have time to claim your spot and set up your equipment. It seemed that the spots where they had the bright lights were hotspots for successful squid catching. - I saw that people who had 3 jigs on their lines tend to catch more. Also, I heard that the color of your jigs matter. Supposedly white was an attractive color. And, everyone had a weight on their lines. I suggest researching more about this. If you need equipment, I believe you can rent them for a fee. - Make sure to bring something to transport your catch, like a cooler or an insulated bag. And, make sure to bring ice to keep your catch cool. Don't forget to take into consideration that you have to carry that cooler off the boat after it is filled with your catch. They do have buckets on the boat that they let you use, but you can't take them. - You could bring your own food and alcohol. - Be aware that you will be standing close to each other, so there might be water or ink spraying from squids, hooks getting caught in your clothes, and sometimes your lines do get tangled. - There's a section of the deck where you could rinse your buckets and your catch. They also give you some bags to pack your catch. - Towards the end of the trip, as we made our way back to shore, the crew started cleaning and mopping the deck. So, most people packed ahead of time - cleaning up their lines, packing away their jigs, packing their catch - so when the boat docked, they were able to leave right away. - A lot of people brought towels or paper towels to clean up the squid water or ink that gets sprayed on them or the area around them. - If you get seasick easily, definitely take medicine and don't have a big meal beforehand. The boat does get rocky because of the waves, but it wasn't too bad, thanks to the medicine. - There are bathrooms on each side of the deck, one for men and one for women. They are simple bathrooms with basic functions in a tight space. The floors were wet from the ocean water (I think?!).

Our guy was spectacular. I think his name was Ted. He says they do tours for different areas I…read morewould like to hear his talk in green mountains.

Have to drop them to 3. Had been on a few trips with them that went well, but after this past…read moreFriday they lost me. The 'Friday Funday' Mystic trip was cancelled. Ok. I get it trips get cancelled when there aren't enough people signed up for it. But in this case, they didn't even bother to tell me/us. Even got the confirmation/reminder email the day before. So being at the pickup point and its 5 minutes after we're supposed to leave, I call them to see what's going on and then they tell me it got cancelled and I should've been told Tuesday, but obviously wasn't and again, even got the confirmation/reminder email the day before. As someone that doesn't get a lot of time out work to burn a day off with nothing to show for it is extremely frustrating, and honestly, I just can't risk getting burned again. The owner Ted called later that day offering to make it right and I was refunded the money for the trip and the other trip I cancelled but I can't risk burning another day off with nothing to show for it. The people have always been nice, so I won't completely knock them, but beware even getting a confirmation email the day doesn't mean the trip is happening.

21st September 2026 Americas Cup Avenue…read more Newport, RI Cloudy 65°F Autumn arrived early on this last day of summer for us Northesterners accompanied with a little drizzle of rain and ocean mist. Thus, Hubby and I decided to take the 3 hour Viking Trolley Tour of the cottages of Newport along the Atlantic coast. We were lucky to have one of the best tour guides, Dominic, who filled us in with very detailed history of every mansion, along with his hilarious sense of humor, plus a little local gossip of the past millionaires, and current billionaires who are buying up the formidable coastal properties. Did you know both Presidents, JFK and Eisenhower were buddies who had homes in Newport across the road from one another and frequently golfed together? Also, September 12th 1953, Jack Kennedy's wedding to Jacqueline Bouvier had 1500 guests in attendance here in Newport. The locals called the colossal wedding a "festival" ! I definitely recommend getting a ticket to this tour, then decide what you will see on foot the following days. Enjoy!

The tour guide, Tom was almost non-intelligible. If I heard every fifth word he said that was being…read moregenerous. On more than one occassion he rudely told everyone on the trolly/bus to be silent so he could do his work. Was the tour interesting, sure if you want to see the lives of the robber barons of the 19th and 20th century. More than a bit of a tourist trap.

A Breathtaking Sunrise Worth Every Mile of the Drive!…read more Sometimes the best experiences are the unplanned ones, and my visit to Forty Steps along Newport's famous Cliff Walk was certainly one of them! While staying in Boston, I learned that the sunrise the following morning was going to be absolutely spectacular and not to be missed. On a whim, I decided to wake up around 5 AM and make the 1-hour-and-45-minute drive to Newport, Rhode Island, just to experience it. And boy, was it worth every minute of that early morning drive! Watching the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean from Forty Steps was nothing short of breathtaking. The changing colors of the sky, the ocean stretching endlessly before me, and the peaceful atmosphere made for an unforgettable experience. There is something truly magical about witnessing the start of a new day from such a beautiful location. After soaking in the sunrise, I decided to explore the Cliff Walk. I first headed toward Easton's Beach before turning around and leisurely making my way along the trail. As the sun climbed higher into the sky, I was treated to gorgeous coastal scenery on one side and impressive views of Newport's historic mansions and university buildings on the other. It was fascinating to admire these magnificent properties from a completely different perspective while enjoying the refreshing ocean air. Much of the walkway is paved, making it a relatively easy and enjoyable stroll. However, keep in mind that certain sections of the Cliff Walk are much more rugged, with uneven rocks and rough terrain. If you're planning to walk the entire trail, be prepared with appropriate footwear and a little extra caution. What started as a spontaneous early morning adventure turned into one of the most memorable experiences of my visit to New England. Between the spectacular sunrise, stunning ocean views, historic architecture, and peaceful coastal walk, Newport's Cliff Walk is truly something special. Would I wake up at 5 AM and drive nearly two hours to do it all over again? Without hesitation! Highly, highly recommended! Five stars from me!

This beautiful 3.5 mile long area in Newport has always been a favorite of thousands. You get to…read moreadmire many mansions as well as the rugged ocean hitting the gigantic rocks. Many free parking options all around the cliff walk A worthwhile sight in Newport and it's Free !

DINE AND DASH-We stumbled upon an ad for the trolley in the south county calendar, and read about…read moretheir "dine and dash" tour. It was so much fun! The trolley itself is lovely, we rode in the white one with the oak interior and cushion lined wood and iron benches. ( heard there are 5 different trolleys) Our driver, Donna, was extremely friendly and engaging, which was a great start to the trip, and it just got better from there. We got to meet each of the couples and groups that boarded, all the while driving various scenic back roads of Narraganset to pick them up. We went on a Monday evening, so hit coast guard house, the bike stop, Arturo joes, and finally two ten. It runs Tuesday evening as well, but you stop at different restaurants. If you are a Narraganset resident, you get picked up at your home. If not a resident, you can pick a spot in Narraganset to get picked up at. Once all the passengers addresses are in after signing up, the trolley picks their route, and sends you your departure time, I received a pickup time email Monday afternoon. After all passengers are aboard, you are allotted 1 hour time at each of the restaurants, and get picked back up to be whisked away to the next location. All passengers are on the same schedule. It was just enough time to get a few cocktails, and some food, although we had more of the former than the latter, but heck, we weren't driving! What a safe and fun way to spend a Monday evening. We were each left with a parting gift of coupons to the restaurants we attended and a trolley chip. The cost was well worth it ( plus tip, as our driver was great, and had some serious driving skills!) but as their website states you basically get a free shuttle service, because of the parting gift of coupons.

Great execution, slow response in planning…read more We loved working with South County Trolley. The trolley was clean and the driver was very helpful and attentive, particularly with regard to my dress and the rain. He had champagne and water bottles ready for us and took song requests fired at him one after the next. Day of execution was 5 stars. That said, we docked stars here because of the booking and confirmation process. The company wasn't very responsive, even when I called to say I wanted to pay them, and it took over a week for us to get a confirmation of their services in advance of the wedding. I only heard back from Betsy after multiple voicemails and emails from both me and my husband the week before the wedding. Overall I recommend the trolley experience, everyone loved it, but I'd just be regimented with follow up in advance of the day

We had a great time with Trolley Rob our tour guide! He was fun and funny and very informative! We…read morethoroughly enjoyed ourselves! We got the WITH the tickets to the Breakers and it was AMAZING too! Would highly recommend!

It was a great tour however we started off late and by the time I left the parking spot I was…read moredrenched and hot. Jim was great however, the sound system from the microphone was so muffled. We couldn't hear anything he was saying, and that comes from all of us in the back of the trolley. It was unfortunate because he was great. Nothing bad about Jim but just bad sound system. Now I have to make a comment, I watched everyone get off the trolley after a wonderful day and I only saw two people give him a tip. Of course I gave him a tip. I can't believe people actually don't tip for a wonderful afternoon.

Went on the Newport food tour and had an engaging fun time and learned many fascinating facts about…read moreNewport interspersed with sampling of very tasty food that were beyond the typical Gilded Age Mansion variety.

My husband and I attended the Providence food tour and I cannot say enough good things about it…read more But I'll try! To start, our tour guide Lesli was fantastic!! She was friendly, personable and super knowledgeable about the area, its history, and (most importantly), its food!! We went to six different establishments and tried everything from local seafood, to Mexican, Nigerian, Thai and pretzels. I believe they switch out locations, so these won't necessarily be the same things everyone will get to try, but there was something for everyone! The walking was manageable for all parties on the tour, and we got a good amount (but not too much) of local history. I highly highly recommend you book this tour The next time you are in Providence. I'm looking forward to trying the Newport tour soon!

We had a great time with our tour guide Carlos. We learned a lot about the developing families in…read morethe US. Highly recommended!

Great tour , Carlos our driver was so informative and funny …read more On time , didn't feel rushed . Would definitely recommend this tour .

The Preservation Society of Newport County is a non-profit organization based in Newport, Rhode…read moreIsland and its top priority is the preservation and conservation of its historic houses and their collections. This work includes restoration of roofs and windows, conservation of fragile textiles, cleaning and restoration of valuable paintings and much more. At any given time, dozens of projects are underway. A visit to the Newport Mansions is a donation to The Preservation Society of Newport County. During the holiday season, The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms welcome visitors with spectacular holiday displays so it was a great opportunity to visit. In addition to the house holiday display, there is an outdoor holiday display called Sparkling Lights at The Breakers from November 22 to December 29, 2024 on select evenings. Admission is only at 4 pm, 4:30 pm, 5 pm, 5:30 pm and 6 pm. Gates close at 6:30 pm and the house and grounds close at 8 pm. Timed admissions tickets can be purchased online at https://www.newportmansions.org/. Tickets include access to the lavishly decorated rooms inside the house during the same visit. About a week prior, I bought 2 tickets for December 20, 2024 at 6:00PM ($40.00 each) and I was really looking forward to it. However, there was a winter advisory and it was snowing on the day of. Driving conditions were unsafe. I was worried I was going to lose my money since the website indicated tickets may not be resold, non-transferrable, non-refundable, and cannot be used for a different date. I tried calling the Preservation Society of Newport County, but there were just prompts and I couldn't talk to a live person. I sent a direct message to @newport.mansions through Instagram and they responded promptly that I could receive a refund by emailing info@newportmansions.org. Gary Ruff, Associate Communications Manager, responded and instructed me with what information he needed to provide the refund. I was so appreciative. Thankfully, the snow cleared and temperature warmed up a bit so I bought 2 tickets for December 29, 2024 at 4:00PM ($40.00 each). All the decorated Christmas trees, the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree, poinsettias, garlands, wreaths and fresh floral in the interior of The Breakers were beautiful and then walking through the lights and illuminated displays of the outdoor 13-acre landscape was just a cherry on the top. The Preservation Society of Newport County also partnered with Stoneacre Brasserie to offer holiday treats and adult beverages. Thank you to The Preservation Society of Newport County for everything you are doing to protect, preserve, and present an exceptional collection of house museums and landscapes.

The family (wife, 10 y/o son, 2 y/o daughter) were visiting Newport and looking fo some activities…read moreto do. I noticed that the Newport mansions were on every to-do list, with the Breakers being the top choice of many. I looked at their website as well as other reviews and saw that this may not be the best place for younger ones. I saw that no strollers were allowed and I didn't think a tour of an old mansion is something my 10 y/o would be interested in. So I decided to take a solo trip on a nice Friday morning while the rest of the family slept in late at the hotel. The Breakers opens at 10 AM. The visitors parking lot is on the corner of Ochre Point Avenue and Victoria Avenue. There are other lots nearby but read the signs as they are for other buildings...The parking lot had adequate space when I arrived at 10:15 or so, but by the time I was leaving at about 11:45 is was pretty packed with visitors having to park in the rear overflow lot. Once you reach the front gate of the Breakers mansion, there are COVID restriction and general rule signs. As you proceed you can go to the left to buy tickets, use the bathroom or enter their cafe. Tickets are about $26 for adults and $8 for children 6-17 years old. The cafe has a bunch of premade food items, drinks, snacks, premade sandwiches... and few seats with tables. There are some more seats and table just outside of the cafe. Before you enter the mansion, there are signs showing you how to use their self tour audio app. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DOING THIS...AND BRING HEADPHONES. You download the Newport Mansions app from the App Store onto your Apple or Google device, select the mansion you are visiting and begin the tour. The audio tour was excellent and follows you through the tour route of the mansion. I enjoyed listening to all the interesting facts about each room via bluetooth earbuds while my hands were free to take photos with my camera. You only thing you will need to do is to advance (click the play button) the tour to the next room before entering. There are some interesting facts about the mansion as a whole and each individual room. You can also stay around longer in each area for additional facts, essentially lengthening the tour. Without the audio tour, you will have to fread the printed information sheet. You go through the main floor, upper floor and back down into the service area where the kitchen is. You then exit through the gift shop. The gift shop has lots of interesting items, which includes typical magnets, mugs and prints, but they also have some luxury items like platters and wine stoppers as well as a small jewelry section. You finally exit out onto the side of the mansion and are able to walk back around outside to the front where you entered. Before sure to walk through the opened gate to the right of the mansion which takes you through a small garden to the back. Here you can see the Cliff Walk path and the ocean. Overall, I had a great time...It was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be. The entire tour took just over an hour without listening to the extra information about each room. (During the tour, there are a few instances where you have to ascend/descend steps - I did NOT see any elevators - so you may want to call ahead to check if you cannot climb steps) Again, I highly recommend downloading the app and listening to the audio tour via headphones. It allows your eyes to focus on the beauty of the mansion instead of reading. Lastly, the mansion is right off of the Cliff Walk path...so be sure to make the short ride (or walk) north to Narragansett Avenue and visit the Forty Steps.