Newport doesn't have to be pricey
With its profusion of mansions and yachts, it's no wonder people associate Newport, R.I., with great wealth. But you don't have to be a Vanderbilt or Rockefeller to enjoy many activities in this city by the sea and its environs, because they are absolutely free. Here, from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, is a compilation of no-cost activities.
Stroll the Cliff Walk.
As you walk along this 3.5-mile path, you'll be greeted by great views no matter which direction you look. In one direction, you'll see the Atlantic's pounding surf; look the other way, and you'll see the sprawling lawns of the famed 19th-century mansions. The walk, open dawn to dusk, is a National Recreation Trail. (401-849-8048)
Hit the beach.
Swimming weather is a way off yet, but it can be pleasant to walk and unwind at Newport County's First, Second, and Third beaches. (Depending upon where and when you park, there may be a parking fee; 401-846-1398.)
Hike to a lighthouse.
The Castle Hill Lighthouse, the start and finish for many sailing races, is an ideal destination for a mini-hike.
Fortify yourself.
From 1824 to 1950, Fort Adams on Ocean Drive housed generations of soldiers; it is the largest coastal fortification in the United States. Today, you can see where the soldiers lived, enter the casemates, explore the tunnels, and climb the bastions for some great views. (401-841-0707)
Go fish.
If you set your pole off the Goat Island Connector Road, where mackerel and squid are nearby, you don't need a license.
Hunt for crabs. No license is required, either, to go crabbing at the boat ramp at Battery Park on Washington Street.
Check out the lobsters.
Fishermen are usually more than happy to let you gaze at their fresh catches at the Aquidneck Lobster Co., a fish market at Bowen's Wharf. (401-846-0106)
Play around. Public playgrounds are on America's Cup and Wellington avenues.
Dig those kites. Brenton Point State Park is a favorite spot for kite aficionados.
Watch a yacht being saved.The International Yacht Restoration School at 499 Thames St. will let you observe its master craftsmen and students preserving historic vessels. (401-848-5777)
Take in some treasures. The Redwood Library & Athenaeum, 50 Belleville Ave., is filled not only with books (it is the oldest continually circulating library in America) but also paintings, rare furniture, and other treasures. (401-847-0292)
For more information on Newport, visit www.gonewport.com or call 800-976-5122. The website also has listings for last-minute travel specials and a Getaway Travel Packages page.
Cheese, please With the Whey to Go package April 22-24 at the 1811 House in Manchester, Vt., you'll learn all about cheeses being made in the area and how to pair them with wines. On Friday, try cheeses made from sheep, goat, and cow milk. Between cheese courses, a supper featuring homemade soups will be served. Saturday will begin with a full breakfast on silver place settings with dishes made with locally produced cheeses. After breakfast, tour Vermont cheese makers. On Sunday, the inn will serve its signature breakfast of eggs Benedict and present guests with a memento. The cheese package is $50 per person plus the room rate, which is $140-$280 per couple per night.
Visit www.1811house.com or call 800-432-1811.
Magical Maine Through May 31, save 15 percent off regular prices with a Maine Magic package at the Hartwell House Inn in Ogunquit. The package, which starts at $475 a couple, includes two nights' lodging, daily breakfast, a dinner voucher at the inn's S.W. Swan Bistro, one-hour his-and-her massages at the Ogunquit Day Spa, a Passport to Savings booklet to 120 designer outlets in Kittery, and lodging taxes (but not gratuities).
Call 800-235-8883 or visit www.hartwellhouseinn.com.
Nantucket guide The 2005 Official Guide to Nantucket is almost 300 pages, with information on lodging, dining, shopping, and entertainment. While the guide is free if you pick it up at the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce on Main Street, there is a $7 shipping fee for mail orders.
Call 508-228-1700 or visit www.nantucketchamber.org.
A full wallet W Hotels Worldwide, which caters to luxury lovers, has introduced a Whirlwind Weekend package at its hotels. Participants get a limited-edition Matt Murphy lambskin wallet, crafted just for W hotels. Inside, a plethora of cards offers discounts at places like Armani, Bloomingdale's, David Yurman, Matt Murphy's, and W Hotels the Store, plus regional offers. Prices vary according to which upscale hotel you choose, and the offer is good through May 31.
Visit www.whotels.com.
San Diego guideWhether you're admiring flowers or whacking a golf ball, San Diego is a font of springtime activities. The new, free San Diego Official Visitors Planning Guide contains features such as ''San Diego for Couples," ''The Sporting Life," ''Three Perfect Days in San Diego," and ''What's New at San Diego's Attractions."
For a copy, visit www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.
To enter, visit www.gotolouisville.com.
Rental cars Through June 25, Avis customers who complete a qualified weekly rental of five days or longer will receive a coupon for a free weekend rental. Customers may earn up to three free certificates, valid for travel through Dec. 16. For details and registration, visit www.avis.com or call 800-722-5909.
Hertz now lets you choose a rental by make and model (rather than just preferred car class) at 25 airports nationwide, including Logan. Visit www.hertz.com.
And they're off!To generate interest in the May 7 Kentucky Derby, the Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau is conducting a virtual horse race on its website every week, with the ultimate prize a $2,000 Derby package.
When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Richard P. Carpenter can be reached at carpenter@globe.com.
With its profusion of mansions and yachts, it's no wonder people associate Newport, R.I., with great wealth. But you don't have to be a Vanderbilt or Rockefeller to enjoy many activities in this city by the sea and its environs, because they are absolutely free. Here, from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, is a compilation of no-cost activities.
As you walk along this 3.5-mile path, you'll be greeted by great views no matter which direction you look. In one direction, you'll see the Atlantic's pounding surf; look the other way, and you'll see the sprawling lawns of the famed 19th-century mansions. The walk, open dawn to dusk, is a National Recreation Trail. (401-849-8048)
Swimming weather is a way off yet, but it can be pleasant to walk and unwind at Newport County's First, Second, and Third beaches. (Depending upon where and when you park, there may be a parking fee; 401-846-1398.)
The Castle Hill Lighthouse, the start and finish for many sailing races, is an ideal destination for a mini-hike.
From 1824 to 1950, Fort Adams on Ocean Drive housed generations of soldiers; it is the largest coastal fortification in the United States. Today, you can see where the soldiers lived, enter the casemates, explore the tunnels, and climb the bastions for some great views. (401-841-0707)
If you set your pole off the Goat Island Connector Road, where mackerel and squid are nearby, you don't need a license.
Hunt for crabs. No license is required, either, to go crabbing at the boat ramp at Battery Park on Washington Street.
Fishermen are usually more than happy to let you gaze at their fresh catches at the Aquidneck Lobster Co., a fish market at Bowen's Wharf. (401-846-0106)
Play around. Public playgrounds are on America's Cup and Wellington avenues.
Dig those kites. Brenton Point State Park is a favorite spot for kite aficionados.
Watch a yacht being saved.The International Yacht Restoration School at 499 Thames St. will let you observe its master craftsmen and students preserving historic vessels. (401-848-5777)
Take in some treasures. The Redwood Library & Athenaeum, 50 Belleville Ave., is filled not only with books (it is the oldest continually circulating library in America) but also paintings, rare furniture, and other treasures. (401-847-0292)
For more information on Newport, visit www.gonewport.com or call 800-976-5122. The website also has listings for last-minute travel specials and a Getaway Travel Packages page.
Cheese, please With the Whey to Go package April 22-24 at the 1811 House in Manchester, Vt., you'll learn all about cheeses being made in the area and how to pair them with wines. On Friday, try cheeses made from sheep, goat, and cow milk. Between cheese courses, a supper featuring homemade soups will be served. Saturday will begin with a full breakfast on silver place settings with dishes made with locally produced cheeses. After breakfast, tour Vermont cheese makers. On Sunday, the inn will serve its signature breakfast of eggs Benedict and present guests with a memento. The cheese package is $50 per person plus the room rate, which is $140-$280 per couple per night.
Visit www.1811house.com or call 800-432-1811.
Magical Maine Through May 31, save 15 percent off regular prices with a Maine Magic package at the Hartwell House Inn in Ogunquit. The package, which starts at $475 a couple, includes two nights' lodging, daily breakfast, a dinner voucher at the inn's S.W. Swan Bistro, one-hour his-and-her massages at the Ogunquit Day Spa, a Passport to Savings booklet to 120 designer outlets in Kittery, and lodging taxes (but not gratuities).
Call 800-235-8883 or visit www.hartwellhouseinn.com.
Nantucket guide The 2005 Official Guide to Nantucket is almost 300 pages, with information on lodging, dining, shopping, and entertainment. While the guide is free if you pick it up at the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce on Main Street, there is a $7 shipping fee for mail orders.
Call 508-228-1700 or visit www.nantucketchamber.org.
A full wallet W Hotels Worldwide, which caters to luxury lovers, has introduced a Whirlwind Weekend package at its hotels. Participants get a limited-edition Matt Murphy lambskin wallet, crafted just for W hotels. Inside, a plethora of cards offers discounts at places like Armani, Bloomingdale's, David Yurman, Matt Murphy's, and W Hotels the Store, plus regional offers. Prices vary according to which upscale hotel you choose, and the offer is good through May 31.
Visit www.whotels.com.
San Diego guideWhether you're admiring flowers or whacking a golf ball, San Diego is a font of springtime activities. The new, free San Diego Official Visitors Planning Guide contains features such as ''San Diego for Couples," ''The Sporting Life," ''Three Perfect Days in San Diego," and ''What's New at San Diego's Attractions."
For a copy, visit www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.
To enter, visit www.gotolouisville.com.
Rental cars Through June 25, Avis customers who complete a qualified weekly rental of five days or longer will receive a coupon for a free weekend rental. Customers may earn up to three free certificates, valid for travel through Dec. 16. For details and registration, visit www.avis.com or call 800-722-5909.
Hertz now lets you choose a rental by make and model (rather than just preferred car class) at 25 airports nationwide, including Logan. Visit www.hertz.com.
And they're off!To generate interest in the May 7 Kentucky Derby, the Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau is conducting a virtual horse race on its website every week, with the ultimate prize a $2,000 Derby package.
When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates. Richard P. Carpenter can be reached at carpenter@globe.com.
