Castle Hill Inn :

and the mesmerizing Algerian pink marble dining room. The dining room chairs are crafted of solid brass and a footman was needed to assist each guest when being seated for dinner, as the chairs weigh more than one hundred pounds each. Outrageous! At the time, Marble House was the most expensive house ever built in America. It would cost more than $260 million to replicate today. Alva Vanderbilt lived in the house for a mere two summers before divorcing William and marrying his best friend, Oliver Belmont. She then moved down the street and used Marble house to store antiques and her excess wardrobe.

MANSION AUDIO TOURS
These highly recommended recordings are well produced, informative, and entertaining. The voiceover talent brings to life the history of the super rich who occupied the mansions. All photography is strictly prohibited inside the mansions, but is welcome outside. 

WHAT IT COSTS
One Property: Visit any property (excludes The Breakers and Hunter House) 
Adult: $14.50
Youth: $5.50 (Ages 6-17) 

Newport Mansions Experience: Visit any 5 properties and save (excludes Hunter House)
Adult: $31.50
Youth: $10.00 (Ages 6-17)

The Preservation Society of Newport County
424 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI  02809
401.847.1000
www.newportmansions.org

CLIFF WALK
On this world famous 3.5-mile walk along eastern Newport’s picturesque coastline, you will see the crashing Atlantic surf on one side and the stunning mansions on the other. Named a National Recreation Trail in 1975, Cliff Walk is unique because it is within in a National Historic District. The walk starts at the end of First Beach at Memorial Blvd and runs all the way to Bellevue Avenue at the end of Bailey’s Beach. There are several exit/entrance points along the route, which are useful if you have limited time, or if you want to avoid the more difficult sections. About two-thirds of the walk is in easy walking condition, with the other one-third is a natural trail over the rugged rocky shoreline, to be negotiated carefully. For a short walk, the best place to view is between Narragansett and Ruggles Ave. There is parking at Narragansett Ave and also at First Beach. You can purchase a Cliff Walk map on the Newport Mansions website for $7.44. Entrance is free, as are the cool ocean breezes. Photographers and joggers are welcome.  

GREENVALE VINEYARDS
Even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, Greenvale Vineyards is a great place to visit. It's only a 5-mile drive from downtown, and their beautiful green landscape overlooks the Sakonnet River. The farm has been in the same family since 1863. The old stable now serves as the tasting room, as well as the venue for live music performances and private functions. Their sweet one-eyed rescue dog welcomed us. We sampled their delicate Rosecliff Pinot Gris, their dry Vidal Blanc, and their Cabernet Franc full of plum and spice flavors. We took a tour of the grounds by golf cart, and I sampled some vidal blanc grapes straight from the vine. What a treat, one of my most favorite grapes! Don't miss the two Scottish Highland Steer, Mackintosh and Burberry (named after raincoats) who live on the property. These massive animals with shaggy reddish-brown long hair, big noses, and long curving horns don't mind their picture being taken as they trim down the grass. Greenvale Vineyards typically produces about 3,500 cases of wine per year. Pick out your favorites and take a case home to enjoy later while you remember your visit. Cheers! 

Hours April to December: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm  Sun 12pm-5pm
Hours January to March: Mon-Sat 11am-4pm  Sun 12pm-4pm 
Tasting Fee: $12 includes 7 different wines and the wine glass
Jazz Tasting Fee: $15 May to Nov: Sat 12:30pm-3:45pm. Live jazz music 1pm-4pm

Greenvale Vineyards
582 Wapping Rd
Portsmouth, RI 02871
401.847.3777
www.greenvale.com

INTERNATIONAL YACHT RESTORATION SCHOOL
When was the last time you thought about what it takes to build a boat, let alone build a wooden boat by hand? The International Yacht Restoration School is a very worthwhile visit during your shopping trip along Thames Street. The main workshop building is bustling with men and women working on a multitude of boats. There's plenty of sawing, sanding and drawing going on. From the sawdust-covered balcony, you'll experience firsthand the enormous creative energy and passion of students and teachers in action. Kids will love this! You won't want to miss what's going on in the building next door either. IYRS is currently restoring the 40-meter Coronet Schooner originally launched in 1885. There is a viewing balcony here as well where you can watch the restoration progress of this massive undertaking. I thought it was cool to see the old interior finishes of the schooner lining the walkway, even an old piano.

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. ....