Getting there: It's a three-hour flight from South Florida to Boston, with most major carriers providing transportation. Round-trip air fare starts at $241. It's a one-hour drive to Newport from Boston. A cheaper alternative is to fly into Providence (round-trip fare: $197 and up), but layovers extend travel time to at least 4 ½ hours. It's a half-hour drive from Providence to Newport.
Getting around: Rhode Island Public Transit Authority trolleys ( www.ripta.com) ply several routes in town. Fares start at $1.25. RIPTA also runs a fast-ferry service between Newport and Providence.
Cost for a two-night getaway for two: $950 and up. See two-night getaway specials at www.gonewport.com, starting from $246 midweek.
EVENTS
• JVC Jazz Festival, Aug. 8-10, Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue. Features k.d. lang, India.Arie, George Benson, among others. Tickets $30-$85, depending on event. 401-847-3700; www.festival productions.net.
• Apple and Eve Newport Folk Festival, Aug. 15-17, Fort Adams State Park. Includes Ani DiFranco, Joan Armatrading, John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, John Prince, etc. Advance tickets $49 per adult; $54 during festival weekend. 401-847-3700; www.festivalpro
ductions.net.
• Weekend of Coaching, Aug. 22-24. Elaborate 19th Century carriages return to Bellevue Avenue. Public driving exhibition and dinner dance among events. 401-847-1000; www.new portmansions.org.
• Classic Yacht Regatta & Parade, Aug. 29-31, Fort Adams State Park. Sponsored by the Museum of Yachting, this event launches more than 100 wooden vessels on Narragansett Bay. Parade, races, designer awards and dinner among events. Free to view regatta and parade. 401-847-1018; www.moy.org.
ACCOMMODATIONS
• Vanderbilt Hall, 41 Mary St. Intense decor plus pampering touches at a one-time YMCA retaining its pool; the in-house restaurant is top-notch. 401-846-6200 or 888-VAN-HALL; www.vanderbilthall.com. Rates start at $295.
• Castle Hill Inn, 590 Ocean Dr. Choose among romantic cottages or perhaps the inn's knockout turret room: with a much in-demand restaurant famed for its Sunday jazz brunch. 401-849-3800 or 888-466-1355; www.castle hillinn.com. $325 and up.
• La Farge Perry House, 24 Kay St. This lovely 1861 B&B; in a leafy historic district just off Bellevue Avenue is a cousin -- and forerunner -- of the Chanler. 401-847-2223 or 877-736-1100; www.lafargeperry.com. Summer rates start at $300.
DINING
• White Horse Tavern, 26 Marlborough St. Newport's oldest hostelry (circa 1687) is culinarily forward-minded. 401-849-3600; www.white horsetavern.com. $24-$34.
• The Mooring, Sayer's Whart. Enjoy super-fresh seafood harborside at the former New York Yacht Club. 401-846-2260; www.mooringrestaurant.com. $15-$38.
• Salvation Café, 140 Broadway. With its recycled furniture and inventive regional cuisine, this is Newport's hippest hideaway. 401-847-2620; www.salvationcafe.com. $10-$25.
ATTRACTIONS
• Astors' Beechwood Mansion, 580 Bellevue Ave. Costumed actors recreate the 1891 party preparations of Mrs. Astor, who determined who was who in Newport -- and New York -- society. Admission $15. 401-846-3772; www.astorsbeechwood.com.
• International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Ave. Explore the fascinating history of this venerable royal sport, which took Newport by storm in the late 19th Century. You can even book a grass court to play on; bring whites. Museum admission $8; court time starts at $40 for 90 minutes. 401-849-3990 or 800-457-1144; www.tennisfame.com.
• Museum of Newport History at Brick Market, Thames Street at Washington Square. A terrific crash course in three centuries of fascinating history. Admission $5. 401-841-8770, www.newporthistorical.org.
• Newport Mansions, various locations. Individual tours start at $10. Multi-mansion tickets allow you to take in as many as five for $31. Children would especially enjoy the Green Animals Topiary Garden a few miles north in Portsmouth. 401-847-1000; www.new portmansions.org.
• Rough Point, Bellevue Avenue. The mansion is an odd mix of fine art, decorative treasures and odd, moneyed tackiness. (Dig the mauve master bedroom!) Visitors can catch a complimentary shuttle from the Newport Visitors Center at 23 America's Cup Ave. in town. The $25 tour includes the jewelry show, on display through September. 401-849-7300; www.newportrestoration.com.
INFORMATION
• Newport County Convention & Visitor's Bureau -- 800-326-6030 or 401-849-8048;
www.gonewport.com.
