things to do in newport, ri
Photo via Bowen's Wharf

This weekend offers two big events. One is a major education conference that is perfect for tour guides, tourism managers, preservationists, and all those engaged in heritage tourism. The second is a festival. It is for everyone, residents and visitors alike, and is all about seafood, music, and fun. Check them out below.

FIRST: If preservation is your forte, then register and attend the big CULTURAL & HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE this weekend – October 12th and 13th – at Salve Regina University in Newport. Get up-to-date and learn new ideas at this event. This year’s timely theme is “Community Preservation Through Adaptive Reuse.” For more information and registration: preserveourplaces.org

SECOND: If you love seafood and outdoor fun near the water, then be sure to check out the annual BOWEN’S WHARF SEAFOOD FESTIVAL this weekend – October 13th and 14th – from 11 am – 5pm. This free event, honoring the harvest of the sea, offers fresh local seafood, continuous live music and family fun. Bowen’s Wharf, Newport.  More Information: http://www.bowenswharf.com/events

As always, these and many other activities will keep guests busy and returning again and again for the Newport Experience. Be sure to spread the word! Tell everyone about our current and future events and make some new friends for Newport.  Help our visitors enjoy every moment!

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TOUR GUIDE TIP OF THE WEEK: CROSS-SELLING BOOSTS RETURN GUEST VISITS

The ideal place to tell people about other things to see and do in Newport is when they are right here in Newport.  This is called “cross-selling” and when applied on a regular basis can be a very effective tool to keep people coming back to our City-by-the-Sea.

Our visitors and guests are always receptive to learning about the other tours, exhibits, attractions, sporting events, seasonal activities, and dining options in our city. A visitor who has just enjoyed a mansion or harbor tour is the best prospect to share information about our restaurants and bars, sports activities, upcoming festivals, flower and boat shows, wineries and breweries, and our wonderful coastline.  Our goal should be to encourage visitors to return to our city over and over, in every season. When you are face-to-face with our guests you will have the ideal opportunity to promote, explain, market, and cross-sell the rest of the year-round Newport experience.

Note: This important tip originally appeared in the June 24th column.

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JOB OPENINGS

There are still openings at the city’s historic attractions, including tour guides, cashiers, security personnel, and ticket sellers.  REMEMBER: Most of the city’s largest tour and cruise businesses accept job applications year-round.

  • Newport Historical Society, Public Engagement Associate. Assist with all operations at the Museum of Newport History & Shop, including, but not limited to high volume retail sales and giving history tours through museum, historic sites, and walking tours of downtown Newport.  This position operates from the Museum of Newport History at the Brick Market. Info: Jenna Teachout, 401-841-8770,  jteachout@newporthistory.org
  • Historic Tours of Newport, Specialist Tours Manager. Teachers/Educators with subject matter History. Certified RI History teachers are welcome to apply. Candidates must have comprehensive knowledge of American History and Rhode Island history specifically. Full-time, Part-time, Contract. $12-$25/hour. Info: 401/855-1942
  • Preservation Society of Newport County, Associate Tour Guide. Part-time. Work as a Tour Guide within the audio tour house museums (The Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff and The Elms). Audio guides are responsible for providing excellent customer service, assisting visitors in way-finding on tours, learning about our house museums and the families who owned those houses, providing information to visitors and contributing to the overall quality of the visitor’s experience. Info: newportmansions.org

For continuous and updated listings, please go to www.whatsupnewp.com.

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NEW LISTINGS AND EVENTS: For more information to prepare you to be the best tour guide & greeter ever, read and learn about the following updated listings and previews of the busy season ahead for residents and visitors alike.

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CRUISE SHIPS ARRIVING

Stay up-to-date and aware of the weekly arrival of cruise ships to Newport and the thousands of visitors they bring to our fair city.  Here is a list of the upcoming arrivals, courtesy of Discover Newport.

  • Friday, October 12 – M/V AIDAdiva, from Aida Cruise Line
  • Sunday, October 14 – M/V MS Fram, from Hurtigruten AS
  • Sunday, October 14 – M/V Regal Princess, from Princess Cruise Lines
  • Monday, October 15 – M/V Royal Princess, from Princess Cruise Lines
  • Monday, October 15 – M/V Silver Spirit, from Silver Sea Cruises
  • Wednesday, October 17 – M/V Royal Princess, from Princess Cruise Lines
  • Wednesday, October 17 – M/V Silver Spirit, from Silver Sea Cruises
  • Thursday, October 18 – M/V Victory 1, from Victory Cruise Lines
  • Friday, October 19 – M/V Silver Wind, from Silver Sea Cruises
  • Friday, October 19 – M/V 7 Seas Navigator, from Regent Cruise Line

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SPEAKERS & SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

Check out the wide selection of lectures, exhibits, talks, classes, tours, and workshops to add to your knowledge and increase your understanding of the people and history of greater Newport.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 – TOURISM SATELLITE ACCOUNTING & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM EVENT – 8:30 AM – 12 NOON

Learn about the economic impact of cultural tourism, gaming, and aviation from a globally recognized expert! Dr. Tadayuki Hara is the world’s leading expert in Economic Impact Studies, Tourism Satellite Accounts, Culture Satellite Accounts, Aviation Satellite Accounts, Hospitality Finance, Casino Impact Studies, Indian Gaming, Tourism Taxation, DMO Funding, and Cultural/Heritage Tourism.  His presentation will be followed by a guided sustainable tourism workshop led by Robert Leaver of New Commons. Free registration. Presented by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, 175 Main St., Pawtucket, RI. Info and Registration: 401/724-2200.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11 – DISCOVER COLONIAL NEWPORT WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

This is one of several wonderful walking tours offered throughout the year by the Newport Historical Society. This tour features stories of entrepreneurship, African American heritage and religious diversity during Newport’s colonial period. Tickets $15; Children $5. 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM. Tour leaves from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and Reservations at: newporthistorytours.org  

OCTOBER 12 & 13 – CULTURAL & HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONFERENCE – SALVE REGINA UNIVERSITY

This year’s timely theme is “Community Preservation Through Adaptive Reuse.” More information and registration: preserveourplaces.org

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 – ROGUES & SCOUNDRELS WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. This tour about some of the city’s more colorful residents leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org

BOWEN’S WHARF SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – OCTOBER 13-14

11 am – 5pm. Free event. Honoring the harvest of the sea, this Festival offers fresh local seafood, continuous live music and family fun. Bowen’s Wharf, Newport.  More Information: http://www.bowenswharf.com/events

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 – DISCOVER COLONIAL NEWPORT WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. This tour offers stories of entrepreneurship, African American heritage and religious diversity during Newport’s colonial period.  The tour leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 – GOLDEN TO GILDED WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. On this tour you’ll get the inside skinny on the transformation of Newport and its people from its colonial Golden Age to Gilded Age summer colony.  This tour leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16 – RETURN TO CAMELOT – ST. MARY’S CHURCH – 2-3 PM

Each Tuesday, through October 23rd, St. Mary’s Church (80 Memorial Boulevard, Newport) hosts this remembrance of the wedding of future President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953. The program features vintage film clips, performance of music from their church wedding and reception at Hammersmith Farm, and recollections by Jackie’s stepbrother, Yusha Auchincloss, and other local Newporters. Fee: $15. Info: stmarynewport.org/return-to-camelot.

NOW THROUGH OCTOBER, 2018 – “SWEET RIDES/SUMMER FUN” – AUDRAIN AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

Relive an earlier innocent time with this fun exhibit at the always interesting Audrain Automobile Museum. Open daily, 10 am – 4 pm. 222 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Info: 401/856-4420. Audrainautomuseum.org

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 – FREE DAFFODIL BULB GIVE-WAY – EASTON’S BEACH – 9:00 AM

This annual event celebrates the success of the past year’s daffodil plantings and celebrates the campaign to plant one million daffodils in Newport. During this event, Newporters can receive free daffodils to plant in their own yards or neighborhood gardens.  Info: newportdaffydays.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 – CARS & COFFEE – 8-10 AM – MARBLE HOUSE

Audrain Automobile Museum and the Preservation Society of Newport County co-host this free event on the grounds of Marble House (596 Bellevue Avenue, Newport). Bring your own car or just come to admire some of the classics that will be assembled for this fun outdoor show. Info: newportmansions.org

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 – CITIZENS BANK PELL BRIDGE RUN

The annual event is the one time each year athletes can leave their cars and run across the Newport Pell Bridge (opened in 1969). Registration fees benefit non-profit groups.  Info: 401/856-9197; pellbridgerun.com

PREVIEW OF WINTER IN NEWPORT

CHRISTMAS AT THE NEWPORT MANSIONS – NOVEMBER 17, 2018 – JANUARY 1, 2019

Christmas Season begins in November at the four big houses of the Preservation Society. Christmas flowers and special decorations will fill The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, and Rosecliff. Special holiday evenings are scheduled at the Breakers on November 24, December 1, 8, 22, and 29th from 6-8 pm. The Ems and Marble House Duet holiday evening is scheduled for December 15th from 6-9 pm. Info: newportmansions.org

CITY OF NEWPORT ILLUMINATED BOAT PARADE – November 23

Takes place in Newport Harbor, Newport. Info: 401/845-5815

HOLIDAYS BY THE SEA BLOCK PARTY & HOLIDAY STROLL KICK OFF – NOVEMBER 23 — BOWEN’S WHARF

This annual event ushers in the season of joy and good cheer. 4-8- PM. Bowen’s Wharf.  Info: 401/849-2243; bowenswharf.com

FOUR CURRENT EXHIBITS & TOURS NOT TO BE MISSED

SERVANT LIFE TOUR AT THE ELMS

Considered by many to be the best tour in Newport, The Elms’ now world-famous guided “Servant Life Tour” added two additional daily tour times to meet demand during the summer months.  Tours are offered at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. The tour is one hour. Info: newportmansions.org

VISIT ROUGH POINT – NEWPORT RESTORATION FOUNDATION’S 50th ANNIVERSARY

The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. This year its exhibitions at historic Rough Point mansion, as posted on its website (newportrestoration.org), are: “‘To Preserve and Restore’: Newport Restoration Foundation at 50,” and “A Hand in Design: Exquisite Drawings of Jewelry and Architecture for Doris Duke.” This is a collaboration between NRF and David Webb New York, jewelry designer to Duke and many other prominent figures from 1948 to the present.  Rough Point will be open for tours through November 11th. Don’t miss this amazing home.  

OSCAR WILDE & THE BOHEMIAN MOVEMENT AS YOU’VE NEVER IMAGINED THEM

There are only a few more weeks left to catch this one-of-a-kind exhibit at the Galleries at Rosecliff, called “Bohemian Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement & Oscar Wilde’s Newport.”  Preservation Society Curator Ashley Householder has gathered a breathtaking collection of furniture, ceramics, wallpaper, clothing, accessories, and ephemera about the aesthetic movement (1870-1890) and the era’s major promoter, Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). The colors, patterns, and shapes of this “art for art’s sake” movement and the influence of Irish writer, playwright, and impresario Wilde will whisk you away to another time. Go and see this unique and truly wonderful exhibit. Now open daily through November 4th. 9am until 5pm. Additional information available at: newportmansions.org

BENEATH THE BREAKERS TOUR

The Breakers tour, “Beneath the Breakers,” is scheduled daily.  Tours are offered at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. Tour is one hour. Info: newportmansions.org

HANDBOOK FOR NEW TOUR GUIDES & GREETERS

If you’re new to Newport and/or new to this field, get your copy of THE OFFICIAL 2018 NEWPORT GUIDES & GREETERS HANDBOOK [amazon.com] to help you become a master hospitality ambassador for our city.  It also lists many of the best tour companies and hospitality organizations hiring seasonal and year-round people here.  Consider working in ticket sales or other support positions at one or more of these tour companies. It will give you some visitor services experience and make you aware of tour guide and greeter jobs as they become available during the season.

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KENNETH PROUDFOOT, a Newport Tour Escort and Guide, is the author of The Official 2018 Newport Tour Guides & Greeters Handbook (Shoreline Press (RI), 2017).

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