Mansions and more: Newport boasts holiday splendor

NEWPORT, R.I. — Newport is known for its summer splendor: boating, long sunny days, the Newport Jazz Festival, a resort atmosphere. But there is life in this swanky seaside town in the winter months too. Its famous mansions are decorated for the holidays and host concerts and performances. You can tour the city by lantern. And while Newport is known as a pricey destination, an offseason wintertime stay can be more affordable. Plus it's much less crowded than in those hot summer months.

Newport's holiday festivities have also grown over the years. Some attractions, like the holiday mansion tours, start in November and go through to early January, said Kathryn Farrington, vice president of marketing for The Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitors Bureau. And Christmas in Newport, which started as a two-week festival in 1971, now lasts through December, with events listed on its calendar for nearly every day of the month at http://www.christmasinnewport.org . The organization also coordinates an effort to make sure that only clear Christmas bulbs are displayed along the harbor, at restored Colonial homes and at businesses. The lights are intended to simulate the soft, historic look of candlelight.

All these attractions make the city a big draw for families this time of year. "It's so wholesome," Farrington said. "You want to grab hold of it and you want your children to experience it and you want it to be educational as well as experiential."

Here are some details. Some events do sell out, so plan ahead with reservations and advance tickets where possible.

—YULETIDE MANSIONS: The city's Gilded Age mansions come alive for the holidays with decorations and performances, providing a different twist for tourists who have visited at other times of the year. The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House are decorated and open through Jan. 2 (last tour on Christmas Eve is at 3 p.m.; closed Christmas Day). Santa will rotate throughout the homes Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Visitors wanting to see all three houses can get a pass for $28 for adults, $9 for children up to 17. Details at http://www.newportmansions.org . The Preservation Society of Newport County also hosts evening visits, complete with eggnog, cider and live music from Victorian carolers and others, on Dec. 4, 11 and 18 at the mansions ($28 in advance, $10 for children).

Another mansion, Rosecliff, hosts performances of "Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff," performed by the Island Moving Co., through Dec. 3. Tickets start at $65 for adults, $45 for children; details at http://www.islandmovingco.org .