Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Tue, Jul 20, 2010 @ 01:39 PM
Within a 7 minute walk from the Ivy Lodge bed and breakfast is the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. The museum houses the entire history of the sport, dating from the 12th Century through today. You can meander through 18 galleries that span more than 20,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, momentous videos and popular memorabilia of tennis champions past and present. The Museum’s permanent collection alone contains more than 16,000 objects. The Library and Information Research Center has upwards of 5,000 books; in excess of 1,000 tapes and films; more than 300,000 photo images, and an abundant collection of magazines, programs, periodicals, posters, and personal player memorabilia, you don’t need to be a tennis fan to enjoy this significant exhibit.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame offers a truly unique tennis experience, where the public can actually play tennis on the famous grounds! The grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame are America's oldest. The Hall of Fame offers thirteen grass courts, one red clay court and three indoor award-winning cushioned hard courts. The courts are open to the public for rental; advance reservations are required for individual and groups from May through September. Tennis enthusiasts can join the outdoor and indoor club memberships, as well as USPTA/PTR certified instruction for juniors and adults of all ages and ability levels: Private and group lessons, adult camps, daily clinics, and a full service pro-shop are also available
Within the Tennis hall of fame is one of the most unique entertainment venues in North America. The six-acre, Victorian shingle-style complex is a vibrant illustration of the grace and charm of 19th Century American design. Now a National Historic Landmark, its remarkable legacy as a premier entertainment venue hosts the opening night of the Newport Folk festival and the Newport Jazz festival, two of our favorite events that afford us the luxury of casually strolling from the Ivy Lodge bed and breakfast to enjoy big name acts without the hustle and bustle of traffic and parking.
To learn more about the attractions in Newport, RI,
www.gonewport.com or contact the Innkeepers, Darlene and Daryl McKenzie. We will design an itinerary to maximize your Newport, RI get-away
Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Wed, Jun 23, 2010 @ 09:46 AM
When most people think of Newport music festivals, they think folk and jazz festivals. The Newport Classical festival is one of the top classical music events in the country; it was founded in 1969 as a summer season of the Metropolitan Opera. The outdoor venue was not conducive to classical music performance, and instead the grand rooms of the stately Newport mansions were put to use for chamber music concerts. You can enjoy a beer, wine or cocktail while appreciating the ocean breezes and beauty of the Cliff walk. The early concerts utilized many members of the Metropolitan Opera. The Festival has become known for giving young international artists, such as Inessa Galante, a venue for their American debut.
The Newport Music Festival 2010 celebrates its 42nd season July 9-25, continuing the tradition of presenting unique chamber music programs, American debuts, world-class artists and special events in the Gilded Age "summer cottages" of Newport, Rhode Island. Entering his thirty-sixth season, Artistic Director Dr. Mark P. Malkovich, III researches and selects works from the 19th century chamber music, vocal repertoire and the Romantic-era piano literature, to create one of the most extraordinary festivals in the world. In its forty-one year history, the Newport Music Festival has become celebrated for presenting over one hundred thirty artists and ensembles in their American debuts. Yamaha Pianos and Your New England Toyota Dealer are the major Festival sponsors.
The Festival will present 65 concerts-three to five per day-in the famous Newport Mansions with 35 American and international artists from 14 countries. Season-long tributes to the bicentenaries of composers Frédéric François Chopin and Robert Alexander Schumann will feature their enduring music. Morning concerts are at 11 a.m.; afternoons usually at 4 p.m. and evenings at The Breakers, the queen of the Newport Mansions, at 9 p.m. Midnight concerts feature one-hour intermission-free works with champagne receptions preceding. The Festival was again selected for "America's Elite 1000-the Ultimate List," the very best American luxury goods, shops, services and special events; it has also been named one of the "Top 50 Outstanding Festivals & Events" in North America by Leisure Group Travel magazine.
For more information on the Newport classical musical festival, contact the Ivy Lodge bed and breakfast, newport, ri at 1-800-834-6865. The Ivy lodge is a short stroll to the beautiful mansions that host this magical event.
Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Mon, Jun 14, 2010 @ 06:57 PM
From the beginning, the Ivy Lodge Bed and Breakfast in Newport RI has been a child friendly place to bring your children. With a 30 year history of operating as a B&B, we have reason to believe some of these children, annually spend summer vacations at the Ivy, were conceived in this beautiful, Victorian . . . as told to us by multiple returning guests (smile, nod, nudge, wink, wink).
Most recently we had the pleasure of hosting a lovely family with a four year old named Noah. His parents have wanted to visit Newport, RI for the last couple of years with a preface for lodging in a Bed and Breakfast, Newport RI. The past inquiries into Newport B&B's for child friendly accommodations were unsuccessful and at times offensive to this very classy, couple . . . when inquiring with one B&B, Lindsay was told, our guest are trying to get away from their children, I cringe as she tells me her experiences. That said, I assured her, we like kids and work with families as well as romantic get away for couples with strategies that meet the expectations of both types of travelers. When I brought Noah's parents to their family suite, I could see they were pleased with the accommodations. I agreed to let them settle in and advised Noah's Mom, Lindsay, that she was welcome to join me at the front desk, if she wanted me to concierge the family about the city-by-the-sea. Shortly after the family arrived, Lindsay came down and I proceeded to lay -out my recommendations for Kid friendly things to do.
Darlene and Daryl Sez:
For beach time, we highly recommend Gooseberry beach (our personal favorite beach). This family oriented beach fun and esthetically pleasing to both parents and kids. Mansions jutting out on points, rocks and docks for kids to climb on, plus, this beach gives the kids a cove that is less hazardous than some of our larger beaches with larger wave action, something that terrifies me for very young children and no rip tides. The kids will love, love, love the snack shack. It does not get any prettier or quaint than Goose berry beach.
A short stroll from the Ivy lodge is the cliff walk. A very safe place to take the kids and an even shorter stroll to the closest beach Easton's beach (locals call this beach 1st beach) Newport's largest public ocean surf beach, located on Memorial Boulevard at the start of the Cliff Walk, is a 3/4 mile long surf beach with a board walk. Operations run daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Easton's Beach is a free public beach. Fees are charged for parking and some of the amenities. Free outdoor showers and public restrooms are available in season. Parents can enjoy a hot shower and changing and storage with a daily bathhouse rental, bring the kids to the free playground and skate park. The beautiful rotunda has a carousal Open weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day 10:00 am- 6:00 Pm
Weekdays June 16- august 29th 10:00- 6:00 pm
Rides are $1.00 per person- or discount books of 20 rides can be purchased for $10.00
Ride the Monster- 24 foot high water slide, with two 18 foot speed drops to the pool below- Open daily throughout the summer beginning June 13. Easton's Beach introduced a new children's Bumper Boat ride in 2009, and it has proven to be extremely popular.
Bring your family down this summer!
Just $ 5.00 to ride all day, and $ 3.00 after 2:00 pm- discount booklets available.
. . . Twin Lobster rolls with fries $10.95, that in it's self is worth a trip to Easton's beach!
The Easton's beach snack Bar is now open everyday Rain or shine from 11-6. The beach is now charging for parking but you can still go to the middle parking lot for 60 minute validated parking if you are just going to the snack bar. It won't cost anything M-F and only $2.00 on weekends and holidays.
Call: 1.800.834.6865 for family friendly lodging and great advise on things families can do with their children
Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Wed, Jun 02, 2010 @ 01:42 PM
Rose cliff, one of the most elegant mansions in Newport, R.I., and the backdrop for much of the movie ''The Great Gatsby,'' is the setting for the Preservation Society of Newport County's flower show 2010 on June 25-27. As one of the Ivy Lodge bed and breakfast, Newport RI most anticipated events, the Newport Flower Show celebrates its 15th year as America's premier summer flower show with an African theme. Safari - Flora and Fauna will capture our imaginations with the exotic treasures of a continent that boasts the most diverse range of plants and animals in the world. Aside from viewing the show's wonderful flower arrangements and horticulture exhibits, make a day of it and take time to enjoy a lunch and lecture/demonstration by world-class flower arranger Marie Françoise Deprez. And, of course, give yourself lot's of time to shop the fabulous boutiques that have been set up on the lawns over-looking the magnificent cliff walk along the Atlantic Ocean! The Flower show is a short stroll from the Ivy Lodge bed and breakfast either via the cliff walk or the Famed Bellevue Avenue.
It is befitting that this particular Newport preservation mansion, The Rose cliff, would be chosen to annually host the Newport RI flower show. Originally, the Rose cliff was the summer home of George Bancroft, a horticulturist remembered for his hybrid American Beauty rose. Rose cliff was acquired in 1888 by Theresa Fair Oelrichs, one of the grandes dames of Gilded Age society. She commissioned Stanford White to design a new Rose cliff, modeling it after Louis XIV's Grand Trianon at Versailles.
The flower show starts June 25 and runs to June 27. The location is one of the Newport Preservation society's mansions, the Rose cliff. This event is New England's premier summertime flower and horticulture show includes judged flower arrangements, a horticultural tent brimming with plants and flowers, demonstrations, lectures and a spectacular garden marketplace in the elegant reception rooms and on the expansive oceanfront lawn of Rose cliff, a Gilded Age mansion. For info: The Preservation Society of Newport County, 424 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840. Phone: (401) 847-1000. Fax: (401) 841-1361. E-mail: events@newportmansions.org. Web. or contact the Ivy lodge Bed and Breakfast, Newport, RI at innkeepers@ivylodge.com, website www.ivylodge.com
An important note: All proceeds from the Newport Flower Show are dedicated to the ongoing restoration and maintenance of The Preservation Society of Newport County's 88 acres of gardens and landscapes
Each day of the 2010 Newport Flower Show offers guest's opportunities to enjoy judged horticultural specimens and floral designs, special garden exhibitions, free lectures and demonstrations, as well as wonderful shopping experiences in both the Oceanside Boutiques and the Gardeners' Marketplace. Tickets are also available for special luncheons, lectures and workshops.
Be a part of this much-anticipated festive event that kicks off the Newport summer season. Enjoy the scrumptious cocktail buffet while viewing the fresh floral arrangements and horticultural extravaganzas, shopping the Oceanside Boutiques and Gardeners' Marketplace, mingling with friends and making new ones. As always, there will be plenty of surprises too!
General Show Admission Adult Youth (13-17) Youth (12 & under)
Advance purchase & Members--any day $17 $6 Free
At the door Friday, June 25 only $25 $6 Free
At the door Saturday, June 26
or Sunday, June 27 $23 $6 Free
"Bring a Friend" Offer Sunday only 2 tickets for $25
Come on Sunday and bring a friend! The two of you will save $21 off the Day of Show price.
Valid on Sunday, June 27 onlyJune 25-27. Rosecliff, Newport, RI. New England's premier summertime flower and horticulture show includes judged flower arrangements, a horticultural tent brimming with plants and flowers, demonstrations, lectures and a spectacular garden marketplace in the elegant reception rooms and on the expansive oceanfront lawn of Rosecliff, a Gilded Age mansion. For info: The Preservation Society of Newport County, 424 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840. Phone: (401) 847-1000. Fax: (401) 841-1361. E-mail: events@newportmansions.org. Web
Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Sat, May 15, 2010 @ 03:18 PM
The greatest international chowder championship will officially commence the start of the summer season on Saturday, June 5th. Enjoy endless samples of chowder prepared by a culinary tour de force of creative chefs from around the globe, each perfecting a recipe to provoke all challengers in the ultimate quest for chowder triumph. Restaurants are competing for cash-clams in three categories: Clam, Seafood, and Creative, as well as a Clam Cake competition.
But it's not just about the chowdah', we've got three stages of live entertainment that is sure to knock your seafood-lovin' socks off. Paired with a healthy helping of children's activities, this is one clam-tastic festival that landlubbers can rejoice in, too
11am-6:00pm. Newport Yachting Center, 4 Commercial Wharf. The world's original and longest running chowder competition determines bragging rights to the world's "chowda" champion title among dozens of restaurants, divided into Clam, Seafood, and Creative chowder categories. Call (401) 846-1600, or visit the Newport Waterfront Festivals website for more information.
Saturday, June 5, 2010 Great Chowder Cook-Off
Advance Ticket Price*: $20
Regular Ticket Price: $25
*Advance ticket sale ends Friday, May 28.
Saturday, June 5, 11am - 6pm
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Fri, May 14, 2010 @ 05:03 PM
Besides being excellent, light meal fare, pancakes are easy to prepare and require no tricky techniques. A few pointers will ensure success.
Mixing the Batter: Begin by combining all of the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and stirring them together until they're well combined. Beat the whole eggs or egg whites (if you are watching your cholesterol) in another mixing bowl, one that's large enough to also hold the liquid ingredients.
Stir the liquid ingredients quickly into the dry ingredients. To make your pancakes light and tender, stir the batter just until the ingredients are combined but still slightly lumpy, over-mixing destroys the air bubbles in the batter, resulting in heavy, tough pancakes, do this by hand mixing.
One of the secrets to producing great pancakes is to use a griddle or heavy skillet that heats evenly. (The Ivy Lodge uses a cast iron griddle, which gives the pancakes a crispy outer edge.)
Our recipes call for cooking pancakes on a lightly greased griddle or skillet. Wait until your griddle is heated to medium heat before pouring the pancake batter on it. (You can test the griddle by dripping a few drops of water on it. If the water dances over the surface, the griddle is ready.
For a nice round pancake, pour your batter on the griddle from a measuring cup, a pitcher or a small gravy ladle with a spout that will give an even flow. Whatever you use, hold it close to the griddle surface and pour into a pool that will spread out into an even shape. Don't crowd your griddle - the pancakes will cook better if they don't run together. As your pancakes are cooking, keep an eye on the griddle temperature, if too hot, it will start to smoke, lower the heat. The more pancakes you make the easier it will become to determine the ideal temperature. The pancakes are ready to turn when the undersides are golden brown and the top surfaces are evenly covered with tiny unbroken bubbles. Use the edge of a spatula to carefully check if the undersides are browned, carefully lift just enough to check the color, don't lift the entire pancake and break contact with the griddle, this will have an effect on the texture. When the pancakes are golden brown on both sides, remove them from the griddle - and enjoy!
When you book your stay at The Ivy lodge bed and breakfast, we serve you full gourmet breakfast each morning, you will find all our entrees, made with real ingredient with creative entrée offerings. In the afternoon we serve seasonal snacks and beverage service through-out the day.
Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Sat, May 08, 2010 @ 05:07 PM
From the Gilded Age until today, Newport RI has been known as a dynamic, romantic and historical resort destination. Its reputation began with the giant "summer cottages" of the mid nineteenth century and then moved on to large hotels. Often overlooked is the key role bed and breakfasts, Newport RI have played in the first resort of America. The image of the picturesque New England bed and breakfast is an enduring attraction and for many an irresistible one. Today, choosing your lodgings in a Bed and breakfast can save you time and money and afford you the best locations on the Island. Because of the B&B's intimate setting, the Innkeepers, their staff and guests, can lead you towards a deeper, more intimate experience, maximizing your time and opportunity to see the best of what Newport RI has to offer . When you compare the locations of most commercial hotels, you will find yourself outside the charm of the island. When looking for a Bed and Breakfast in Newport RI, keep in mind: The quality of the establishment is very good, the service, unparallel, the cleanliness exceptional and the owners and staff members want to help you, they find joy in being kind and making others happy. Most of the bed and breakfast in Newport, RI are tucked away in quite private residential areas. For a list of Bed and breakfasts in Newport RI, we recommend you explore the site of www.newportinns.com. On this site, you will find a consortium of well run Bed and breakfasts. The website: http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ will give you additional information on Newport, RI as well as future prospects. It is a surprise to us that of all the lodgings booked each year, bed and breakfasts are only 5% of the total. . . Although that figure is increasing each year. Once you stay in a Bed and breakfast, you will return to a bed and breakfast . . . it's one of the best ways to experience your get-a-way.
Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Mon, May 03, 2010 @ 03:40 PM
It is our duty and pleasure to make the all important rounds of sampling the best restaurants of Newport RI. (Somebody's gotta do it). This is our job, making sure when we give you our recommendations, you are pleased with our selections. Whether it's attractions, shopping or dining, we scout out our recommendations as we concierge you on the City by the Sea. As for dining, one restaurant we consistently recommend to our guests is Fluke wine,bar and kitchen. Last night, we made our way to the popular wharfs of Bannister and Bowens. Tucked away on two floors above Bowen's Wharf in Newport, RI is Flukes wine,bar and kitchen. The restaurant is facing the Newport RI harbor. During sunlight hours, the rays bounce off the Narragansett Bay and at dusk sunsets can be exquisite and the back drop of the Newport Bridge looks like a pearl necklace, draped across the sky. On this night, the fog hung lightly over the wharf, making this wharf no less exquisite and all the more intriguing to be out and about in Newport RI. As we made our way up the stairs to the restaurant, we were greeted by Jeff and Geremie Callaghan, the owners of Flukes; whom we have worked closely with since their opening in 2007. With each passing year, this restaurant gets better and better and our dinner last night gives us all the more reason to continue our support of their culinary efforts. The restaurant is modeled after the cutting-edge spots they loved while living 15 years in New York City, only softened by their personal touches. Fluke's relaxed, modern American cuisine is perfect for any occasion. They up'ed the anti in 2009 by hiring executive chef Neil Manacle (a J&W grad) and sous chef Kevin King, both imported from Manhattan. The food is fun and creative and fresh as the day. The sea provides beautiful fish, which inspires them and the most seasonal and local foods are always paramount to their dishes . But then there is the land, too. The Callaghans have contracted for four acres at nearby Rhode Island Nursery to be farmed for them. Zucchini blossoms and snow peas are just the beginning of what it will produce this season. The energy expended on this restaurant, makes this restaurant Darlene and Daryl McKenzie, innkeepers of the Ivy Lodge Bed and breakfast, Newport RI one of the top picks of the season.
Fluke Wine, Bar & Kitchen, 41 Bowen's Wharf, Newport, (401) 218-7884, flukewinebar.com. Casually upscale. On street parking; pay lots. Reservations. Not wheelchair accessible. Highchairs. AE, MC, V. Open daily at 5 p.m.; Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Small plates $6-$13; large plates $12-$38. Extensive cocktail menu and wines by the bottle and glass.
Hours
Summer Hours: Open nightly from 5 pm
Winter Hours: Open Thursday-Sunday from 5 pm
Reservations encouraged.
Call 401.849.7778
or click here for OpenTable.
Winner
Newport Life Magazine
Best Cocktails, serving innovative specialty cocktails made with fresh pressed juices and herb infused ingredients
2008, 2009
Best Wine List 2010 -- Discover unique artisan wine
Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Mon, Mar 29, 2010 @ 01:44 PM
Be in the know about Newport, Rhode Island Performing arts and movie theaters. For such a small community, The island of Newport Rhode Island has many intimate performances, cabaret shows and an artsy theater with film festivals. Below are some favorites of the innkeepers at the Ivy Lodge Bed and breakfast.
Starting with our historic movie theater, the Jane Pickens. The Jane Pickens Theater is known for showing the best movies available, movies that are hand selected to play to the discriminating taste. The theater presents a mix of first run movies, documentaries and art films. Not only are movie choices eclectic, but so are the offerings in the concession in the lobby which range from your standard popcorn to your more interesting gourmet chocolates, including Newport Chocolates. This summer, the theater will host two full days of the Newport,Rhode Island International Film Festival on August 9 and 10. Its Great Gatsby package deal continues - see the Robert Redford classic on Sunday mornings while enjoying croissants and beverages and get a ticket to tour Rosecliff, where the movie was filmed.
The Firehouse Theater offers quality entertainment to the community year round. They stage their own productions and use both local talent and professionally trained actors. The setting is so small, you literally walk on the stage to get to the seating . . . there is not a back seat in the house. You can bring your own beverage, yes, even wine, beer and mixed drinks. The Firehouse Theater is a short stroll around the corner from two very good restaurants (Tucker's Bistro and Salvation Café) with good logistics, ambiance and charm, your dinner and entertainment await you without the hustle and bustle of a big city theater performance.
The Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant Before you enjoy the play, take in the largest and one of the best buffets in Rhode Island, If you can't find something you like in the huge selection, then there is no buffet that will please you. It starts with big plates, so large that you may need help carrying them back to your table. In addition to the usual rolls, salads, pasta, vegetables, rice, and potatoes, look for the entrée specialties. They do not use MSG. The food tastes good because they use pure olive oil, real butter, herbs, and spices. Add to that the fact that they know how to cook-and presto!-the food tastes great. The ingredients they buy are quality. They always have an abundance of food and because they cook more than their guests can consume, they donate the remaining food to the needy . . . so nothing is wasted. . .You gotta love a business with a conscious.The Newport Play House Sunday matinée buffet starts at 11:30 a.m., with the doors opening at 11 a.m., there is no need to rush, as the play starts at 1 p.m. You leave the restaurant and move to the intimate theater, where a seat has been reserved for you.
A spectacular waterfront setting in a historic New England town is the backdrop for entertainment at Salve Regina University. The Campus hosts Lectures (The Dali Lama recently lectured at the Pell center). Ochre Point is an annual setting for the Newport Classical music festival. In addition to concerts, there is comedy, hypnotists, mentalists and magicians and live theater productions that perform for the public as well as the Students.
If theater and live performances are of interests to you while vacationing in the city by the sea, The Ivy Lodge Bed and breakfast keeps track of movie times, theater performances and concert dates. With so much to choose from , you can trust our concierge desk to direct you to entertainment venues that suit the most discriminating theater patrons.
Posted by Darlene McKenzie on Wed, Mar 24, 2010 @ 02:17 PM
If Newport RI is your destination of choice, Newport is getting it's game face on with Restaurant Week March 19-28, 2010, with three course lunches priced at $16 and dinners at $30. This is a great way to experience Newport's fine restaurants and B&Bs. Look for plenty of B&B packages featuring fixed priced meals and overnight stays.
Culinary travelers looking for affordable gastronomic getaways should plan to spend a night or two in Newport RI and enjoy a close-by B&B vacation, while taking advantage of Restaurant Week savings. The Ivy Lodge Bed and Breakfast will begin your day with a full gourmet breakfast. We pride ourselves on delicious entrees cooked each morning with quality ingredients. The Ivy makes all the bake goods by scratch and the granola is made on sight. As always, we are happy to share our recipes with our guests.