While summer is still a spectacular time to enjoy beaches, boating, and famous outdoor music festivals, there are alternatives to fighting peak-season crowds.

Narragansett Bay breezes keep the summers relatively free from unbearable humidity, And those same breezes also keep the winters less frigid than elsewhere in New England. Off-season rates kick in after the summer tourist population swell subsides. Newport's mansions are especially spectacular when decked in Christmas finery, and if you bundle up, a wintertime stroll along the Cliff Walk can be invigorating. Keep in mind that some attractions close in the off season, and beaches and amusement parks are usually not open until the last weekend in May.