Rhode Island isn't known as the Ocean State for no reason. The coastline is seemingly endless and enchanting. Rhode Island has the best of New England to offer. There's room for romance, adventure, beaches and galleries. Providence is a capital that has it all, leaving little to be desired unless you're in the mood for some sailing and then Newport is a short drive away. If you need to really get away from civilization, Port Judith is right near Kingston, and just a ferry ride from the scenic and remote Block Island where the sand dunes make for a very scenic backdrop to an afternoon bike ride. Kids will love long days at the beach, and animals on the farms, while parents appreciate the area's history, golf courses, boutique and antique shopping.
Rhode Island Towns & Cities
Lincoln is the perfect outpost to experience the green Blackstone River Valley and is only a 15 minute drive from Providence. Lincoln lies just north of Pawtucket, the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and a growing city with big town amenities. Slater Mill preserves this city's history through exhibits, collections, grounds and galleries, research library, theater, festivals and even ghost tours.
The butterfly gardens at Chase Farm are spellbinding and you can watch a blacksmith at work away in the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop. A visit to the Pullen's Corner School, built in 1850, will show the kids what the good old days were like. The Fairlawn Golf Course or the beautiful Kirkbrae Country Club, one of the finest in the country, will get you teeing off in no time. You definitely won't want to miss the Blackstone River State Park with canopied biking and hiking trails.
Providence is a city you'll fall in love with, and perhaps not ever want to leave. This mid-sized, college town is home to the Ivy League Brown University and the well-renowned Rhode Island School of Design. The huge Italian community has some of the best cuisine a visitor could hope for in Little Italy. There are several great neighborhoods where you can relax, dine, window shop or people watch. Thayer Street has some hip boutiques, Wickenden Street has art galleries and antique stores, Federal Hill has upscale shops and Westminster Street has some independently owned clothing and design stores.
From May to October, you can check out the art installation WaterFire on the three rivers of downtown Providence. WaterFire includes one hundred wood burning bonfires on the water, an enchanting sight. For some time in the outdoors, a visit to the urban oasis of Roger Williams Park Botanical Center will make your day. If it's too hot outside, bring the kids to the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium.
Providence is scattered with historic buildings, offering a peek at the area's architectural past. Some bed and breakfasts are over a hundred years old, or if you prefer, there are more mainstream hotels downtown that provide total comfort and convenience as well.
The state's second largest city in the state, Warwick is still not very populated with under 100,000 residents. The city is actually composed of over 30 villages and boasts 39 miles of coastline. There are two lighthouses you'll want to view, Warwick Neck Lighthouse, built originally in 1927 and the Conimicut Lighthouse, built in 1868, both still functioning. The later was the last in the country to be electrified. Goddard Memorial State Park offers nature trails, horseback riding, a salt water beach, bathhouse and even a 9-hole golf course. There are also plenty of fresh and salt water beaches in town, both perfect ways to pass a warm day.
Bristol is mostly surrounded by water, nestled between Narragansett and Mount Hope Bays. This town hosts the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration in the nation, since 1785, so a visit in July will prove colorful. There's tons of history to learn about and experience, whether it's Bristol's colonial past or that of the native peoples; museums abound. You can visit Mount Hope Farm or Linden Place, Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum, Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame or the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology. Take advantage of the great blue ocean by renting a kayak, or cruising around the bay on the Bayqueen. Kids are sure to love the Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center and definitely The Toy Shop.
Probably the second favored vacation spot for New Englanders after Cape Cod is Newport. This upscale harbor town also doubles as a great spot for young party goers who rent cottages in the summer months. The port is stunningly beautiful in all weather. This is the place to go sailing, scuba diving, fishing or horseback riding on the beach.
There is history to learn about and impressive architecture to view, including quaint wharves and cobblestone streets. The downtown has a range of shopping options, galleries and scrumptious seafood. There are several theater companies performing in town and even a ballet. The Norman Bird Sanctuary and the Newport Aquarium offer aerial and marine wildlife information and visual stimulation. Once you see the tall masts of boats against the blue ocean, you'll never want to leave.
Middletown is located just minutes from Newport and boasts some fantastic, free beaches where you can just kick back and relax. You can take some time to learn to kayak at the Eastern Mountain Sports Kayak School, go on a tour of the autumn foliage or a seal watch. The Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1979 and is a perfect place to watch wintering birds and experience wetland habitats of a variety of species. The Prescott Farm offers visitors a taste of early 18th century architecture and lifestyle. The farm's windmill is a neat place to check out as is the revolutionary guardhouse. Here they'll teach you what vegetables and herbs once grew in a colonial garden. A wonderful experience for the whole family!
Kingston is located inland, and within the town of South Kingston, most of the village is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is home to the main campus of the University of Rhode Island. This is a great place to relax in the sun, dine or do some shopping. The town is a short drive from the surrounding beaches and encompasses 7 villages in its midst. The town is bike friendly, so you can comfortably explore on two wheels. Learn a bit of history at the Pettaquamscutt Rock and Jail, or in West Kingston at the 120-year-old Kingston Railroad Station. Enjoy a bit of entertainment at the Theatre by the Sea or at the Courthouse Center for the Arts. Head to North Kingston for a nice afternoon. This quaint ocean town has boutique shopping and a lovely, walkable Main Street.
Whatever you'd like to find in Rhode Island, it's there waiting for you. From the spectacle of the changing foliage each autumn to long days spent at the beach in the summer, New England is a wonderful gateway to exploring America.
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