Experience the best things to do in Rhode Island
If you’ve ever thought the old saying “bigger is better” was true, then come to Rhode Island. Find out how the country’s smallest state can impress just as much as the larger ones. Rhode Island known for its impressive small towns featuring some of the country’s most well-preserved colonial era architecture. Visit its stunning beaches and coastline.
Some of the state’s most visited attractions are in the city of Newport where hilltop mansions and beautiful views are around every corner. The city of Providence is also home to several attractions including an art display that blends fire with water. Streets with mile after mile of historic buildings and homes.
Newport Mansions
The Newport Mansions collection of historical houses. It’s operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County is Rhode Island’s most visited tourist attraction. Visitors can tour the mansions to view the development of American architecture beginning in colonial times through the Gilded Age.
The mansions of Newport were built as summer homes in the 1850s to 1900 by wealthy tycoons of New York and Philadelphia. Now, these massive houses, including the spectacular Rosecliff, Marble House, the Breakers, the Elms, Rough Point, and more, are open to the public, offering fascinating and informative tours. Special events, parties, balls, and performances, are presented during summer, fall, and the Christmas season.
Newport Cliff Walk
One of the favorite attractions in Rhode Island is this 3.5-mile public walkway along the Newport shoreline. Stretching from Bailey’s Beach to First Beach. The Cliff Walk offers a chance to view the beach vistas as well as many of Newport’s famous gilded mansions.
A popular viewpoint is near Rough Point where a bridge spans an open chasm offering stunning vistas. About two-thirds of the walk is in easy walking condition. Parts of the southern half of the walk are a rough trail over the natural and rugged New England rocky shoreline.
Narragansett Town Beach
Narragansett Town Beach is one of the state’s many popular coastal towns that draw crowds each year as a summer resort town. Located in the center of town, the beach offers ample parking in the North, South, West and Cabana parking areas. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance and the daily non-resident fee is a small price to pay for access to a beach.
Explore all of the Rhode Island shore’s beauty and history. Along with food, restrooms, first-aid office, surfing area and a beautiful sandy beachfront. The total beach acreage is approximately 19 acres.
Colt State Park
Colt State Park occupies over 460 acres in the township of Bristol, Rhode Island. With 464 acres of lawns, four miles of paved pathways, hiking trails, historic stone walls, and one of the state’s most spectacular shorelines.
The entire western border of the park borders Narragansett Bay. Open year round, the park’s bike trails intersect with the East Bay Bike Path, which runs from Bristol to Providence. The park includes trails, picnic groves, boat ramps, and a observation tower.
Marble House
Marble House is a Gilded Age mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. The Newport Marble House is one of the state’s most popular attractions. Its construction began in 1888. It is a Gilded Age mansion that was completed in 1892. The manor has 50 rooms.
Designed by the society architect Richard Morris Hunt. The house is made of more than 500,000 cubic feet of marble. In addition, there are marble sculptures to look at throughout the house. With the exterior faced in white Westchester marble. Entrance into the mansion is through one of two French Baroque-style doors, each weighing a ton and half.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
The Roger Williams Park Zoo houses more than 160 species of animals including a Komodo dragon, as well as zebras, red pandas, African elephants, Masai giraffes. The zoo’s major exhibits feature the animals of Africa, Amazon rainforest, and more. Discover some of the amazing creatures that call North America home.
Adults and Kids have the opportunity to feed giraffes, as well as an array of farmyard animals. For something slightly different visit Explore and Soar area offering an exhilarating zip ride and a train excursion through the woodlands.
Water Fire Providence
In downtown Providence visitors can view the spectacular fusion of fire and water. WaterFire combines aspects of performance, public art, festival, and a civic ritual ceremony. The WaterFire Programs include a variety of fire-lit light displays on the river, performed in an artistic manner.
A series of nearly 100 bonfires that seems to magically perch on the three rivers of downtown Providence, WaterFire is actually an art installation. Street performers, musicians and thousands of attendees add to the enchantment. Best of all, the entire incredible experience is free.
The Breakers
Like many of Rhode Island’s popular attractions. The Breakers a historic mansion reflects the cultural and architectural wonder of the state. The Breakers, built by Cornelius Vanderbilt, stands on the edge of Ochre Point, overlooking the sea.
It has 70 rooms covering about 65,000 square feet of living space. The house is known for its ornate and lavish design and its beautifully maintained gardens. The Great Hall the first thing you’ll see inside The Breakers that will take your breath away.
Lincoln Woods State Park
Lincoln Woods State Park is one of Blackstone Valley’s great treasures. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the freshwater beach. The covered bridge at the Breakneck Hill entrance greets parkgoers as they enter the park to enjoy swimming at the freshwater beach. Trout fishing, playing ball, hiking, jogging, horseback riding, or just relaxing under a shade tree.
The facilities have changing rooms for the swimmers, a snack bar, nature barn, and park administrative and maintenance facilities. With bridle and hiking trails throughout, the basic feature besides Olney Pond.
International Tennis Hall of Fame
One of Rhode Island’s most popular sports, tennis, is celebrated in the International Tennis Hall of Fame that honors players and contributors to the sport. Includes 13 grass tennis courts, an indoor tennis facility with three courts, outdoor hard courts, one green clay court, a court tennis facility, and a theatre.
The museum has an indoor museum with a hall of fame exhibit. It’s museum’s permanent collection contains approximately 30,000 objects, including modern and historic tennis equipment, fine art, decorative arts. Artifacts from Hall of Famers and other significant figures within the sport, trophies, textiles and clothing, ephemera, and furnishings.
Things to Do in Rhode Island
Sometimes big things really do come in small packages. A state that is just a fraction of the size of most others. You’ll find some of the country’s biggest, most impressive homes as well as many other attractions that are sure to impress.