Top Things to do in Rhode Island
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What to do and see in Rhode Island, United States: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
With the perfect combination of great seaside views, colorful local culture, and endless family activities, Rhode Island is a big vacation destination in a small package. Whether you are into art and culture, beautiful seaside sights, or great family-friendly activities, there is sure to be something for you in Rhode Island. If you're staying in Newport, try a breathtaking tour of the harbor in the Schooner Madeleine, or enjoy a bit of history at Fort Adams State Park. The Newport mansions are one of the most popular attractions around, and the nearby Cliff Walk is a great place for a hike. Narragansett is home to the lovely Narragansett Town Beach and Point Judith Lighthouse, and if you hop on the Block Island Ferry you are only a short trip away from Block Island, where you can enjoy the sights of the Mohegan Bluffs or party it up at Capt. Nick's Rock and Roll Bar. Take a drive up to Providence for some great shopping at Providence Place Mall and to visit the unforgettable Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Restaurants in Rhode Island
1. St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 76 reviews
Landmark which was once the center of the Sentintellist movement with frescoes modeled after the Sistine Chapel.
Reviewed By maryjoh158
Even though Woonsocket may be a bit off your radar screen, this amazing former church is well worth a special trip. It is covered with beautiful frescoes, glorious stained glass windows from Chartres, France ( think Chartres Cathedral ) and magnificent Carrera marble everywhere. The pulpit in particular is incredible. Additionally, our wonderful tour guide brought St. Anne's alive through not only a wealth of information about the art and its creators but also regaled us with stories of the neighborhood, the parishioners who became models for some of the artwork and how this treasure of a building is being saved. It is so important to support the wonderful people trying so hard to save these often rather hidden away slices of our nation's history with very limited budgets to do so.
2. Providence Art Club
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
This is said to be the oldest art club in the nation, designed to foster an appreciation for local arts.
3. The Stephen Hopkins House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 114 reviews
TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS Take a tour of the 1707 home of Declaration-signer Stephen Hopkins, his family and their slaves, eight rooms full of antiques, Hopkins heirlooms and 18th century atmosphere. Learn about Rhode Island's own Founding Father and his house, the city's oldest, moved twice but virtually unmodernized, where George Washington was a guest in 1776 & 1781. Relax in our parterre garden designed by Alden Hopkins of Williamsburg. We're on Benefit Street between the John Brown House and First Baptist Church, a block from the RISD Museum, the Providence Athenaeum, the Brown campus and spectacular WaterFire. Open all year, Wednesdays 11AM to 2PM, April though November, Saturdays 10 AM to 4 PM, and year-round by appointment *** til 10 PM when it falls on FULL lightings of WaterFire (last tour at 9:30)*** Not 12/26th Tour highlights available in Chinese, Spanish, Italian, and soon French!
Reviewed By garygDC
This is a 1700s house with lots of history that has been well preserved with love and attention to detail. Some of the contents are original and some period pieces added for context. The former are carefully ID'd. We got an excellent tour from Dan, who permitted us to come into the middle of one, which he then completed for us. Chris also added additional color and commentary in the kitchen, where we dawdled and chatted about history and its relationship to current events (read between the lines). We learned a lot about local history and enjoyed the architecture and contents. Very well done. I would say a 'must see'.
4. Warwick Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By barryn680 - Coventry, United States
a great,large,well organized building. Great for the entire family. great kids section and a great section where you can go into a private small room to do work or class work with friends. PC heaven and the new book section is great. As is the area for large print books.I need that and it is outstanding. They have meeting rooms and classrooms and have special events.This is a true class place.good parking in back. Yes,they have security in case you think it is needed. I never have seen any problems here.
5. Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Proudly located in the seaside city of Westerly, Grey Sail Brewing of RI is southern Rhode Island's premier microbrewery equipped to produce up to 4,000 barrels of handcrafted beer per year. We are open for tours and tastings every Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Reviewed By 161allisonl - Westerly, United States
Grey Sail Brewing is an awesome local brewery located in downtown Westerly. It’s hidden back yard bungalow is the coolest part! Not only do they offer delicious wood fired pizza and live music, they are dog friendly! They also offer local wine on tap if you’re not in the mood for beer. The staff is very friendly and kind. I’d recommend this for any visit. The backyard games, including a bocci court, corn hole, dart board, and board games keep the party going! I’d highly recommend this as a go to location for a good time!
6. The Vets
7. Newport Car Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 157 reviews
7 MILES FROM NEWPORT w/ ample FREE PARKING! Since 2017, the Newport Car Museum has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors from around the world. Located in a converted 3-acre building that once served as a missile manufacturing facility, the Newport Car Museum presents 75+ cars as art, displaying them in six galleries that use theatrical lighting, specially commissioned large-format artwork and award-winning videos to tell the story of Ford/Shelby, Corvettes, World Cars, Fin Cars, Mopars and American Muscle Cars. Meticulously kept cars are displayed on low-rise platforms and turntables, with no barrier ropes, allowing for unobstructed 360-degree inspection, especially appreciated on “Hoods Up” Weekends held the second weekend of every month. Docents ignite lively exchanges; Mid-Century modern furniture provides comfortable seating; and eight driving simulators allow a spin in virtually any car on any track in the world. (Cool gift shop, too!)
Reviewed By 768keithn
I have a real love for American classic cars and being the owner of a Mustang I found the museum extremely enjoyable. The variety of cars was fantastic, the staff were helpful and informative and parking and aces to the museum couldn’t be easier. If you love cars this is a must see.
8. Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 946 reviews
This innovative and internationally renowned museum showcases more than 80,000 works of art from Paul Revere's silver and caricatures of 18th century Europe, to French Impressionists and the avant-garde works of recent alumni. A 12th-century Japanese Buddha has its own room with benches for meditating.
Reviewed By margatemensch2016 - Coconut Creek, United States
Recently,I returned to Providence and the delighful RIsd Art Museum.I devoted my day to studying its quality European paintings and sculpture.I did not see everything in this art museum that has a broad range of Art.Old Master personal favorites were Spinello Aretino's"Saint Anthony Abbott Enthroned",Jacopo di Cione's"Taking of Saint Peter",Giusseppe Cesari's"Perseus and Andromeda".Aert de Gelder's"Esther and Mordecai",Francisco Collantes'"Hagar and Ishmael".Marinus Van Reymerswaele's"Money Changers",and Giovanni Pannini's"Colliseum".19th Century favorites were Jean Victor Bertin's"Tivoli",Edouard Manet's"Repose",Claude Monet's"Bassin At Argentieul"(awesome French Impressionism),Carolus Duran's"Portrait of Manet",and Edgard Degas'"La Savoissiene".I also savored the fine Gothic and Renaissance Period sculptural works that were on display such as Ivory Diptych from 13th Century France depicting Nativity and Crucifixion,and Tillman Riemenschneider's "Pieta",among others..Kudos to a fine art museum in historic Providence.
9. Avon Cinema
10. Rhode Island State House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 404 reviews
This imposing marble building houses King Charles' 1663 charter of the Rhode Island colony.
Reviewed By Decaf7
Take the half hour free guided tour, worth your time. See the House and Senate chambers, the library, portraits of former governors, portrait of George Washington painted by our very own Gilbert Stuart and learn about the history of this beautiful building. Dome is a beautiful piece of architecture.
