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 Couples
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. Mohegan Bluffs
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 718 reviews
Two-hundred-foot cliffs with great views of the Atlantic.
Reviewed By stevendO6647JP
Beautiful! We got there at 10am only a few people there but right after that people kept constanlty coming (probably because the ferry arrives around this time which i believe is the first of the day). Honestly, even with more people its pretty big and its not crowded. Tip - keep walking right or even left to walk along shoreline and away from people. It is very rocky (small uneven rocks) so wear good shoes. As a billion other people said, there is alot of stairs but unless you have difficulty with normal stairs, this will be fine for you. Going up is of course more tiring but will only take a few minutes if you go at a slightly brisk pace. There are plenty of taxis from the ferry to take you there. I believe it was 16 or so around there bucks one way for 2 people and only takes like 5-10 minutes to get there. It is got friendly, the taxis are dog friendly and the ferry is dog friendly. **If you have a drone and want to fly it here such as a DJI drone you have to do special authorization before flying. I did not and could not fly it here due to airport nearby. Only place i could fly my drone was the northern part of the island where the other lighthouse is (there is southeast lighthouse by Mohegan bluffs) and they have a nice quiet beach area up this way too. Have fun!!
2. Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Free refuge which has trails over fields and around salt marshes.
Reviewed By SusanD678 - Narragansett, United States
National wildlife refuge in coastal RI will not disappoint if you enjoy serenity and beauty. Lookout platforms available for close up views of wildlife. So nice seeing a deer enjoying his habitat. Sunset on Moonstone Beach indescribable ..
3. Napatree Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
Watch Hill bird sanctuary.
Reviewed By Davidcarmytraveler - Coventry, United States
We came for Memorial Day and got there about 10:30. Thankfully it wasn’t very crowded. You pass the watch hill yacht club and walk over the dunes and drop down on to this beautiful beach. It goes way out into the water and has beach on both sides. There are great views of the watch hill light house and all the boats. It’s the only place we have been that you can play on the dunes. There isn’t much public parking so go early. 2 hours free on the street and 2 hours free in the shopping parking lot; or spend 20-30 dollars for all day in the paid lot. This is a must visit beach in RI, off season or now during covid is probably the best time to go.
4. Colt State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 454 reviews
Reviewed By SugaKows - Rhodes, Greece
This is an excellent spot for a family reunion, or just soaking up the sun and breeze. Right by the water, so no matter how hot it gets, you always get an ocean breeze, blowing off the water. Prices are really reasonable, and the spots are spacious and open. You also have Bristol Town Beach right next store. The park is a walkable park, and you have access to the East Bay Bike path.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. The Breakers
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,904 reviews
The Breakers is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt established the family fortune in steamships and later in the New York Central Railroad, which was a pivotal development in the industrial growth of the nation during the late 19th century. The Commodore's grandson, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, became Chairman and President of the New York Central Railroad system in 1885, and purchased a wooden house called The Breakers in Newport during that same year. In 1893, he commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design a villa to replace the earlier wood-framed house which was destroyed by fire the previous year. Hunt directed an international team of craftsmen and artisans to create a 70 room Italian Renaissance- style palazzo inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin. Allard and Sons of Paris assisted Hunt with furnishings and fixtures, Austro-American sculptor Karl Bitter designed relief sculpture, and Boston architect Ogden Codman decorated the family quarters.
Reviewed By BackPacker84936
The Vanderbilt family were fabulously wealthy and this grand “summer” house is an incredible testament to their social status and power!! Beautiful art and architecture and rich in history- this is a must see!! Our tour guide was great and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!! We will definitely visit again if we get the chance!!
8. Cliff Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,342 reviews
A scenic 3.5 mile walkway that borders the back lawn of The Breakers and many other Newport mansions.
Reviewed By Kirkpatd - Whitehead, United Kingdom
We parked at Easton beach (free) so you also get the benefit of the beach before you start the walk At this point the walk is pathed so very easy and on one side you get great views of the Atlantic Ocean and views back over the town. On the other side you get a view of the mansions and stately homes of the rich and famous About a mile into the walk the path becomes a little more challenging as you have to manoeuvre across rocks and uneven ground but this is not majorly difficult and you can pass with care. Make sure you have good soled shoes or trainers to give a bit more support The walk itself is about 3.5 miles and you end up at a small beach and from there you can get a trolley bus back into town if you don’t want to do the return leg Bring water, sun cream and a camera you won’t be disappointed
9. Marble House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,729 reviews
Marble House was built between 1888 and 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt. It was a summer house, or "cottage", as Newporters called them in remembrance of the modest houses of the early 19th century. But Marble House was much more; it was a social and architectural landmark that set the pace for Newport's subsequent transformation from a quiet summer colony of wooden houses to the legendary resort of opulent stone palaces. Mr. Vanderbilt was the grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, who established the family's fortune in steamships and the New York Central Railroad. His older brother was Cornelius II, who built The Breakers. Alva Vanderbilt was a leading hostess in Newport society, and envisioned Marble House as her "temple to the arts" in America. The house was designed by the architect Richard Morris Hunt, inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The cost of the house was reported in contemporary press accounts to be $11 million, of which $7 million was spent on 500,000 cubic feet of marble. Upon its completion, Mr. Vanderbilt gave the house to his wife as a 39th birthday present.
Reviewed By KimGTravels - Pacific Grove, United States
Designed by the famous architect Richard Morris Hunt for Alva and William Kissam Vanderbilt, Marble House was considered the finest and most opulent home at its completion in 1892, and influenced the building of the future grandiose estates during the Gilded Age. The Vanderbilts, Astors & Morgans raced their yachts on Narragansett Bay while America's social elite enjoyed approximately eight weeks of lavish entertaining and events each July & August. Presented as a gift to Alva from her husband for her 39th birthday, the unfortunate couple ultimately terminated their marriage. Designed with similar exterior aspects of "The Whitehouse", this 50 room mansion is considered one of the top three, and is a must visit. The grand flowing marble staircase; gilded & painted details; massive chandeliers; sculptures; stained glass windows and Gothic fireplace; ornate plasterwork & ceilings; this estate is a remarkable work of art & craftsmanship. Over 500,000 cubic feet of marble was used in its construction, which provides an enviromental cooling element to this lavish property. A Chinese Tea House was erected in the back garden, but later moved from the cliff area to a safer position on the property. American socialite Cornelius Vanderbilt II, older brother of William, ultimately constructed the stately and much larger "Breakers" nearby in 1895, but I prefer the more "intimate" feeling of Marble House, which is available for special occasions, should your budget allow.
10. Ocean Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,924 reviews
The marked scenic route along the dramatic Atlantic shoreline that circles Newport.
Reviewed By 1973romabella - New York City, United States
It’s just a wonderful drive or you can stop and sun bathe , or just have a picnic , you can also fly a kite , lots of fun for the whole family
