Rhode Island. The 13th state in the union. The smallest state of the 50 in the U.S. The state nicknamed “The Ocean State”. And that my friends is what drew me to fall in love with the state of Rhode Island years ago; the water! Located in the New England region of the Northeastern United States, this gem of a state borders the mighty Atlantic Ocean. It is here that many take in the natural beauty of the land and sea, especially during the summer and autumn months. So if you have never visited Rhode Island before, or it’s been a few years since your last visit, here are five places that you must see in Rhode Island.
5- Providence– Rhode Island’s state capital has a population of about 175,000, and its twenty-five neighborhoods are packed with delightful shops and restaurants. Located along the Providence River and Narragansett Bay, Providence offers up a touch of big-city flare with a touch of quaintness. When visiting, most tourists end up at the city’s signature location, Waterplace Park. Located in the heart of the city, this park was created in the 1980’²s during a major urban renovation, and serves as Providence’s gathering place today.
4- Narragansett– This quiet little town sits alongside the beauty of Narragansett Bay with wonderful hotels, B&Bs;, and charming restaurants. There are also four beaches in Narragansett that allow visitors to rest and cool down in the warm New England summers. One of my favorite places to eat is O’Brien’s Pub. Located on Thames Street, O’Brien’s has a fantastic menu of food (and beer) with a comfortable outdoor setting.
3- Point Judith & Galilee– The area of Point Judith and Galilee is always hopping with activity. The marina is bustling with fishing boats coming and going on a regular basis. Quite often the fishermen are selling their day’s catch right off their boat! The area is also where the ferry leaves for Block Island. The area has a couple nice beaches, a handful of stores, several delightful restaurants, and dozens of fishermen anxious to share their salty tales of the sea.
2- Block Island- For those looking to get away from it all for a day trip, weekend, or even a week-long stay, Block Island is fantastic. A great place to enjoy lunch or dinner is the National Hotel’s Tap & Grille. Located on Block Island Sound, the Tap & Grille has a huge porch that allow guests to dine while viewing the boats. With dozens of clothing, jewelry, and specialty shops, shopping is always high on most visitors’ lists. There are also several galleries with work from local painters and artisans.
1- Newport– Ahhh, Newport! Home of some of the finest sailing anywhere in the world, incredible dining & shopping, and my favorite of all, The Annual Newport Jazz Festival. Often proclaimed one of this country’s most beautiful places, Newport is a 3D postcard of true Americana. Whether you want to stroll down historic Bellevue Avenue to take in the famous Newport Mansions, like Vanderbilt’s The Beaches mansion, or walk along Newport’s Cliff Walk, a three-mile stretch that offer up incredible views of the beaches and ocean, this seaside town has something for everyone. One can’t leave Newport without first dining at the area’s famous White Horse Tavern on Farewell Street. This building sits on the U.S. Register of Historic Places and serves lunches and dinners seven days a week.
These are my five favorite places to visit in Rhode Island, but with its miles of seashore and seemingly countless restaurants, shops, and beaches, every visitor to this seaside treasure is bound to easily create their own unique list.
