Rhode Island attractions guide vacationers to the heart of this quirky state
Featured Listings
Environmental Education Center
1401 Hope Street, Route 114
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-245-7500
Connect people to nature and its astounding discoveries.
The purposes of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island are to foster conservation of wild birds and other animal and plant life, to conserve wildlife habitat and unique natural areas through acquisition or other means, to carry out a broad program of public conservation education, to focus public attention on natural resource problems, to provide leadership when action on natural resource problems is necessary, and to take other actions to foster better management of the natural environment for the benefit of humans and all other life.The Audubon Society of Rhode Island, independent and unaffiliated with the National Audubon Society, was founded in 1897. Today, with 17,000 members and supporters, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island is dedicated to education, land conservation and advocacy. Audubon independently protects or owns almost 9,500 acres of woodlands and coastal property embracing diverse natural habitats. More than 33,000 students from area schools participate annually in our educational programs. A voice in statewide ecological issues, the Society actively fulfills its environmental stewardship through preservation and protection of Rhode Island's natural heritage.
23 America's Cup Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401-849-8049
Toll-Free: 800-976-5122
Home to spectacular coastal scenery, awe-inspiring architecture, a thriving waterfront downtown, and welcoming hospitality, Newport, Rhode Island is considered by many to be a shining gem in the coastal crown of New England. From weekend getaways spent touring the famed Gilded Age mansions that were once the summer playground for socialite families with names like Astor and Vanderbilt to an afternoon of wine tour and tasting through Newport's three scenic vineyards, the options for interesting activities, distinctive stories, and enticing photo opportunities are countless!
Did you know that visitors to Newport can rent court time to play where the legends have played on the lawn courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame? Or that guests looking for a unique bit of history can take a tour of the Astors' Beechwood mansion where they will be escorted by guides in character of the powerful family that once vacationed there? Home to the oldest operating synagogue in the United States, the oldest operating tavern in the nation, and rows of historic homes, walking tours through Newport offer visitors a unique way to experience and learn the many stories of the city-by-the-sea!
Discover Newport RI - a spectacular destination brimming with stories to be told!
Jeff Codman
211 Airport Access Road
Middletown, RI 02842
Phone: 401-843-8687
Toll-Free: 1-877-914-TOUR
The only way to see Rhode Island!
Experience the thrill of helicopter flight with Bird’s Eye View Helicopters. Fly in our 2007 Robinson R-44 helicopter and see Bellevue Avenue’s world renowned mansions from all sides. You’ll fly over Ocean Drive, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the country. Enjoy the majestic Castle Hill and Rose Island light houses as well as Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy's summer home, Hammersmith Farm. One of our many tours will astound you with a truly unique perspective. Open year-round and minutes from downtown Newport, call 401-843-8687 or visit our website today for reservations. The sky is waiting for you!
686 Cushing Road
Newport, RI 02841
Phone: 401-841-4052
Fax: 401-841-7074
Open year-round Mon-Fri 10a-4:30p; Weekends from June-Sept. 12-4:30p. Closed holidays.
The museum is in Founders Hall (1820), a National Historic Landmark, and features exhibits on the history of naval warfare and the history of the Navy in the region, as well as the naval history of Narragansett Bay. Founders Hall is where the college started in 1884 and where naval historian Capt. Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote the epochal The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783 - the book that helped to change the course of naval history at the start of the 20th century. Exhibits include milestones in naval warfare, the significance of the sea in international policy objectives, and the relationship between the U.S. Navy and Rhode Island in general. You may also access the U.S. Navy's History Database of ships and aircraft, available on a kiosk at the museum.
23 America's Cup Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401-849-8049
Toll-Free: 800-976-5122
Home to spectacular coastal scenery, awe-inspiring architecture, a thriving waterfront downtown, and welcoming hospitality, Newport, Rhode Island is considered by many to be a shining gem in the coastal crown of New England. From weekend getaways spent touring the famed Gilded Age mansions that were once the summer playground for socialite families with names like Astor and Vanderbilt to an afternoon of wine tour and tasting through Newport's three scenic vineyards, the options for interesting activities, distinctive stories, and enticing photo opportunities are countless!
Did you know that visitors to Newport can rent court time to play where the legends have played on the lawn courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame? Or that guests looking for a unique bit of history can take a tour of the Astors' Beechwood mansion where they will be escorted by guides in character of the powerful family that once vacationed there? Home to the oldest operating synagogue in the United States, the oldest operating tavern in the nation, and rows of historic homes, walking tours through Newport offer visitors a unique way to experience and learn the many stories of the city-by-the-sea!
Discover Newport RI - a spectacular destination brimming with stories to be told!
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401-847-1600
Newport County is steeped in history and beauty. The City on the Sea, in addition to the famous mansions, has the distinction of having more authentic colonial era structures than any other American city. The region, which also includes Jamestown, Portsmouth and Middletown, features beaches, vineyards, scores of great and interesting shops, an array of restaurants, luxury hotels and quaint inns and B&Bs. Beautiful parks and dramatic vistas are found along Ocean Drive. Also not to be missed are the Tennis Hall of Fame, Fort Adams, and Newport’s world famous folk, jazz, and classical music festivals. The Newport County Chamber of Commerce can provide you complete information and help in planning your visit.
909 East Main Road (Route 138)
Middletown, RI 02842
Phone: 401-848-5161
Tour the vineyards and see the wine making process
Newport Vineyards is a family owned winery, founded in 1978. Paul and John Nunes, whose local roots date back to 1917, purchased the winery in 1995. Since that time, the winery has grown to 50 acres of varietal and hybrid grapes. These include a tour in the vineyards, a behind the scenes look at the winemaking process and a tasting of five wines. The winery features an art gallery and retail shop with wine accessories and signature clothing. Private tours and tastings for groups of ten or more are available. Newport Vineyards specializes in rehearsal dinners, corporate affairs and custom labels. The winery hours are Monday thru Saturday 10-5 and Sunday noon-5 year around. Visitors are offered public tours at 1 and 3 pm, seven days a week.
2009 West Main Road
Middletown, RI 401-846-4152
Feel history come alive at this charming country setting with an 1812 windmill and other historic buildings. Explore the open green space and walking trails. Featured buildings are the Robert Sherman Windmill, the Guard House (mid-1700s), Hicks House (c.1715), a simple structure of two rooms and a loft; and Sweet-Anthony House (c. 1730), an excellent example of an 18th century, middle-class farmer’s house.
Prescott Farm’s kitchen and herb gardens are living laboratories that showcase period horticulture as well as contemporary gardening practices. The plant varieties grown in the gardens represent what many Aquidneck Islanders may have used for food, medicine and other purposes in the Colonial era. Although certain design features evoke the historic time period, the gardens are maintained using 21st century sustainable techniques.
Workshops are offered at Prescott Farm during the summer and fall each year. Past workshops have included: stonewall building, blacksmithing, open hearth cooking, a beehive tour and tasting, and wind energy past and present.
Hours: Grounds are open daily dawn to dusk. See a schedule of upcoming programs at Prescott Farm and our other sites.
One Sabin Street
Providence, RI 02903
Toll-Free: 800-233-1636
Fax: 401-521-3465
Providence - The Creative Capital
1000 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
Phone: 401-785-3510
From the arctic to our own backyard
Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to well over 100 species of rare and fascinating animals from around the world including elephants, giraffes, snow leopards, kangaroos, moon bears, gibbons and many others, all in naturalistic settings. The Zoo is open year ‘round, with special events scheduled throughout the year. Visit our link or call for more information.
1000 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02905
Phone: 401-785-9450
Since the 1890s, Roger Williams Park has been the premier playground for Rhode Island residents. Designed in 1874 by landscape architect Horace W.S. Cleveland, the park's 435 acres feature over 100 acres of ponds throughout the rolling landscape. The landscape includes specimen trees, the famous Rose Garden, and outdoor sculptures. Major attractions include the Roger Williams Park Zoo, the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, the Botanical Center, the Casino, the Carousel Village, the Temple to Music, tennis courts, and baseball fields. The park attracts 1.5 million visitors a year and is the site for numerous festivals.
Carousel Village is a popular amusement area located in Roger Williams Park. The main features of the area are a beautiful Victorian-style carousel, the Hasbro Playground, the Depot Cafe, and seasonal outdoor rides. Open April-Columbus Day.
The Casino at Roger Williams Park, built in 1896, features a brick exterior and verandas adorned with Ionic columns, porticos and railings with turned balusters in the Colonial Revival architectural style. A Rhode Island landmark, the casino hosts score of special events each year.
The Zoo at Roger Williams Park includes the exhibits Australasia, Fabric of Africa, a wetlands trail, a farmyard, the Marco Polo Trail, North America, and Tropical America. Open year-round, with many special events for adults and children.
The Museum of Natural History and Planetarium at Roger Williams Park is Rhode Island's only natural history museum and is home to the state's only public planetarium.
321-338 Atlantic Avenue
Misquamicut, RI 02891
Phone: 401-322-0504
Misquamicut Beach
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: 401-596-9441
Toll-Free: 877-622-2930
27 Coogan Boulevard
Mystic, CT 06355
Phone: 860-536-1205
Fax: 860-536-1480
Have you ever discovered Mystic, Connecticut? Mystic Country is defined by the three very different experiences that exist only miles from one another. These experiences take visitors from Adventure on the Coast to Entertainment at the Casino and back to Calm in the Mystic Quiet Corner. That contagious New-England hue that’s felt in Mystic comes from over 400 years of history and evolution. The Mystic locals, the landscapes, and the culture brim with life that still remains untouched – definitely something worth seeing! Rediscover New England and check out all Mystic has to offer for your family getaway here at MysticCountry.com
Misquamicut/Watch Hill/Historic Downtown
Westerly, RI
Phone: 401-596-7761
Enjoy the perfect family vacation with a visit to Westerly, RI. Discover Westerly's seven miles of beaches, including Misquamicut, a mecca of family fun and activities that include water slides, mini-golf, night clubs, and more. Explore the picturesque village of Watch Hill, a charming Victorian seaside resort with a lighthouse and famous flying horse carousel. Take a walking tour of historic downtown Westerly-Pawcatuck, a two-state downtown named one of the 12 Most Distincitve Destinations by the National Trust For Historic Preservation. You'll find a 14-acre park, quaint shops, superb restaurants, and a river walk. The area features six golf courses, 40 restaurants, more than 50 hotels and bed and breakfasts, and hundreds of retail shops just eight miles from Mystic, Connecticut, and 30 miles from Newport. Call today for a free Go Westerly Magazine.
Informational Listings Courtesy of VisitNewEngland.com
Departs from Central Fall landing, 45 Madeira Avenue
Central Falls, RI
Phone: 401-724-2200
The Blackstone Valley Explorer is a 40-passenger riverboat, the only one of its kind on the Blackstone River. Since 1993, when the boat cruises began, more than 25,000 passengers annually have come from local, national and global destinations to take 45 minute narrated tours along sections of the Blackstone River. Explore the river that was once called "America’s Hardest Working River" and discover the river’s ecosystem as you learn about the river’s industrialized past, the river’s restoration, and what we are doing to help the river live again. Public tours held on Sunday afternoons from early May to mid-October. Private charters also available by advance appointment.
Slater Memorial Park Carousel
Newport Avenue (Route 1A)
Pawtucket, RI 02861
Phone: 401-728-0500 ext. 252
The stately grounds of this park include an early carousel by Danish immigrant Charles I. D. Looff. The carousel boasts 42 horses, three dogs, and a lion, camel, and giraffe; they are some of the earliest examples of Looff’swork. Rides are a mere 25 cents. Open during warm weather: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Call ahead for changes in hours.
Barrington Preservation Society Museum
Rte. 114
Barrington, RI 02806
Phone: 401-246-0999
On the lower floor of the Barrington Public Library, this museum houses a fine collection of artifacts and memorabilia from Barrington's rural past and industrial background. Exhibits change frequently. Open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm, and by appointment.
101 Ferry Road / Route 114
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-2707
This 45-room mansion was built in 1908 as the summer home of coal magnate Augustus Van Wickle. The property features gardens, and arboretum on 33 acres overlooking Narragansett Bay. A variety of different gardens on the property can be viewed year-round. The mansion and gardens host many special activities and tours throughout the year.
Hours: The Mansion is open mid-April through Columbus Day, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Gardens & Grounds are open year-round, daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $11; seniors, $9; Youths age 6-17,$3
Bristol Fourth of July Celebration
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-0445
Started in 1785, the Bristol Fourth of July celebration is the oldest in the United States.
Each year the Bristol Fourth of July Committee raises approximately $200,000 to put on the celebration. The event includes the annual button and essay contests and concludes with a parade and fireworks display over Bristol Harbor.
Charles W. Greene Museum
Main Street
Warren, RI 02885
Phone: 401-245-7686
This museum houses the Charles R. Carr collection of pre-Columbian, Peruvian, and North American Indian artifacts including wampum and glass beads. Colonial fishing and farm also are featured. Open Wednesday from 2 pm to 4 pm and by appointment.
Coggeshall Farm Museum
Off Route 114
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-9062
Open: October-March, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; for self-guided tours; April-September, Tuesday –Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
This is a 35-acre colonial farm, established in 1750. The museum features rare breeds of livestock, a barn, cooling house, blacksmith, and springhouse. Cost: Adults, $3; children, $2.
Route 14
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-7482
Enjoy the Ocean State
Crescent Park Carousel
Crescent Park, 700 Bullocks Point Avenue
Riverside, RI 02915
Phone: 401-435-7518
The Crescent Park Carousel, one of the finest surviving examples of hand-carved carousels in the country, was built just prior to 1900 by Charles I. D. Looff as a display model. Open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 7 pm. Easter weekend and Memorial Day weekend and from June through Labor Day. After Labor Day through Columbus Day, open Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 pm. Wheelchair accessible.
Fire Museum
Baker Street
Warren, RI 02885
Phone: 401-245-7600
This former fire barn on Baker Street once housed the Narragansett Steam Fire Co. Station #3 in the 1800s. Faithfully restored, it now houses the volunteer fire department’s museum and The Little Hero, the first fire engine purchased by the town in 1802. Open by appointment. Call the fire chief.
Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame
1 Burnside Street
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-5000
Open: April 26-November 2; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame present the story of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and the America's Cup competition. From 1863 to 1945, the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, on the site of the present day museum, produced the world's finest yachts on the cutting edge of design and engineering. The collection includes 60 original Herreshoff boats, steam engines, artifacts, and photographs related to America's greatest naval architect and builder during The Golden Age of Yachting.
580 Main Street
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Phone: 401-885-0020
Fax: 401-885-0048
1000 Elmwood Avenue
Cranston, RI 02907
Phone: 401-785-9450
Roger Williams Park is a 430-acre Victorian park with a zoo, a museum of natural history and planetarium, a carousel, a casino, landscaped grounds, and historic buildings. Known as the jewel of Providence, the park attracts more than 3.5 million visitors per year. Among lavish trees, stunning rose gardens, rolling hills and emerald lakes, the Roger Williams Park Botanical Gardens is the first of its kind in Rhode Island and one of only a few in the region. The exquisitely designed gardens is a multi-level glass and steel conservatory, rising from a complex of visitor and education facilities. During a visit to the Botanical Center, visitors can relax by a waterfall, enjoy the wonderful fragrance of flowers from around the world, take a child on a scavenger hunt or bring a camera or sketch pad.
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Last ticket will be sold at 3:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $3; children age 6-12, $1. Group rates can be booked for 10 or more people with 10 days advance notice by calling 401-785-9450 ext. 263.
