Fall Foliage in Rhode Island 2024

Enjoy the Red & Yellow Glow by Car, Boat or Helicopter!

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Rhode Island shows its brightest colors in October. Western and northern Rhode Island are heavily wooded. Blackstone Valley region includes Slater Mill, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in America. The Blackstone Valley Explorer riverboat offers cruises into mid-October.

Beautiful foliage will be on display at Roger Williams Park and Zoo in Providence; and at Blithewold Mansion & Gardens in Bristol. In South County, a great scenic drive is Route 1 and 1A from Westerly to Wickford.

Essential Information:

• Foliage Map (Old Farmers' Almanac)
• >Rhode Island State Map
• >Pick-Your-Own Farms and Orchards
• >Great Things to Do in Rhode Island

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Foliage Driving Routes in Rhode Island

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Newport and Ocean Drive (14mi.)

This winding drive that offers fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Fort Adams State Park. Tip: If you are making the drive on sunny afternoon travel Ocean Drive beginning at the Fort Adams end to avoid glare from a setting sun.
Route Map

Points of Interest:

• Cliff Walk, starting at Memorial Boulevard and Eustis Avenue in Newport, RI: Glorious views of Narragansett Bay and Jamestown Island from this paved walk along the edge of Newport, passing many mansions and college properties. Much of the walk is accessible to wheelchairs and young children; some is not, because of rugged rocks.
• Fort Adams State Park in Newport: Historic park on Newport Harbor with beautiful views of Narragansett Bay and sail boats. Amateur war historians can tour the fort, including deliciously creepy underground catacombs. The fort hosts lots of seasonal events, like the famous Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals. Plan ahead and take a sailing lesson Sail Newport!
• Hamilton Family Aquarium on America's Cup Avenue: Operated by Save the Bay, this enormous new aquarium is right on the Newport waterfront. The aquarium gives kids the opportunity to get lots of face time with some awesome sea creatures, including crabs, skates and turtles, as well as lots of educational exhibits about the variety of sea life hiding in the sands and rocks of Narragansett Bay and the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
• Newport Mansions, Known all over the country for their beauty and extravagance, the Newport Mansions are a must-see on your drive around the island.
• Ocean Drive, A beautiful scenic journey, Ocean Drive has everything from private beaches, Oceanside views and breathtaking homes.
• Bannister’s Wharf, This small area of Newport’s downtown displays the quintessential Newport life. Browse the boutiques, try one of the restaurants or enjoy the view of the boats on the wharf.

Brake for Farm Stand! If you want to make a side trip out of Newport to the neighboring town of Middletown, RI, head for Sweet Berry Farm on Mitchell’s Lane for pick your own apples and other treats.

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Conanicut (Jamestown) Island (22mi.)

Driving the roads of this island town will provide spectacular scenery of Narragansett Bay, rolling fields, historic homes and the quaint village center in Jamestown, RI. Enjoy meandering and don't worry about getting lost. Side trip: at the end of Southwest Avenue, take Beavertail Road to Beavertail State Park, located on a spur of land southwest of the main body of the island. Route Map

Points of Interest:

• Beavertail State Park in Jamestown: Park on a peninsula, with a lighthouse and spectacular views. Easy to walk on shore rocks and explore tidal pools’ sea life.
• Watson Farm: A beautiful historic farm is open to visitors for walking tours and occasional events and classes, like watercolor painting, harvesting plants for traditional medicinal uses, and more farm skills.
• Rose Island Lighthouse: Off the shore of Newport, between Newport and Jamestown Island, in Narragansett Bay. Plan a trip to the island by ferry from Newport. Offered in the warm seasons.

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Scituate Loop

This drive will take you around portions of the Scituate Reservoir, the pristine water source for much of Rhode Island. Access to the shoreline and water is not allowed. See detailed driving directions below.

Points of Interest:

• Scituate Art Festival: This festival is always on Columbus Day weekend. Great occasion for arts and crafts and antiques and fair food. Opportunity for Christmas shopping.

Brake for Farm Stand! Salisbury Farm in Johnston is a multi-generational farm that celebrates fall with pumpkins, a corn maze; hay rides on the weekends; and a farm stand with strawberries, sweet corn, raspberries, pumpkins, hay and straw, and decorations.

• From I-295 take Exit 4 to Route 14 West.
• Go through the intersection with Route 116. You will pass over part of the reservoir and then into the pretty town of Scituate, RI
• Continue on Route 14 out of town and then turn left onto Route 12. This will take you across the Hope Dam.
• At Route 116 turn left, traveling north. At Route 14 turn right and retrace your drive back to I-295.

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Goddard Park in Warwick/East Greenwich

Goddard Park, a local favorite surrounded by miles of beautiful stone walls, has miles of woodsy horse trails, open fields with large old trees, a beach and nine-hole golf course.
Route Map

Points of Interest:

• Goddard Memorial State Park: Big, green lawns with picnic shelter and grills; walks and horseback trails in wooded stretch along Greenwich Bay; golf course; swimming beach -- great for families, picnics, walks, celebrations.
• From I-95 take Exit 8 to Route 2 South
• At the first set of lights turn left onto Route 401 and take 2.5 miles into the village of East Greenwich, RI, which has a sweet Main Street with lots of places to drink coffee or dine (it's also a hub of wedding apparel businesses)
• Turn right onto Route 1 South. At next light turn left onto Forge Road
• Goddard Park comes up on left behind the very long stone wall. Entrance is at the far end of the wall

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Route 3 Through West-Central Rhode Island

A quiet drive through many pretty, small towns.
Route Map

• Route 3 parallels I-95 from Exit 1 to Exit 6. Traveling north on I-95 take Exit 1 just after you cross into Rhode Island from Connecticut
• Get on Route 3 North in Hopkinton, RI. You'll drive through the little village of Hopkinton with its old country store and then on to Hope Valley, RI.
• At a traffic light in Hope Valley Route 3 forks to the left, and Route 138 to Newport goes to the right. Bear left, staying on Route 3. Pass the State Police barracks and travel under the interstate
• Stay on Route 3 as you travel through Exeter and West Greenwich, RI
• After you pass a big field and cemetery on the left and travel down hill you will see an elevated I-95 running parallel on your left. You can soon rejoin I-95 at Exit 6.

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Route 1A along the Rhode Island Coastline

Route 1A is a delightful, scenic diversion from US Route 1. The road meanders along the coves and inlets, affording riders with views of water and the countryside. It is accessible from Route 1 at several points in South County. The following directions begin in Westerly, RI, at the state's extreme southwestern corner.
Route Map

• Get to Westerly by taking I-95 (northbound or southbound) to exit 92 in Connecticut.
• Follow Route 2 south of West Broad Street in Pawcatuck, CT
• Turn left onto Broad Street and cross the Pawcatuck River and you will be in downtown Westerly
• Follow signs for Route 1A through Westerly, and along the shoreline, traveling through communities and towns, including Misquamicut, Charlestown, Wakefield, Narragansett, Saunderstown, and into Wickford, RI

Points of Interest:

• Misquamicut Beach in Westerly: A classic sandy beach with all the normal summertime beach fun, outdoor concerts, car show, and more.
• Burlingame State Park in Charlestown
• Ninigret Pond in Charlestown: This saltwater tidal pond opens to the ocean at the roaring Charlestown Breachway, a popular place for trailer camping, fishing, and just hanging out and watching the boat traffic. If you plan to kayak, aim for high tide.
• Fantastic Umbrella Factory in Charlestown: Great place for gift shopping. Several very small, rustic stores are scattered paths winding through a wooded property with lots of small gardens scattered about. Also includes a sweet little café.

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Route 138 through Hope Valley and North Kingstown

This route will take you past scenic farmland and the historic site of the University of Rhode Island.

Points of Interest:

• The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI.
• Take I-95 to Exit 3. Follow Route 138 East to Route 1 in Narragansett
• Also possible to stay on Route 138 eastbound and cross the Jamestown-Verrazano Bridge into Jamestown and the Claiborne Pell (Newport) Bridge into Newport.

Spotlight on: Ocean House Collection

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Ocean House

Perched high on the bluffs of Watch Hill, RI, Ocean House is an iconic New England seaside resort, and the first and only AAA™ Five Diamond and Forbes™ Five-Star hotel in RI. Ocean House’s Ocean & Harvest Spa and COAST fine dining restaurant are also Forbes™ Five-Star rated, making Ocean House one of only 14 Five-Star resorts in the world to hold this honor. Ocean House offers a variety of complimentary activities and experiences each day, such as croquet clinics, live music, literary events, and cooking classes. Take in the crisp beach air and enjoy a lobster roll on The Verandah with spectacular ocean views during a visit to Ocean House this fall.

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Weekapaug Inn

Located on the RI shoreline overlooking Quonochontaug Pond and the Atlantic Ocean just beyond, Weekapaug Inn offers an effortless combination of casual comfort and luxurious furnishings, farm-to-table dining utilizing the finest locally sourced ingredients, and inspired resort activities designed to create extraordinary guest experiences. Spend a day at the beach or enjoy an elegant cruise on the Quonnie Queen electric motor yacht. Take a peaceful nature walk around the two salt ponds adjacent to the Inn, or bike around the charming village of Weekapaug, and enjoy all that the Inn has to offer.

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Watch Hill Inn

The residential-style suites of Watch Hill Inn offer style, comfort, and easy access to the shops and restaurants of Watch Hill, a charming seaport village. Situated just steps from Little Narragansett Bay, Watch Hill Inn is the perfect place to experience some of the most remarkable sunsets the RI coastline has to offer – many of the Inn’s rooms even have terraces overlooking the harbor. Enjoy complimentary fresh pastries, juice and coffee, afternoon charcuterie and drinks, and evening treats, and take full advantage of your access to resort amenities and dining just up the street at Ocean House.