Things to Do in Rhode Island

Location: Newport, RI

Recommended For: Walkers, photographers, history buffs, nature lovers, and coastal explorers.

What we Love: "This isn’t just a walk—it’s a journey between Gilded Age mansions and crashing Atlantic surf. Paved in parts, wild in others, it surprised me at every turn."

• Walk the iconic 3.5-mile trail that blends oceanfront views with historic mansions in the National Historic District. "I always make sure I wear comfy shoes!"
• Explore varied terrain—from smooth paved stretches to rocky, rugged pathways that keep every step exciting.
• Discover native wildflowers, coastal geology, and vibrant birdlife along the dramatic shoreline.

Cost: Free and open to the public year-round.

Best time to visit: Spring and fall offer ideal weather and fewer crowds; summer brings peak views and energy.

Local tips: Wear sturdy shoes—some areas can get slippery and rocky. Start early for the best lighting and parking.

Distance: About 45 minutes from Providence, RI; 1.5 hours from Boston, MA.

How to Get to the Cliff Walk: From downtown Newport, head east on Memorial Boulevard. Access points include 1st Beach, 40 Steps, and Ruggles Avenue.

Address: 117 Memorial Boulevard, Newport, RI
Phone: 401-845-5300

Location: Jamestown, RI

Recommended For: History lovers, maritime enthusiasts, families, lighthouse fans, and coastal sightseers.

What we Love: "There’s something magical about standing where lightkeepers once stood—surrounded by wind, waves, and panoramic ocean views. It’s history you can feel beneath your feet."

• Explore the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum, housing maritime artifacts, exhibits on Narragansett Bay’s science and culture, and local artworks.
• Climb the 49 steps and a 7-foot ladder to reach the observation catwalk with sweeping bay views. I'm always hungry after taking in the view!
• Relax in the open grounds of Beavertail State Park, or browse unique finds at the museum gift shop.

Cost: Museum entry is free, but donations are encouraged; tower access is seasonal and may carry a small fee.

Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall for clear skies and full museum hours; summer offers lighthouse tower access.

Local tips: Bring binoculars for ocean views and seabird spotting; wear sturdy shoes for the tower climb and rocky shore walks.

Distance: About 30 minutes from Providence, RI; 1.5 hours from Boston, MA.

How to Get to Beavertail Lighthouse Museum: From Jamestown, follow Beavertail Road south all the way to the end—look for the lighthouse and adjacent state park.

Address: PO Box 83, Jamestown, RI
Phone: 401-423-3270

Location: Providence, RI

Recommended For: I always hear artists raving about this museum.

What we Love: "From ancient artifacts to cutting-edge design, the RISD Museum takes you through time in the most visually inspiring way. It’s like stepping into a living art conversation—one that spans continents and centuries."

• Explore nearly 100,000 artworks across seven departments—including Asian art, contemporary art, textiles, decorative design, and more.
• Engage with the collection through your mobile device, listening to perspectives from artists, students, and scholars via the museum’s interpretive audio.
• Experience a thoughtful mission to preserve and present culturally diverse designs and art from ancient times to today.

Cost: General admission is $20; discounts available for seniors, students, and free entry on Sundays and the last Saturday of each month.

Best time to visit: Weekday mornings for quieter galleries; check the calendar for special exhibitions and public programs.

Local tips: Don’t miss the museum store for unique, design-focused gifts, and explore the walkable College Hill neighborhood afterward.

Distance: Located in downtown Providence; 1 hour from Boston, MA; 30 minutes from Newport, RI.

How to Get to the RISD Museum: Take I-95 to Providence and follow signs to downtown. Street parking and nearby garages are available; the museum is within walking distance of public transit stops.

Address: 20 North Main Street, Providence, RI
Phone: 401-709-8402

Location: Newport, RI

Recommended For: Architecture lovers, history enthusiasts, garden admirers, and fans of Gilded Age opulence.

What we Love: "It’s not just the elegance of the mansion—it’s the artistry in every detail. From the French-inspired facade to the hidden servant corridors, The Elms tells a story that’s as refined as it is revealing."

• Tour this National Historic Landmark, inspired by the French Chateau d'Asnieres and designed by Horace Trumbauer for industrialist Edward Berwind.
• Marvel at the 1901 interiors by Paris firm Allard and Sons, and view collections of oriental jades and European paintings.
• Experience the home and Classic Revival gardens through self-guided audio tours or the immersive Servant Life tours.

Cost: Admission varies by tour type; combination tickets with other Newport mansions are available.

Best time to visit: Spring and fall for garden color and fewer crowds; summer for full tour offerings and extended hours.

Local tips: Book tickets online ahead of time—Servant Life tours often sell out. Don’t skip the garden walk after your tour.

Distance: Located in Newport’s mansion district; about 1 hour from Providence, RI, and 1.5 hours from Boston, MA.

How to Get to The Elms: From downtown Newport, take Bellevue Avenue south—The Elms is prominently located along the main mansion row with signage and parking available nearby.

Address: 367 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
Phone: 401-847-1000

Location: Providence, RI

Recommended For: Art lovers, urban explorers, photographers, couples, and solo travelers seeking creative inspiration.

What we Love: "Walking through Providence and suddenly seeing a mural burst to life on a brick wall—it’s like the city is speaking back to you. The Avenue Concept makes public space feel personal, alive, and endlessly thought-provoking."

• Discover large-scale murals, sculptures, and light installations across Providence—free and accessible to everyone, any time of day.
• Engage with the art through QR codes that offer artist interviews, interactive digital features, and behind-the-scenes stories of each piece.
• Join guided or self-guided walking tours designed for couples, friends, and solo visitors—each route offers new perspectives on the city and its art.

Cost: Free; donations and merchandise purchases support future public art projects.

Best time to visit: Spring through fall for comfortable walking weather and active art installations; evenings for illuminated works.

Local tips: Start at the downtown area to see the highest density of murals. Bring your phone to scan QR codes and learn more about the artworks as you explore.

Distance: Located in downtown Providence; walkable from most major hotels and just minutes from the Amtrak station.

How to Get to The Avenue Concept: Most installations are centered around downtown Providence. Use their online map to create a custom walking tour that matches your interest and location.

Address: 304 Lockwood Street, Providence, RI
Phone: Not publicly listed

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Location: Newport, RI

Recommended For: Fans of Gilded Age enthusiasts always tell me how much they enjoy this place!

What we Love: "The moment you walk under the grand arches and gaze up at ceilings gilded in gold, you understand—this wasn’t just a summer home; it was a statement of legacy and ambition."

• Tour a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo built by the Vanderbilt family after a fire destroyed their original summer cottage in the late 19th century.
• Explore grounds that showcase sculptures by Karl Bitter and stunning interiors by Ogden Codman, open to the public since 1948.
• Experience the popular Beneath the Breakers tour, revealing the technological marvels and family legacy tied to steamships and railroads.

Cost: General admission starts at $29; combo tickets and special tour packages available.

Best time to visit: Spring through fall for full garden beauty and outdoor views; winter for quiet, uncrowded indoor tours.

Local tips: Book Beneath the Breakers tours in advance—they often sell out. Don’t miss the ocean views from the back lawn terrace.

Distance: Located in Newport’s mansion district; approximately 1 hour from Providence, RI, and 1.5 hours from Boston, MA.

How to Get to The Breakers: Follow Bellevue Avenue south and turn onto Ruggles Avenue; signage and on-site parking available at the main gate.

Address: 44 Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, RI
Phone: 401-847-1000

Location: North Kingstown, RI to Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard

Recommended For: I've been taking the Martha's Vineyard ferry since I met my husband nearly 30 years ago. It's always such a wonderful experience being on the water.

What we Love: "Luxury and convenience collide here—plush seats, ocean views, and a smooth ride make it feel like you're already on vacation before even reaching the island."

• Skip the Cape Cod traffic with the most opulent fast ferry serving Martha’s Vineyard.
• Relax aboard the Ava Pearl in a business class-style interior featuring Beurteaux seating and satellite TVs.
• Enjoy a world-class ride control system for an exceptionally smooth and stable crossing.
• Choose your setting—either the air-conditioned interior or the open-air sundeck with scenic coastal views.

Cost: One-way and round-trip fares vary by passenger type and season; reservations recommended in peak months.

Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall for ideal island weather and full ferry service schedule.

Local tips: Arrive early for parking and boarding—grab a seat on the sundeck for prime photo ops as you approach the island.

Distance: Quonset Point is about 30 minutes from Providence, RI; 1.5 hours from Boston, MA.

How to Get to Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry: Follow Route 403 East to Roger Williams Way in North Kingstown. Signs direct you to ferry terminal and parking areas.

Address: 1347 Roger Williams Way, North Kingstown, RI
Phone: 401-295-4040

Location: Providence, RI

Recommended For: Theater lovers, culture seekers, date nights, music fans, and anyone craving Broadway-caliber performances in New England.

What we Love: "Step into the grandeur of a golden-era movie palace—every chandelier, velvet curtain, and carved detail speaks to the magic of performance. You don’t just watch a show here; you experience it."

• Admire the historic venue opened in 1928 as Loew’s State Movie Palace, now fondly known as the Jewel of Weybosset Street.
• Attend world-class Broadway musicals, concerts, and shows in the second-largest theater of its kind in New England.
• Experience productions like Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I in a space listed on the National Register of Historic Places and ranked among the top global venues by Pollstar.

Cost: Ticket prices vary by performance; subscriptions and group rates available for season packages.

Best time to visit: Year-round; check the seasonal schedule for touring Broadway shows, concerts, and family performances.

Local tips: Arrive early for the best parking and time to admire the lavish interior. Nearby restaurants make dinner-and-a-show easy.

Distance: Located in downtown Providence; a short walk from train stations and hotels. About 1 hour from Boston, MA.

How to Get to Providence Performing Arts Center: Easily accessible via I-95; use exit 22A for downtown. Parking garages and metered spots are available nearby.

Address: 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI
Phone: 401-421-2787

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Location: Newport, RI

Recommended For: Art and history lovers, garden enthusiasts, architecture buffs, and those intrigued by the Gilded Age elite.

What we Love: "Walking through Rough Point feels like stepping into the private world of Doris Duke—unchanged, unfiltered, and artfully extravagant. The ocean views? Just the icing on a meticulously curated cake."

• See the estate just as Doris Duke left it, filled with French furniture, Flemish tapestries, European art, and Chinese porcelains.
• Explore the mansion on guided house tours and enjoy self-guided walks through the coastal gardens and grounds when it reopens each April.
• Discover rotating exhibitions like Waterscapes (featuring Shangri La pieces) and Nature Tamed, which blend Duke’s collections with themes of landscape and environment.

Cost: Admission fees vary by season and tour type; check website for current pricing and exhibition schedules.

Best time to visit: April through October for full access to both house and grounds. Early summer is ideal for garden views and special programming.

Local tips: Take the time to stroll the cliffside paths just beyond the estate—the views are unbeatable and often overlooked by visitors.

Distance: Located along Bellevue Avenue in Newport; roughly 1 hour from Providence, RI and 1.5 hours from Boston, MA.

How to Get to Rough Point: From downtown Newport, follow Bellevue Avenue south until you reach the estate. On-site parking is available.

Address: 680 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI
Phone: 401-847-8344

Location: Newport, RI

Recommended For: I go here for nature photography and a quiet walk.

What we Love: "Massive stone walls, secret tunnels, and bayfront sunsets—Fort Adams is where American military history meets natural beauty in epic proportions."

• Tour the largest and most complex coastal fortification in the U.S., built between 1824 and 1874 and active through World War II with over 400 cannons and capacity for 2,500 troops.
• Explore the fort’s history on an hour-long guided tour, which takes visitors from the towering ramparts down into eerie underground tunnels.
• Enjoy a 2.5-mile sunset walk around the park’s perimeter for breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay, sailing boats, and historic Newport Harbor.

Cost: Admission to the state park is free; guided fort tours require a ticket (typically $15 for adults, discounts available).

Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall for full tour schedules and clear views; summer weekends often feature local festivals and waterfront events.

Local tips: Bring a flashlight for the tunnels and good walking shoes for the exterior paths. Sunrise and sunset are ideal for photography.

Distance: Just 10 minutes from downtown Newport; about 1 hour from Providence, RI.

How to Get to Fort Adams State Park: From Newport, follow Harrison Avenue to Fort Adams Drive. Ample parking is available near the visitor entrance.

Address: 90 Fort Adams Drive, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI
Phone: 401-841-0707