Best Places to Visit in Rhode Island
Whether you come to enjoy the miles and miles of coastline, bays, and beaches or you wish to immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural scene of the towns and villages, you’ll find what you seek in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it doesn’t hold back when it comes to character. From elegant seaside mansions in Newport to the creative pulse of Providence, this coastal gem is full of contrast and charm. One minute you’re exploring windswept bluffs, and the next you’re tucked into a cozy diner with locals who’ve been there for decades. Every town feels like its own tiny world, and I loved slipping into each one, even just for a day.
Best Places to Visit in Rhode Island:
Newport, RI: Salt Air, Soaks & Seaside History
We drove about 1 hour 30 minutes south from Boston (roughly 70 miles) to Newport, a seaside city of about 25,000 residents perched on Aquidneck Island. While public transit is possible (the MBTA commuter rail plus local buses connect Boston to Newport), it’s a slow trip compared to the freedom of driving.
Newport felt like stepping into a postcard, but one with stories etched into every mansion and ocean breeze. Walking the Cliff Walk as waves crashed below and seagulls circled overhead, I felt suspended between elegance and nature. The Gilded Age shimmered here, but so did the quiet moments in between. I had this sudden thought, "This is the kind of place that makes you romanticize everything, even your own thoughts."
What I Loved Most: The Cliff Walk at sunset, especially the stretch near The Breakers. The view, the breeze, the colors, it all felt cinematic.
My highlights? After our soak at The Bodhi Spa, we grabbed a late brunch at Corner Café. I ordered the smoked salmon omelet with dill cream cheese, it arrived hot, fragrant with herbs, and buttery soft inside. The toast crackled when I bit in, and we lingered long after the plates were cleared, just enjoying the glow of the morning.
Plan your girls weekend in Newport, RI:
- Drive Time from Boston: ~1.5 hours south
- Vibe: Elegant and restorative, with spa serenity and coastal history
- Highlights: The Bodhi Spa (hydrotherapy circuit), Simeon Potter House (historic waterfront lodging), Cliff Walk, Thames Street shopping, coastal dining
- Best Time to Visit: May to October for outdoor patios and ocean breezes
- Cost: Spa circuit ~$55–$75; Simeon Potter House varies by season; many attractions walkable and free
Discovering layers of art and grit in Providence
We drove about 50 minutes south from Boston (just under 50 miles on I-95) to Providence, the capital of Rhode Island and home to nearly 190,000 residents. Public transportation is convenient here if you don't want to drive. The MBTA commuter rail runs from Boston’s South Station to Providence in about an hour for around $12.
Providence has edges, but that’s what makes it intriguing. There’s something magnetic about its mix of academic energy and street-level creativity.
I walked along Waterplace Park and watched the city reflect itself in the river’s calm surface. What struck me most in that moment was, "This city is louder in feeling than it is in noise."
My highlight?
Exploring The Avenue Concept in Providence felt like going on a scavenger hunt for beauty. I wandered through downtown, past brick buildings, when suddenly...a mural burst across the side of a building. I stared up at the vibrant colors and thought, "Public art should feel this alive."
This nonprofit has turned Providence into an open-air gallery. I followed their online map and it was wonderful.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Boston: ~1 hour south
- Vibe: Creative, youthful, layered
- Highlights: RISD Museum, WaterFire, Federal Hill
- Best Time to Visit: Summer for WaterFire; fall for campus energy
- Cost: Museum ~$20; many public events free
- Hours: Most attractions open 10am–5pm
- Address: Waterplace Park: Memorial Blvd, Providence, RI 02903
Unwinding on windswept Block Island
From Point Judith, I caught the ferry to Block Island, about a 55-minute ride across 12 miles of open water. The island is small, just 7 miles long and 3 miles wide, with a year-round population of around 1,000 that swells to several thousand in summer.
Round-trip ferry tickets run about $25 for passengers (more if you bring a bike or car).
Block Island gave me the kind of stillness I didn’t know I needed. Biking along the coast, passing lighthouses and stone walls, I felt like the world had softened. It dawned on me, "You don’t have to go far to feel completely away."
What I Loved Most: Mohegan Bluffs. Climbing down those steps to the beach below felt like entering a secret world carved into cliffs.
My highlights? Lunch at Persephone’s Kitchen, a tiny spot with serious soul. I had their quinoa bowl with roasted vegetables, feta, and lemon tahini dressing, plus a lavender lemonade that tasted like summer.
Travel Tips:
- Ferry Time from Point Judith: ~1 hour
- Vibe: Peaceful, outdoorsy, lightly bohemian
- Highlights: Mohegan Bluffs, Southeast Lighthouse, beach biking
- Best Time to Visit: June to early September
- Cost: Ferry ~$25 RT; bike rentals ~$15–$30/day
- Hours: Seasonal hours, check ferry schedules and restaurant openings
- Address: Mohegan Bluffs: Mohegan Trail, New Shoreham, RI 02807
Stepping into storybook nostalgia in Woonsocket
We drove about 20 miles northwest from Providence (roughly 35 minutes on Route 146) to Woonsocket, a former mill town of about 43,000 people near the Massachusetts border.
Public transportation options are limited (a few RIPTA bus lines connect to Providence). Woonsocket was once a hub of the American textile industry. Today its history is preserved at the Museum of Work & Culture, housed in a restored mill building.
Woonsocket isn’t trying to be anything it’s not, and that’s what makes it worth the visit. There’s a sense of story here, in the old mills and Franco-American roots. Walking through River Island Park, I found myself reflecting, "This town wears its history like a well-loved sweater."
My highlights? Breakfast at Missy's Family Restaurant. I had eggs, home fries, and a giant blueberry pancake with crispy edges, no frills, all heart.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Providence: ~25 minutes northwest
- Vibe: Blue-collar, deeply local, nostalgic
- Highlights: Museum of Work & Culture, River Island Art Park
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for walking weather
- Cost: Museum ~$10
- Hours: Museums generally open 9am–4pm
- Address: Museum of Work & Culture: 42 S Main St, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Connecting with nature in Coventry
We drove about 15 miles southwest from Providence (roughly 30 minutes on I-95) to Coventry, the largest town in Rhode Island by land area, covering nearly 63 square miles. Despite its size, Coventry has a small-town feel with around 36,000 residents. Public transportation is limited here, though RIPTA buses run infrequently.
Coventry felt like an exhale. Surrounded by forest, trails, and lakes, I spent most of my time outdoors, and loved every minute. All I could think was, "Sometimes you don’t need a plan, just trees and time."
What I Loved Most: Hitting the trails at George B. Parker Woodland, where stone walls and wildlife made it feel almost untouched.
My highlights? A relaxed lunch at The Cozy Grill. I had their grilled chicken sandwich with avocado and Swiss, plus a side of curly fries I didn’t plan on finishing (but did). It hit the spot after a morning hike.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Providence: ~30 minutes west
- Vibe: Outdoorsy, peaceful, family-friendly
- Highlights: George B. Parker Woodland, Carbuncle Pond, Coventry Greenway
- Best Time to Visit: Fall for foliage; spring for mild weather
- Cost: Free parks and trails
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Address: Parker Woodland: Maple Valley Rd, Coventry, RI 02827
Portsmouth, RI: Coastal Breezes & Vineyard Calm
We drove about 30 minutes southeast from Providence (25 miles down Route 114) to Portsmouth, a coastal town of around 17,000 people located on Aquidneck Island. Public transit here is sparse, with only a few RIPTA bus routes, so driving made it simple to explore. Portsmouth holds the title of Rhode Island’s second-oldest town, founded in 1638.
I stopped at Green Animals Topiary Garden, a seven-acre estate overlooking Narragansett Bay, where shrubs and hedges are shaped into whimsical animals.
My highlights? We had brunch at Fieldstones, a cozy local favorite. I ordered the crab cake benedict, tender, lemony crab, topped with poached eggs and just the right drizzle of hollandaise. The scent was rich and savory, and the plate disappeared quickly between shared bites and second cups of coffee.
Plan your girls weekend in Portsmouth, RI:
- Drive Time from Boston: ~1 hour 15 minutes south
- Vibe: Seaside serenity with vineyards, antiques, and New England charm
- Highlights: Greenvale Vineyards, Sandy Point Beach, antique stores on East Main Road, brunch at Fieldstones, boat rides on the Sakonnet
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for outdoor tastings and coastal walks
- Cost: Moderate, many outdoor activities are free; tastings and brunch ~$15–$30
Westerly, RI: Quiet Beaches, Village Charm & Salt-tinged Air
I drove about 45 miles southwest from Providence (just under an hour on I-95) to Westerly, a seaside town of roughly 23,000 residents that hugs the Connecticut border.
Public transportation is an option here. The Amtrak station downtown connects to New York and Boston, with tickets starting around $15–20.
We rolled into Westerly just as the afternoon light hit the marsh grasses, soft and golden. “This place breathes calm,” I thought, driving past weathered cottages and bringing the ocean’s hush right along with us. Western Rhode Island felt like a secret kept gently, where beach days and boutique browsing unfold on island time.
What I Loved Most: Strolling the coast at Weekapaug Beach at dusk. The tide receded slowly, leaving rippled sand under our feet, the sky turning pink and lavender as we walked in paired silence.
My highlights? We had brunch at The Harborside Tavern in Watch Hill. I ordered the lobster roll with a side of kale-slaw, the bun buttery warm, the lobster tender and just salted by the sea. The scent of melted butter and fresh herbs lingered long after. We sat on the porch, backs to the harbor, feet tucked under the railing as boats bobbed by.
Plan your girls weekend in Westerly, RI:
- Drive Time from Boston: ~2 hours south
- Vibe: Coastal serenity with hidden beaches and small-town elegance
- Highlights: Weekapaug Beach, Watch Hill village and lighthouse, boutique shops, day trip to Block Island (via ferry), coastal dining
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for beach weather and marina sunsets
- Cost: Beach access moderate; dining affordable to upscale depending on location; most outdoor sights free
Salt Air & Small Streets in Wakefield, RI
I drove about 35 miles south from Providence (roughly 45 minutes on Route 1) to Wakefield, a village within South Kingstown that has about 9,800 residents. Public transit is limited here. RIPTA buses run infrequently.
“Everything feels just close enough,” I thought, walking down Main Street with the scent of the coast tucked into the breeze. Wakefield moved like a coastal New England town should, slow mornings, soft conversations, and a rhythm that let the tide set the tempo.
The storefronts were cheerful but worn, the kind that had been around long enough to know what mattered. Boutiques, bookstores, and bakeries flowed together like neighbors. And just outside of town, the marshes opened wide, sky and water trading reflections.
What I Loved Most: How nothing felt forced. Wakefield didn’t ask to be admired, it just welcomed you in.
My highlights? I drove down to Matunuck Oyster Bar, perched on the edge of Potter Pond. I ordered the classic raw oysters, cold, briny, fresh from just feet away, and followed it with a bowl of creamy clam chowder that smelled like salt, thyme, and butter. The oysters snapped clean, ocean-sharp, the chowder warm and rich with potatoes and just a hint of smoke. I sat on the deck, watching the pond ripple in slow arcs while seagulls floated by like they had nowhere else to be. The world narrowed to salt and wind and the sound of forks on plates.
Plan your Wakefield day trip:
- Drive Time from Providence: ~45 minutes south
- Vibe: Coastal calm, small-town charm, marshside magic
- Highlights: Main Street shops, Matunuck Oyster Bar, nearby beaches, South County Bike Path
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for full patio dining and water views
- Cost: Oysters ~$3 each; entrées ~$20–35; free to explore town
- Hours: Matunuck Oyster Bar open daily for lunch and dinner; shops 10am–6pm
Bristol, RI: Waterfront Walks & Red, White, and Quiet
We drove about 18 miles southeast from Providence (around 30 minutes down Route 114) to Bristol, a harbor town of about 23,000 residents on Narragansett Bay. Public transit is light (RIPTA buses connect to Providence). Bristol is best known for hosting the oldest continuous Fourth of July parade in the country, a tradition dating back to 1785.
The flag-lined streets felt like something from a storybook. Boats bobbed in the harbor, church bells rang out the hour, and hydrangeas spilled over white fences. “This is the kind of place that knows how to hold a pause,” I thought, walking slowly down Hope Street with iced coffee in hand. Bristol didn’t need to impress, it just welcomed us in with ease.
What I Loved Most: Sitting by the water at Independence Park, shoes off, breeze in our hair, and nowhere to be. Boats came and went, and the town exhaled right with us.
My highlights? We had brunch at Bristol Sunset Café, tucked just off the main street. I ordered the Portuguese sweetbread French toast, it arrived golden, thick-cut, with cinnamon sugar melting into the warm bread. It smelled like vanilla and sea air, and it was gone faster than I expected.
Plan your weekend in Bristol, RI:
- Drive Time from Providence: ~30 minutes east
- Vibe: Nautical charm, historic pride, and walkable calm
- Highlights: Colt State Park, Hope Street shopping, Blithewold Mansion & Gardens, East Bay Bike Path, harborside cafés
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for blossoms, July for 4th of July festivities, early fall for crowd-free calm
- Cost: Most sights free or donation-based; dining and lodging moderately priced
Conclusion
Whether you're walking the Cliff Walk in Newport, biking along the East Bay, or just grabbing coffee in a tiny diner with locals who greet the server by name, Rhode Island wraps you in something both familiar and refreshing. It's the kind of place that doesn't shout to be noticed , but once you tune into its rhythm, it's hard to forget. Every visit felt personal, like the state was sharing just a little more of itself each time.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
