1.) Newport<\/strong><\/h3>\n![\"Best](\"https:\/\/handluggageonly.co.uk\/2021\/04\/16\/10-very-best-things-to-do-in-rhode-island\/\")
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Nestled on the shores of Aquidneck Island, Newport is a thriving little city that\u2019s beautiful to visit. Easily reached by a number of bridges connecting the island, it\u2019s the kind of place that\u2019s well worth visiting for a day (or two) when road tripping the east coast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once you arrive, be sure to check out Ochre Point Avenue and The Breakers, a vast Vanderbilt mansion that\u2019s too amazing to miss. Built back in the 1800s, it was symbolic of the Vanderbilt\u2019s wealth. And it even shows to this day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With around 70 rooms and a colossal three-story dining room that\u2019s a total masterpiece. The whole mansion is a work of art!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Afterwards, step out of The Breakers and follow the iconic Cliff Walk that heads around the shoreline and bays here. The views from here are totally stunning and it\u2019s such a gorgeous spot to visit later in the afternoon when the sun dips a little lower.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Love your mansions and ornate architecture? Then make sure to stick around the Bellevue Avenue Mansions. This area of Newport is famed for its stunning buildings and you can find them all spread between the ocean and Bellevue. It\u2019s lovely.<\/p>\n
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Be sure to visit the iconic Rosecliff Mansion, Marble House and don\u2019t forget about The Elms, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The latter is another gem of a mansion and one of the best things to do in Rhode Island to explore the regions iconic houses.<\/p>\n
Commissioned by Edward J. Berwind in the middle of the 18th<\/sup> century, it\u2019s the kind of place that\u2019s filled with French influences. Plus, the classical revival gardens are just too good to miss.\u00a0<\/p>\nAfter that opulence, pop over to Fort Adams State Park and find out more about this fort that dates all the way back to the 1800s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Finally, make sure to visit the White Horse Tavern which is the oldest (still operating) tavern in all the United States. Dating back from 1673, it\u2019s a spot that\u2019s incredible to spot for dinner. Their seasonal menu is so tasty; and so is their New England clam chowder for that matter!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places in Massachusetts to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n2.) Block island<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Easily reached by boat (from this spot) at Point Judith, Dock Island is a totally fun island adventure for a day trip whilst in Rhode Island. Taking the Block Island Ferry, you\u2019ll arrive on Block Island in no time at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Your first port of call will naturally be New Shoreham. From here, you\u2019ll be able to grab a tasty bite at Kimberly\u2019s (for their lobster, mac and cheese) before heading the gorgeous coastline around Mohegan Bluffs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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If it\u2019s a beach you\u2019re after, head over to Mansion Beach before finishing your day off with a hike around North Lighthouse. It\u2019s just blissful.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places on the east coast to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n3.) Sachuest Bay<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Another gem on Aquidneck Island, visiting Sachuest Bay is one of the best things to do in Rhode Island for any beach bum.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You see, Second Beach is a sandy paradise that you really can\u2019t miss in summer. Within easy reach of Newport, it\u2019s well worth a gander for a more relaxing day. Plus, you\u2019ll get one of the best sunsets in Rhode Island from here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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If you\u2019ve got time (and extra energy to burn) pop on the gorgeous trails around the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re so peaceful and incredible on a blustery day when the waves are crashing against the shore. I love that sound so much!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Cape Cod<\/strong><\/p>\n4.) Providence<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Our first real port-of-call in the state, visiting Providence is one of the best things to do in Rhode Island for a lovely city break. With a young vibe, it\u2019s the kind of capital city that\u2019s got a little something for every taste.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Once here, be sure to check out the RISD Museum of Art that\u2019s too good to miss! Part of the Islands School of Design is known for its vast collections that are just incredible. From collections of contemporary textiles, ancient Egyptian clothing to 20th<\/sup>-century designers, it\u2019s the kind of place that you can easily spend a few hours exploring.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Afterwards, head across to WaterFire, an iconic Rhode Island sculpture created by Barnaby Evans. With four acres of Riverwalk and Water Place to explore, it\u2019s a perfect place for a stroll on a warm evening. Plus, there are heaps of street vendors that operate seasonally, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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For a yummy treat, head into Bolt Coffee Co. for one of their fluffy doughnuts (and great coffee). I tell you, you\u2019ll want more than one!<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places on Long Island to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n5.) Beavertail State Park<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Just beyond Jamestown, Beavertail State Park is a gem to visit along Rhode Island\u2019s impressive shoreline. The whole area is totally stunning though my favourite point has to be Beavertail Lighthouse Museum.<\/p>\n
The hikes here are just amazing and the lighthouse is just iconic. In fact, I think it might be my favourite in all of Rhode Island.\u00a0<\/p>\n
6.) Narragansett Bay<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Ah, okay, so Narragansett Bay is a total gem to explore whilst in Rhode Island and kinda hard to miss! You see, it takes in some big spots like Newport, Providence and Warwick which all line its shore.<\/p>\n
In the summer, make sure to head for Narragansett Town Beach. It\u2019s a stunner of shoreline and there\u2019s a heap of little foodie stalls and ice cream stops all along the coast.<\/p>\n
Plus, nearby, it\u2019s The Towers that stand iconically overlooking the town from the 1800s.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Oh, and don\u2019t forget to visit Point Judith Lighthouse which\u2019s totally nearby, too. It\u2019s a stunner of a place for a stroll and to take in the views of the wider Narragansett Bay.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places on the east coast to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n7.) Bristol<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Not too far from the border with Massachusetts, Bristol is a gorgeous little town that\u2019s well worth a gander whilst exploring Rhode Island.\u00a0Although relatively small, it\u2019s the kind of place that\u2019s great for a day trip (or a chilled out weekend).\u00a0<\/p>\n
After parking up be sure to visit some of the town\u2019s most famous spots. Of course, you\u2019ve got to explore Colt State Park which stretches over one of the most beautiful shorelines in New England.<\/p>\n
Not only is a great for a ramble, but there\u2019s also Coggeshall Farm Museum to visit, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Feeling like exploring more? Head over to\u00a0Blithewold Mansion which\u2019s located at 101 Ferry Road. Long ago, well 1908 to be exact, Blithewold was constructed for Augustus Van Wickle. It has a similar design to a 17th<\/sup>-century English country manor and is totally gorgeous to see.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\nWith a whopping 45 rooms which were furnished with the family\u2019s art collections, it\u2019s the kind of spot that\u2019s lovely to visit. Plus, the grounds are just stunning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For some tasty local grub, head to Bristol Oyster Bar. Their oysters and grilled Atlantic salmon are so tasty.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best things to do in Cape Cod<\/strong><\/p>\n8.) Napatree<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Right on the fringes of New York state and Connecticut, Napatree is a great place to visit if you\u2019re craving the great outdoors. With an unspoilt and protected spit of land, Napatree has a beach line walk that\u2019s too good to miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The whole dunes area and the beach are just totally unspoilt and well worth visiting for a few hours stroll.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Plus, you can easily stop off at the nearby Olympia Tea Room that\u2019s been around for over 100 years. They do a mean clam roast that you can\u2019t miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places in Massachusetts to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n9.) Pomham Rocks Lighthouse<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Right on the shoreline, overlooking Providence River, Pomham Rocks Lighthouse has stood in Rhode Island for over 150 years!\u00a0<\/p>\n
To make your viewing easier, head over to this point that\u2019ll give you some stunning vistas of the bay area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best of all, you can take tours of the lighthouse (around 2-hours in length) and learn much more about its history. Plus, the lantern room is pretty cool!\u00a0<\/p>\n
10.) Ocean Drive<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Technically still part of Newport, Ocean Drive is a cosy little route that runs the rugged shore of the island itself. Although the drive won\u2019t take you long at all, it\u2019s one of the best things to do in Rhode Island if you haven\u2019t had your fill of mansions yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you are interested in moseying around some more, simply follow through Bellevue Avenue up to the end at Coggeshall Avenue. You can then continue on the left to go along the shore past Bailey\u2019s Beach (that\u2019s equally lovely). If you continue the next ten miles should take you to Gilded Age cottages. Though, they\u2019re anything but traditional cottages!<\/p>\n
As you continue, you will come to Brenton Point State Park which is a perfect scenic spot on a calm sunny day.<\/p>\n
Read more: Best places on the east coast to visit<\/strong><\/p>\n\n12 Beautiful Places To Visit On The East Coast, USA<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n