Little Rhode Island, with its 1,776 square miles, is the smallest state in the Union. But its 400 miles of coastline tell a different story.
You can cross the state of Rhode Island in your car, in any direction, in less than an hour. That is, if you can resist stopping to enjoy the myriad attractions that abound in this little state with the big heart. It has the longest name of all fifty states, "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations;" and was the first colony to declare independence from England and the last to ratify the Constitution. It was the first colony to guarantee true religious freedom. Its nickname is The Ocean State (it has 400 miles of coastline), and the state bird is the Rhode Island Red. While there is much to see and do throughout the entire state, this article will focus on two of the most popular tourist areas, Providence and Newport.
In the late 1800's and early 1900's, wealthy landowners built summer "cottages" along the shores of Newport, the "City by the Sea." Eleven of these mansions are owned today by The Preservation Society of Newport County, which restored the mansions to their original glory, and are open to the public for tours. Several others are privately owned but still open to tours. Breathtaking in their size and beauty, the mansions offer a glimpse into what life was like for both the wealthy and the servant class a hundred years ago. Imported marble, pillars, and artwork were combined with unique furnishings and fixtures to create a community of quiet opulence. Each tour includes formal gardens and free time to stroll about the massive front yards that sweep to the ocean.
For a spectacular view of the rears of the mansions on one side of you and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, try the Cliff Walk, a hiking path that skirts the rocky shoreline. Parts of the Cliff Walk can be treacherous, so be careful and be sure to wear good walking shoes. At the bottom of the peninsula, Ocean Drive is a scenic route along the coast. Peaceful and beautiful, Ocean Drive has areas where you can pull your car off the road to view the ocean and relax and unwind.
Both children and adults in your party will enjoy the Green Animals Topiary Garden. Eighty pieces of topiary include twenty-one animal and bird shapes, which are sculpted from English boxwood, California privet, and yew. Geometric and ornamental designs round out the garden. Herb and vegetable gardens, orchards, and a Victorian home overlook Narragansett Bay from this estate.
Sailing is big in Newport, as evidenced by the yachts and sailboats anchored in the harbor. After having hosted the America's Cup Races for several years, the city is referred to by many as the "Sailing Capital of the World." The Pell Bridge (or Newport Bridge) was built to accommodate the height of the tall ships, which sail into Newport every few years.
Professional tennis matches are held on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. Open to the public, the grand architecture, set on lovely grounds, combines with a tennis museum to make this one of Newport's best attractions.
Just a mile offshore from Newport stands the Rose Island Lighthouse. Maintained by lighthouse keepers on weekly rotations as part of an environmental education program, the lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An energy-efficient building that was restored over an eight-year period by the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, it's used to educate people of all ages about lighthouse history.
Providence is the capital of Rhode Island, and it has a more "city" feel to it than does Newport. A large distribution point for coal and oil, Providence Harbor provides much of the economic livelihood to the city. A thin strip of water travels nearly thirty miles from the harbor to the Narragansett Bay. Providence has its own brand of charm, though, with several attractions worth experiencing.
Several hundred restored buildings comprise Benefit Street, an area of houses, schools, shops, and taverns built by sea captains and shipbuilders. Locals refer to it as the "Mile of History." Wear your comfortable shoes; there's a lot of exploring to be done here.
West of downtown Providence, along Atwells Avenue, is Federal Hill. Federal Hill is an Italian neighborhood, where the emphasis is on food. Loaded with restaurants and shops, you can get a good meal as well as purchase food to take with you. Noisy and crowded in the summer (restaurants open their doors and turn up the music), this is a favorite spot among the locals.
Brown University holds its commencement ceremonies in the First Baptist Church in America in Providence. Founded by Roger Williams in 1638, the First Baptist Church in America is the oldest Baptist church in America; the building of the current meetinghouse of the church spanned 1774 and 1775, just before the American Revolution.
Don't forget to plan a special outing for the little ones in your group. Providence has its own zoo, the Roger Williams Park & Zoo. A 430-acre Victorian park, this complex includes a Carousel Village, a jungle gym, a miniature train ride, outdoor gardens, paddleboats, pony rides, a zoo, walks, and waterways.
It's easy to find things to do in Rhode Island; and with its small size, a weekend and a tank of gas is all it takes to tour the whole state.
