We recently visited the Ocean State and we had the BEST time! Rhode Island is packed with fun things to do & stunning places to see. For the smallest state in the country, Rhode Island manages to fit a seemingly endless array of activities, adventures, and sites within its cozy borders. It is home to a tremendous amount of visitor attractions and amenities; such as beautiful beaches, exciting cultural attractions, and a renowned dining scene… Rhode Island really is a fabulous spot to visit for a weekend getaway or longer vacay!!
Rhode Island is the place for you:
Adventures: you can bike, surf, kayak, hike in the state parks, sail, and swim
Tastings: There are incredible vineyards, breweries, and distilleries throughout the state
Beaches: The beaches of Bristol, Narragansett, and Newport have been named tops destinations by Coastal Living and Thrillist
Gaming: Rhode Island is home to two casinos
Dining: Home to delicious restaurants and yummy cocktails!
Weekend Guide to Rhode Island – #OnTheRhode
Of course, you can vacation longer than a few days in RI but we created a weekend guide to highlight the top spots in the state, all within driving distance. Our guide will take you #OnTheRhode and through different parts of the Ocean State! Below is a map of Rhode Island so you can see where everything is located in relation to each other –
Map of Rhode Island
Areas to Visit #OnTheRhode
Area 1 – Blackstone Valley + Providence
Area 2 – Newport
Area 3 – South County
BLACKSTONE VALLEY + PROVIDENCE
Start your visit to Blackstone Valley by stopping in Pawtucket, RI. This town is home to the historic Slater Mill Site. The Slater Mill is a historic textile mill complex on the banks of the Blackstone River, and it is modeled after cotton spinning mills first established in England.The Slater Mill Historic Site was designated a National Historic Landmark District in the 1970s by the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Park Service.
After seeing the Slater Mill Museum, head towards Providence. En route, make your way to The Guild Brewery to sip on some fabuuuulous craft beer! If you love beer then you will love this swanky spot.
See The DC Darlings guide to Providence for our favorite recommendations!
Newport
Newport is pure magic; full of sailboats, sunshine, and the sea – it just doesn’t get any better! There are amazing coastal views, cute colonial homes, yummy seafood, and stunning mansions! It is a MUST visit spot! Not to mention, Katie is getting married in Newport! We put together a guide for you so that when you visit Newport, you can hit all the hot spots!! This area is near and dear to our hearts so we hope you travel to Newport and love it as much as we do!! Read The DC Darlings Guide to Newport, RI for our full itinerary!
South Country
South County, Rhode Island is simply stunning! This area is home to the best beaches in the area, with 100 miles of breathtaking coastline. There are beaches for everyone; from tame, foot high, family friendly waves to pristine stretches of sand.
Driving south from Providence, stop in Warwick. Grab a chowder at Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House and if you are looking to catch some rays, spend the afternoon at Oakland Beach. If you enjoy the outdoors, head to Goddard State Park. You can kayak, horseback ride, hike or play golf in this stunning state park.
After spending time in Warwick, drive towards Westerly and Watch Hill. Route 1A in Westerly is absolutely stunning and so scenic! Watch Hill is GORGEOUS! There are cute shops, restaurants, and the beach is beautiful! In Watch Hill, you MUST visit the Ocean House, one of only eleven Forbes triple five-star hotels in the world! The dining options are delicious and in the summertime, there is a Veuve Clicquot patio (swoooon!!!).
If you are planning a trip to Rhode Island, please comment or email us with any questions you might have or we can provide helpful recommendations! Have the best time!!
ENJOY YOUR TIME #ONTHERHODE
