Rhode Island Travel Guide: Vacation + Trip Ideas

Rhode Island Travel Guide

Rhode Island, the last of the original 13 colonies to become a state, remained a well-kept secret of the northeast for decades. Now, with its far-rea... Read More

Rhode Island, the last of the original 13 colonies to become a state, remained a well-kept secret of the northeast for decades. Now, with its far-reaching history (America’s longest-running library resides here, as does the country’s oldest bar) and jaw-dropping sea vistas, its ports are once again beckoning travelers. One of the highlights of a trip to Rhode Island? You’re never more than 30 minutes from the coast, with fantastic seafood spots ranging from quaint harbor-front taverns to a dynamic, internationally inspired kitchen tucked in a quiet town of 11,000. This is a road tripper’s paradise, with gems dotted all along the state’s 400 miles of coastline. From the “summer homes” in Newport to the sparkling waters of the coast, Rhode Island travel has much to offer.

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Visit Rhode Island

Best Time To Go

You can visit Rhode Island any time of year, but many will find that it is best during the spring, when the weather is mild. Providence’s cherished WaterFire festival draws nearly a million visitors each summer, and the recently cleaned-up riverfront has become a popular attraction for sightseers to the capital. In historic Newport, original 17th-century homes as well as the Vanderbilts’ former summer mansions can be toured year-round—at Christmas in particular, they put on a lovely show.

Transportation

A Newport–Providence bus route—and several others throughout the state—is available through the decent RIPTA, which even offers a seasonal trolley service along Newport’s iconic Cliff Walk for travelers who have reached the end of the hike.

Weather

Temperatures can get up to the mid 80s (28ºC) in the summer, though evenings quickly cool off under the incoming sea breeze. In winter, that number drops to the low 20s (-6ºC).

Know Before You Go

Each summer, Newport’s grand waterfront hotels sell out quickly, so plan your trip well ahead. Alternatively, try a winter-timed trip to the historic town, where several mansions, shops along Bellevue Avenue, and restaurants remain open year-round.