Nicknamed the “Ocean State”, Rhode Island forms part of the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, an English Puritan who faced persecution in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and created the first secularly governed settlement in North America.
Things to do in Rhode Island
With its sandy beaches, colonial towns and vibrant cities, Rhode Island offers something for everyone.
Sightsee in Providence. Serving as the capital of Rhode Island, Providence is a lively city at the northern tip of Narragansett Bay. Its downtown area is clustered with Art Deco and Beaux-Arts-style buildings, while 18th and 19th-century homes are found in College Hill. Browse the American artworks and silverware exhibited at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum or get up close to snow leopards, giraffes and elephants at the Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Admire the Gilded Age mansions of Newport. Once used as holiday homes for the rich, Newport’s late 19th and early 20th-century mansions are now managed by the Preservation Society. Explore the aptly-named Marble House built by William Vanderbilt and visit The Elms, a French chateau-inspired home with an outstanding collection of paintings and tapestries. Don’t miss The Breakers, a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style residence designed by Richard Morris Hunt.
Relax on the beaches. Despite only having around 60 kilometres of coastline, Rhode Island offers an array of beaches to suit all tastes. You can learn to surf at Misquamicut State Beach, enjoy the views of Block Island from East Beach or kick back beneath the grassy dunes of Goosewing Beach in Little Compton. Kids will love the Save the Bay Exploration Center at Easton's Beach while adults can feast at the oyster bar of East Mutunuck Beach.
Getting around Rhode Island
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport is the main aviation gateway to Rhode Island and has flights to destinations across the United States. Amtrak trains connect to the Providence, Kingston and Westerly railway stations while buses serve destinations across the state. Seasonal ferries travel from Providence to Newport.