Rhode Island is packed with oceanside fun and great city life

by Eric H.

It's hard to believe for the smallest state in the United States that

Rhode Island has so much accessible coastline. What that means is more beach time for you and your family.

The Rhode Island South County coastline features some of the best beaches in NewEngland, and serves as a terrific alternative to Cape Cod. In that area, you'll find some of New England's most charming towns, villages and neighborhoods, including , Watch Hill, Galilee, Wickford Village and Charlestown. From Gallilee, a ferry leads to Block Island, an instantly appealing island well preserved in nature. If you are inclined to pristine ocean amd beaches, rolling green fields and pastoral farms, abundant plant and wildlife, and a slower-paced lifestyle, then by all means plan a trip to what the Nature Conservancy has designated as "one of the 12 last great places in the Western Hemisphere."

It's easy to see why. With the exception of a small downtown, Block Island's 21 square miles -12 miles south of Rhode Island's main land--provide a treasure chest of unspoiled terrains -- the perfect place for a New England summer vacation. Most people walk, ride bikes or drive motor scooters to trek around the island. What they will find is their own beach, their own forest, their own special place, their own discovery. Walking off the beaten path will surely lead you to nowhere. And nowhere is a beautiful place.

Newport is a wonderful Rhode Island vacation destination, famous for its grand mansions. The fun doesn't end there, however, as visitors will find a plethora of downtown shopping, great beaches, The Tennis Hall of Fame, summer music festivals, the wide open Fort Adams State Park (great for kite flying), a wonderful oceanside cliff walk, countless bed and breakfasts, inn, hotels and motels, and some of the best seafood dining that New England has to offer. It's a colorful town, sure to please on every visit.

A few miles from Newport is Bristol, a quintessential New England town -- tree-lined and quaint with an incredible Patriotic nature (flags waving everywhere you turn). Surrounded by Mount Hope Bay to the east and Narragansett Bay to the south and west, Bristol is stunning from every perspective. Colt State Park is especially impressive with its sweeping views of the Narrangansett Bay and ideally located walking paths. The downtown features well maintained older homes and an understated but pleasing array of restaurants, shops and lodging. Bristol is also offers the oldest (and extremely popular) Fourth of July celebration in the country. Bristol is a perfect start to your Rhode Island and New England vacation.

Rhode Island has a great city, too, -- Providence. From the colorful Italian streets of Federal Hill to the elegant brownstone, Ivy League neighborhoods of Brown University, Providence feels like a complete city. There's the mile of colonial houses on Benefit Street juxtaposed against a rapidly growing skyline. Providence Place Mall, one of the biggest malls in New England shines its modern leanings against the architecturally old world aura of the State House. Providence also offers some of the best restaurants in New England (Al Forno, Pot Au Feu) and a plethora of high quality hotels and inns.

Providence Place Mall is hands-down the best shopping mall in New England. Although forever controversial and either loved or hated with no middleground, the Providence Place Mall has steadily gained respect with its three floors of 165 shops, elegant surroundings with plush rugs, colorful architecture, shiny walls, and a wonderful view of the Providence skyline, including the beloved waterfront.

Providence is a world class city for several blocks, with expansion of that greatness on the way.

We encourage you to "travel Rhode Island" through our library--at Visiting New England.com, native New Englanders bring you the best in New England vacation trip planning and travel information with detailed essays, reviews, tips and resources. We hope you enjoy browsing our Rhode Island travel library and hope to see you travel New England soon. Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions, or sign our guestbook.

Rhode Island travel ideas, tips, suggestions and general information:

Rhode Island's best travel destinations

Check the New England calendar of events section for key Rhode Island events and news.

Read our New England tourist attractions page for the best things to do in Rhode Island.

A Personal Perspective of Newport, RI.

Have a question about visiting Rhode Island? Ask the experts for all your Rhode Island trip planning needs!

The top 10 things to do in Providence, RI.

Newport, RI, travel and vacation destination summary.

Galilee in Narragansett R.I., is an authentic, live fishing village... with great beaches and seafood.

Del's Lemonade is the local (Rhode Island) lemonade stand that became famous.

Bristol, RI: The All-American New England small town.

The East Bay Bike Bath offers great biking along the Narragansett Bay

Providence, R.I., has quickly transformed into a "must-visit" Rhode Island city with its incredible mix of the old and new.

Colt State Park in Bristol, R.I.: The ultimate New England state park

Adams Farm in Cumberland, R.I., is a place where the sweet smell of fresh air and the postcard-perfect scenes of pumpkins, white fences and green land define the true meaning of pastoral beauty.

The Beef Barn in North Smithfield, R.I., lends rural charm and delicious roast beef to the Northern Rhode Island dining scene

Consider watching a baseball game as part of your New England travel in the spring with a trip to the family-friendly McCoy Stadium, home of the minor league Pawtucket Red Sox.

The Western Hotel, in tiny Burrillville, R.I., offers top notch comfort food and steaks in a historic setting.

New! Newport, R.I., is known for its historic mansions, recreation and music festivals.

Your New England vacation planning would not be complete without a visit to the Providence Place Mall.

Sample some of Rhode Island's top attractions.

Wright's Farm won't leave you in a fowl mood.

Block Island is for nature lovers only.

New! When the weather is great, Easton's Beach in Newport, R.I. is a lot of fun. When the weather is bad, Easton's Beach is still a lot of fun.