RHODE ISLAND - South County

A series of unusual and highly personalized gardens cover the former dairy farm of the Miner family in Ashaway, at a garden farm now known as Solitude Springs. Robert Miner, proprietor, will take you on a personal tour. Tomaquag Brook runs through the property and underground springs are abundant, with wood and stone bridges scattered throughout the property. There are benches for sitting in delightful little nooks created with various plantings. Towering bamboo, ponds, babbling brooks, an old-fashioned swing and gardens everywhere create a natural atmosphere that embraces solitude, reflection, and even play. In one area is a collection of heart shaped stones that Miner has acquired over the years. Stone and metal sculptures are tucked in crannies on all sides. Also on the property are a donkey, a few pot-bellied pigs, a pair of emu, and horses. Spend an hour walking the farm with the gardener in your circle. Call ahead before visiting. Phone: 401-377-4059.

Oyster is a dish loved by a particular slice of the populace, but their ardor for the glossy shellfish is strong. People who want to meet and then eat this delicacy can watch the farming process and then dine at the Matunuck Oyster Bar and its sister business, an oyster farming operation, at 629 Succotash Road in Matunuck. The Matunuck Oyster Farm offers year-round group tours and educational field trips to show how shellfish are cultivated in Rhode Island waters. Each member of the tour is given a pair of waders to get an up-close look at the growing oysters – a sort of education by immersion. The oyster bar offers a variety of cherrystones, littlenecks, shrimp, and chilled lobsters, served at a waterfront patio. Talk about local food sources? Check website for hours. Phone; 401-783-4202.

Located in the only brick hangar on the East coast, the Quonset Aviation Museum on Ecclecston Avenue in North Kingstown hosts a growing collection of aircraft and Rhode Island Aviation memorabilia. Aircraft such as a Russian MIG-17, an F-14 Tomcat Jet Fighter, TBM Avenger, A-4 Skyhawk, A6 Intruder and SH3 Seaking are on display and under restoration. Rhode Island aviation exhibits focus on both commercial and military history, with a total of 30 aircraft. Hours: Daily, October-April, Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; May-September, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone: 401-294-9540.

Among the New England states, Rhode Island is not famous for its skiing, but don’t be fooled: in the town of Exeter in the South County is the well-loved Yawgoo Valley at 160 Yawgoo Valley Road, and it has excellent snow tubing when weather conditions are ripe on 12 trails with four lifts with a 245-foot vertical drop. Great fun for kids and adults alike. Be sure always to call ahead for current conditions. Hours are Friday, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Phone: 401-295-2276.

The Knickerbocker Café , a longstanding club serving up primo blues, jazz, and R&B, reopened in 2009 on Railroad Avenue in downtown Westerlyafter having been shuttered for a number of years. As if to make up for lost time, the places howls every weekend with excellent live music in a small, relaxed club atmosphere with tables wrapped around a little but hard-used dance floor. Groups that appear and re-appear at the reincarnated Knickerbocker include Soul Shot, The Shiny Lapel Trio, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, The Commander Cody Band, Johnny and the East Coast Rockers, Roomful of Blues … you get it. Got it? Phone: 401-596-4225.

For a little exercise and a whole lot of fun head over to the Boss Ice Arena at the University of Rhode Island athletic complex off Route 138 in Kingstson. When the University of Rhode Island Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Teams are on the ice the rink is open for public skating, adult skating, and open figure skating sessions. Public skating programs are available for all types of skaters. Times vary but public skating sessions are available every day, all year long. General admission is $6 with an additional fee charged for skate rentals.Phone: 401-874-5480.


For good theatrical entertainment that’s not overpriced, one should not overlook the University of Rhode Island’s Theater Department in Kingston. The Fine Art Center on Upper College Road, in the heart of this very beautiful rural campus, hosts several professional-caliber productions every year. The lineup for the 2011-2012 year includes “Marat Sade” on October 13-23, 2011; “The Sea Gull” on December 1-11, 2011; “Tartuffe” February 23-March 4, 2012; and “Singin' in the Rain” on April 19-29, 2012. Phone: 401-874-5843.

Walking along the rocky bluffs at Beavertail State Park, in Jamestown, you might find it hard to believe you’re still in little Rhody at all. The park offers some truly breathtaking views of the Atlantic, and provides some interesting walking paths through what was once a U.S. Navy fortification. Also on the park grounds is the Beavertail Lighthouse, built in 1856, and a museum detailing the area’s significant cultural history. The park is open from dawn to dusk, with no entrance fee, all year round. Phone: 401-884-2010.

January 2012 brought welcome but not surprising news that Ocean House on Bluff Avenue in Watch Hill [Westerly] has been named a Five Diamond Lodging by AAA. This is among the most prestigious awards any lodging can receive, and the first received by a Rhode Island establishment, according to AAA. "Five Diamond lodgings feature extraordinary physical attributes and meticulous personalized attention,” said an AAA spokesman. The Ocean House is the last of the grand Victorian hotels, where life is still lived much as it was a century ago, a tranquil timetable of tides and sun, teatime and cocktails, sailing regattas and strolls on the beach. The hotel first opened in 1868 and was closed in 2003 in a state of disrepair. Later that decade it was restored to its original state and reopened. Phone: 401-584-7000

Established in 1709, Wickford Village is a collection of picturesque waterfront streets lined with one-of-a-kind shops featuring jewelry, house wares, clothing and more. You'll also find galleries, antique shops, cafes and restaurants nestled amongst beautifully maintained churches, Colonial homes and gardens. Have a boat? Tie up to the town dock while you explore the village. Even your dog will enjoy a refreshing drink of water outside the many shops and restaurants in this pet-friendly village. Phone: 877-295-7200.

Fantastic Umbrella Factory at 4820 Old Post Road in Charlestown is a very personalized collection of shops and gardens. The place was established in 1968 by Robert Palmer Bankel, who had a mission to provide South County with good Karma, a fun atmosphere, eclectic shops, and an interesting staff of artisans and locals. The property consists of extensive gardens, shops, and resident animals. Bring a sense of exploration and adventure. The shops include Umbrella Factory Main Store, Small Axe Productions, Umbrella Factory Gardens, Cheap Frills, and Vintage Eyewear. Open year-round but hours vary seasonally. Phone: 401-364-9199.

Shadow Pines Farm on Purgatory Road in Exeter is a small, family-run operation of people who love to raise and show alpacas. The owners visited alpaca farms and became enamored with alpacas while traveling to watch their daughters compete in college sports. They welcome opportunities to show the herd to visitors. Alpaca fleece products for sale. Hours: Year-round Saturdays and Sundays. Phone: 401-295-7859.

The charming village of Watch Hill near the town of Westerly is nestled along the shore of Block Island Sound in the southwest corner of Rhode Island. Watch Hill is situated on a peninsula that is nearly surrounded by ocean, further adding to its awe-inspiring beauty. Outdoor activities in the area include rowing, swimming, ocean sailing, fishing and hiking. Additionally, local shopping and fine restaurants combine to make this a favored resort area. Attractions include Napatree Point Beach and Watch Hill Beach, a historic carousel, a lighthouse, and much more. Fun for a day of strolling, a weekend getaway, or longer.