Rhode Island - 60 Great Things to Do in Rhode Island in South County

Avenger, Tomcat, Skyhawk, MIG: See ‘Em Here

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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.

Blues of Legendary Musicians Wails at the Knickerbocker

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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.

Boss Is the Place to Get Onto the Ice

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Added January 2008 removed March 200 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. This arena packs in up to 2,500 fans when the nationally ranked University of Rhode Island Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Teams are on the ice. When they aren’t 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. Whether you’re in it for the competition or just want to have a little fun on the ice, the Boss Ice Arena is the place to be. 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.

Broadway Plays with Zest

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The Granite Theatre on Granite Street in Westerly puts on community theater productions year-round with a degree of verve and zest that could move mountains of, well, granite. Home-based in a handsomely restored Greek Revival Church that sits at the foot of Granite Street in downtown Westerly, the Granite Theatre stages various forms of entertainment, Broadway plays, children's plays, holiday shows, lecture programs, cabaret acts, and more. Shows in the 2009 season include "Self Help," "Cabaret," and "A Christmas Carol." Phone: 401-596-2341.

Collegiate – and Classy -- Theater

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For good and not overpriced theatrical entertainment, do not overlook the theater department of the University of Rhode Island in Kingston. The Fine Art Center on Upper College Road, in the heart of this very beautiful rural campus, hosts several professional-caliber productions yearly. Coming up from late 2009 into 2010 are productions of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “A Flea in Her Ear,” and “Unbound.” Do not be surprised at the high quality of these performances. Phone: 401-874-5843.

Creatures of the Deep,
Explained by the Experts

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University of Rhode Island Coastal Institute Visitor Center on South Ferry Road in Narrangansett welcomes the public to take a look at the work of the world-class marine biologists of the university. The Coastal Institute Visitor Center features an interactive science exhibit, bookstore and educational offerings for schools, teachers, tour groups, tourists and the general public. While on campus, stop by the Coastal Institute Bookstore for a wide selection of marine-oriented books, field guides, toys, games, gifts, jewelry, clothing, and accessories. Featuring a unique selection of marine and environmental books and field guides, educational resources for teachers and educators, educational games and toys, and marine jewelry, art, and clothing, the Coastal Institute Bookstore is located just inside the entrance of the Coastal Institute Visitor Center. Phone: 401-874-6211

Elegance in Stone

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Visit the Towers on Ocean Street in the center of downtown Narragansett. You know you are there when you spot a pair of massive, medieval-looking cylindrical stone towers straddling Route 1A like a moat leading to a castle. The towers are open for live music and ballroom dancing lessons Wednesday evenings all year (no partner necesssary!) as well as concerts and other public events. Phone: 401-782-2597

Galaxies Aloft

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Astronomy buffs may be delighted to learn that the town of Charlestown is home to an observatory where the public is welcome to come and star-gaze every Friday night, provided the skies are clear. Visitors to the Frosty Drew Observatory on Park Lane in Ninigret Park in Charlestown sometimes are surprised to learn that it is a collection of telescopes and associated equipment – it is not a planetarium. The staff has enthusiastic and knowledgeable astronomy buffs who like nothing better than to point out the stars, galaxies, and planets to interested visitors. The observatory opens just after sunset when the days are long and at 6:30 on winter nights. If the skies are clear, come down and look up.

Intimate Shopping in a Small Downtown

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Wickford Village, in the town of North Kingstown, is an intimate village center with serene Colonial architecture and rows of wonderful and unusual shops. The village’s 1700s historic homes, churches, gardens and picturesque harbor offer a glimpse of our nation's early history. Shops include Different Drummer, Askham & Telham, Villa Bella, Blue Hydrangea, Beauty and the Bath, Herb Wyfe, and JW Graham/Yes Gallery, Absolutely perfect for holiday gift shopping. WhEN your feet give out, don’t fail to stop at Wickford Gourmet for a meal or a snack. Phone: 877-295-7200

Victorian Stroll

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Westerly’s historic downtown on the edge of the Pawcatuck River is a pretty place for an old-fashioned walk, especially when it leads to Wilcox Park, a Victorian-era beauty with a koi pond, dwarf conifers, a daylily collection, perennial borders, and winding trails. The Chorus of Westerly presents a pops concert here in June, complete with Grucci fireworks, and the park also hosts performances of Shakespearean plays.