The Blackstone Valley Explorer is a 49-passenger riverboat. Since 1993, more than 25,000 passengers annually have come from local, national and global destinations to take 45 minute narrated tours along sections of the Blackstone River. Spring and summer cruises depart from Central Falls and tour the Valley Falls Wilderness Area. Autumn cruises depart near the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket and tour from the Thundermist dam north. Explore the river that was once called America’s Hardest Working River and discover the river’s ecosystem as you learn about the river’s industrialized past, the river’s restoration, and what we are doing to help the river live again.

Samuel Slater Canal Boat
Central Falls Landing, Madeira Avenue
Central Falls, RI
Phone: 401-724-2200

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The Samuel Slater Canal Boat, built in Cambridgeshire, England, offers guests a scenic cruise on the historic Blackstone River and overnight luxury accommodations with breakfast. Summer operations only. An extra fee brings a sumptuous New England clambake dinner. Day trips include a traditional British Tea tour. The canal boat docks at Madeira Avenue in Central Falls. During the cruise, you'll observe wildlife such as swans, deer, great blue herons, turtles and more. Travelers aboard this amazing cruise are enchanted by the beauty and uniqueness that the river offers. The boat is in drydock in 2009, but will return to operations in 2010.

Slater Memorial Park Carousel
Newport Avenue (Route 1A)
Pawtucket, RI 02861
Phone: 401-728-0500 ext. 252

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The stately grounds of this park include an early carousel by Danish immigrant Charles I. D. Looff. The carousel boasts 42 horses, three dogs, and a lion, camel, and giraffe; they are some of the earliest examples of Looff’swork. Rides are a mere 25 cents. Open during warm weather: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Call ahead for changes in hours.

EAST BAY top of listings

Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Environmental Education Center
1401 Hope Street, Route 114
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-245-7500

Stay in touch with the great outdoors

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The Audubon Environmental Education Center is a state-of-the art natural history museum and aquarium that puts fun and excitement into experiencing nature. Look inside a 33-foot life size Right Whale, discover life in a tide pool, and observe Narragansett Bay’s marine life. The Center’s interactive exhibits feature local habitats. Situated on the 28-acre McIntosh Wildlife Refuge the Environmental Education Center has walking trails with a ¼ mile boardwalk that winds through fresh and saltwater marshes leading to a majestic view of Narragansett Bay. The refuge is along the East Bay Bike Path allowing bikers and walkers access to the refuge’s natural beauty. The Center offers guided tours, nature walks, special family programs and much more throughout the year. The facility and trails are handicapped accessible.

Barrington Preservation Society Museum
Rte. 114
Barrington, RI 02806
Phone: 401-246-0999

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On the lower floor of the Barrington Public Library, this museum houses a fine collection of artifacts and memorabilia from Barrington's rural past and industrial background. Exhibits change frequently. Open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm, and by appointment.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
101 Ferry Road / Route 114
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-2707

"An American garden treasure - come and be inspired"

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This 45-room mansion was built in 1908 as the summer home of coal magnate Augustus Van Wickle. The property features gardens and arboretum on 33 acres overlooking Narragansett Bay. The mansion is open to visitors interested in a look into High Society at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Grounds are open year-round, 10 am-5 pm; Mansion is open April 13-October 14, 10 am-4 pm.

Bristol Fourth of July Celebration
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-0445

Started in 1785, the Bristol Fourth of July celebration is the oldest in the United States. Each year the Bristol Fourth of July Committee raises approximately $200,000 to put on the celebration. The event includes the annual button and essay contests and concludes with a parade and fireworks display over Bristol Harbor.

Charles W. Greene Museum
Main Street
Warren, RI 02885
Phone: 401-245-7686

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This museum houses the Charles R. Carr collection of pre-Columbian, Peruvian, and North American Indian artifacts including wampum and glass beads. Colonial fishing and farm also are featured. Open Wednesday from 2 pm to 4 pm and by appointment.

Coggeshall Farm Museum
Off Route 114
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-9062

Open: October-March, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; for self-guided tours; April-September, Tuesday –Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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This is a 35-acre colonial farm, established in 1750. The museum features rare breeds of livestock, a barn, cooling house, blacksmith, and springhouse. Cost: Adults, $3; children, $2.

Colt State Park
Route 14
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-7482

Enjoy the Ocean State

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This is a 464-acre state park on the shore of Narragansett Bay, with four miles of hiking and biking trails, gardens, 10 playing fields, and six picnic groves. Fishing, concerts, and naturalist programs offered in season. Open year-round.

Crescent Park Carousel
Crescent Park, 700 Bullocks Point Avenue
Riverside, RI 02915
Phone: 401-435-7518

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The Crescent Park Carousel, one of the finest surviving examples of hand-carved carousels in the country, was built just prior to 1900 by Charles I. D. Looff as a display model. Open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 7 pm. Easter weekend and Memorial Day weekend and from June through Labor Day. After Labor Day through Columbus Day, open Saturday and Sunday, noon to 8 pm. Wheelchair accessible.

Fire Museum
Baker Street
Warren, RI 02885
Phone: 401-245-7600

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This former fire barn on Baker Street once housed the Narragansett Steam Fire Co. Station #3 in the 1800s. Faithfully restored, it now houses the volunteer fire department’s museum and The Little Hero, the first fire engine purchased by the town in 1802. Open by appointment. Call the fire chief.

Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame
1 Burnside Street
Bristol, RI 02809
Phone: 401-253-5000

Open: April 26-November 2; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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The Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame present the story of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company and the America's Cup competition. From 1863 to 1945, the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, on the site of the present day museum, produced the world's finest yachts on the cutting edge of design and engineering. The collection includes 60 original Herreshoff boats, steam engines, artifacts, and photographs related to America's greatest naval architect and builder during The Golden Age of Yachting.

NEWPORT top of listings

Bird’s Eye View Helicopters
Jeff Codman
211 Airport Access Road
Middletown, RI 02842
Phone: 401-843-8687
Toll-Free: 1-877-914-TOUR

The only way to see Rhode Island!

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Experience the thrill of helicopter flight with Bird’s Eye View Helicopters. Fly in our 2007 Robinson R-44 helicopter and see Bellevue Avenue’s world renowned mansions from all sides. You’ll fly over Ocean Drive, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the country. Enjoy the majestic Castle Hill and Rose Island light houses as well as Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy's summer home, Hammersmith Farm. One of our many tours will astound you with a truly unique perspective. Open year-round and minutes from downtown Newport, call 401-843-8687 or visit our website today for reservations. The sky is waiting for you!

Naval War College Museum
686 Cushing Road
Newport, RI
Phone: 401-841-4052

Open: Year-round, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; June-September, Saturday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; closed holidays

The museum is in Founders Hall (1820), a National Historic Landmark, and features exhibits on the history of naval warfare and the history of the Navy in the region. Founders Hall is where the college started in 1884 and where historian Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote the epochal The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, the book that helped to change the course of history at the start of the 20th century. Open year-round, Mon-Fri, 10-4; June-Sept, Sat-Sun, 12-4; closed holidays.

Newport County Chamber of Commerce
Newport, RI 02840
Phone: 401-847-1600

Newport County is steeped in history and beauty. The City on the Sea, in addition to the famous mansions, has the distinction of having more authentic colonial era structures than any other American city. The region, which also includes Jamestown, Portsmouth and Middletown, features beaches, vineyards, scores of great and interesting shops, an array of restaurants, luxury hotels and quaint inns and B&Bs. Beautiful parks and dramatic vistas are found along Ocean Drive. Also not to be missed are the Tennis Hall of Fame, Fort Adams, and Newport’s world famous folk, jazz, and classical music festivals. The Newport County Chamber of Commerce can provide you complete information and help in planning your visit.

Newport Vineyards
909 East Main Road (Route 138)
Middletown, RI 02842
Phone: 401-848-5161
Fax: 401-848-5162

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Newport Vineyards is a family owned winery, founded in 1978. Paul and John Nunes, whose local roots date back to 1917, purchased the winery in 1995. Since that time, the winery has grown to 50 acres of varietal and hybrid grapes. Visitors are offered public tours at 1 and 3 pm, seven days a week. These include a tour in the vineyards, a behind the scenes look at the winemaking process and a tasting of five wines. The winery features an art gallery and retail shop with wine accessories and signature clothing. Private tours and tastings for groups of ten or more are available. Newport Vineyards specializes in rehearsal dinners, corporate affairs and custom labels. The winery hours are Monday thru Saturday 10-5 and Sunday noon-5 year around. Receive a $2 discount off the admission price, valid for up to two adults by presenting this web page.

PROVIDENCE/WARWICK top of listings

East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce
591 Main Street
East Greenwich, RI 02818
Phone: 401-885-0020
Fax: 401-885-0048

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The eighth oldest community in Rhode Island, East Greenwich is a blend of the old and the new. Perched above Greenwich cove just off Narragansett Bay, the town is in the exact center of the state. A safe haven for colonial-era whaling boats and sailing ships, the cove today is filled with hundreds of recreational power and sail boats. The quaint Main Street, which includes a few homes among the stores, is a mixture of unique shops and services. Numerous bridal gown shops have located here, attracting other wedding related services and giving the town the self proclaimed title of Wedding Capital of Rhode Island. The signature building of the community is the Town Hall at 125 Main Street, restored in 1995 after standing vacant for many years. Originally the Kent County Courthouse, it was built in 1804 and served as the seat of state government until 1854. The town is filled with historic homes and structures. These blend with newer homes housing many of the corporate leaders of the state.

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
One Sabin Street
Providence, RI 02903
Toll-Free: 800-233-1636
Fax: 401-521-3465

Providence - The Creative Capital

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A unique blend of historic New England town and hip, sophisticated city, Providence, Rhode Island offers visitors a broad spectrum of dining, shopping, cultural and entertainment options – all within walking distance of each other. Recognized as one of the country’s hottest culinary destinations, Providence is home to Johnson & Wales University, the world’s largest culinary educator. Many of the university's chefs remain in Providence after graduation, which is reflected in the city’s much-lauded dining scene. Just an hour from Boston and three hours from New York City, Providence is both easy to get to and easy to get around in. Start planning your visit at www.GoProvidence.com!

Roger Williams Park Zoo
1000 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
Phone: 401-785-3510

From the arctic to our own backyard

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Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to well over 100 species of rare and fascinating animals from around the world including elephants, giraffes, snow leopards, kangaroos, moon bears, gibbons and many others, all in naturalistic settings. The Zoo is open year ‘round, with special events scheduled throughout the year. Visit our link or call for more information.

Warwick Office of Tourism
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Phone: 401-738-2000

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Rich with American history, everlasting seaside charm and contemporary travel & shopping convenience away from the busy streets of Boston, the City of Warwick is the ideal destination for all.
Hundreds of specialty shops and discount stores, plus two malls housing major department stores, famous retail shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques line the city's stretch of Route 2, a four-lane thoroughfare which has become known as Rhode Island's "Miracle Mile of Shopping." For water recreation enthusiasts, Warwick's 39 miles of coastline along Narragansett Bay provides ample opportunities for boating. Greenwich Bay and Warwick Neck are dotted with marinas; beach and boating access is also available at Goddard State Park.
Warwick's central location and easy access to most of Rhode Island's major roadways has led to its nickname, the "Crossroads of Rhode Island." Warwick is also the home of Green Airport, the gateway to Rhode Island for millions of visitors every year.

SOUTH COUNTY top of listings

Misquamicut Business Association
Misquamicut Beach
Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: 401-596-9441
Toll-Free: 877-622-2930

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Named by leading magazines as one of the great beach destinations, Rhode Island's Misquamicut Beach is the seaside resort for families and couples. With seven miles of ocean beach there's room aplenty for sunbathing to volleyball, and great surf for swimming. Misquamicut has a wide array of great restaurants, lodgings, and fun activities. The nightlife is the best to be found along the shoreline. Misquamicut beach is the ocean beach nearest to Mystic, Connecticut, and also is convenient to Newport and is just minutes from Interstate 95. For a summer getaway the way it should be--with a great beach, fun restaurants and nightlife, plenty of family activities, and comfortable lodgings--make Misquamicut Beach your destination.

Westerly/Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce
Misquamicut/Watch Hill/Historic Downtown
Westerly, RI
Phone: 401-596-7761

Enjoy the perfect family vacation with a visit to Westerly, RI. Discover Westerly's seven miles of beaches, including Misquamicut, a mecca of family fun and activities that include water slides, mini-golf, night clubs, and more. Explore the picturesque village of Watch Hill, a charming Victorian seaside resort with a lighthouse and famous flying horse carousel. Take a walking tour of historic downtown Westerly-Pawcatuck, a two-state downtown named one of the 12 Most Distincitve Destinations by the National Trust For Historic Preservation. You'll find a 14-acre park, quaint shops, superb restaurants, and a river walk. The area features six golf courses, 40 restaurants, more than 50 hotels and bed and breakfasts, and hundreds of retail shops just eight miles from Mystic, Connecticut, and 30 miles from Newport. Call today for a free Go Westerly Magazine.