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Rhode Island attractions guide vacationers to the heart of this quirky state

Rhode Island > State > Things to Do and See > Attractions

Rhode Island never comes up short for attractions. The largest assortment of historic places and landmarks in the country is here, as are nationally celebrated restaurants, seaside towns and resorts. In 2014, Providence was named the #1 City in the U.S. in Travel + Leisure’s Favorite Cities poll for its hotels, food and culture. Discover spectacular beaches, farms and vineyards, nature preserves, and beautiful gardens. Take a riverboat tour on the very river – the Blackstone -- that spun the first mill into operation in the U.S., and stop in at the America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Newport.

WaterFire-Providence-credit--Barnaby-Evans
People in Vines - Newport Vineyards - Middletown, RI - Photo Credit Annabelle Henderson Photography
Newport Vineyards

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

Enjoy a vineyard tour followed by special tasting of their delightful wines & beers

Here’s a combination not to be missed: tasting some of Rhode Island’s most delightful wines or beers, looking out over a sea of grape vines – and learning a little something in the process. At Newport Vineyards, an expert guide will conduct your winery tour, walking you through the grape-growing and wine-making process from budding to bottling. The tour is followed by a tasting, in a private tasting bar, of your choice of 4 wines or beers from over two-dozen wines. It’s like getting up close and personal to a touch of Napa on 100 acres of preserved, scenic farmland just minutes from Newport. Afterward, you’ll want to visit the vineyard’s retail market to take some of what you’ve sampled home. Tours offered on select days & times. Tour reservations recommended.
Holiday Lights Rainforest - Roger Williams Park Zoo - Providence, RI
Roger Williams Park Zoo

1000 Elmwood Avenue Providence, RI, 02907 Phone: 401-785-3510

Amazing adventures await when you visit the animals, and go on the rides, at this zoo

There’s always an amazing adventure to be had at the Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village. Watch elephants swimming in a waterhole (or getting a bath in the elephant and giraffe pavilion). Journey to the Amazon rainforest and interact with the hyacinth macaws inside the free-flight aviary. Watch giant anteaters playing in a pool, discover the secretive snow leopard, or see bison grazing. And walk among the farm animals in the Alex and Ani Farmyard Contact Yard. The zoo also is home to the exhilarating Soaring Eagle zip ride and the Woodlands Explorer train excursion, as well as Hasbro’s Our Big Backyard, and a nature play space. Have a made-to-order salad at Nourish 410, a burger at Tuskers or pizza at Slice.
Daffodils - Newport County Chamber of Commerce - Newport, RI
Newport County Chamber of Commerce

35 Valley Road Middletown, RI, 02842 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.
Blackstone Valley Explorer Riverboat Tours

Departs from Central Fall landing, 45 Madeira Avenue Central Falls, RI Phone: 401-724-2200

The Blackstone Valley Explorer is a 40-passenger riverboat, the only one of its kind on the Blackstone River. Since 1993, when the boat cruises began, 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. 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. Public tours held on Sunday afternoons from early May to mid-October. Private charters also available by advance appointment.
Crescent Park Carousel

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

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.
Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame

1 Burnside Street Bristol, RI, 02809 Phone: 401-253-5000

The museum and 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 produced the world's finest yachts on the cutting edge of design and engineering. This Rhode Island museum's collection includes 60 original Herreshoff boats, steam engines, artifacts, and photographs from the Golden Age of Yachting.
Hours: April 26-November 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; other times of year by appointment.
Admission: Adults, $10; seniors over age 65, $8; military, $8, youth over age 10, $5.
Information: www.herreshoff.org/
Go Providence

10 Memorial Boulevard Providence, RI, 02903 Phone: 401-456-0200

Providence - The Creative Capitol

Providence, RI is known for its vibrant culinary, and arts and culture scenes. The RISD Museum is home to nearly 100,000 works of art ranging from the ancient to the avant-garde. Theater lovers will want to see a show at the beautifully gilded Providence Performing Arts Center or at the Tony Award-winning Trinity Rep. One of the city's most popular events, WaterFire, is a multisensory art installation highlighted by a series of bonfires installed on the three rivers of downtown Providence. Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village has delighted generations of visitors and The BankNewport City Center boasts ice skating in the heart of downtown. For more things to do in Providence, RI, visit GoProvidence.com.
Slater Memorial Park Carousel - Pawtucket, RI
Slater Memorial Park Carousel

Newport Avenue (Route 1A) Pawtucket, RI, 02861 Phone: 401-728-0500

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 Looffs work.
Hours: The carousel is temporarily closed. Please call for updated information.
Coggeshall Farm Museum

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

This is a 35-acre colonial farm, established in 1750. This Rhode Island museum features rare breeds of livestock, a barn, cooling house, blacksmith, and springhouse, making it a great thing to do with kids for a family activity on vacation.
Hours: Year-round, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $5; children, $3.
Information: www.coggeshallfarm.org.
Fire Museum

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

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.
Charles W. Greene Museum

Main Street Warren, RI, 02885 Phone: 401-245-7686

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.