From sun-soaked beaches and historic inns to jazz clubs and artisan doughnut shops, the best places to visit in Rhode Island are packed with charm, flavor, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re craving a seaside lobster roll, sipping wine on a vineyard terrace, or soaking up live music with an ocean breeze in your hair, this handpicked collection—curated by Yankee editors—celebrates the Ocean State’s must-visit destinations for 2025. Dive into the local scene and discover the food, stays, and adventures that make Rhode Island a small state with big appeal.

Best Places to Visit in Rhode Island | 2025 Editors’ Picks

2025 Best Rhode Island Hotels

Best Coastal B&B: Sea Breeze Block Island, Block Island

You can visit Block Island, or you can be immersed. If the latter is what you’re after, Sea Breeze is the place to stay. A quick veer off a main road, and you’ve arrived at the compound of small cottages, artfully decorated and nestled among gardens with an Atlantic Ocean backdrop. A chef-cooked breakfast is delivered each morning by picnic basket.

Best Luxury B&B: Margin Street Inn, Westerly

The simplicity-loving Quakers who built the 19th-century Greek Revival and Colonial Revival mansions that make up this luxurious inn might raise an eyebrow if they could see what their former homes have become. But modern guests revel in the beautifully styled common spaces, the spacious suites outfitted with Matouk and Ralph Lauren linens, the morning reveal of artist and innkeeper Sarah Cooper’s ever-changing frittatas, and the landscape adorned with heritage trees and historic outbuildings. Downtown is a pleasant 0.8-mile walk along the Pawcatuck River.

2025 Best Rhode Island Dining

Best Beach Bar: Ocean Mist, Wakefield

You can’t get much closer to the water than this local institution perched directly above the shoreline, where waves roll under the wooden deck. And in such an intimate venue, you can’t get much closer to the entertainment, which is part of why many consider Ocean Mist to be the best live-music spot in Rhode Island. Utterly unpretentious, full of sun-browned characters, and boasting an impressive weekly lineup of rock, reggae, and blues bands, the Mist is also the rare beach bar where breakfast is more than a hangover cure—the food is excellent.

Best Coffee Shop: Rise ‘N Shine Coffee Bar, Providence

Rise ‘N Shine is a sweet side-street surprise. Housed in a historic carriage house, this IYKYK gathering place serves locally roasted coffee, pretty lattes, and fresh pastries with a side of Wi-Fi. Owner Neal Kaplan has outfitted the picture-perfect space with comfy seating, newspapers at the ready, and a footwear-centric theme that pays soulful homage to his cobbler great-grandfather and the building’s former life as a shoe shop.

Best Comfort Food: Ye Olde English Fish & Chips, Woonsocket

Woonsocket may be famed as Rhode Island’s center of French Canadian culture—Acadian immigrants once worked the city’s textile mills—but this bastion of British comfort food is perhaps Woony’s best-known eatery. Founded by émigrés from Yorkshire in 1922, the no-frills restaurant remains true to the recipe carried across the pond more than a century ago, other than replacing lard with vegetable oil for frying. The fish is local, the golden chips sliced in-house, the food savory and delicious—just like in ye good olde days. 401-762-3637

Best Doughnuts: Knead Doughnuts, Providence and Westerly

There are doughnuts that are cheaper by the dozen, doughnuts that are mixed-media works of art, and then there are Knead Doughnuts: classics worth their weight in gold. Look for the varieties made of brioche dough, a recipe of fresh yeast, butter, and real vanilla bean, fermented for 24 hours for maximum flavor. The Jelly is a masterpiece of hand-rolled brioche filled with seasonal jam and tossed in granulated sugar. “Knead” we say more?

Best Game-Time Grub: Boon Street Market, Narragansett

A cavernous former train depot situated along the Narragansett Pier has quickly become this seaside town’s hottest social stop since opening last summer. Part food hall, part indoor-outdoor bar, Boon Street Market readily switches from an affable summer hangout to a lively sports bar when games are on. What remains constant is the quartet of fast-casual dining options: Mexican, Italian, a burger and barbecue joint, and a noodle bar.

Best Ice Cream: Brickley’s Homemade Ice Cream, Wakefield

When an eatery can be spotted by its long line of customers, it’s a safe bet that folks know its offerings are worth the wait. Such is the case at Brickley’s, a family-owned ice cream shop serving up more than 45 flavors of homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbets, and sorbets from a window on Main Street. Adding to the allure is the intoxicating aroma of waffle cones baked on-site.

Best Inland Outdoor Dining: The Tree House Tavern & Bistro, Warwick

A bit off the radar (yet a 10-minute drive from T.F. Green Airport), this hidden gem features a perennially scrumptious seasonal menu with a dedicated tea menu and Instagram-worthy desserts presented in tantalizing fashion. The interior is lovely, but plan ahead to dine in the gardens—a magical spot aglow with lanterns hanging from trees—the kind of setting that could only be dreamed up by a mother-son florist team turned restaurateurs.

Best Seaside Outdoor Dining: The Lobster Bar, Newport

Heading to Bowen’s Wharf is a must-do when visiting the City by the Sea, but be sure to venture all the way to the end or you’ll miss The Lobster Bar. At this expansive, indoor-outdoor restaurant, you’ll discover a jovial atmosphere, friendly staff, and 180-degree views of the harbor. The menu offers something for everyone (even landlubbers) and earns bonus points for its flights of mini lobster rolls: traditional, naked, and fried.

Best Vineyard: Sakonnet Vineyard, Little Compton

New England’s oldest vineyard makes its home in Little Compton, but it’s hardly a stodgy institution. New stewards James Davids and Marissa Stashenko have made mindful updates to the property, along with launching new wines and a new menu. Beyond light bites such as flatbreads and charcuterie, recent offerings include lobster rolls, roasted chicken, and cookies. Situated on 169 acres, it’s a beautiful place for a taste of the Farm Coast.

2025 Best Rhode Island Attractions

Best Body & Bath Boutique: Beauty and the Bath, Wickford

Part of North Kingstown (which just celebrated its 350th), the village of Wickford is as picturesque as can be. Built around a natural harbor, it boasts one of the largest collections of 18th-century architecture and a thriving shop-small community. Among its merchant-boosters is Lori Lyons, longtime owner of Beauty and the Bath. Her cheerful shop is replete with sleepwear, gifts, and bath and body products in scents that range from luxe to local (e.g., Rhody fave Del’s Lemonade).

Best Community Arts Venue: The United Theatre, Westerly

This 1926 theater hasn’t just been renovated—it’s been transformed. Three screening rooms, a black-box theater, and other performance and display spaces occupy the restored vaudeville venue as well as the long-shuttered Montgomery Ward department store next door. Visitors can catch a movie, hear a band, attend a lecture, browse an art gallery, or pose in a yoga class.

Best Guided Adventure: Rhode Island Lighthouse and Newport Harbor Tour, North Kingstown

It doesn’t get more Ocean State than this 90-minute cruise. Listening to narration by a historian who delivers information with the panache of a TV journalist, you’ll pass by 10 historic beacons and lesser-known small islands. Journey under the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, see the house built on a rock known as Clingstone, and take in views of rolling lawns behind grand mansions.

Best Jazz Venue: Courtland Club, Providence

On Sunday nights, jazz heats up a former bakery on Federal Hill. Circa-1920 ovens still occupy the wall behind the stage, but the club’s “New England tropical” food is 21st-century hip. The unmarked entrance at 51 Courtland Street conveys a speakeasy vibe: Be brave, walk in, and you’ll be welcomed with a knowing wink from the eclectic crowd of regulars bent over craft cocktails and nodding to the groove.

Best New Family Attraction: Harmony Railway & Gift Shop, Chepachet

It’s no accident this gift shop on Putnam Pike resembles an old railroad station: The front porch doubles as the depot for a diesel-powered miniature train that runs around a half-mile track for the amusement of visitors as well as the satisfaction of retired-firefighter-turned-conductor Russ Gross. The ride ends back at a well-curated shop full of local crafts, farm-raised honey, soaps and lotions, and plenty of train-related swag.

Best Public Art: The Avenue Concept, Providence

Providence’s reputation as Rhode Island’s cultural capital is written all over the city’s walls: Nearly 50 monumental murals enliven old red-brick buildings, with themes ranging from simple (fish, flowers, pets) to whimsical (an angel-wing selfie wall) to meaningful (Gaia’s “Still Here,” which depicts Narragansett artist Lynsea Montanari and nods to the state’s extant Native American population). The nonprofit Avenue Concept facilitates self-guided tours of the city’s public art with a free mobile app.

Best Summer Apparel: Three Islands, Watch Hill

The Westerly neighborhood of Watch Hill is like a mini Chatham. Within a brief stretch, there’s a candy store, an ice cream parlor, restaurants, and boutiques including Three Islands. Founded by cousins Justin Goff and Phil Barney, who became smitten with all things Bali while on a surfing trip, the clothing brand’s seasonal flagship is where you can find “a little sunshine for your closet,” made from hand-screened batik.

Best Summer Theater: Theatre by the Sea, Wakefield

In Wakefield, summers at the shore have meant show tunes as well as sno-cones since 1933, when Theatre by the Sea opened in an old barn on Cards Pond Road. The footlights of this rustic summer-stock stage once drew such luminaries as Mae West and Marlon Brando. Saved from extinction more than once, the theater now offers a four-show run of summer musical staples like Hairspray; arrive early for cocktails in the shady courtyard before the curtain goes up.

Best Urban Green Space: Providence River Parks, Providence

Begun in 1994 with the opening of Waterplace Park and the Providence Riverwalk, then greatly enhanced by the river-spanning Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge in 2019, the necklace of parks girding Providence’s downtown rivers is finally complete. The opening of 195 District Park on the Providence River’s west side six years ago and the addition of Point Street Park in 2023 allow unfettered strolls from the heart of downtown to the mouth of Narragansett Bay.

Honorees were selected by Yankee editors with contributions from Elyse Major, a Rhode Island–based journalist and editor in chief at Hey Rhody Media Co.; and Bob Curley, prolific freelancer and author of books on Rhode Island and Caribbean travel.

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RHODE ISLAND CLASSIC DINING

DINER
Jigger’s Diner, East Greenwich

Shoehorned between larger buildings on East Greenwich’s scenic Main Street, this baby-blue Worcester diner car has been lovingly restored. All-day-breakfast and lunch dishes here have distinctly Rhode Island touches. Try the cornmeal johnnycakes or one of the dozen-each versions of eggs Benedict and omelets. Meaty torpedo sandwiches are daily lunchtime specials, along with healthy salads. Rhode Island coffee milk is the beverage of choice. jiggersdiner.com

ITALIAN
Angelo’s, Providence

Owned by the same extended family from the beginning, this classic red-sauce restaurant celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2024. Angelo’s prides itself on being the “workingman’s” Italian eatery, serving basic fare at affordable prices. Start with the unique meatballs-and-fries combo, introduced during the Great Depression to give customers a little extra starch in their diets. The main show features endless combinations of pastas and sauces, plus traditional favorites such as braciola and stewed veal with peppers. angelosri.com

PORTUGUESE
O Dinis, East Providence

A top gathering spot for East Providence’s Portuguese-American community (and those in the know), this neighborhood eatery is worth a detour. Experience authentic Portuguese cuisine like steamed littleneck clams in white wine and garlic, spicy chouriço sausage, grilled salted cod, and pan-seared sirloin steak in a beer and garlic sauce. Monday-night patrons are serenaded by Portuguese crooners, singing songs from the old country. odinisrestaurant.com 

SEAFOOD SHACK
Evelyn’s Drive-In, Tiverton

There are two compelling reasons to visit this enduring Rhody food stand: its authentic eastern Rhode Island seafood and the tranquility of Nanaquaket Pond. Evelyn’s has been offering both since 1969. Start with broth-based Rhode Island clam chowder and puffy clam cakes. Then move on to a plate of deep-fried clams or calamari. For those feeling adventurous, there’s lobster chow mein, an Evelyn’s original. Sunsets on the water are a better finale than dessert. evelynsdrivein.com

RHODE ISLAND CLASSIC LODGING

FAMILY RESORT
Newport Harbor Island Resort, Newport

Newport’s most prominent hotel has lived several lives, and it’s being reborn again this year thanks to a $50 million makeover that showcases local artists. Rooms and public spaces are freshly dressed in organic materials and a subdued, floral-inspired color palette. You’ll also find a newly launched restaurant that recalls Goat Island’s past as a center for manufacturing torpedoes for the U.S. Navy—helping to restore a sense of place to a resort that’s just a short bridge away from one of America’s most historic seaports. newportharborisland.com

GRAND HOTEL
Ocean House, Watch Hill

There will always be echoes of 1868 at this lemon drop–colored Victorian overlooking the tumbling sea. But since the historic hotel was rebuilt in 2010, it’s achieved a level of modern luxury unequaled in New England. Yes, it costs a pretty penny to stay, particularly during the summer high season, when beach cabanas, yachting adventures, and rounds of croquet are on offer. But you don’t need a room key to nab a table on the veranda for drinks and local oysters. Just toss on a swishy sundress or crisp slacks, and go live the life. oceanhouseri.com

HISTORIC INN
General Stanton Inn, Charlestown

After nearly three centuries of feeding and sheltering travelers along the Boston Post Road—including George Washington and some other guests who supposedly stuck around as ghosts—the General Stanton Inn was feeling its age by the time history-loving husband-and-wife team David and Jackie Moore bought the landmark. Before reopening in 2022, they trimmed down to 14 guest rooms and added niceties like air conditioning and private baths while retaining ceiling beams and other 18th-century elements. The attached tavern, refocused on locally sourced seafood, was named a top South County restaurant within a year of its debut. thegeneralstantoninn.com

RHODE ISLAND CLASSIC ACTIVITIES

BEACH
Misquamicut Beach, Westerly

Three miles of soft sand and a moderate offshore break for bodysurfing are the draws: Many ocean lovers take up residence for a night, week, or month in modest oceanfront hotels and vacation rentals within a wagon tote of the shore. Seafood restaurants, beach bars, and music venues like the Windjammer and Paddy’s, plus an old-school amusement park, round out the quirky scene, along with a full calendar of events that includes drive-in movies, classic car shows, a free concert series, and full-blown festivals to open and close the summer season. misquamicut.org

FREE ATTRACTION
WaterFire, Providence

The Capital Center district has literally grown up around WaterFire since Barnaby Evans staged his first fiery art installation 30 years ago. Providence Place Mall, residential high-rises, and restaurants have risen along the rivers and cove basin where dozens of bonfires flicker on select “lighting” nights, accompanied by an ethereal musical score. There’s no charge to immerse yourself in the romance of it, but you may want to splurge on a tour by gondola or flat-bottomed boat, or support local food and craft vendors. waterfire.org

HISTORIC STROLL
North Burial Ground, Providence

For more than 300 years, thousands of people from all walks of life have been interred at this 110-acre resting place set in the undulating hills north of downtown Providence. There are dozens of pathways meandering through the grounds, ideal for invigorating, enlightening strolls among a vast array of tombstones and other monuments. Events and tours occur throughout the year, bringing a hallowed public property to life and stirring inspiration from those who came before us. providenceri.gov/parks/north-burial-ground

2024 Best of Rhode Island: New & Buzzy

RHODE ISLAND NEW & BUZZY DINING

BAR
Myrtle, East Providence

This funky neighborhood bar opened its doors last fall and has been a godsend to locals and out-of-towners alike. Myrtle is equal parts watering hole, music venue, and thrift shop—all passions of the owners, who blend the three businesses under one roof. The bar specializes in serving locally made spirits and Portuguese wines; there is live jazz, rock, or folk music nearly every night; and a side room is loaded with vintage garb for sale. givemyrtle.com

COFFEE HOUSE
Audrey’s Coffee House and Lounge, South Kingstown

Check out Audrey’s if you like your latte served with a side of romance and reality TV. Owners Jared Haibon (a Rhode Island native) and Ashley Iaconetti (who has 1.2 million Instagram followers) met on season 2 of Bachelor in Paradise, fell in love, married, had kids, and opened Audrey’s together in 2021. As you might expect, the branding, social media, and viewing-party game at this bright and inviting gathering space are all on point, but you don’t have to be a celebrity stalker to appreciate the big menu of hot and cold coffee drinks, served alongside breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Evening’s “After the Final Rose” menu features cocktails, charcuterie, and flatbreads. audreysri.com

DELI
Maven’s Delicatessen, Pawtucket

This newcomer wows with authentic Jewish food and a true deli atmosphere. The long, cavernous room is lined on one side with tables and booths for noshing and on the other by a deli counter stocked with meats, salads, and baked goods, including bialys and several types of bagels. The cured corned beef and pastrami, latkes, matzo ball soup, and homemade kugel complete the full-on New York–style deli experience. mavensdeli.com

FRENCH POLYNESIAN
The Kitchen @ Surf Shack, Narragansett

A native of Côte d’Ivoire and graduate of Rhode Island’s own Johnson & Wales culinary school, chef Momo Camara has burst onto the scene with a sneakily sophisticated menu that’s not what you would expect at a beach shack that’s also a six-room B&B. As you sip a frothy purple cocktail (that’s ube extract giving the coconut cream and tequila a summery hue), agree to share an assortment of small and main plates with your surfboard-shaped-table mates. Polynesian-inspired head-on prawns, local clams tossed with udon noodles and spicy Szechuan chili sauce, and a Japanese take on mussels frites are a good place to start. surfshacknarragansett.com

RHODE ISLAND NEW & BUZZY LODGING

VINEYARD B&B
Shepherd’s Run, South Kingstown

Wake gently with the sun, and find breakfast bites almost too pretty to eat. Stretch by swimming laps or in yoga class. Wander through a walled garden or among the vines. Order a charcuterie tower and a flight of estate wines. Retreat to the softness of your room for a snooze. If it all sounds like a Tuscan villa escape, you’re not wrong (just about 4,000 miles off). This winery and 26-room destination inn awaits in South County, where beaches and seafood beckon, too. Stay in the gracious stone manor or in contemporary rooms fashioned out of a former girls’ boarding school. shepherds.run

RHODE ISLAND NEW & BUZZY ACTIVITIES

FAMILY ATTRACTION
Dragons & Mythical Creatures, Providence

This spring and summer, Roger Williams Park Zoo will be home to an amazing display of life-size animatronic creatures from myths around the world. Dragons from European and Asian folklore, as well as mermaids, squidlike krakens from Scandinavia, and other legendary creatures, come to life in this walk-through exhibit containing more than 60 luminescent beings. Step right up, buy a ticket (zoo admission not included), and prepare to be wowed by this entertaining, limited-run experience. rwpzoo.org/dragons

GROWN-UP FUN
Level99, Providence

This isn’t some ’80s shopping mall arcade. Located atop the Providence Place Mall, Level99 is an escape room on steroids with 50 teamwork-oriented mental and physical challenges with distinct themes. The difficulty level is set just high enough to keep you coming back until you solve them all. Some are straight brainteasers, while others include elements of ropes courses and obstacle course races, such as dodging a swinging set of cartoony giant axes. The biggest surprise? Excellent food and local beer at Night Shift Kitchen & Tap, including some of the best Detroit-style pizza east of the Motor City. (In Massachusetts? There’s a Level99 at the Natick Mall.) level99.com

MUSIC VENUE
In Your Ear, Warren

Owner Chris Zingg’s record store, founded in Providence in 1985 and relocated to Warren’s Market Street in 2008, is still a hit with audiophiles. Bin divers now have a second vast collection of new, used, and collectible LPs and CDs to browse at the new In Your Ear on Child Street, where there’s also a bar and restaurant offering live music and, when bands aren’t playing, a chance to spin your newly acquired vinyl on the sound system. A pending 180-seat theater promises to add to the aural ecstasy. iye.com

PUBLIC ART
Trolls at Ninigret Park, Charlestown

Famed Danish artist and environmentalist Thomas Dambo is set to install two of his beloved troll sculptures in scenic Ninigret Park just in time for summer visitors. These much-larger-than-life figures bring a sense of whimsy and wonder to Rhode Island for all to see, free of charge, anytime the park is open. Dambo makes his sculptures out of reclaimed natural materials and uses local volunteers to help build them and give them local character. southcountyri.com

2024 Spotlight: Summer Weekend in Newport, Rhode Island | Travel Guide

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Summer days in the city by the sea are a tonic you’ll wish you could bottle and drink up. Squeeze in as many of these can’t-go-wrong experiences as you can.

WATERFRONT HOTEL
The Brenton Hotel, Newport

Like a ship perched at the edge of possibility, the Brenton sits at the gateway to Newport’s bustling wharves and historic neighborhoods, making it the ideal base for a car-free vacation. Rooms are generously sized, and the best look out at pleasure boats in the harbor. The dreamiest views, though, are reserved for everyone: Just head to the rooftop bar for a citrusy cocktail. brentonhotel.com

HISTORIC HOTEL
The Vanderbilt, Newport

Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt’s 1909 mansion, later Newport’s YMCA, has been a hotel since the ’90s, but it’s only been this fabulous and photogenic since a top-to-bottom renovation in 2022. Book a stay for access to indoor and courtyard pools, spa treatments, and experiences like a scrimshaw class or tea leaf reading. Or pop in for drinks and oysters—or a memorable meal—in settings that exude grandeur. aubergeresorts.com/vanderbilt

One thing you’ll notice on your first evening in town is there’s typically a breeze: This is America’s sailing capital. Didn’t pack an extra layer? Make a quick stop before dinner.

SHOP
Matriarch, Newport

Whether it’s “Cabernet and Equal Pay” or “Hot Girls Eat Bread,” you might as well sport an attitude when you need to toss a crewneck sweater over your outfit. This flagship brick-and-mortar store from Overseasoned has a feminist bent, but there’s plenty here for anyone who likes to cook. Or who’s raising young girls to be Ruth Bader Ginsburg–level strong and ambitious. matriarchri.com

As you walk north on Thames Street, other fun shops like the Black Dog General Store and Bite Me Bait will lure you in with sweatshirts and more. But don’t be late for your early dinner reservation.

WATERFRONT DINING
The Mooring, Newport

These tables are so close to the water you’ll hear it splash against the docks as you’re sipping fruity drinks and passing the lobster-shrimp fritters. The Mooring’s 40-plus-year presence reflects Newport Restaurant Group’s focus on food and experience. You’ll taste it in the fresh, locally sourced fare from land and sea and feel it in the genuine service provided by team members, most of whom are employee-owners. mooringrestaurant.com

TOUR
Ghosts of Newport, Newport

For after-dinner “boos,” step into the night on a spine-tingling tour with a theatrical, lantern-toting guide. On a 90-minute Olde Town Ghost Walk, you’ll tread through cemeteries, stroll the city’s creepiest street, and take your best shot at capturing a ghost image with your phone camera. The ghosts of Newport aren’t camera-shy, and their stories will stay with you long after your tour. ghostsofnewport.com

Wake early for a visit to the grandest of Newport’s mansions, which has been having a star turn in HBO’s The Gilded Age series, followed by a lunch at one of the city’s newest eateries.

HISTORIC SITE
The Breakers, Newport

Self-guided audio tours, available in five languages, feature a variety of perspectives: You’ll hear from Vanderbilt family members and immigrant staff who kept this 70-room palace and its oceanfront grounds flawless. Want a deeper dive? Book the guided underground tour “Beneath The Breakers” to see how stuff worked. newportmansions.org/mansions-and-gardens/the-breakers

PIZZA
Mother Pizzeria, Newport

Opened in 2023, Mother slices a unique niche for itself with a sourdough crust (that’s the “mother”), quality toppings (the Notorious F.I.G., capped with figs and prosciutto, is a summer favorite), and a bar serving small-production Italian wines and craft cocktails. The bartenders here love a challenge—prompt them with an ingredient or two, and they’ll create a drink to match your personal tastes and whatever’s on your plate. motherpizzeria.com

On a blue-sky summer afternoon, be sure to get out on the water. An island jaunt will whet your appetite for a stellar dinner.

LIGHTHOUSE
Rose Island Lighthouse, Newport

Experienced paddlers can reach Rose Island in a kayak or canoe, but most travelers eager to collect a U.S. Lighthouse Society Passport stamp hop aboard the Jamestown Newport Ferry. Once ashore, there’s more than the 1870 light tower and museum to explore. Learn about the island’s military history, stretching back to 1780, on a tour of the Fort Hamilton barracks. After August 15, when bird-nesting season concludes, you can walk the island’s entire perimeter and trails that probe the interior refuge. A few hours here will convince you to return for an overnight stay. roseisland.org

FARM-TO-TABLE DINING
Newport Vineyards, Middletown

A 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist for the Northeast’s best chef, Andy Teixeira is a food artisan who puts his hands in the dirt, makes everything from scratch, relishes the simplicity of early New England cooking methods, and imparts his passion to those working in his three kitchens. With even more fresh produce since Newport Vineyards added greenhouses and growing fields to the estate, his ever-shifting menus offer a true taste of Rhode Island’s bounty. Teixeira is at his pinnacle during summer’s annual Fire Dinner: cooked over open flames, served among the vines. newportvineyards.com

Before departing, check out the eclectic shops and dining spots along Broadway, a district locals dub “six blocks of awesome.”

BREAKFAST
Humming Bird, Newport

On Saturdays and Sundays, Broadway’s destination for jerk chicken, red bean stew, and rasta pasta becomes the place to wake up your taste buds. Sip a honey-sweetened mango and passion fruit smoothie or pour coffee from your own pot while you wait for breakfast favorites like tropical pancakes, chicken and waffles, and egg-topped pork belly bowls. With every dish served on this island, Jamaican husband-and-wife team Dezna Bowen and Abraham Parkes honor their Caribbean homeland’s sunny disposition. hummingbirdnewport.com

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Some hotels are little more than a base camp: You check in, drop off your luggage, and you’re out the door. Then there are places like The Chanler at Cliff Walk, where you could completely confine yourself for the weekend and still feel as if you got away. The in-house restaurant might just be the best in town, while the guest quarters are spacious and steeped in lavish touches fit for a Vanderbilt (e.g., a “bath butler” who will draw the water for you and your loved one and complement the experience with rose petals, candles, and champagne). In a city famous for its over-the-top mansions, The Chanler offers the kind of opulence most of us rarely know.

Like the Newport mansions themselves, The Chanler traces its history back to the Gilded Age. Built in 1873 as a home for a prominent New York congressman and his wife, a member of the Astor family, it once welcomed such summer guests as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and President Theodore Roosevelt. After falling out of the family’s hands and undergoing a few different iterations, the property opened as a hotel in the 1940s, and since extensive renovations were completed by new owners in 2003, it has stood out as one of Newport’s most polished stays.

The Chanler is situated at the starting point of the Cliff Walk (it’s the only hotel on the city’s famous pathway), and everything about it is oriented toward the sea. The building sits on a perch above the water, and nearly all of its 20 rooms and villas offer ocean views … from a king-size bed … from a private deck … from a bathtub. There’s even the opportunity to sit by an outdoor fire and sip a hot toddy or mug of boozy hot chocolate as you watch the waves roll in on nearby Easton’s Beach.

Bestowed with names such as Louis XVI, English Tudor, and Regency, the guest rooms have the kinds of luxury elements that warm the soul on cold winter nights: private fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, whirlpool tubs for two. Stay in the Renaissance Room, for one, and you’ll immerse yourself in a large Italian-and-French-inspired space anchored by a four-poster king bed, an enormous walk-in shower, and more living space than some apartments. 

But the little things also matter, and to stay at The Chanler is to be awash in personal touches that make you feel taken care of. You’ll come to look forward to the small box of “bedtime chocolates” left on your pillow, and you’ll marvel at how the housekeeping service discreetly tidied up your dangling computer and phone cords with Velcro ties. All this can make returning to The Chanler from your Newport adventures—like strolling to those other mansions on the Cliff Walk—so much the sweeter. —Ian Aldrich

Nightly rate for typical room option: $475 winter vs. $1,025 summer. thechanler.com

The Chanler at Cliff Walk: Beyond the Lobby

BREAKFAST SPOT: Russell Morin Catering’s cuisine is the talk of Newport’s most exclusive parties. Not invited? Be wowed by the flavors—and affordable prices—at the company’s casual eatery, Cru Café, where breakfast is served all day and the menus are brightened by local ingredients. Don’t miss the Bellevue-blend coffee from Rhode Island’s Custom House Coffee artisanal roasters. Newport; crucafenewport.com

NATURE OUTING: New England’s most celebrated seaside pathway, the Newport Cliff Walk, is a 3½-mile trail that threads between Gilded Age mansions and the tumbling Atlantic. Much of the path is moderate; some is even easy. (Certain stretches do require basic caution, though, since erosion has taken a toll, and wet rocks in spots will require careful navigation.) The walk comes with gifts bestowed equally to all: waves scudding off rocks, boats skimming the water, and a camaraderie with fellow walkers who, like you, feel lucky to be there. Newport; cliffwalk.com

RETAIL THERAPY: From glassware etched with compass roses at the Newport Mansions Store to modern preppy clothing and accessories at Kiel James Patrick, you’ll be filling your bags with post-holiday presents for friends and family (and, OK, yourself) at the enticing shops clustered on Newport’s Bowen’s Wharf (bowenswharf.com) and nearby Bannister’s Wharf (bannistersnewport.com).

DINING PICK: What makes the classic New England–style chowder at The Mooring a standout? It’s perfectly creamy, spattered with paprika, and so loaded with potato cubes and tender, buttery bites of clam that your spoon faces a veritable obstacle course—in a word, perfection. But a dilemma awaits: Herby-sweet corn chowder swimming with scallops is also on offer, and it has just the right hint of lemon for dunking salty fritters embedded with lobster and shrimp. Newport; mooringrestaurant.com

CULTURE HIT: Book and library lovers will want to stop by the Redwood Library & Athenaeum, which is considered to be the oldest continuously running lending library in the country, founded in 1747. The architecture is so impressive that Thomas Jefferson himself is said to have used the library as a model for public buildings elsewhere in the young country. Newport; redwoodlibrary.org

DON’T-MISS STOP: Lose yourself in bygone luxury with a tour of one or more of the Newport Mansions, which include The Breakers and Marble House (both former residences of the Vanderbilt family), Rosecliff (based on the fabled French Grand Trianon at Versailles), and The Elms (a copy of a lavish French estate called Château d’Asnières). Newport; newportmansions.org

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by Kevin Koczwara

An old man sat on a bench and strummed a guitar, his case open in front of him for tips. A young boy’s mother coaxed him to go over to the man to get his picture taken. The man kept singing, kept strumming. Some of the crowd at the top of the 40 Steps, a landmark on the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island, walked past, their journey along this part of the 3½-mile path nearly finished as an exit point beckoned nearby. Parents held their children in the warm rays of summer. The little boy finally got close enough. The man turned his head to look at him as he sang. The child’s mother took the picture and laughed. 

My wife and I were just beginning our walk when we sat next to the man and his guitar. I had miscalculated our directions and missed the start of the Cliff Walk. We found our way to the 40 Steps, which once led right down to the water, and walked down the steps onto the rocks at the end. Families congregated there, and selfie sticks came out for pictures. We ate our packed lunches while watching the waves lapping against the rocks. The steps make a natural end point for many people, a safe place to leave the walk before the footing turns dicey. After the 40 Steps, the lavish 19th-century mansion known as The Breakers is the next spot to leave before the Cliff Walk transforms from a leisurely stroll with a few challenging moments into more of a rock-climbing adventure.

The cliffs of Newport differ from other famous cliffs, though, like those of Dover or Moher. They don’t feel like the ends of the earth the way the others do. The Cliff Walk inspires a different kind of infatuation and sense of awe. It offers the ability to peer into the American dream of wealth and power—of owning a home so large that it could live only on a cliff’s edge.

Founded in 1639, Newport began its transformation into a vacation spot for the well-to-do in the 1800s. The wealthiest families from Boston, New York City, and Baltimore started building their summer “cottages” here in the 1850s. When the Gilded Age arrived, Newport became where the one-percenters built their second homes, secluding themselves from the busy beaches filled with the workers who lived closer to the factories.

As it took shape in the 1880s, the Cliff Walk—a public right-of-way over private property, including some of Newport’s oldest and grandest estates—gave people whose view of the ocean had been blocked by the mansions not only access to vistas of crashing waves, but also a way to peek into a hidden world.

Storms have taken their toll on the Cliff Walk, though. For more than a year there’s been a detour off Narragansett Avenue due to damage—and not for the first time. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 caused closures and cost some $5.2 million in repairs. Before that, the path needed rebuilding after the Hurricane of ’38 washed much of it away. The path now has more railings and a more family-friendly vibe to it, thanks to the improvements. 

As we walked, the concrete path became a jetty for a time, and then just a direction along some large rocks. When we reached The Breakers, my wife climbed down 

the side of the wall and onto the rocks below. She explored the pools. Waves crashed nearby. While the crowd above bustled past, we felt the ocean spray, the thing that brought vacationers to Newport in the first place. 

We ventured farther along the trail and became more and more alone. The wind picked up and cooled us from the more strenuous climbs. The rocks became more interesting, more open and accessible. There were pools with algae and seaweed. As the landscape opened, we also saw more “Private Property” signs; the homes somehow felt bigger, and bolder, the farther we got from downtown.

Near the finale of our walk, the path lost its ocean view as vegetation on both sides connected, making it feel like a secret passage in a children’s story. We came out near a beach with only a few people on it. A sign read “Private.” We had arrived at Bailey’s Beach, a private beach club founded in the 1890s to give the elite some distance from the working class at nearby Easton’s Beach. When the wealthy families built homes along the cliff, they were deeded passes. 

Next to Bailey’s Beach there’s a small patch of sand called Rejects Beach. We walked onto it and took off our shoes. We dipped our feet into the ocean. The water, clear and blue, felt warmer than expected. We could see over to the private beach. We could dream, just as we can dream of living in the homes along the walk. It’s that perception that feeds us. We can’t have the homes, we won’t ever belong to the Bailey’s Beach club, but for generations the Cliff Walk, the easy and the hard, has been here for old men with guitars, young families, joggers, couples holding hands. Even as property owners at times have tried to put up obstacles, walkers continue striding by, inhaling the sea scent, listening to waves on rocks, a sound we hear better than anyone inside their palaces.

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Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, stands out among the Newport Mansions as a destination for families. And this summer, kids will go wild for a new flock of animal friends that has joined the property’s beloved green giants. Unlike the elephant, giraffe, lion, unicorn, and other animals carved out of California privet, English boxwood, and yew bushes, these creatures are made of LEGO bricks. And they’re more than just cool photo ops.

Artist Sean Kenney isn’t just out to wow and inspire young LEGO enthusiasts with his creations. He’s on a quest to make us think about the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Recognized as one of the world’s leading LEGO designers, Kenney’s chosen art medium is one that feels accessible to even the youngest aspiring creators. His “Nature Connects” installations, which have traveled to gardens, zoos, and science centers around the world for more than a decade, are meant to encourage viewers to contemplate their place in the natural ecosystem and to consider everyday habits they might change to protect animal habitats. The interconnection of little toy bricks serves as a metaphor for the way everything in nature is delicately intertwined.

Green Animals, the oldest and most northern topiary garden in the United States, is the only place in the Northeast to see Kenney’s elaborate LEGO animals this summer. They’ll be on view daily through September 10, 2023, and tickets can be purchased online. In addition to the 14 sculptures on display at Green Animals, Kenney’s Bonsai Tree is on exhibit inside the Welcome Center at The Breakers in Newport.

SEE MORE:
Best New England Garden Attractions
10 Best Things To Do in Rhode Island
Coastal Weekend Getaways in Newport, Rhode Island

Have you been to Green Animals? Share your experience below.

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With its dreamy combination of rolling fields and salty air, the Rhode Island Farm Coast is the perfect place to explore in summer. Starting in Newport and ending in Little Compton, this 28-mile jaunt is a welcome reminder of how special it is when the fruits of land and sea converge.

You’ll start from Newport, but if early caffeine is required, fuel up at Coffee Grinder, a beloved downtown spot for java and pastries. Then head north on Route 138 to Route 114 in Middletown, where Prescott Farm pays tribute to the region’s agricultural past. Stroll the gardens and admire the historic architecture, but mostly gaze up at the delightful 1812 Robert Sherman Windmill.

If you find “rides” as interesting as routes, a few minutes north is the Newport Car Museum in Portsmouth, home to nearly 100 autos in colorful galleries such as “American Muscle” and “Fin Cars.” After taking a little spin through history, follow Route 24 across the Sakonnet River Bridge, then take Route 77 into Tiverton. If you got a later start, it might be time for lunch, so pull over when you get to seafood favorite Evelyn’s Drive-In. Order the combo (four fluffy clam cakes and a bowl of clear-broth clam chowder), then grab an open picnic table and enjoy a classic Rhode Island pairing.

Continuing south, you’ll arrive at the Tiverton Four Corners Historic District, a stroll-worthy cluster of 18th- and 19th-century buildings housing more than two dozen shops, studios, and eateries. Browse for new indoor and outdoor treasures at Groundswell Garden + Home (they also operate the Parisian-inspired bakery-café on the opposite corner), or hunt for one-of-a-kind finds at Peter’s Attic or Carmen & Ginger Vintage Goods. Just make sure to end your visit at Gray’s Ice Cream, celebrating its centennial this year.

Leaving Tiverton, travel south to Little Compton, birthplace of the Rhode Island Red, a breed of chicken so popular it briefly led to Little Compton’s status as the “poultry capital of the world.” It’s also where you’ll find Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, where 30 of its 150 beautiful acres are cultivated for wine production. Stop to sample a flight in the tasting room, or settle in at a table on the lawn for al fresco sipping.

Dipping your toes in the ocean is the obvious way to end the day. Fifteen minutes of back roads brings you to Little Compton’s South Shore Beach, and if the initial stretch of sand doesn’t satisfy, a short trip across a shallow stream leads to the Goosewing Beach Preserve. Here, under the protection of the Nature Conservancy, nesting local birds thrive—and sparse crowds mean you can always find the perfect quiet spot to soak up the last golden rays of an ideal Farm Coast day.

Yankee‘s Favorite Places to Stop Along the Way

Coffee Grinder, Newport: Housed in the historic downtown Perry Mill, Coffee Grinder’s small-batch-roasted beans, authentic Italian espresso, and fresh-made pastries are a great way to start any day.

Prescott Farm, Middletown: Stretch your legs at this 40-acre tribute to Aquidneck Island’s rural past, operated by the Newport Restoration Foundation. The kitchen and herb gardens are lovely, but it’s the 1812 smock-style, four-vaned windmill that steals the show.

Newport Car Museum, Portsmouth: Opened in 2017 and filled with automotive wonders going back to the 1950s, the Newport Car Museum is a colorful celebration of style and speed.

Evelyn’s Drive-In, Tiverton: Overlooking Nanaquaket Pond, Evelyn’s has been satisfying seafood cravings since 1969. Don’t skip an order of clam cakes and Rhode Island’s signature clear-broth clam chowder.

Groundswell Garden + Home, Tiverton: The rooms in this former 18th-century home overflow with a dizzying array of curated wares, from pottery, soaps, and kitchen linens to terrariums and birdhouses.

Gray’s Ice Cream, Tiverton: Choose from homemade ice cream in more than 30 flavors at this venerable scoop shop. For the local experience, order a coffee ice cream cone or “cabinet,” Rhode Island–speak for frappe (which is New England–speak for milkshake).

Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, Little Compton: The many delicious white, red, rosé, and dessert wines that are produced at New England’s oldest vineyard go perfectly with basking in the warm summer sun. Hours are limited (noon–4 p.m. Friday through Monday), so plan accordingly.

South Shore Beach, Little Compton: This popular public beach boasts ample parking, sandy shores for sunbathing, and surfer-friendly waves.

Goosewing Beach Preserve, Little Compton: Part of the Nature Conservancy, this pristine 75-acre preserve is accessible only by foot through South Shore Beach, but it’s worth the extra effort. Stay on marked trails to protect the fragile nesting spots of local piping plovers and least terns.

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Your baby or your baby’s baby or your friend’s or neighbor’s baby is cute, for sure. But hands down, the most adorable little one in New England at the moment is Paia: a Matschie’s tree-kangaroo born at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence. In the wild, these endangered animals are found only in the mountainous cloud forests of the Huon Peninsula in northeastern Papua New Guinea. Hunting and habitat eradication from logging and mining have taken a grave toll, and there are estimated to be fewer than 2,500 adults of the species left on earth.

That makes Paia’s birth even more cause for celebration. Like their distant cousins in Australia, Matschie’s tree-kangaroos are marsupials, so Paia spent her first seven months in her mother Keweng’s pouch. Now, though, she’s growing up fast, trying new foods, and still taking the occasional pouch nap.

We checked in with the zoo’s director of marketing and PR, Vicki Scharfberg, for answers to our burning questions about baby tree-kangaroo Paia:

Q: When was Paia born, and can you tell us the PG-rated version of how she was conceived?

A: When Paia was born on June 27, 2022, she was the size of a lima bean and crawled blindly into mother Keweng’s pouch, where she continued to grow and nurse. Tree-kangaroos are marsupials, so a majority of their physical development occurs in the mother’s pouch. Tree-kangaroos are also mostly solitary, but mother/offspring pairs will form a strong bond until the offspring is old enough to take care of itself.

Morobe, Keweng’s male companion, was recommended by the tree-kangaroo Species Survival Plan (SSP). This pairing, and the birth of our little Paia, plays a significant role for the future of this endangered species. The zoo actively participates in the tree-kangaroo SSP, which focuses on breeding to ensure the survival of this endangered species.

Q: How was her name chosen, and what does it mean?

A:  Paia, which means fire, was named after her mom’s feisty personality.

Q: Just how rare is a baby Matschie’s tree-kangaroo?

A:  Matschie’s tree-kangaroos are an endangered species with an estimated wild population of less than 2,500 individuals (IUCN). Habitat destruction caused by logging and mining exploration is a danger to tree-kangaroo populations. Tree-kangaroos play an important role in the culture and diet of the indigenous people, and unsustainable hunting practices threaten the survival of tree-kangaroos.

Q: How quickly will she grow… i.e., how much longer will she be an adorable baby?

A: Tree-kangaroos are considered full-grown at about 18 months old.

Q: What is the best time of day when zoo visitors might see her active?

A: This species is most active in the morning, when they receive their breakfast, and around noon, when they receive their lunch. Though we cannot guarantee that guests will see Paia and mom Keweng, they are usually most visible on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Q: Are there any unique things you’ve observed about her or her bond with her mother?

A: Keweng is a first-time mom. She and her daughter Paia have a strong bond, and Keweng has been carefully tending to her little one.

Q: Any tips for visitors who want to snap a photo of this sweet baby?

A: Weekends tend to be the best days to visit and catch a glimpse of mom and baby. Stop by their habitat in the zoo’s World of Adaptations building first thing when the gates open, and you may see them munching on their breakfast full of fresh veggies and leaves. But it’s really up to them, not us!

SEE MORE:
5 Best Things to Do in Providence, Rhode Island
Guide to New England Zoos
Help New England’s Rescued Animals

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With an eye on what’s new for 2023, Yankee’s editors round up the best attractions, eateries, and hotels in top Rhode Island travel destinations. Headed to Block Island? Check out our spotlight guide to Block Island for the best things to do, best restaurants, and best places to stay while you’re there.

Editors’ Picks: Where to Eat and Drink in Rhode Island in 2023

Destination Brewery | Tilted Barn Brewery, Exeter

What started as a hops farm has blossomed into a beer lover’s paradise. Kara and Matt Richardson’s Tilted Barn farm recently started brewing its own, then built a massive, two-story tasting hall and brewery. Some 15 rotating home drafts are on tap. The grounds offer plenty of outdoor seating and several firepits. Food trucks stop by daily, offering a variety of beer-friendly victuals. The original tilted barn still stands on the farm in the distance. tiltedbarnbrewery.com

Food Hall | Plant City, Providence

The world’s first plant-based food hall comes courtesy of Maine native and vegan evangelist chef Matthew Kenney. There are four restaurant concepts in this 10,000-square-foot space, with pizza, burgers, sandwiches, smoothies, a coffee bar, a bakery, Mexican food, and a cocktail bar. It’s so minimalist and modern, with a lovely outdoor patio, you’ll forget all about the meat. Look for sister restaurant Plant CityX, complete with vegan drive-through, in Middletown.

Historic Restaurant | White Horse Tavern, Newport

Established in 1673, this is America’s oldest tavern. The gambrel roof, wide pine floors, and hearths breathe history, but the menu spans the centuries, with lobster bisque sharing menu space with beef Wellington, chili-glazed pork belly, and duck confit. Living large? The caviar service will have you feeling like a Gilded Age magnate.

Native American Cuisine | Sly Fox Den Too, Charlestown

“Indigenous Flavor Served Fresh!” declares James Beard–nominated chef-owner Sherry Pocknett, a member of the nearby Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. She mixes outstanding indigenous fare with traditional American dishes at her roadside breakfast-and-lunch spot in the heart of South County. Corn cakes, nausamp (yellow corn grits), succotash, venison, quahog chowder, and bison are just some of the Native American dishes that delight curious customers.

New Restaurant | Beech, Jamestown

Sure as the beech tree outside, which has sprawled roots and splayed branches for 150 years, this island hangout, formerly Trattoria Simpatico, came back last July with a new, year-round identity and reimagined indoor-outdoor spaces including the upstairs Tree House, perfect for private events. Chef-owner and Jamestown native Kevin Gaudreau, a Simpatico veteran, is wowing diners with seasonal menus focused on local seafood and fresh-made pastas. Scrumptious Saturday and Sunday brunch selections are surprisingly affordable.

Pizza | Pizza Marvin, Providence

James Beard–nominated chef-owner Robert Andreozzi has revolutionized pizza in Providence. His three-tiered Pizza Master electric oven churns out perfect pies with crispy, New Haven–style crusts. And the focaccia-square slices are nothing short of spectacular. Lots of locals stop in for carry-out, and there are tables inside and out for those who wish to stick around. Fresh-shucked littleneck clams and oysters are great starters, as are creatively crafted cocktails and beer.

Seafood Shack | Aunt Carrie’s, Narragansett

A day on Scarborough Beach, followed by chowder and clam cakes at Aunt Carrie’s, what could be better? Only a full meal of fried calamari or a lobster BLT on homemade bread, followed by a slice of blueberry pie from the on-site bakery. Since 1920, this family-run business has brought a from-scratch ethos to our favorite summer foods.

Vegan RESTAURANT | Foglia, Bristol

Chef-owner Pete Carvelli burst onto the Rhode Island restaurant scene last year, turning heads and palates as his vegan gem just off Main Street racked up loads of loyal diners and was named Best New Restaurant by Vegetarian Times. Pizzas, spaghettini, and farro-fennel sausage round out the inventive menu at this intimate café/bistro, deliciously showcasing Carvelli’s mission to create casual, creative plant-based fare palatable to vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike.

Editors’ Picks: Best Places to Stay in Rhode Island in 2023

Budget Stay with a View | The Shore House, Narragansett

For a beachy getaway that won’t break the bank, consider one of the more basic options at this hotel with diverse room types across three buildings, including several that are ADA-compliant. Get here before July or after Labor Day for the best deals. Even if you’re not springing for a room with an ocean view, you’ll see the sea from a veranda table at Sea Craft restaurant or an Adirondack chair on the lawn.

Green Hotel | Weekapaug Inn, Westerly

This Relais & Châteaux property pampers its guests as it protects its setting on lovely Quonochontaug Pond with vegetated buffers of native plants and erosion-fighting stone borders. Meanwhile, the resort’s geothermal heating and cooling system runs on a closed loop to avoid impacting the sensitive coastal environment. Plus, no food travels more than 155 miles to reach the property’s kitchens, and all scraps are composted and repurposed into soil for farms in the region.

Hotel Restaurant | Cara at The Chanler Hotel at Cliff Walk, Newport

The awe-inspiring sights abound at this Forbes Five-Star restaurant, from the sunset views of the neighboring Cliff Walk and Easton’s Beach to chef Jacob Jasinski’s extravagant five- and eight- (!) course dinners. Wines are curated nightly for each dish, drawn from a list recently recognized by Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.

Luxury Suite | Tower Suite at Ocean House, Watch Hill

With a polished spiral staircase and four levels to explore including a rooftop deck, you’ll feel atop the world yet anchored in the most splendid of seacoast settings. Fir paneling and a crow’s nest lend a ship-like aura, while Greenwich-based designer Cindy Rinfret’s graceful styling, in shades of sea and creamy clouds, takes a cue from ocean views. Stand by the slate fireplace, and you can see three states through arched windows.

New Hotel | The Beatrice, Providence

Somewhere, the late Beatrice DePasquale Temkin is smiling every time guests check into their swanky, apartment-style digs … every time they pick up this month’s book club read … and, certainly, when they clink glasses in the exclusive rooftop lounge or share pasta plates and mountains of glistening, chocolate-sauced gelato at Bellini. But hopefully, Providence’s long-reigning society queen, whose spirit imbues every facet of her namesake, not-quite-two-year-old hotel, averts her gaze when you discover your room’s heated toilet seat.

Pet Pampering | Paws on Pelham, Newport

In the heart of Newport, there’s only one B&B that takes dog-welcoming to extremes. With delightful doghouses or dog Murphy beds built into each of its 13 guest rooms, and canine-themed wall coverings and accent pieces all around, you and your pup or two will feel totally at home. Breakfast’s included for humans, and you’ll want to linger on the front porch or rooftop before setting out with dog-friendly sightseeing recommendations from the inn’s in-the-know team.

Editors’ Picks: Best Things to Do in Rhode Island in 2023

Animal Encounter | Breakfast with the Animals at Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence

Never mind whether you’ll load up your plate with scrambled eggs or pastries from the hot breakfast buffet. The real choice is whether to start your day with elephants, giant river otters, or a zebra and a wildebeest. No matter how you slice your bacon, you’ll have access to animals and inner zoo workings that’s denied to the typical visitor. Plus, you’ll be inside the gates before anyone else. Make reservations for select dates.

General Store | Groundswell Café + Bakery, Garden + Home, Table + Provisions, Tiverton

Designer David Fierabend and his husband, John McDowell, have taken the mid-1870s general store and two antique houses at Tiverton Four Corners and created a new style of multipurpose shopping and dining destination that is highly Instagrammable. Duck behind the general store turned Parisian café for snaps in the flowery meadow before ordering cream-filled seasonal croissants; then scoop up eye-pleasing goods for gardening, decorating, and entertaining with joie de vivre.

Ghost Tour | Providence Ghost Tour, Providence

Clutch your lantern and tread carefully the cobblestoned streets Edgar Allen Poe once walked as your guide spins tales of specters whose business remains unfinished. For an even more thrilling night, sign on to assist with a paranormal investigation. Or book a ghost tour afloat, offered in collaboration with Providence River Boat Company or La Gondola Providence, and meet an entirely different cast of spooks.

Mountain Biking Spot | Woody Hill, Bradford

It’s been five years since the first 20 miles of sustainable trails were etched across four preserved parcels by local mountain bikers. Now 71 trails, all named after local craft brews, offer 33 miles of pure exhilaration for riders. There are wide, flowy trails for novices; flat, single-track options for speed lovers; and advanced trails with big technical features for those who really want to earn their Hobbit Juice (at Beer’d Brewing, just across the Connecticut state line).

New Attraction | Cape Verdean Museum, Pawtucket

At roughly four times its previous size, the country’s only museum devoted solely to the history and culture of Cape Verdeans now shares even more previously untold stories through imagery, artifacts, pop-up exhibitions, and events. Among the first African people to immigrate to America, Cape Verdeans were whalers, shipbuilders, and cranberry harvesters. Celebrating Cape Verdeans’ legacy throughout their diaspora is a passion-fueled endeavor for the museum’s all-volunteer team. Your visit’s an opportunity to relate to the universals that connect immigrants past and present.

Stargazing Spot | Ladd Observatory, Providence

Public open nights are a Tuesday tradition at Brown University’s landmark observatory, which has been altered little since 1891. Snag free tickets online and embark on a celestial journey nearly identical to the one experienced by 19th-century observers who peered through the same telescope. We know so much more now than we did then, yet you’ll still feel a chill of wonder and mystery.

Used Bookstore | Arc{hive} Book + Snackery, Warren

Choose an intriguing read and a comfortable seat inside this literary salon dressed in glossy woods and warm shades of pine and spicy mustard. Now, pair that mystery with a martini and locally farmed mushroom toast, or that juicy romance with Anchor & Hope’s fizzy piquette, plus baked ricotta with urfa biber for a bit of heat. You’ll be so enchanted, you’ll want to return on a “Tunesday” for live music or for Second Sunday Supper Club.

Check out our full 2023 Best of New England Summer Travel Guide to find our current editors’ picks in all six New England states.

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With an eye on what’s new for 2023, Yankee’s editors round up the best attractions, eateries, and hotels on Block Island. For more of our Rhode Island picks, check out our comprehensive Best of Rhode Island 2023 guide.

Editors’ Picks: Best Things to Do on Block Island in 2023

Coastal B&B | Avonlea, Jewel of the Sea, New Shoreham

Named for the fictional setting of Anne of Green Gables, Avonlea inspires musings about the sea that echo the heroine’s—“all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen.” Owner Ann Law has channeled a childhood love of the classic novel into a 10-suite bed-and-breakfast with a sunset porch wrapped around a spread of afternoon nibbles and wine, and a beach that’s literally steps away.

Family Resort | Champlin’s Marina & Resort, New Shoreham

On an island ruled by Victorian inns and romantic B&Bs, Champlin’s stands apart as a haven for families and yachties. Guest rooms are furled in bright nautical patterns, and a full-service marina, swimming pool, trio of on-site restaurants, and an ice cream shack overhanging Great Salt Pond create the island’s only full-service resort, freshly renovated in 2021. Live bands play every summer evening at the dock bar if you don’t want to venture into town for nightlife.

Guided Adventure | Block Island Fishworks, New Shoreham

How do you know if the bluefish are biting? If you haul in a sea bass that’s been chomped in half! That’s just one of the lines unspooled by Captain Hank Hewitt of Block Island Fishworks, who leads guided saltwater fishing charters in pursuit of the stripers, blues, flukes, bonitos, and false albacore teeming in local waters, from the Coast Guard channel to the shadows of the Block Island Wind Farm.

Guided Tour | Southeast Lighthouse Tour, New Shoreham

This emblematic beacon on the southernmost tip of Block Island has a storied, nearly 150-year history. Erosion forced a move 245 feet inland from its original perch atop 200-foot clay cliffs in 1993, and while visitors could ascend stairs inside the 52-foot light tower, they were barred from entering the keeper’s quarters for 28 years after that. A lengthy renovation now complete, this adjoining cottage now houses maritime history exhibits.

Lunch Spot | Persephone’s Kitchen, New Shoreham

Popularity has a price, so lunch lines at this locals’ favorite are a given. But high-energy dance music can turn the queue into a conga line in no time, and it’s a worthy wait for co-owner Persephone Brown’s homemade food. Notable noshes include an apple-dill tuna melt topped with gooey Vermont cheddar and refreshed with a Cococano—an iced blend of fresh coconut water and espresso.

Outdoor Dining | The Oar, New Shoreham

Row after row of brightly painted oars, some dating back to the Age of Aquarius, invite diners to swig down a frozen mudslide and reel in some locally caught calamari, sushi, and lobster. The paddles add charm to the dining room, but the seafood is best savored at sunset on the expansive lawn, where humble picnic tables offer million-dollar views of New Harbor.

Check out our full 2023 Best of New England Summer Travel Guide to find our current editors’ picks in all six New England states.

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Though Newport is one of New England’s most venerable cities (it was founded in 1639), the “City by the Sea” is hardly stuffy — what with its bustling harbor and lively downtown scene. Still, history has its place here, especially when it comes to Newport’s magnificent 19th-century seaside mansions. There are plenty of things to do in Newport, RI, as well as some of our favorite places to stay and eat… So why not make a weekend of it and get to know one of the prettiest coastal towns in New England first-hand?

Best Things to Do in Newport, RI

The Cliff Walk

Blending the best of Newport’s Gilded Age architecture and its dazzling oceanside location, the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and ranks as one of the best things to do in Newport, RI. Actually, you could say it’s one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions. The path, which takes about 2.5 to 3 hours at a reasonable pace, starts at the western end of First Beach, off Memorial Boulevard, and finishes up at Bailey’s Beach and Bellevue Avenue. (And if 3.5 miles seems too long, don’t worry: There are plenty of stops along the way!)

SEE MORE: Walks Worth Their Salt | New England Ocean Walks

Newport Mansions

Lose yourself in bygone luxury when you take a tour of one or more of the Newport Mansions, which include the Breakers and Marble House (both former residences of the Vanderbilt family), Rosecliff (based on the fabled French Grand Trianon at Versailles), and the Elms (a copy of a lavish French estate called Château d’Asnières). Those are the heavy hitters, but bear in mind that some of the lesser-known mansions — including Hunter House and Chepstow — are also well worth a visit.

SEE MORE: Newport Mansions | Experiencing the Gilded Age

National Museum of American Illustration

This museum offers a unique perspective on American art as it focuses on an often-overlooked genre, illustration, in all its various forms. In addition to its permanent American Imagists Collection — a treasure trove of art created for books, periodicals, and advertisements — the museum hosts a changing lineup of temporary exhibits that focus on such themes as “Advertising as Art,” “Norman Rockwell and His Contemporaries,” and even “My Little Pony: Under the Sparking Sea.”

International Tennis Hall of Fame

Brimming with more than 1,900 artifacts of tennis history (including Andy Roddick’s red, white, and blue sneakers and Rene Lacoste’s original “crocodile” blazer), this museum is perfect for sports fanatics. But it appeals to families, too, with interactive exhibits such as a touch table that lets visitors “serve” tennis trivia questions back and forth, and a “Call the Match” exhibit in which anyone can step into the role of a big-league sports broadcaster. Plus, you can participate in clinics or book time on the grass courts where 1881’s first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships were played.

SEE MORE: International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum | A Rare Find in Newport, Rhode Island

Newport Restaurants

Belle’s Café

So much to see, so little time? One of our fast-refueling favorites is this nifty café tucked away in the middle of the Newport Shipyard. Sit inside or outside, and enjoy views of the harbor as you tuck into hearty breakfast fare (think: omelets, pancakes, egg and cheese sandwiches with sausage, bacon, or ham) or lunch standards like burgers, salads, and “hot-off-the-press” paninis. Open seasonally.

The Black Pearl

A former sail loft that stands today as one of Newport’s most loved restaurants, the Black Pearl offers more than one dining experience to choose from. The Tavern boasts a more casual and warm atmosphere while still offering a wide-ranging lunch and dinner menu. The Commodore’s Room, by contrast, is elegance itself, with its white linen tablecloths, fine china, and real silver. Finally, during the summer months you can dine alfresco at the Waterside Patio and Bar, which comes with a magnificent view of the harbor.

Cru Café

Located just behind the Audrain Automobile Museum, Cru Café bills itself as a “purveyor of craft café dining.” Translation: It makes food fresh, and from local ingredients whenever possible. The menu, therefore, gets some seasonal tweaking, but you can count on finding the ultra-filling quinoa scramble for breakfast (eggs, spinach, gruyere, and quinoa) and sandwiches with a tasty twist, like the Yankee Muffuletta and the Grown-Up Grilled Cheese.

Midtown Oyster Bar

To sample some of the city’s best and freshest seafood, make tracks for this vast and inviting eatery, opened in 2013. Midtown Oyster Bar is not short on ambition, with its three bars, two patios, and staff of 100-plus. But the real star is the food, which includes Newport’s largest raw bar (featuring up to a dozen different kinds of oysters). Non-seafood-enthusiasts shouldn’t fret — there are options on the menu for them, too, including a dynamite steak frites.

Newport Hotels & Inns

Armistead Cottage

There are only two rooms at this cozy bed-and-breakfast perched near the start of the Cliff Walk — which means guests can count on feeling catered to. Regardless of whether you choose the Victorian Room (king bed) or the Lilac Room (queen bed), you’ll enter a private retreat decorated with period antiques and outfitted with a romantic fireplace. In the morning, head down to the dining room for a three-course gourmet breakfast — yum!

Castle Hill Inn

Formerly the private “summer cottage” of Harvard scientist and engineer Alexander Agassiz, this 1875 Victorian mansion is today among the swankiest getaways in Newport; in fact, it was the first property in Rhode Island to join the distinguished Relais & Châteaux Hotel Association. So if you’re looking to splurge, this is the place to do it. Luxurious amenities include gas fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and an on-site spa; four-star cuisine is just steps away at the Dining Room. And can we talk about those views?!

Francis Malbone House

Originally built in 1760 for shipping merchant Francis Malbone, this house passed through many families on its way to becoming a genteel historic inn in 1989. Situated in the heart of Newport, the Francis Malbone House makes an ideal base from which to launch shopping and dining excursions; the 20 unique rooms come in a variety of configurations and settings (we’re a tad partial to the ones that open directly onto the lovely courtyard).

What are your favorite things to do in Newport, RI? Let us know in the comments!

This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. 

SEE MORE: Coastal Weekend Getaways in New England | Your Perfect Weekend

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