A Long Weekend in Rhode Island

Start your first day with a morning stroll at Cliff Walk in Newport. The beautiful water is off the cliff on one side, the other side has lush vegetation and historically huge mansions.

Afterward, pop over to the Bellevue Avenue area and pick one of the many mansions to tour. They offer guided tours, but I prefer a self-guided tour to go at my own pace. My favorite is The Breakers, and many mansions will offer entry to multiple mansions with one admission fee, so take advantage of this, but 2–3 mansions will probably be your max in a day.

After viewing the luxury of the mansions, head over to Bowens Wharf for shopping, views of the waterfront, and delicious bites. There are multiple souvenir shops across the street from the wharf with great prices on gifts!

If you’re visiting during warmer weather, Misquimicut Beach is a popular locals spot with a big shoreline for a fun beach day. In the summer, you can enjoy beach concerts or movie nights.

The William Rogers Zoo is a great activity year-round and was the first zoo to become accredited in New England! It has over 800 animals and special wildlife encounters for an additional cost. The zoo is located inside Roger Williams State Park, where you can enjoy illuminated swan boat rides in the fall, botanical and Japanese gardens, and historic landmarks. Couples can enjoy a scenic walk over the Lovers Retreat Bridge.

For some unique gifts to bring home, visit the Fantastic Plastic Umbrella Factory. While there isn’t a huge selection of plastic umbrellas, you can find all kinds of unique novelty and hand-crafted items in the multiple areas of the property.

Providence is the main city within Rhode Island, home to many bars, restaurants, Brown University, and multiple parks and unique neighborhoods. There’s plenty to do in Providence for a whole day, like admiring the beautiful brickwork near the Brown campus, exploring neighborhood spots in the various neighborhoods, or if visiting in the summertime, stick around in the evening for Waterfire—a public art installation featuring bonfires lit on the three rivers in the downtown area.

While in Providence, take a stroll through the Rhode Island Art Museum near the Brown College Campus. The rotating exhibits are stunning, but there’s plenty to see, including ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and European galleries. Afterwards, take a short walk up Thayer St, where you can find authentic Asian restaurants and marts for some snacks.

Within Bowens Wharf is the Lobster Bar, a decades-old lobster company with seasonal cocktails, hot and cold lobster rolls, and 360 views.

Another great spot in Newport is Buskers, a classic Irish pub with all of the classics. The welsh rarebit and scotch eggs are a must-try, and for something heartier, try the classic reuben or bangers and mash.

Before you leave Providence, you MUST visit Angelos. This Italian restaurant is over 100 years old, and the reason is their classic Italian vibe and outstanding Italian food. Try for a corner round booth for a true experience, and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Right down the street from Angelo’s is Jake and Johnny’s, a local dive bar that usually has live music, open mics, and a welcoming crowd. You may even find yourself on stage by the end of the night!

For the best sunset views, visit the Hot Club in Providence for excellent cocktails and casual bar food. For over 30 years, this spot has been named the best waterfront bar in Providence, and for a reason!

Looking for a quick bite or drink in Providence? The area of Federal Hill is packed with restaurants and bars that have great happy hour deals and outdoor seating.

It’s pretty easy to find seafood in Rhode Island—the Tavern on Broadway in Newport is a hidden gem for great oyster deals! Enjoy a dozen raw oysters, soft pretzels, and wings, or some of their house-made clam chowder (but get there early, they often sell out of their soups!)