10 Best Places To Visit In Rhode Island - Updated 2024

Swadeep Singh
Swadeep Singh 
Updated
| 5 min read

Let’s learn something about Rhode Island. It’s the tiniest state of this country that’s located in the New England region. Regardless of being so little in size, the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation receives over 25 million visitors annually. It’s a romantic getaway that is known for its year-round pleasant weather, natural reserves, and beautiful coastline. Since you’re reading on, it’s pretty evident that you’re interested in visiting this state someday. But exploring this region thoroughly is not a very simple thing, especially when you are not aware. However, you don’t have to worry as we have prepared an index of the best places to visit in Rhode Island, USA. Read on to know more about them.

1. Come and explore Block Island

Mohegan Bluffs - 1, Block Island, RI
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Waz8 used under CC0

You should also add the Block Island on your list, as this amazing destination is situated just some miles off the coast of Rhode Island. You will get here many places of interest; such as the two lighthouses - South East Lighthouse and Block Island North Light, Mohegan Bluffs cliff, wildlife reserves, and many beaches. It’s worth going in every season, and you can catch a ferry from Point Judith, Rhode Island, to reach there. The most appropriate way to cover Block Island is by cycling, but don’t get one with you on the boat. The ferry landing location has some bike rentals for your convenience.

Block Island

Address: New Shoreham, RI 02807, USA

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2. Spot rare birds at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge


Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge makes the southern tip of Middletown, and this landform features many marshes, grasslands, dunes, and beaches. The nature reserve is extended to about 242 acres (97 hectares), which makes it an excellent hike location for everyone in Rhode Island; since it’s only a couple of miles away from the heart of Newport. The location is also famous in New England for year-round bird-watching; about 200 species take shelter in this refuge seasonally, including snowy owl, peregrine falcon, and hen harriers.

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

Address: Middletown, RI 02842, USA

Website: Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

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3. Check out the RISD Museum if you love art


Rhode Island School of Design Museum is a must-visit if you’re an art enthusiast. Established in the year of 1877, this is the 20th largest art museum of this country at present. And if we’re estimating the figures correct, it would apparently take multiple tours to explore the gallery entirely. Because we aren’t sure, how anyone could take a look at over a million objects in a single day. The collection is taken from all over the world, and for your convenience, the sections are sub-divided into categories; such as ancient and contemporary art, painting-drawing-photograph, sculpture and more.

RISD Museum

Address: 20 N Main St, Providence, RI 02903, USA

Website: RISD Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 8 - 15 USD

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4. Encounter exotic animals at Roger Williams Park Zoo

best places to visit in rhode island | encounter exotic animals at roger williams park zoo
Source: instagram

Zoo trips are usually fascinating for everyone, regardless of our age. If you agree with that, pay heed to this paragraph as we’re discussing a very special wildlife park in New England. Founded in the year of 1872, Roger Williams Park Zoo was opened with trivial fauna like a raccoon, guinea pigs, and rabbit. But today this facility boasts over 150 wildlife animals in several exhibits that mimic natural wildlife settings, like wetlands trail, jumbo junction, Marco Polo’s adventure trek, etc. This place has the only Komodo dragon of this state, also snow leopard, tiger, kangaroo, and more.

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Address: 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02907, USA

Website: Roger Williams Park Zoo

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 13 - 18 USD

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Rhode Island Tour Guide

Naim Benmayor

Naim Benmayor

As a Boston tour guide, I have the added experience of being a world traveler. For many years, I frequently visited Europe, Asia, and Latin America on business. During this time, I also organized tours of the USA, Europe and Asia for my business clients. I now bring this passion, excitement and expertise to the Boston area.By exploring the globe, I was exposed to various cultures, and this uniq... Read more

5. Delve deep into history at Newport Cliff Walk (from USD 90.0)

Newport was officially recognized as a town first in the year of 1639, and it has seen so many phases since then. It has witnessed the colonial period, the slave trade, the revolution, the gilded age, and beyond. Sure, you can read the history in some books but no one can explain the stories better than a historian who has lived all his life here. Book this private guided tour from our travel partner, and learn everything about this city from him. He will also drive you the top attractions, like - Discover Cliff Walk, Ocean Drive, and Victorian neighborhood among others.

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Newport (Rhode Island) Private City Tour

Duration: 90 to 120 minutes

50 reviews

6. Be inspired at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

best places to visit in rhode island | be inspired at blithewold mansion, gardens & arboretum
Source: instagram

Although this isn’t a must-visit attraction, we still urge you to take a tour of the Blithewold Mansion. A visit to this 33-acre (13 hectares) estate is enough to picture the prosperity scene in New England during the 20th century. The 45-room mansion is grand and has an interesting backstory, which you will discover when you’re here. The gardens & arboretum section is also picture-perfect, the views of Narragansett Bay next to the many exotic trees look so exquisite.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

Address: 101 Ferry Rd, Bristol, RI 02809, USA

Website: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 10am - 3pm

Price: 6 USD

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7. Visit Providence Children’s Museum with your kids


Providence Children’s Museum is a worthwhile location when you’re visiting this city with kids. This recreational facility is designed for brilliant minds; however, guardian entry is also appreciated who are concerned about their child’s improvement. This little museum features a lot of exhibits, where your kid could learn about science, history, visual illusion, art and craft, and more through the fun presentations like building water-works model, structures, etc.

Providence Children’s Museum

Address: 100 South St, Providence, RI 02903, USA

Website: Providence Children’s Museum

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 12 USD

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8. Hike Napatree Point Conservation Area

best places to visit in rhode island | hike napatree point conservation area
Source: instagram

The sandspit of Napatree Point Conservation Area is a famous bird-watching location in Rhode Island that also makes the western tip of the town of Westerly. If you were looking for a shoal in Rhode Island to plan a romantic stroll with your partner, this venue may work. And if you’re single, you can still try this hiking trail to meet new people. Horseshoe crabs are another interesting feature of this shoreline, and you can see plenty of them on Napatree sandspit when it’s their breeding season.

Napatree Point Conservation Area

Address: Westerly, RI 02891, USA

Website: Napatree Point Conservation Area

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9. Take a tour of the Breakers and The Elms (from USD 139.0)

This day tour covers a visit to Newport and back to Boston in the evening. If you choose to be a part of this tour you will get to visit two prominent mansions in Rhode Island, and go over to several city attractions. You will also have free time to explore the town on your own. In addition to your bus fare, this package also includes your admission ticket to the palaces and complimentary snacks.

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Newport Mansions from Boston Small-Group Day Trip with Guide

Duration: 11 hours

188 reviews

10. Visit the Marble House, Newport

Our initial recommendation is that people should visit and appreciate the Châteauesque-style mansions of Rhode Island. The Breakers and Marble House are these two crown jewels of Newport, Rhode Island. Both are former Vanderbilt houses, which now belong to the Preservation Society of Newport County. The Vanderbilt family has a long story, also the palaces have an interesting history to tell. Trust us, you would need help; book a guided tour from our partner website for a discounted rate and learn every bit of it. The package covers your entry ticket, also a long sightseeing tour of Rhode Island.

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Newport Viking Trolley Tour with The Breakers and Marble House

Duration: 4 hours

235 reviews

Tiny doesn’t mean insignificant

Although this is the tiniest state of the US, we promise that you will see a much better tourism scene in Rhode Island than many others. From the people to their culture, and also the fascinating natural backdrop, Rhode Island is rich in everything. This isn’t a boring location, and we’re sure that you will easily find several other attractions than what we have listed here.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Also known as Bobby, Swadeep Singh is a businessman since 2013 but he has forever nurtured a passion for writing. Traveling never makes him exhausted, which is why he's never known turn down any...Read more

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