Top 10 Day Trips From Providence, Rhode Island - Updated 2024

day trips from providence ri
Anurag
Anurag 
Updated
| 4 min read

Day trips are one of the most exciting short trips to enjoy with friends and family. You can relax for a day and spend some time away from your everyday schedule, letting your nerves rest for a while. There are also Vrbo vacation rentals in the area for your convenience. Although there are plenty of tourist attractions in this part of Rhode Island, you can also plan a trip to the nearby tourist spots by road. You can also include some of the best places to visit in Rhode Island if you love to explore new places that are easy to reach by road. If you are planning a short excursion with Providence as your base, then you must check out these top day trips from Providence, Rhode Island.

1. Newport, RI

Newport, RI
Source: Photo by Flickr user Herry Lawford used under CC BY 2.0

Newport is one of the best places to visit in Rhode Island. It’s not very far from Providence. After just a 44-minute drive, you will reach Newport. It is just 33.5 miles (53.9 kilometers) away from Providence. You can explore beautiful beaches along with historic monuments and forts. You can also explore the beauty of The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms, and end your day at Newport Cliff Walk.

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2. Cape Cod, MA

Cape Cod Lighthouse
Source: Photo by Flickr user m01229 used under CC BY 2.0

A not-so-far destination from Providence is splendid Cape Cod. A day trip to Cape Cod is considered to be an awesome experience as it offers some of the best things to do near Providence. This destination is about 74.3 miles (118.12 kilometers) from Providence and it will take about 1 hour and 21 minutes to cover the distance. The beach is the main point of attraction but there are many things to explore in this city. You will enjoy this road trip if you love exploring the beaches and nature. Also, don’t forget to visit Pilgrim Monument, Heritage Museums and Gardens, Cape Cod National Seashore, and Nauset Lighthouse.

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3. Mystic, CT

Mystic, Connecticut at Dawn
Source: Photo by Flickr user R Boed used under CC BY 2.0

A 57-minute ride from Providence can take you to this fantastic place known as Mystic which is about 49.4 miles (79.5 kilometers) away. You can enjoy the day out at Mystic and exploring the attractive places present in this place. You can enjoy the beauty of the dazzling sea by sailing on a boat. You can also enjoy your evening at the luxury casinos by having a drink with your loved ones. Also, you can explore the beauty of places like Mystic Aquarium, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, the Charles W. Morgan ship, and Argia Mystic Cruises when you are in Mystic.

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4. Salem, MA (from USD 25.0)

A day trip to Salem offers a unique blend of history and spooky folklore. Start your day by exploring historical sites such as the Salem Witch Museum, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and the House of the Seven Gables. Stroll through the cobblestone streets and browse the boutiques and shops selling witch-themed souvenirs and artisanal goods.

Take a break at one of the many cafes or restaurants serving fresh seafood and local cuisine. In the evening, experience the haunting atmosphere of the town by taking a ghost tour or visiting the Salem Witch Trials Memorial.

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Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

478 reviews

5. New Haven, CT (from USD 25.0)

New Haven is a historic city with many attractions worth visiting. A day trip to New Haven could include a visit to Yale University, where you can explore the campus and visit the Yale Art Gallery. Another must-see attraction is the Peabody Museum of Natural History, which houses extensive collections of fossils, minerals, and other artifacts.

For lunch, head to Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, a New Haven institution famous for its delicious coal-fired pizza. After lunch, stroll around the picturesque New Haven Green and check out the historic churches and buildings surrounding it.

End your day trip by relaxing along the waterfront at Lighthouse Point Park, where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the Long Island Sound.

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New Haven's Ghost Walk

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

51 reviews

6. Block Island, RI

Southeast Light, Block Island, RI
Source: Photo by Flickr user Timothy Burling used under CC BY 2.0

If you want to explore more vacation spots around Rhode Island, then you must include Block Island in your travel bucket list. To reach Block Island, you can take the roadways or the waterways. It would take around 2 hours and 14 minutes to arrive in this place as you will have to cover about 53.1 miles (85.5 kilometers). You will love the scenic beauty in this place as you watch the water moving through two stone chunks. There is much more to see in this place such as Mohegan Bluffs, South East Lighthouse, Block Island North Light, and many more.

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7. Fall River, MA

484 Highland Avenue, Fall River Massachusetts
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kenneth C. Zirkel used under CC BY-SA 4.0

A short distance is always perfect for a day trip. To reach Fall River, it will take 26 minutes as it is about 18 miles (41.85 kilometers) from Providence. You will fall in love with the beauty of nature in this place. Some great places to get some Instagram shots when you are exploring Fall River are Battleship Cove and Maritime Museum, Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast Museum, Freetown-Fall River State Forest, US Massachusetts BB59, and many more.

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8. Westerly, RI

Watch Hill 071 (Westerly, RI)
Source: Photo by Flickr user Roger Williams used under CC BY-SA 2.0

When the day trip destination is just 51 minutes away, then you should not be wasting any more time. Just start packing your bags for the day and book a car or bike as per your preference. The distance is about 43.7 miles (70.3 kilometers), which is easy to cover and return on the same day itself. You can have a glimpse of the beautiful nature and try out the various attractions that are present here. There are some places which offer you lip-smacking food as well. Also, make sure that you visit Misquamicut State Beach, Napatree Point Conservation Area, Flying Horse Carousel, and The Stonington when you are visiting Westerly.

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9. Cranston, RI

William H Hall Free Library, Cranston RI
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Eric Harrison used under CC BY-SA 2.0

If you love cycling at the side walkway, then Cranston is the place for you to visit during the day. You will reach it within 14 minutes from Providence and its shopping malls, covering about 5 miles (8 kilometers). This place is peaceful and surrounded by lovely nature which you can see in its many botanical parks that will help you in cutting yourself off from the busy city life and relaxing for some time. If you want to take a short break for half a day, then visit this place on your bicycle. Enjoy the breeze and the ride as you cross the luscious greeneries and blue waters.

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10. Boston, MA (from USD 165.0)

Boston
Source: Photo by Flickr user Daniel Lobo used under CC0

If you love travelling by train, then a day trip to Boston will be perfect for you. The rail journey is one of the best elements to explore during the daytime. You can enjoy several monuments and beautiful scenery along the way. The journey of the train is itself an exciting part of the day trip. It will take one hour and nine minutes to reach the destination as you will have to cover about 50.2 miles (80.8 kilometers), making it a perfect day trip for you. You can explore places like Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston Common, and Museum of Fine Arts when you are visiting Boston.

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Day Trip from Providence to Boston by Rail

Duration: 1 day

Day trips from Rhode Island

Whether on bike or by car, you can definitely enjoy scenic day trips from Rhode Island. Apart from the many places you can visit in Rhode Island, nearby destinations will also make for memorable times. Feel the breeze and marvel at the clear waters of the river. Have a great time exploring this area’s beauty on short day trips from Rhode Island. Once you’re finished exploring, Rhode Island has a number of hotels and Airbnbs you can book. For more accommodation options during your escapade, have a look at the best family resorts and beach houses too.

Frequently asked questions about day trips from Providence, Rhode Island


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Hi, I am Anurag Paul Gummadi, residing in Bangalore, India.

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