10 Breathtakingly Beautiful Rhode Island Attractions
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
There are so many gorgeous places to explore and activities to enjoy in the “Ocean State” that it would be difficult to condense the many choices into a “best of” list. From gorgeous beaches to beautiful natural preserves, Rhode Island is home to some of the most spectacular natural scenery in the US. I had the privilege of living in the Providence metro area for several years and truly enjoying exploring all the beautiful parks and historical attractions.
My guide incorporates some of the best activities and attractions which provide a beautiful, natural setting rather than man made appeal. You will find a mix of tree-lined biking paths, historical walks, beaches, and nature preserves where you can birdwatch and enjoy the native flora and fauna.
1. CliffWalk & the Newport Mansions
Newport is home to a handful of both the most visited and most scenic attractions in the state. This coastal gem is most famous for being home to the spectacular Newport Mansions. Touring these grand homes will give you a glimpse into the lives of the uber wealthy. The most famous of the 11 properties, The Breakers, comes in at an astonishing 137,000+ square feet! These aren’t your ordinary mansions: they are beyond anything you’ve ever seen.
During the holidays, the Newport Mansions are decked out in grandiose decor. Be on the lookout for special performances throughout the season, including a production of “The Nutcracker” at Rosecliff. Although I’ve never made it to the mansions during the holiday season myself, I’ve heard that this time of the year is an especially spectacular time to plan a visit. It’s on my bucket list for sure!
For those who don’t want to pay to “see how the other half lives,” you can opt for a gorgeous stroll along CliffWalk. This 3.5 mile walk runs behind the mansion and offers amazing views of the coast and mansions. It doesn’t get any better than this! This is my #1 attraction in Newport for first time visitors.
More info on Cliffwalk & the Mansions
2. Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge
The Newport area is loaded with so many beautiful parks, although none offer a setting as serene and beautiful as that found at Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge. I recommend an easy stroll along the Ocean View Loop where you will get to take in beautiful coastal vistas, while also enjoying local plant life. Deer make frequent appearances, and it’s one of the top bird watching spots in the state. This year, we were lucky enough to see a rare Snowy Owl.
Sachuest Point offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking to take a few great photos, explore local wildlife, change up your morning exercise routine, or just escape into nature for a while, It’s a wonderful low-key escape from the tourist clutter.
More info on this gorgeous refuge
3. Gansett Cruises
A narrated boat ride aboard Gansett Cruises is one of my top recommended activities for first timer’s exploring Newport. Entertaining cruise guides provide you with extensive background history of the region. You will learn many interesting tidbits about Newport, along with Jamestown, as well as general facts about the state’s history. Tour guides conveniently point out all major attractions, while providing an informative history lesson on each site of interest. I really enjoyed the detailed history lesson and the scenery was amazing. This is the type of cruise you take visiting family members on!
The views are absolutely beautiful for the entirety of the cruise. Newport is one of my favorite cities: the harbor is so quaint and picturesque. I would pay for a cruise just to enjoy the views, but the added historical info was a nice bonus. After your cruise, you can take a walk around Bowen’s Wharf for a bit of unique shopping or enjoy a great lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants.
Each cruise includes a special treat. Morning cruises include coffee, afternoon cruises includes ice cream, and evening cruises feature champagne. No matter which cruise you pick, whether a relaxing morning journey or a romantic evening cruise, you are guaranteed a great history lesson on the area, fabulous views, and a spectacular time!
More fun things to do in Newport
4. Sachuest Beach
Sachuest Beach in Newport’s next door neighbor Middletown, is an amazing beach with the primary advantage of being less crowded than the more popular Easton Beach (First Beach). Easton is more popular with tourists due to the close proximity to the Mansions. As a local, I always preferred this laid-back beach.
Sachuest aka Second Beach is located just down the road from Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge. These 2 activities, when combined, create the perfect relaxing afternoon itinerary in my opinion.
Most summer afternoons at Second Beach are idyllic: temps in the lower to mid 80’s, not overly crowded, and of course, gorgeous. The perfect beach conditions, in my opinion! The water here is quite warm for a New England beach. On a hot day, you may even be able to enjoy a swim.
I love New England beaches, summer or winter. They tend to be more peaceful and cleaner than other beaches across the country. I like the laid-back atmosphere of this beach. Being able to bring a book and relax for the day without overheating and dealing with swarms of crowds around me is a real vacation!
Wintertime offers a different, yet equally stunning vibe. If you can brave the cold temps, you benefit by having pretty much the whole beach to yourself. Add in: no parking fees, less traffic, and dramatic overcast skies and you have a completely different, yet equally striking setting.
5. Ten Mile Drive
While you are in the Newport Mansions area, you might as well take a quick detour along the popular Ocean Drive aka Ten Mile Drive.
This peaceful drive, perfect on cool summer evenings, winds through beautiful landscaped mansions and coastal sections of Newport. While I wouldn’t consider this a jaw dropping scenic drive (most of the mansions views are a bit obstructed), it’s a great activity to fill in the time.
After hours walking around CliffWalk and the mansions, this drive comes in as a nice break to give your feet a rest and see the city in a new setting.
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