Places to visit in Rhode island:
The Newport Mansions attract nearly 800,000 visitors a year. They are certainly among the best known Rhode Island attractions.
During baseball season, more than 750,000 people head to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to watch the Pawtucket Red Sox, the farm club for the Boston Red Sox.
The Roger Williams Park Zoo, named the “finest zoo in New England” byThe Boston Globe, attracts more than 500,000 visitors per year. It's definitely one of the most popular Rhode Island attractions!
The performing arts are a big draw in Providence. People flock to theProvidence Performing Arts Center to see Broadway shows, concerts, plays and more.
When you’re travelling with your kids, do you make a point to check out the local children’s museum? I do. A children's museum can be a great place to visit when the weather is too hot or too rainy, or if your kids need a break from a busy vacation schedule to just PLAY.
If you enjoy tennis, be sure to stop by the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. The museum has a large collection of tennis memorabilia, including a fun exhibit of tennis fashions through the years. The beautiful grounds include 13 grass tennis courts that are still used today.
Little kids love riding on carousels, and Rhode Island has some great ones! The Crescent Park Carousel in East Providence, RI was built in 1895 by famous carousel designer Charles I.D. Loof and has been lovingly maintained over the years.
With 400 miles of coastline and more than 100 salt and freshwater beaches, Rhode Island has lots of options if you want to head to the beach.
Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI and Newport Grand Slots in Newport, RI are very popular destinations for Rhode Islanders, as well as out-of-state visitors.
Top 10 Rhode Island Attractions
On this page, I've listed the "Top 10 Rhode Island Attractions" to help you plan your RI vacation. Many of these tourist attractions draw visitors from around the world.
You can use this list as a starting point, then read about even more ideas on the rest of the Rhode Island Travel Handbook website.
Happy vacation planning!
WaterFire Providence
Photo Courtesy of WaterFire Providence
WaterFire is a seasonal, multi-sensory art installation in downtown Providence that attracts 1 million people per year.
On select evenings (usually between May and October), volunteer “firetenders” travel on torch-lit boats down the river, lighting more than 80 bonfires. Visitors sit to watch the fires as mystical music fills the air.
National Geographic Traveler magazine has called WaterFire Providence“one of the top 20 events in North America.”
Newport Mansions
Patrick O'Connor Photo Courtesy of the Preservation Society of Newport County
The Newport Mansions attract nearly 800,000 visitors a year. They are certainly among the best known Rhode Island attractions.
The Preservation Society of Newport County operates nine different homes that were once the “summer cottages” of America’s wealthiest families. Of these, The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Rosecliff are the most popular.
Pawtucket Red Sox
Photo Courtesy of Rhode Island Tourism Division
During baseball season, more than 750,000 people head to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to watch the Pawtucket Red Sox, the farm club for the Boston Red Sox.
Pawtucket Red Sox ticket prices are a real bargain compared to other sporting events…and parking is free! If you’re visiting Rhode Island during baseball season, check out the team’s schedule!
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Photo Courtesy of the Roger Williams Park Zoo
The Roger Williams Park Zoo, named the “finest zoo in New England” byThe Boston Globe, attracts more than 500,000 visitors per year. It's definitely one of the most popular Rhode Island attractions!
Plan to spend at least 3 hours at the zoo, which has more than 100 species of animals from around the world.
When you’re done at the zoo, visit some of the other attractions in Roger Williams Park, including Carousel Village, the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium and the Botanical Center, which is the largest public indoor display garden in New England.
Performing Arts in Providence
Rick Koconis Photo Courtesy of Providence Performing Arts Center
The performing arts are a big draw in Providence. People flock to theProvidence Performing Arts Center to see Broadway shows, concerts, plays and more.
Trinity Rep is a Tony-award winning professional theater company that has been home to two Oscar-nominated actors: Richard Jenkins (“The Visitor”) and Viola Davis (“Doubt”).
If you love classical music, you’ll definitely want to take in a performance by the Rhode Island Philharmonic.
You might also want to check the schedule at the Dunkin' Donuts Centerto see if any touring shows will be in town during your visit. (This summer, the Dunkin' Donuts Center will have Cirque du Soleil and American Idol Live.)
When you're looking for top Rhode Island attractions, you might not consider the performing arts, but going to a concert or show can often be the highlight of a trip...give it a try!
Providence Children's Museum
Photo Courtesy of the Providence Children's Museum
When you’re travelling with your kids, do you make a point to check out the local children’s museum? I do. A children's museum can be a great place to visit when the weather is too hot or too rainy, or if your kids need a break from a busy vacation schedule to just PLAY.
The Providence Children’s Museum is one of the best Rhode Island attractions for younger children. Your family will have several hours of fun playing in the water area, crawling through subterranean tunnels and climbing the new one-of-a-kind play sculpture.
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Photo Courtesy of Smart Destinations
If you enjoy tennis, be sure to stop by the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. The museum has a large collection of tennis memorabilia, including a fun exhibit of tennis fashions through the years. The beautiful grounds include 13 grass tennis courts that are still used today.
Crescent Park Carousel
Photo by Daniel Case
Little kids love riding on carousels, and Rhode Island has some great ones! The Crescent Park Carousel in East Providence, RI was built in 1895 by famous carousel designer Charles I.D. Loof and has been lovingly maintained over the years.
Open from Easter through Columbus Day, this National Historic Landmark gets more than 100,000 visitors each year!
Rides are $1 each except on Wednesdays ($.50/ride) and Thursdays ($.75/ride).
Address:
700 Bullocks Point Avenue, East Providence, RI.
700 Bullocks Point Avenue, East Providence, RI.
Hours:
Saturday/Sunday 12-6 p.m.
(Easter through June and September through Columbus Weekend)
Saturday/Sunday 12-6 p.m.
(Easter through June and September through Columbus Weekend)
Wednesday to Sunday 12-8 p.m.
(July through early September)
(July through early September)
Rhode Island Beaches
Photo Courtesy of Rhode Island Tourism Division
With 400 miles of coastline and more than 100 salt and freshwater beaches, Rhode Island has lots of options if you want to head to the beach.
Want a calm beach for the family? Check out Third Beach in Middletown or Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett.
Want to go where the action is? Try Narragansett Town Beach or Easton’s Beach in Newport.
Need to get away from it all? The quiet Blue Shutters Town Beach in Charlestown or Mohegan Bluffs Beach on Block Island might be just what you’re looking for.
Rhode Island beaches are definitely among the most popular of all Rhode Island attractions, so try to visit at least one while you're here.
Rhode Island Casinos
Photo Courtesy of Twin River
Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI and Newport Grand Slots in Newport, RI are very popular destinations for Rhode Islanders, as well as out-of-state visitors.
Both have thousands of slot machines, virtual table games, live entertainment and a variety of dining options.
If hitting the casino is top on your vacation to do list, consider a “stay and play” hotel package.
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