RHODE ISLAND Highlights - Brief Article

Travel America, July, 2000 by Diane Bair, Pamela Wright

Our smallest state packs a big punch

Tiny Rhode Island, tucked along the flamboyant New England coast, boasts impressive numbers. America's smallest state measures a mere 37 miles wide by 48 miles long but contains more than 400 miles of coastline, 100 beaches, and 2,300 acres of parks. The Ocean State is home to six islands and one of the nation's largest concentrations of historical landmarks.

We spent years exploring New England, bypassing Rhode Island for its more prominent neighbors. When we finally slowed down and looked around, we discovered a stunning, diverse land of windswept beaches and lush forests, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities. The good news for visitors is that Rhode Island's cozy compactness makes it easy to explore.

Here is our list of top 10, not-to-be-missed things to do in the state this summer:

1) Board the six-passenger Venetian-style gondola for a paddle along the Woonasqustucket and Providence rivers. You'll skirt lush landscapes and cobblestone riverwalks, drifting through a newly revitalized downtown Providence. Back on land, stroll Waterplace Park and lively downtown streets. Browse specialty shops, boutiques, and art galleries framed by flower gardens and flanked by well-preserved historic homes. Worked up an appetite? Downtown Providence boasts some of New England's best restaurants. If you're craving trattorias and pastas, visit Federal Hill, the city's Italian neighborhood.

2) Tour Benefit Street in Providence. Dubbed the "Mile of History," this neighborhood features one of the most extensive collections of original colonial houses in America. Guided bus and walking tours are conducted by the Providence Preservation Society.

3) Attend WaterFire Providence, an outdoor performance of music and fire. Introduced in 1997, the glittery show sets 60 fires ablaze along the riverfront. It's held alternating Saturday evenings from April through October.

4) Visit the Museum of Art at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. Collections include classical art from Greece and Rome, Chinese and Indian works, and 19th century French art.

5) Follow the New England Trail through South County, home to 19th century seaside resorts and historic villages. Along the way, stop to see America's oldest carousel in Watch Hill, Old Narragansett Church (with a 1680 organ, the oldest in North America), the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace (America's foremost portraitist of George Washington), and Smith's Castle (oldest plantation house in the country). Next, don your wide-rimmed hat and flip-flops and head to the beach. From Narragansett Pier to Watch Hill, the southwestern coastline of Rhode Island is nearly one continuous stretch of beautiful white sand.

6) Take the ferry boat ride to Block Island, located just 10 miles off Rhode Island's southern coast. This serene island getaway features dunes, beaches, clay cliffs, quaint Victorian architecture, and rolling pasturelands. Rent a bike in Old Harbor and explore the coastline, inland ponds (there are 200 ponds on Block Island!), and wildlife refuges. Fishing, sailing, picnicking, and eating (fresh seafood abounds) are also favorite island pursuits. At the southernmost tip of the island, don't miss Mohegan Bluffs, a series of intriguing clay cliffs with great ocean views.

7) Explore the picturesque Blackstone Valley. Make your first stop the newly-opened Visitor Center for an overview of the region. Visit the Slater Mill Historic Site, the first factory in America to produce cotton yarn with water-powered machines. The site also includes the Sylvanus Brown House (1758), the Wilkinson Mill (1810), and a water wheel that is still in operation. Stop by the Brown & Hopkins Country Store, the nation's oldest continuously-operated country store, and Diamond Hill Vineyards, located on a 200-year-old estate. Baseball fans will want to catch a Pawtucket Red Sox game; the team is the AAA International League affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

8) Meander the Plains of Africa and the Tropical Rainforest at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence. Set on 430 acres, the zoo houses more than 156 different species and over 900 animals. Stop by the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, too. Rent a boat at the Dalrymple Boathouse to explore the park's waterways or walk the wonderland of parks and gardens.

9) Play a round of tennis on the oldest grass courts in America at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport. They're also the only grass courts open for public play. Tennis buffs also can check out museum exhibits.

10) Live in the past as you tour the famous Gilded Age mansions of Newport. The glorious "summer cottages" of the rich and famous (Vanderbilts, Astors, and Rockefellers to name a few) hug the shoreline and reveal the lifestyle of American aristocracy during the Industrial Age. Get back to reality--and the masses--in downtown Newport. Grab a seaside table at The Mooring restaurant at the Newport Yachting Center (yes, you'll have to wait in line--and forget about finding a parking spot nearby!) and watch the boats sail by.