Rhode Island Vacations Idea #1:
The award winning
Newport Winter Festival has music, food, festivities, and entertainment for all ages. Some of the many cultural and recreational events and activities available are a Pizza and Chile Cook-Off, a city-wide Scavenger Hunt, an Ice Sculpting Competition, a Children's Medieval Winter Fest, and the Fantasy Snow Ball
Vacation in Rhode Island Idea #2:
Gaspee Days is an annual Pawtuxet event that commemorates the first overt action by the colonists that lead to the Revolutionary War, the burning of the British warship
Gaspee. Town tours, arts & crafts, a Colonial encampment, parade, fireworks, a symbolic burning of the ship, and much more.
Rhode Island Vacation Ideas #3:
The annual
Newport Music Festival is one of the most extraordinary festivals in the world. Three to five concerts are presented every day by world-class American and international artists. The performances are held in Newport's famous mansions. The festival has been named one of the "Top 50 Outstanding Festivals & Events" in North America by Leisure Group Travel magazine.
Vacation in Rhode Island Idea #4:
The Hot-Air Balloon Festival at the University of Rhode Island is two lovely days of hot-air balloon rides, parachute demonstrations, arts and crafts, and music. There are many other events including top entertainers like James Taylor. There are kids rides, crafts, games, jugglers, and various shows and demonstrations.
Rhode Island Vacation Ideas #5:
The Newport
Cliff Walk is designated as a National Recreation Trail. This is a public access walk on private property that skirts the rugged Rhode Island coast. It's a top attraction in the area and attracts visitors from around the world. Some places are a little rough and require some care but the natural beauty is worth the effort.
Vacation in Rhode Island Idea #6:
The International Tennis Hall of fame and Museum is the world's largest tennis museum. It is located in Newport. The history of the sport is chronicled in a self-guided tour. There are interactive exhibits and on display you will find historical tennis equipment, fashion, trophies and memorabilia. The Newport Casino is the heart of the rich history of New England tennis.
Rhode Island Vacations Idea #7:
Green Animals Topiary Garden, in Portsmouth, was planted in 1880. There are 80 topiary trees of California Privet, golden boxwood, and American boxwood all sculpted into various shapes. Many of them are shaped as animals. There is also a rose garden and formal flower beds on the 7 acres that overlook Narragansett Bay.
Rhode Island Vacations Idea #8:
The Arcade, in Providence, is where the modern shopping mall got it's start in 1828. The indoor shopping arcade was an experiment that didn't catch on at the time but The Arcade is the oldest one to still be around. Today it is a National Landmark and draws throngs of visitors with its grand monumental Greek columns, specialty shops and restaurants.
Rhode Island Vacations Idea #9:
Block Island has been called "one of the 12 last great places in the Western Hemisphere" by The Nature Conservancy. Only 21 square miles and accessible by ferry, this respite from the hot crowded mainland has 3 beaches good for swimming and fishing. It is home to many endangered species of plants and animals.
Vacation in Rhode Island Idea #10:
For something really different check out the
Mid-winter New England Surfing Championship. It's held off the coast of Narragansett each year during the frigid month of February. Surfing in the snow and cold of winter? This should be something to watch! Contact the Eastern Surfing Association for more information.
Rhode Island Vacations Idea #11:
Rhode Island is the ocean state with an extensive coastline that is tailor made for fishing.
Adventure Fishing Charters has 3 vessels and 2 captains ready to take you out for the vacation fishing trip you've been dreaming of. They sail out of Jim's Dock, Jerusalem, RI to fish for Striped Bass, Totaug and others in the great fishing areas around Narragansett, Block Island, the RI South Shore. Come to Rhode Island for your vacation, stay at Wakamo Park Beach Resort in South Kingstown and go fishing with Adventure Fishing Charters.
Rhode Island Vacations Idea #12:
Newport, Rhode Island, has a lot of turn-of-the-century mansions and nine of them are open to the public for guided tours. One of the more popular is
The Breakers on Ochre Point Avenue. This opulent mansion has 70 rooms and was built in 1895.
The Rosecliff was modeled after the Grand Trianon in Versailles. It has the largest ballroom of them all and a heart shaped grand staircase. At
The Beechwood you can see costumed actors who will tell you all the secrets of the elite Victorian high society who lived in these mansions during the "
Gilded Age" .
