Don’t sleep on “Little Rhody.”
Ready for adventure in America’s smallest state?
Welcome to Rhode Island, or “Little Rhody,” as the locals say. Though the name might suggest it’s surrounded by water, it’s not an island, but there are 400 miles of coastline.
To some, it’s a popular getaway for a weekend or summer break. For others, it might not yet be on the radar, and that’s part of the fun. From outdoor adventure to wellness, from sightseeing to off-the-beaten-path exploring, and from foodie fun to something for everyone.
Newport, Rhode Island, is one of the sailing capitals of the world. Feel the wind in your hair and learn how to jibe and tack sailing on the Classic Coast with Sail Newport. Then, spy on beautiful mansions breezing the Cliff Walk, a popular 3.5-mile free coastal trail connecting historic mansions from the Gilded Age.
Watch the video now and experience America’s smallest state.
In South County, make a detour to spot a troll. Rhode Island has five Thomas Danbo sculptures, four in South County, which makes for a fun real-life scavenger hunt and a great photo opportunity. Make your way to Watch Hill to take a stroll over to the lighthouse and enjoy dinner at Olympia Tea Room, a local favorite for 110 years.
Luckily, any trip to Rhode Island is also a foodie adventure. There’s so much fresh seafood, Italian food, and a wide variety of delicious fare. Order the state seafood, calamari, and other local bites. You can sample a smorgasbord of oysters at the new, stylish, and sophisticated Mantunuck Atelier. Between hip cafes like Kaffeology, and neighborhood bars and restaurants like Bar ’Cino, you’ll find lots of great bites. Bonus to discover wineries like Newport Vineyards, where you can wander through the vines, and stop in local breweries like The Guild. The beer hall and beer garden in Pawtucket is a nice place to kick back and sample a few brews.
Take a hike in Blackstone Valley, near the Cumberland Monastery, and connect with nature. On an easy two-mile loop, you can visit a couple of historic stops, like The Nine Men’s Misery memorial, the oldest war memorial in the country, dating back to 1675, and a quarry of blue granite that monks excavated to build the monastery. Keep an eye out for Rhode Island’s state flower, the violet, and watch out for poison ivy.
If you’re looking for an outdoorsy getaway, perch up at The Preserve Sporting Club and Resort. You can feed the resident rams, the resort mascot. Stay in a cozy hotel with spacious residential-style suites and rooms. You can also rent a home, townhouse, or tiny house, and more. When you arrive, take a tour to get a lay of the land, the property encompasses 3,500 acres. There are many exciting activities to keep you busy. Fly through the sky by zipline or explore by land on horseback. Try fly fishing, kayaking, clay shooting, archery, hunting, and so much more.
When you’re ready to wind down, enjoy the OH! Spa on the ground level of the hotel. Soak in a heated whirlpool before committing to the cold plunge shower, then swim in the outdoor infinity pool. For a special occasion, treat your loved one to a couple’s massage in a private treehouse.
Don’t miss having a candlelit dinner inside a Hobbit House! Sit down to a four-course meal with fine bourbon pairings, best enjoyed in good company. Stay for some quality time around the campfire with s’mores.
No matter how you spend your time in Little Rhody, the destination has plenty of big thrills packed in its petite state borders.