Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but it packs more into its borders than you’d expect. From historic seaside mansions and walkable harbor towns to sandy beaches, food festivals, and family-friendly parks, there are so many things to do in Rhode Island that you could fill an entire long weekend without ever leaving the state.

Whether you’re looking for things to do in Newport Rhode Island, planning a city day in Providence, searching for the best Rhode Island beaches, or just wondering what fun things to do in Rhode Island this weekend, you’ll find something here that fits your style. Coastal charm, Gilded Age history, fresh seafood, outdoor adventures — it’s all within about an hour’s drive.

If you’re ready to explore classic New England scenery with just the right mix of relaxation and activity, here are the best things to do in Rhode Island.

Are you ready to explore Rhode Island?

Here are 15 amazing places to visit in Rhode Island.

Destination	Best For	Location	Good for Kids?	Season
Newport	Mansions + coastline	Coastal	Yes	Spring–Fall
Providence	Food + culture	City	Yes	Year-round
Block Island	Rustic escape	Island	Yes (older kids)	Summer
Narragansett Beach	Surf + beach day	South County	Yes	Summer
Westerly	Beaches + charm	Coastal	Yes	Summer

Not Sure What to Do in Rhode Island? Start Here

Rhode Island may be small, but it’s packed. Here’s how I’d decide what to do.

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If You Want Classic Rhode Island Coastal Scenery

Head to Newport

Walk the Newport Cliff Walk, tour the mansions, and spend time along the harbor. It’s the most iconic Rhode Island experience.

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If You’re Traveling With Kids

 Choose Roger Williams Park Zoo
 Or spend the day at Roger Williams Park

Easy walking, playgrounds, animals, open space — zero stress.

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If You Want a Beach Day

Pick one of Rhode Island’s best beaches:

• Narragansett Town Beach

• Misquamicut State Beach

• Watch Hill Beach

• East Matunuck State Beach

Each has a slightly different vibe — surfy, classic, charming, or laid-back.

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If You Want a City Day

Explore Providence

Walk downtown, visit Brown University, eat on Federal Hill, and if timing works — go to WaterFire Providence.

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If You Want a True Escape

Take the ferry to Block Island

Beaches, biking, bluffs — it feels completely different from the mainland.

Things to Do in Newport, Rhode Island

Newport Harbor

The harbor area in Newport is one of the most scenic and walkable spots in Rhode Island. Lined with sailboats, historic buildings, and waterfront restaurants, it’s the perfect place to slow down and soak up that classic New England coastal vibe. Stroll along Bowen’s Wharf and Bannister’s Wharf, browse local boutiques, grab an ice cream, or settle in for fresh seafood with a water view.

In the summer, you’ll see everything from small sailboats to massive yachts anchored in the harbor, especially during regatta season. Whether you’re hopping on a sunset cruise or just wandering the docks, Newport Harbor feels quintessentially Rhode Island.

Newport Cliff Walk

 

The Newport Cliff Walk is a must-do for visitors to Newport.  The walkway spans four miles and offers scenic vistas of the coastline, historic homes, scenic mansions, gardens and many other points of interest. Along the way, you will also come across mansions from the Gilded Age and some of the most beautiful coastline in Rhode Island.

The walk is 45-60 minutes long and can be enjoyed at your own pace. There are some parts of the Cliff Walk that are hard for strollers or little ones, so check out my post on Newport before you plan to go.

 

The Breakers in Newport

The Breakers is one of America’s most famous Gilded Age mansions – it was built by Henry W. and Elisabeth M. Vanderbilt in 1895! The mansion was modeled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles, located at 680 Bellevue Avenue in Newport. It took 3 years and more than 250 craftsmen and artisans to complete this gorgeous home (the most expensive house ever built in its day!)

Be sure to take a look inside…it is truly stunning. Tours are available daily, and they have a great audio tour for kids.

Things to Do in Providence, Rhode Island

Roger Williams Park

This park in Providence is full of features that will all you and your family to enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Called “The People’s Park” there are tons of things to do here for free or low cost. The park is especially known for its extensive nature trails, awesome playground, bike park and boating.

 

In 1637, Roger Williams purchased land for a cattle farm here — now it’s one of Rhode Island’s most popular tourist attractions! The park features over 200 acres of land which includes trails through woods, meadows and swamps, along with the Wolfman exhibit and a wildlife center.

 

If you’re looking for something less active, take in one of the many exhibits or performances happening on any given day. From art museums to interactive children’s play areas, there is always tons going on here! Be sure to come back at night if you want to experience Roger Williams Park during its most lively – it hosts an outdoor movie series every Friday throughout summer, with activities beginning around sunset.

For information on park activities click here.

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Roger Williams Park  Zoo is a great place to add to your exploration of Roger Williams Park. There are over 100 acres of parkland to explore, as well as animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, which is home to more than 400 animals from all over the world. You’ll be able to see some rare and endangered species here.

The zoo is consistently ranked as one of the best zoos in New England.  So if you have kids, this is a great option for a fun afternoon.

 

Downtown Providence

With a vibrant arts scene, world-class restaurants, and more history than your average city, downtown doesn’t just have something for adults – kids will also find plenty to do!

With numerous shops and boutiques lining the cobblestone streets, it’s easy to spend an entire day wandering around here. Be sure to check out places like Brown University, Roger Williams National Memorial, and the Providence Athenaeum while downtown.

If you want a great meal, head to Waterman’s Grille for a delicious dinner on the river!

Providence is easy to reach from NYC by bus or Boston by car, so there’s no excuse to postpone the trip!

WaterFire

WaterFire Providence is a spectacular event with hundreds of bonfires lit near the surface of the rivers near downtown Providence.  There are also torches scattered throughout the walkways – these burn with fire for about 20 minutes before they go out on their own, leaving behind smoldering embers, but the 20 minutes they burn is spectacular.

There is also live entertainment (dancers and musicians) throughout the entire event!

WaterFire events take place every year in Providence in the fall months and is something you must see at least once. It can get very busy on the weekend evenings!

Get dates and information about WaterFire here.

La Gondola

See Providence in style on a gondola in downtown Providence. The gondolier will take you under bridges and through the historic city streets for a quarter-mile ride. You will feel like you have been transported to Venice, Italy while you enjoy Italian music and munchies.

Best Beaches in Rhode Island

There are so many great beaches in Rhode Island that it is hard to pick the best, but these are some of the most popular beaches. For a little state, Rhode Island has tons of beaches, and everyone will have their opinion on which is best and why. So I will focus on the big 4! Make sure to pack your best beach essentials before you head out!

The big beaches are:

Misquamicut, Narragansett, Watch Hill, and East Matunuck.

Misquamicut Beach- Best for big waves

Misquamicut State Beach features clean beaches with safe swimming and surfing, playgrounds for kids and some beautiful sandy shoreline. The waves aren’t crazy, but they are big enough to boogie board and enjoy some water play.

There are public restrooms and you can generally find decent parking. Lifeguards are on duty in the summer months.

Watch Hill Beach- Best for families

Watch Hill Beach is another fabulous beach in Rhode Island – just down the road from Misquamicut.  It is situated in the charming town of Watch Hill and a great family beach.

Lifeguards are on duty but this is a much smaller beach than Misquamicut and doesn’t have all the amenities. However, they have a charming carousel (with public restrooms) and a quaint town to explore.

You will need to be here EARLY to park!

 

Narragansett Town Beach- best for surfers

Naragansett Beach is the real deal when it comes to beaches in Rhode Island. Surfers can be found enjoying the waves, families tend to stay where the water doesn’t break so much and there is plenty of room for both.

Lifeguards are on duty, and there are amenities like public restrooms. Parking is expensive, so plan on staying for the day.

East Matunuck Beach- best for gentle waves

East Matunuck Beach is a smaller beach that holds my heart! I love this beach because it is close to parking, so you don’t have to haul everything your kids say they need at the beach very far. The waves are gentle and offer showers so you can take your kids home sand and salt free! Lifeguards are on duty.

If you go to the beach, see if you can get into the Matunuck Oyster bar just up the road. It is one of the best meals I have ever had!

Best Outdoor & Island Experiences

Block Island

Block Island is a beautiful island just off the coast of Rhode Island. It is characterized by its white sand beaches and temperate weather. New Englanders love the island because it is rustic and beautiful with miles of beach! This 7-mile-long island is only accessible by ferry, so be sure to take the time to enjoy the ferry ride over.

The ferry ride takes about an hour each way, but you can buy a round-trip ticket for up to 48 hours.

Buy your tickets for Block Island here!

Once you arrive on Block Island, head out to explore! You can walk along the beach or go for a hike through the natural areas of the island. Enjoy a bike ride around the island (there are rentals everywhere) or just chill at the beach. Be sure to stop in at one of our many restaurants for some delicious seafood!

 

Westerly 

Westerly is a small town about an hour minutes from Providence with a population around 17,000 people. The town is full of historic sites, shops, restaurants, and beautiful parks, making this a great destination for anyone looking for a step back in time.  Two of the best beaches in Rhode Island are in Westerly (Misquamicut and Watch Hill), and the seaside town has tons of other smaller beaches you can visit.

Be sure to visit Watch Hill Lighthouse to get a terrific coastline view and learn about Westerly in its earliest days.

 

 

Things to Do in Rhode Island This Weekend

If you’re heading to Rhode Island for a quick weekend getaway (or you’re local and need something to do), here’s how I’d plan it.

Friday Night

If you’re anywhere near Providence, check whether WaterFire Providence is happening. The bonfires along the river completely transform downtown and make for an easy, memorable evening. Grab dinner on Federal Hill and then wander the riverwalk.

Saturday

Head to Newport for the day. Walk part (or all) of the Newport Cliff Walk, tour The Breakers, and spend time in the harbor area browsing Bowen’s Wharf.

If it’s summer, swap the mansions for beach time at Narragansett Town Beach.

Sunday

Slow things down:

• Take the ferry to Block Island

• Visit Roger Williams Park Zoo with kids

• Or grab brunch and stroll through downtown Providence

Rhode Island is small enough that you can easily see multiple regions in one weekend without feeling rushed.

Things to Do in Rhode Island When It Rains

New England weather can be unpredictable — but a rainy day doesn’t ruin a Rhode Island trip.

Here’s what to do when the skies open up.

Tour the Newport Mansions

The Gilded Age mansions are actually perfect for rainy days. Head inside The Breakers or one of the other Newport Preservation Society homes and spend a couple of hours exploring incredible architecture and history.

Explore Downtown Providence

Providence has:

• Coffee shops

• Boutiques

• Bookstores

• Museums

• Great restaurants

Walk around Brown University, pop into the Providence Athenaeum, and duck into a cozy restaurant on Federal Hill.

Visit Roger Williams Park Zoo

Yes — even in the rain. Many exhibits at Roger Williams Park Zoo have indoor viewing areas, and crowds are usually lighter on gray days.

Do a Food-Focused Day

Rhode Island does food very well.

Rainy day ideas:

• Federal Hill in Providence

• Fresh seafood in Newport

• Matunuck Oyster Bar near East Matunuck State Beach

Sometimes the best rainy day plan is simply leaning into New England comfort food.

Are You Excited to Visit Rhode Island?

Rhode Island is a great state to visit in New England. I hope you have some great ideas of some fun places to visit in Rhode Island with your family.