Rhode Island, a U.S. state in New England, is known for sandy shores and seaside Colonial towns. It’s home to several large cities, including Newport, which is famed for sailing and Gilded Age mansions, such as The Breakers. Providence, its capital, is home to Brown University, the famous Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) , Roger Williams Park, with the famed WaterFire art installation.Find below 20 Tourist Attractions in Rhode Island, USA
- The Breakers
The Breakers is a Vanderbilt mansion located on Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island, United States on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a National Historic Landmark, a contributing property to the Bellevue Avenue Historic District, and is owned and operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
2. Roger Williams Park Zoo
With more than 500,000 visitors, this is the most popular tourist attraction. There are more than 100 species of animals and birds from all over the world. The museum of national history and the largest indoor botanical garden are inside the zoo. You can also feed the giraffes and harbor seals. To top it all there is a zipline too.
3. Gurney’s newport resort & marina
Situated on Goat Island and surrounded by Narragansett Bay, Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina offers the seclusion of a private island yet is just a jaunt from the shops and eateries of downtown Newport. Our waterfront resort is centrally located to the area’s abundant attractions and activities, which include landmark mansions, museums, vineyards, golf courses, beaches, state parks, scenic walks, and cruises. Delighting locals and visitors alike, Newport’s annual events include jazz and folk festivals, regattas, a holiday boat parade, a flower show, and restaurant weeks in spring and fall.
4. Marble House
A big mansion, built at the end of the 19th century, and of course as the name suggests, it is completely made of Marble. It is cool and very well maintained. It is ornamented beautifully during the holidays. History-lovers can have a great time with the audio tour and also with your guide.
5. Cliff Walk
It is a 3½ mile walkway behind the historic mansions. A splendid view of the sea, the sunset, and the sunrise are spellbinding, as you enjoy a peaceful walk in the pleasant weather and cool winds, away from the hustle-bustle of life.
6. The Elms
Another lavish and large mansion which was made as a summerhouse in 1901. It has an amazing garden in the front and ocean view on the backside. Perfect place for taking pictures inside and outside the big house. There are audio tours and guided tours for the tourists.The Elms is a large mansion located at 367 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island, completed in 1901. The architect Horace Trumbauer designed it for the coal baron Edward Julius Berwind, taking inspiration from the 18th century Château d’Asnières in Asnières-sur-Seine, France.
7. Fort Adams State Park
A US army and naval base till 1965 is now a virtuous attraction for tourists. They can enjoy fishing, sailing or enjoy a peaceful picnic with the family. The view of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay is breath-taking. It is open for the public from Sunrise to Sunset with free car parking.
8. Rose Cliff
Relatively a smaller mansion but extremely elegant with excellent décor. The interior of the house is very delicate. The main attraction of the mansion is the tiffany, placed on the third floor. It also has a beautiful garden with lots of bushes and trees with a lovely fountain on the front.
9. International Tennis Hall of Fame
An exceptional place for tennis-lovers to visit as there is an amazing collection of tennis rackets and balls from all around the world. It also has the pictorial display of tennis history and evolution throughout the past years. This place also has 13 full-size tennis courts and they also arrange summer tennis tournaments.
10. Mohegan Bluffs
Large clay cliffs cover this place. Tourist comes here to witness the beautiful sight of Atlantic Ocean from the top of the cliff and to spend time in the beaches in the foot of the cliff. They can also just take a long walk on the beach for a lovely sunset and peaceful landscape.
11. WaterFire
If you want to see water and fire together than this place is a must-visit. It is an award-winning sculpture and it is operated between May to October at nights. The eighty-six anchored burning braziers that float just above the water. Street performance, live music, and lightening effects give an amazing atmosphere.
12. Misquamicut State Beach
Flooded with tourists during summer, it is the most popular beach in RI. With more than half-mile of beach drive from the Atlantic Ocean. Facilities such as a modern pavilion, rails, shade gazebo, lifeguard tower, outside shower, composting toilets (waterless) make it tourist-friendly. It also has a gift shop for tourists.
13. Narragansett Town Beach
A perfect place for surfing for tourists from around the world. This flat beach is the cleanest one around with restrooms and first aid available readily. Tourists are welcome to enjoy this salty water beach with exceptional nature’s beauty at sunrise and sunset. Restaurants here gave plenty of variety for the tourists.
13. Twin River Casino
A world-class casino with more than 4000 slot machines. 97 live table games and 23 poker tables, you will not be bored. Located in Lincoln it is a part of Twin River Hotel with several bars and restaurants for locals and tourists who come here to try their luck.
14. Province Performing Arts Centre
An art lover who enjoys a good show, you will love to visit the theater and musical concert here. The 88 years Old Art Center is famous for its amazing interior and a large variety of theater/entertainment for all age tourists and locals. Some shows are even free of cost.
15. Beavertail Lighthouse Museum
Being the 3rd oldest lighthouse of the USA, this museum is very old and filled with lots and lots of information, history & facts of this place. It is also a landmark of Jamestown with a beautiful panoramic view of Narragansett Bay from the top of the lighthouse.
16. Drive the Ten Mile Ocean Drive
Those who love long drives and beaches should take this “Ten Mile Drive” on the south coast of Aquidneck Island. You will find amazing views throughout the drive with beautiful attractions like King Park, New York Yacht Club and the US Coast Guard station. Sunbathing and swimming are also fun here.
17. National Museum of American Illustration
This museum is dedicated exclusively to American illustration artwork, and a great opportunity to see the work of great American artists. It has a wide variety of over 2000 original artworks displayed in an extraordinary mansion setting.
18. Newport Car Museum
The Museum has quite a collection of cars displayed along with many knowledgeable employees to detail to you about the historical background and the technicalities of each car. There are a car simulation room and a gift shop to get hands-on car related stuff. Try to visit during the Hoods Up Weekend held once a month.
19. The Providence Athenaeum
The Providence Athenaeum (1850) is a book-lovers dream place, it is a descendant of the Providence Library (1753) and Providence Athenaeum (1831). You can dive in the pool of books from history to mystery, geography to science and space. Getting married here is a dream for many that have come true.
20. Kingscote
A national historic landmark, the Kingscote is a Gothic Revival mansion and house museum at Bowery Street and Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island. Built-in 1839 and designed by Richard Upjohn, it is a lovely old mansion. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and give you interesting details about the stately residence.
14 .The Pell Bridge
The Claiborne Pell Bridge, commonly known as the Newport Bridge, is a suspension bridge operated by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority that spans the East Passage of the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island (northeastern United States). The bridge, part of RI 138, connects the City of Newport on Aquidneck Island and the Town of Jamestown on Conanicut Island, and is named for longtime Rhode Island U.S. senator Claiborne Pell who lived in Newport. The Pell Bridge is in turn connected to the mainland by the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge.