| Like much of New England, Rhode Island is notable for the great variety of its natural
beauty, cultural offerings, and social history. To people who have not spent a lot of time
in the Ocean State, the first images that arise may be of Newport’s fabulous
Gilded-Age mansions, its legacy of 12-meter yachting, and its famed jazz, folk, and
classical music festivals. Other well-known images of Rhode Island are its long, sandy
beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay and the revitalized cultural jewel
that is Providence, the capital city. Food and wine connoisseurs flock to
Providence’s fabulous restaurants with upcoming chefs, many from nearby Johnson and
Wales University, all nestled amongst boutique shops in the recently renovated downtown
area. And Newport attracts history buffs with its elegant mansions as well as discerning
travelers seeking an upscale Newport Rhode Island bed breakfast, urban inn or historic
hotel experience. All of these are among the state’s treasurers for travelers. |
| Others enticements for vacationers include vineyards and summertime polo competitions
in the town of Portsmouth, north of Newport; the Cliff Walk, a three-mile elevated path
above the rocky coves that wrap around Newport; and the lovely, intimate streets and
buildings of Westerly and Watch Hill in South County. Providence is home to Brown
University and the Rhode Island School of Design, both of which bring to the city the
whole panoply of cultural, performance, and public art that grow around world-class
schools. Last and most pristine, Block Island lies off the shore in Block Island Sound, an
easy ferry ride from Point Judith. Leave your car on the mainland and rent a moped for a
carefree jaunt out to the beaches and bluffs of this small gem in the sound. |
