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 Newports 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 Providences 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 states treasurers for travelers.
Other 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. |