For such a small state, "Little Rhody" is packed with some of New England's most popular tourist attractions.
Newport, America's best-known playground for the super-rich in the halcyon days of the early 20th century, is the state's major draw, with its fabled mansions built to rival (and often imitate) the grand palaces of European royalty. But Providence, too, is filled with the history of an earlier period, when its merchants grew rich on the slave trade and other lucrative commerce. The extra mile of beautiful beaches -Rhode Island has a vast coastline - a wealthy industrial history, and an idyllic island, and you will see why Rhode Island should be on any New England itinerary.
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1. The Breakers, Newport
Newport's most celebrated - and showiest - Gilded Age mansion was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1895 and reflects the unimaginable wealth of the Vanderbilt family. The Italian Renaissance's "summer house" has 70 rooms, including a large three-story dining room, and is built with imported marble and marble from France and Italy.
Ceiling paintings, mosaics, marble columns, fine wood paneling, and carved stucco decorate its rooms lavishly and ostentatiously, as was intended by the Vanderbilts, who never risked being outdone by their wealthy competitors.
2. Cliff Walk, Newport
Despite past efforts of mansion owners on the preferred ocean side of Bellevue Avenue to close off access, Newport's Cliff Walk has remained a public walking path since the days when the great palaces were at their prime.
The pathway along the rocky shore provides walkers with views of breakers crashing on the rocks below as well as the mansions' gardens and sea-facing facades above and is one of the most popular - and free - things to do in Newport.
The Cliff Walk begins well before The Breakers, the first major mansion it skirts, and after 3.5 miles, it passes by Rough Point, at the end of Bellevue Avenue. The exotic Tea House at Marble House stands just above the path.
3. The Elms, Newport
Philadelphia coal magnate Edward J. Berwind commissioned his mansion to be based on the mid-18th century Château d'Asnière, near Paris. Completed in 1901, the Berwinds' summer home was embellished with Venetian paintings and furnished in French antiques from the period of the chateau it was modeled after.
Be sure to allow time to visit the recently restored Classical Revival gardens, especially the lower gardens, which feature fountains, a sunken garden, and marble pavilions.
4. WaterFire Providence
The four-acre Waterplace Park and Riverwalk border the Woonasquatucket River as it winds through Downcity, Providence. Several times during the spring, summer, and fall, the city celebrates this river, which until late in the 20th century, was completely covered by roadways.
More than 100 bonfires are lit in large iron pans in the river's center and kept blazing throughout the evening as residents and tourists stroll along the brick riverside walkways and footbridges. Street performers, vendors, and world music highlight these family-friendly celebrations.
5. Benefit Street Mile of History, Providence
Benefit Street was the social, cultural, artistic, civic, and intellectual heart of Providence in the colonial and early Federal periods, and today it's the most famous street in Rhode Island.
You can immerse yourself in these exciting times for the young country just by walking this mile of stone- and brick-paved street. What makes Benefit Street especially interesting is that it is not a frozen-in-time museum street but a vibrant neighborhood, where later additions of Victorian and a few 20th-century buildings keep it in the here-and-now.
Some of Providence's most interesting architecture is here, and a stroll along it will reveal beautiful gardens, a family burial ground, and churches, as well as period homes.
6. RISD Museum of Art, Providence
The Museum of Art at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence is remarkable not only for the staggering numbers of its collections but for their breadth of scope.
The historical and contemporary textiles and dress collection alone totals more than 26,000 objects, from ancient Egyptian clothing fragments and Elizabethan needlework to 20th-century American designers and Japanese Noh theater robes.
Other collections are equally impressive, including Decorative Arts and Design; Asian Art; Contemporary Art (which includes pioneering video arts); Ancient Art (complete with a mummy and coffin); and a Painting and Sculpture collection featuring works by Copley, Homer, Manet, Monet, Degas, Cézanne, Rodin, Picasso, Matisse, Maxfield Parrish, and Georgia O'Keeffe.
The museum's shop is always a good source of gifts and household items that are unusual and reflect the cutting-edge design.
7. John Brown House, Providence
The first person to build a beautiful house outside the tight confines of the harbor, prosperous colonial merchant, John Brown, chose this location on a high hill so he could see his jetty in India. India, where his ships have traded Chinese profits.
The elegant home is still filled with the original Brown family furnishings, which include some of the finest examples of works by Rhode Island's famed cabinetmakers, as well as early decorative arts. If you can see only one colonial home here, make it this one.
8. Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol
Sailing, and most particularly the America's Cup race, is deeply ingrained into Newport culture and history. To gain a sense of this, and to see models and actually restored boats - including one that's considered the most beautiful hull form ever created - visit the museum commemorating the Herreshoffs and their boat designs.
Their most legendary feat was designing and building eight consecutive successful defenders of America's Cup, from 1893 to 1934. America's Cup Hall of Fame is part of the museum, which features more than 60 sailing and power yachts along with displays and videos on boat building and sailing.
9. Narragansett Bay Beaches
If the fine white sand beckons you, head to the towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown, south of Providence, to find a string of public beaches on the protected waters of Narragansett Bay.
The latter is within walking distance of the old beach resort town of Narragansett Pier, where you'll find both lodging and restaurants. Farther south, more beaches face onto Long Island Sound, where the surf can be a bit heavier. Watch Hill is a delightful old-fashioned resort town with an excellent beach, a lighthouse, and a historic carousel.
10. Block Island
Ten miles offshore, Block Island is reached by ferry from Point Judith (Galilee), on the south coast. From laid-back little New Harbor, where you'll find lodging and dining, you can bicycle or walk to several beaches or to the Victorian Southeast Lighthouse.
So solidly does this brick building and its light tower sit atop its bluff, you'll be surprised to hear the story of how it was moved in 1994 to keep it from falling off its eroding bluffs into the sea.
Mohegan Bluffs is a three-mile stretch of coastal cliffs with a 200-foot drop to the ocean. At the foot of these is a beautiful beach, although the prospect of climbing back up the 151 steps might discourage you.
At the northern tip of the island is the 1867 North Lighthouse, where there is an interpretive center. Miles of trails crisscross the island and are popular with birders who come to spot the more than 150 species stopping here in the fall. A weekend on this island with its far-away feeling is one of the most romantic things to do in Rhode Island.
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