Take It Outside !
WINTER
Downhill Skiing and Tubing
No matter the season , Yawgoo Valley in Exeter is an iconic destination for family fun . In the winter , locals break out the snowsuits and head for either the valley ’ s snow tubing park or its ski area . The latter contains thirty-six acres of easy , intermediate and advanced trails , complete with double chair lifts and rope tows . The grounds also feature a pro shop for seasoned skiers and snowboarders and a rental shop for dabblers , plus a snow sports school for newbies . Visitors are welcome to get a season pass or a day pass . yawgoo . com
Ice Fishing
If you ’ re a fan of fishing in warm weather , try your hand at ice fishing . The best ice fishing lakes in Rhode Island , according to the All About Fishing website , include Georgiaville Pond in Smithfield , Waterman Reservoir in Glocester and Greenville and Worden Pond in South Kingstown . aa-fishing . com / ri / rhode-island-ice-fishing . html
Cross country skiing at Goddard Park .
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Local powder junkies can wander in a winter wonderland at John H . Chafee Nature Preserve in North Kingstown , Colt State Park in Bristol and Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge and Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown . The dedicated paths and stunning views give you the space to explore for hours outdoors with friends , or you can find your own intimate spot among the arbors .
Need more ways to enjoy winter ?
visitrhodeisland . com / events / rhode-island-for-the-holidays
Skating rink in Newport .
Ice Skating ( and Bumper Cars )
Skating at the Providence Rink in the heart of the capital city is great for beginners and offers rentals , too . Practice your jumps and spins , then savor some hot cocoa to warm up . Or make a reservation for the ice bumper cars for some good ol ’ family-friendly competition . theprovidencerink . com
For island lovers , the Newport Harbor Island Resort transforms its North Lawn into a winter wonderland . Although it ’ s not the size of an ice hockey rink , it offers sweeping views of the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge , Goat Island Lighthouse and Newport Harbor . newportharborisland . com
Sledding
You might have your favorite neighborhood peak , but Fort Adams State Park in Newport is a prime spot for sledding the Ocean State ’ s few hills . Head out once the snowfall breaks for powder runs , or the next day for speedy chutes on a packed layer of ice .
BYO everything , including sleds , tubes and warm clothing . ( If you don ’ t have the goods , try Ocean State Job Lot , with locations all over Rhode Island !) fortadams . org
Snowy Owl at Sachuest Point .
Birding
Providence Rink bumper cars .
Winter is a great time to catch sight of the snowy owl . Head to places like Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge in Charlestown or Sachuest Point or Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown for up close looks at waterbirds and migrant songbirds or to Block Island , a birder ’ s paradise , for glimpses of rarer birds like the fork-tailed flycatcher . fws . gov / refuge / trustom-pond ; fws . gov / refuge / sachuest-point ; normanbirdsanctuary . org
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