LITTLE RHODY
EXPLORE
LITTLE RHODY
Brush Up on Your History
As one of the country ’ s original thirteen Colonies , Rhode Island and its inhabitants go way back . Dive into the state ’ s past with outings to these five historical sites .
Newport Mansions Claim to Fame : Called “ summer cottages ” by their wealthy nineteenth-century owners from New York and Philadelphia , this is where folks can witness Gilded Age splendor in all its glory . newportmansions . org
Old Slater Mill , Pawtucket Claim to Fame : Home to the first water-operated cotton-spinning mill in the United States , Old Slater Mill is considered the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution . Stop by to see the preserved Colonial-style factory and its textile machines dating back to the 1700s . nps . gov / blrv / learn / historyculture / slatermill . htm
Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum , Saunderstown Claim to Fame : Many people don ’ t realize Gilbert Stuart , the famous painter of the George Washington portrait that appears on the U . S . one dollar bill , was a Rhode Islander . This homestead-turned-museum features more of his works as well as a rich history embedded within beautiful gardens and a traditional gristmill . gilbertstuartmuseum . org
Fort Adams , Newport Claim to Fame : Fort Adams is the largest and most complex coastal fortress in North America . Available for self-guided tours , the grounds feature mysterious tunnels , pre-Revolutionary earthen cannon emplacements and a WWII command center . fortadams . org
Narragansett Towers Claim to Fame : The sole remaining structure from the once great Narragansett Pier Casino , the Towers ’ granite walls have withstood not just one , but two disastrous fires as well as a number of nor ’ easters and hurricanes . Today , it offers historical accounts of the coastal town and singular views of the ocean . thetowersri . com
LEARN A THING OR TWO
From sports to arts to history , these locally minded museums have a lot to share .
RISD Museum Established in 1877 as part of a vibrant , creative community , the RISD Museum ( yes , RISD as in the Rhode Island School of Design ) is home to more than 100,000 works of art ( with 2,444 on display ). These pieces date from ancient times to today and include paintings , screenprints , sculpture , photography , decorative arts , textiles and furniture from all over the world . Providence , risdmuseum . org
Bus and Walking Tours Explore the state on foot through a guided tour from Experience Rhode Island . If you ’ re ambitious , take the Rhode Island in a Day tour , a full seven-and-a-half-hour adventure . experienceri . com
Boat Tours Check out the Rhode Island Fast Ferry ’ s Lighthouses in Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor tours , Providence River Boat Company ’ s twilight river cruise , Newport Classic Cruises ’ sunset sail or Save The Bay ’ s seal watch tour ( winter only ). fastferry . com ; providenceriverboart . com ; sail-newport . com ; savebay . org
History Tours For a historical account , check out Benefit Street : The Mile of History . mileofhistory . org
Providence Children ’ s Museum The champions of play , Providence Children ’ s Museum ’ s interactive exhibits ( think : an innovation lab with crafts and 3D printers , a woodlands-themed tree house and a science-driven water area ) inspire lifelong learning through creativity and exploration . Become a member for unlimited admission all year long , or purchase a day pass online . Providence , providencechildrensmuseum . org
Take a Tour
See the state from a new perspective with one of these tours .
Rail Explorers Tour Ride down the Old Colony Railroad , built in 1862 , via peddling “ explorer ” vehicles attached to the original train tracks . Experience unique views of Narragansett Bay , Jamestown , the Mount Hope Bridge , Hog Island Lighthouse and coastal woodlands . Portsmouth , Rail Explorers USA . railexplorers . net
Food Tours For local culinary insights , check out Rhode Island Red Food Tours . rhodeislandred foodtours . com
Ghost Tours Check out Providence Ghost Tour or Newport Ghost Tours . providenceghost tour . com ; ghostsofnewport . com
28 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY ’ S NEWCOMERS ’ GUIDE l 2024