These worthwhile New England destinations are just a hop , skip and a jump away .
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF BATTLESHIP COVE MARITIME MUSEUM .
DINNER
Wind down the evening with a relaxing dinner and spectacular sunset at Restaurant 1879 . For a date night delicacy , try the oysters at Block Island Oyster Bar and Grill or other seafood dishes at its sister restaurant , Kimberly ’ s . Dine with the kitchen in full view at the Barn , part of the Spring House Hotel . If you ’ re extra hungry , go for a three-course meal at Winfield ’ s . For an exclusive vegetarian menu , check out Eli ’ s Restaurant . Tired of seafood ? Check out TigerFish Tiki Lounge + Restaurant . atlanticinn . com ; blockislandoysterbarandgrill . com ; kimberlysblockisland . com ; springhouseblockisland . com ; winfieldsbi . com ; elisblockisland . com ; tigerfishbi . com
DESSERT
Get a scoop at the Ice Cream Place , or opt for gelato and espresso at Dune & Bluffs . Feeling extra decadent ? Order a heavenly rich cone at Smitty ’ s Ice Cream . facebook . com / theicecreamplaceblockisland ; facebook . com / duneandbluffs ; smittysicecreambi . com
NIGHTLIFE
Get the real small-town feel at spots like Poor People ’ s Pub , Old Island Pub and Captain Nick ’ s Rock-and-Roll Bar . Grab a pina colada in a coconut right next to the ferry at Ballard ’ s Beach Resort to feel like you ’ re truly on an island in paradise . pppbi . com ; oldislandpub . com ; captainnicksbi . com ; ballardsbi . com
DON ’ T MISS !
Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Montville , CT , and Battleship Cove in Fall River , MA .
Take a trip up to Boston , via MBTA commuter rail .( page 79 )
CONNECTICUT
FOXWOODS Just an hour ’ s drive from Rhode Island ’ s capital , Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket — North America ’ s largest resort casino — comprises a vast array of gaming across seven on-premises casinos ; multiple AAA Four Diamond hotels ; a diverse collection of high-quality restaurants ; world-renowned spas ; state-of-the-art theaters ; lively nightclubs ; a HighFlyer zip line and more . With the recent addition of the Tanger Outlets ( made up of seventy-plus premium stores ), it isn ’ t difficult to see why Foxwoods is a premier destination on the East Coast . foxwoods . com
MYSTIC AQUARIUM Embark on an adventure just across Rhode Island ’ s southwest border to Mystic Aquarium , home to the likes of beluga whales , African penguins , octopuses , eels , jellyfish , thousands of colorful fish and more . Ever wanted to be a marine biologist for a day or team up with a seal to paint a masterpiece ? Now ’ s your chance with the aquarium ’ s animal encounter programs . Plus , across the street you ’ ll find Olde Mistick Village . This eighteenth century village-turned-shopping center features a unique array of shops , filling bites and an all-new luxury cinema complete with VIP lounge chairs . mysticaquarium . org ; oldemistickvillage . com
MASSACHUSETTS
PATRIOT PLACE Located next to the renowned Gillette Stadium in Foxborough , Patriot Place features more than 1.3 million square feet of first-rate restaurants , retail and entertainment destinations . In between window-shopping , brush up on your Pats history at the Patriots Hall of Fame before catching a standup show at the Comedy Scene . If you ’ re hungry , swing by Bar Louie for some mouthwatering burgers and spectacular cocktails or Davio ’ s Northern Italian Steakhouse for a delectable cut of filet mignon . Just remember to save room for dessert ! You won ’ t be able to pass by Cupcake Charlie ’ s without picking up a tasty treat . patriot-place . com
64 YOUR ULTIMATE SUMMER GUIDE 2023