Weekends and road trips were made for each other, and they’re especially magical in the summer. And even though Rhode Island is small, you can still enjoy a beautiful weekend road trip without ever leaving the state…in fact, you’ll have plenty of time to experience the full bliss that is the Ocean State in the summertime.
Pack an overnight bag, map out some ice cream stops along the way, and prepare to play tourist at home for awhile.
Google Maps
- Bristol
JJBers / Flickr Start your weekend in beautiful Bristol, our deep-water seaport named after Bristol, England. Grab a latte from Empire Tea & Coffee and take a morning stroll down the waterfront.
Bristol is home to Blithewold, which was once the summer home of the Van Wickle family.
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum / Google Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum span about 30 acres, and you can take yourself on a self-guided tour beginning at 10 a.m. each day.
- Newport
Adrian Scottow / Flickr You could easily spend a few days simply exploring Newport. But of you only have an afternoon, just take a walk at the Cliff Walk, enjoy some lunch at the Black Pearl or one of the other iconic eateries, and enjoy some shopping.
- Jamestown
Garen M / Flickr There’s so much to love about charming Jamestown. Named after James, the Duke of York, this little town played a big role in planning the American Revolution. The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum is a must-see.
- Narragansett
Mr. Nixter / Flickr Next, head over to Narragansett to enjoy some dinner and an incredible sunset. We don’t know what it is about sunsets over Naragansett Bay, but they’re absolutely enchanting. Spend the night at one of the little seaside hotels to get the full tourist experience.
- Point Judith
Rawpixel LTD / Flickr Before you leave Narragansett, you’ll definitely want to check out the Point Judith Lighthouse. Located on the west side of the entrance to Narragansett Bay, this lighthouse dates all the way back to 1816. The original structure, which was destroyed by a hurricane, was built in 1810.
- Charlestown
Kristy Lee / Google Charlestown is home to Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, which holds 858 acres of preserved wetlands. This is the perfect peaceful place to come on a warm summer day.
Where else would you go on a Rhode Island road trip like this?
Google Maps
JJBers / Flickr
Start your weekend in beautiful Bristol, our deep-water seaport named after Bristol, England. Grab a latte from Empire Tea & Coffee and take a morning stroll down the waterfront.
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum / Google
Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum span about 30 acres, and you can take yourself on a self-guided tour beginning at 10 a.m. each day.
Adrian Scottow / Flickr
You could easily spend a few days simply exploring Newport. But of you only have an afternoon, just take a walk at the Cliff Walk, enjoy some lunch at the Black Pearl or one of the other iconic eateries, and enjoy some shopping.
Garen M / Flickr
There’s so much to love about charming Jamestown. Named after James, the Duke of York, this little town played a big role in planning the American Revolution. The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum is a must-see.
Mr. Nixter / Flickr
Next, head over to Narragansett to enjoy some dinner and an incredible sunset. We don’t know what it is about sunsets over Naragansett Bay, but they’re absolutely enchanting. Spend the night at one of the little seaside hotels to get the full tourist experience.
Rawpixel LTD / Flickr
Before you leave Narragansett, you’ll definitely want to check out the Point Judith Lighthouse. Located on the west side of the entrance to Narragansett Bay, this lighthouse dates all the way back to 1816. The original structure, which was destroyed by a hurricane, was built in 1810.
Kristy Lee / Google
Charlestown is home to Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, which holds 858 acres of preserved wetlands. This is the perfect peaceful place to come on a warm summer day.
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Address: Bristol, RI 02809, USAAddress: Newport, RI, USAAddress: Narragansett, RI, USAAddress: Point Judith, Narragansett, RI 02882, USAAddress: Charlestown, RI, USA
