What to Do in Southern Rhode Island

 I've been talking a lot about Spain lately while waiting for placements this year, but sometimes I forget how much I really do love where I'm from.  Even if most people have no clue where it is...

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Growing up I quickly realized while traveling around the United States that most people have no idea where Rhode Island is!  It was always the same two questions:  Isn't that part of New York?  Is it really an island?  ...ummm...NO!!  (Don't you people even know the thirteen original colonies!!!  We were the first

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 to declare independence from England!!!)  Other than noticing the failure of geography being taught in schools, I never really thought too much about where I live until I transferred colleges back to RI.  People would always ask me what to do in Rhode Island, there was "nothing to do here", wahh.  No offense right?  I especially heard this from students who grew up in cities and weren't used to the awesomeness that is rural RI.  We may not have a booming metropolis area but there is still plenty to do, you just have to know what to look for!

First some random facts about beautiful Rhode Island:

• We call drinking fountains 'bubblers', 'bubblahs' if you're really a Rhode Islander
• Our nickname used to be Little Rhody
• We are the second most densely populated state (not including US territories)
• We were founded by Roger Williams after he was banned from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for being too 'extreme' (aka believing in AND practicing freedom of speech and religion.)
• Our official state drink is coffee milk, and if you ask most people, Del's lemonade too
• We have a lot of famous firsts: Slater Mill, the oldest Fourth of July Parade, the first all-marble dome, the first synagogue in America, etc.  (Google us, we're pretty awesome)
• Quahog is not a real city in RI, I repeat, not a real city.  Thanks a lot Family Guy.  

There's WAY more to RI than just Providence!

1. Beaches/Outdoor Recreation-It's not called the Ocean State for nothing!  Most of Rhode Island's border is coastline, roughly about 40 miles!  And southern Rhode Island has the majority of RI's beaches.  There are the main town beaches like: Narragansett, South Kingstown/Matunuck, Charlestown and there are also the state beaches: Charlestown Breachway, East Matunuck, Misquamicut, Scarborough, etc.  During summer there is nothing I love more than spending my entire day at the beach with my friends.  On top of these beautiful beaches, southern RI is known for its abundance of outdoor recreation.  There are multiple bike trails, golf courses, state parks perfect for hiking, nature observatories, camping sites, plenty of ponds and rivers to kayak and canoe in (My personal favorite!), and even a ski area.

Spring and Summer

  

Fall and Winter

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2. Historical Sites/Museums-As such an 'old' state (by United States standards) there are a lot of historic sites and museums to visit in southern Rhode Island.  Some cool sites/monuments around the area are: the Hannah Robinson Rock/Tower, the Narragansett Towers, the Mercy Brown grave site, the Great Swamp (where one of the battles during King Philip's War was waged), and the Flying Horse Carousel in Westerly (the oldest of it's kind still operating).  There are way too many to list all of them so you'll just have to trust me on how awesome Rhode Island is.  To be a true New England state one also cannot forget the lighthouses spread along the coast; Point Judith being one of the most well known in the mainland.  But if you're tired of scattered sites and lighthouses then there are also multiple museums just dying to be visited like the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace (You know, the famous portraitist who only painted the most iconic image of George Washington that is on the $1 bill...no big deal or anything...).

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3. Eat and Drink-[*Disclaimer* Let me state before continuing that this is by no means a promotion of any restaurants in particular, just some of my personal favorites in the area.  And to be fair I am most familiar with the Wakefield and Narragansett area of southern RI.]  This is probably my favorite thing about southern RI because I love food.  Like really, REALLY love food (and drinks aren't half bad either I guess...).  Being a 'college area' there are a lot of affordable options like local wing nights which I may or may not frequent on a regular basis...  In the summertime in Narragansett, Iggy's and Aunt Carrie's are the places to be for some RI seafood and 'chowdah'; not to mention Iggy's famous doughboy!  I think the Mews Tavern

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is the place for beer, with two bars and 69 beers on tap that change depending on the season!  Crazy Burger offers delicious burgers, smoothies, vegan options, and entrees that are both unique and delicious.  If you're looking for some fancier dining you should trying Spain's Restaurant and Turtle Soup, both in Narragansett as well.  And what true Rhode Islander doesn't love Allie's Doughnuts or Del's lemonade!  And if you want more than just some wonderful meals, you should also look into the local breweries and vineyards in southern RI.  Now excuse me while I take a lunch break, I'm getting hungry just writing this!

4. Aquidneck Island-Newport is one part of Aquidneck Island--comprised of Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth--though it is probably the most well known.  Newport was one

The Breakers

of the first areas of Rhode Island that was settled and was also once the summer home of wealthy million/billionaires like the Vanderbilts and Astors and is still famous for their mansions (or as they liked to called these houses, their summer 'cottages').  For those who would prefer taking in the exterior of the mansions and the natural beauty of Newport, then the Cliff Walk is perfect for you!  It's a 3.5 mile trail that runs behind most of the major mansions, including the Breakers, Marble House, and Rosecliff.  Newport is home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Fort Adams, and the oldest synagogue in North America; and during the summer months the famous Newport Jazz, Folk, and International Film Festivals are held.  Also like the rest of southern RI it's known for its beautiful beaches and lighthouses, like Rose Island Light.  The downtown waterfront area of Newport is full of great bars, restaurants, and boutique shops; it's a great place to explore.  If you want to

View from Cliff Walk

Newport Storm Brewery

try some local drinks visit the Newport Storm Coastal Extreme Brewery and Distillery or some of the many vineyards throughout Newport County, like the Newport Vineyards in Middletown or Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton.  And if you want something really extreme try Skydive Newport in Middletown, from personal experience it was one of the coolest things I've ever done!

Vines at Sakonnet

5. Block Island-Block Island has a special place in my heart, even though I have only

On the ferry into BI

been able to visit once.  Why you ask?  Well my own family is from Block Island.  I even have some relatives still on the island!  While I do not know the island very well, I know that there is plenty to do.  Especially if you are a nature and history lover--lucky for me right?  It is most popular during summer because yes, it is a real island, and you need to take the ferry to get to it.  BI is most known for its combination of beaches, cycling, and hiking.  It is

Southeast Lighthouse

common to rent mopeds or bicycles to get around the island, as it is also very common to hike the many trails throughout the island.  Block Island has two historic lighthouses: the Southeast Light and the North Light (both of which I have had family living and working in at one point, wicked!).   The North Light is a bit more challenging to get to because it is at the more isolated northern tip of the island and the Southeast Light is popular because it not only has a museum open during the summer, but is near the Mohegan Bluffs.  These bluffs have become eroded over the years and have infamously forced the lighthouse to be moved back 360 feet from its original position!  And if you want to grab something to eat or drink, or to shop, the downtown area near the main harbor is full of cute stores and delicious pubs/restaurants.

Mohegan Bluffs

And there you have it, my personal opinions on what to do in southern Rhode Island.

Is there something about where you're from that you love?