State · Nova Inglaterra

Rhode Island

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the country: the mansions and the seaside path of Newport, the WaterFire bonfires in Providence and Block Island in the Atlantic.

In the photo: The Breakers, Newport

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The state

Get to know Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the United States and is in New England, between Connecticut and Massachusetts, around Narragansett Bay. With a jagged coastline of bays and islands, it presents itself as the Ocean State: beaches, fishing villages, lighthouses and yacht harbors are within easy reach from anywhere in the state.

Newport, on the tip of an island in the bay, was the seaside resort for the wealthiest families in the country in the late 19th century. The mansions from that era, such as The Breakers, Marble House and The Elms, are open to visitors, and the Cliff Walk, a seaside path of about 5.6 km, runs between their gardens and the cliffs. The city also has the Tennis Hall of Fame and the coastal road Ocean Drive.

Providence, the capital, is home to Brown University, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), with an art museum, and the historic College Hill neighborhood. On scattered nights, from May to November, WaterFire lights braziers on the downtown rivers, with music, in an art installation that gathers thousands of people.

To the south, Block Island, about 1 hour by boat, has cliffs, lighthouses and trails, and Watch Hill and Narragansett have open-ocean beaches. On the table, fried squid with pepper (calamari), the state's clear clam chowder, clam cakes and coffee milk, milk with coffee syrup, Rhode Island's official drink.

When to go

From June to September is the beach, boating and Block Island season, with highs near 27 °C. May, September and October usually see less crowds in Newport and WaterFire nights in Providence. Winter is cold and wet; some of Newport’s mansions close, and some open with Christmas decorations in December. Rhode Island is 2 hours behind Brasília (1 hour during daylight saving time).

Getting there

Providence Airport (PVD), in Warwick, has domestic flights; most visitors arrive via Boston Airport, about 1 hour from Providence, or via New York. From Brazil, Boston and New York may have direct or connecting flights depending on season and airline; check before booking. The train links Boston and New York to Providence, and Newport is about a 40-minute drive from Providence. For Block Island, boats depart from Point Judith.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Rhode Island

Which Newport mansions should I visit?

The Breakers, of the Vanderbilt family, is the most sought-after; Marble House and The Elms round out a day of visits. The houses are managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County, which sells combined tickets. Allow a full day, with the Cliff Walk between visits.

What is WaterFire in Providence?

An art installation in which dozens of braziers lit on the downtown rivers burn from sunset into the night, with music and boats. It occurs on selected dates, mainly from May to November; check the schedule before going.

Can you see Rhode Island on a day trip from Boston?

You can visit Newport or Providence in a day, with about 1 to 1.5 hours of driving. To see both cities and Block Island, count on two or three nights.

How to get to Block Island?

By boat, from Point Judith in Narragansett, with ferries year-round and fast boats in season; in summer there are also departures from Newport and Connecticut. On the island, people get around by bicycle, moped or car.

Tap a state to see its destinations. Limites: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (domínio público). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.