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Rhode Island
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
The Ocean State · Capital: Providence · The Northeast
Gilded-Age mansions, sailing culture and 400 miles of coastline in the smallest state.
Why go
What makes Rhode Island worth the trip.
Newport mansions
America's most opulent Gilded-Age summer 'cottages'.
Sailing heritage
A yachting capital with a beautiful bay.
Compact and coastal
Everything is a short drive from the water.
Rhode Island on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
Rhode Island — State Facts
A short history
Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a dissenting minister banished from Massachusetts Bay for advocating religious tolerance and separation of church and state. The colony became a haven for Quakers, Jews and other minorities, and its independent streak led it to be the first colony to formally renounce allegiance to King George III in 1776.
It was the last of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution, in May 1790, holding out over concerns about a strong federal government. In the 19th century, Rhode Island became an industrial powerhouse, its Blackstone Valley mills helping spark the American Industrial Revolution, while Newport grew into a premier naval port and later a Gilded Age summer playground for America's wealthiest families.
Today the smallest U.S. state punches above its weight, with Providence's revitalized downtown, Brown University, a thriving arts and food scene, and Newport's mansion-lined cliffs and world-class sailing. Its 400 miles of coastline, compact geography and coastal charm make it an easy, rewarding add-on to any New England itinerary.
The Breakers in Newport was built in the 1890s as a 'summer cottage' for the Vanderbilt family, and it has 70 rooms, which tells you everything about what the Gilded Age considered modest. Rhode Island was also the first of the thirteen colonies to formally renounce allegiance to the British crown, back in May 1776, two months before the rest.
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Providence
WaterFire, Brown University and a strong food scene.
Selected hotels
Newport
The Breakers, the Cliff Walk and the harbour.
Selected hotels
Block Island
A bluff-lined island escape by ferry.
Selected hotels
Watch Hill
Classic beaches and a historic carousel.
Selected hotels
Walk Newport's Cliff Walk right at sunrise, before the mansion tour buses show up, and you'll have the ocean side of those estates practically to yourself. Skip the tourist clam shacks near the wharf and ask a Providence local where to get proper stuffies, the little stuffed clams, they'll send you somewhere unmarked and worth it.
When to go
Summer for the coast; autumn for quieter towns.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and quiet, with many coastal attractions scaled back; good for a low-key Providence city break.
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild and blooming, with fewer crowds before the summer rush arrives.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Peak beach and sailing season in Newport and Block Island; book accommodations well ahead.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp air, fall foliage and thinner crowds make this a favourite season for touring the mansions.
Rhode Island FAQ
What is the capital of Rhode Island?
Providence is the capital of Rhode Island.
What is the largest city in Rhode Island?
Providence is both the capital and the largest city in Rhode Island.
When did Rhode Island become a state?
Rhode Island became the 13th U.S. state on May 29, 1790.
What is Rhode Island known for?
Rhode Island is known for gilded-Age mansions, sailing culture and 400 miles of coastline in the smallest state.
When is the best time to visit Rhode Island?
Summer for the coast; autumn for quieter towns.
Plan your Rhode Island trip
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