Things To Do
Beaches, events, outdoor activities, and attractions across Rhode Island.
85 articles
Newport Mansions Christmas 2026: Sparkling Lights, tickets and dates
Holidays at the Newport Mansions 2026 runs November 21, 2026 through January 3, 2027. The headline event is Sparkling Lights at The Breakers (44 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840) on select evenings from November 21 to December 27, with timed entry every half hour from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and the house and grounds closing at 8:00 pm. Sparkling Lights tickets are $45 adult non-member, $18 youth ages 6-12, $30 adult member, and free for children under 6; the ticket includes a tour of the decorated interior. Daytime admission to The Breakers alone is $32 adult and $14 youth ages 6-12. One critical detail: regular daytime Breakers tickets are not accepted after 3:00 pm on Sparkling Lights dates, so you need the Sparkling Lights ticket specifically for an evening visit.
WaterFire Providence complete guide 2026
WaterFire Providence is a free award-winning art installation featuring over 80 bonfires lit on the three rivers of downtown Providence, typically running from May through November on select Saturday evenings. The 2026 season is expected to follow a similar schedule to previous years, with full lightings occurring approximately once monthly from 7:30 PM to midnight, drawing over 40,000 visitors per event to Providence's Waterplace Park and Memorial/South Water Street basin areas.
Best things to do in Newport RI 2026
The essential Newport experiences are the Cliff Walk, the Gilded Age mansions, Fort Adams State Park, and the Thames Street harborfront. Add a sailing trip and Second Beach in Middletown for a complete visit. Go in September or early October for good weather without July crowds, and book mansion tickets and restaurant reservations in advance during summer.
Rhode Island Travel Guide 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Rhode Island is a perfect 2–4 day trip destination. Must-see stops include Newport (mansions, Cliff Walk, sailing), Providence (Federal Hill dining, WaterFire, Brown University campus), Narragansett Bay beaches, and Block Island (a 30-minute ferry ride to a car-free island with dramatic cliffs and pristine beaches). Best time to visit: June through September.
Newport Jazz Festival 2026 tickets and guide
Newport Jazz Festival 2026 tickets typically go on sale in late January through newportjazzfest.org and major ticketing platforms. Single-day general admission passes range from $99-$175, while two-day packages cost $175-$300. The festival takes place at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI, usually the first full weekend of August. VIP packages, hotel bundles, and early bird discounts are available for purchase starting three months before the event.
Ferry from Providence to Block Island: Complete Schedule and Tips 2026
There is no direct ferry from downtown Providence to Block Island. The closest departure point is Point Judith (Galilee) in Narragansett, about 45 minutes south of Providence, where the Block Island Ferry runs both a traditional ferry (about 55 minutes) and a hi-speed ferry (about 30 minutes). In summer, a seasonal hi-speed ferry also runs from Newport. Book hi-speed and vehicle tickets in advance during July and August.
Rhode Island Comic Con 2026: tickets, schedule, and what to expect
Rhode Island Comic Con 2026 will take place November 6-8, 2026 at the Rhode Island Convention Center and Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence. Three-day passes typically cost $89-$119, with single-day tickets ranging from $35-$55. Expect celebrity guests, artist alley, cosplay competitions, gaming tournaments, and 100,000+ attendees. Tickets go on sale approximately 6-8 months before the event through the official RICC website.
Best whale watching tours from Rhode Island
Rhode Island offers several excellent whale watching opportunities, with the top operators being Frances Fleet in Point Judith (Narragansett) and Seven B's V in Galilee, both running tours from May through October. These tours typically last 4-5 hours, venture 30-50 miles offshore to Stellwagen Bank and other feeding grounds, and cost between $55-$65 for adults. While Rhode Island has fewer whale watching operators than neighboring Massachusetts, the state's southern location provides equally good access to Atlantic feeding grounds where humpback, finback, and minke whales are commonly spotted.
Halloween events in Providence RI 2026: haunted houses, corn mazes, and more
Providence and surrounding Rhode Island areas offer diverse Halloween events in 2026, including haunted houses like Fright Nights at the Providence Rink (typically $25-35), corn mazes at local farms in nearby Scituate and Foster, the Federal Hill Stroll (usually late October), and Roger Williams Park Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular ($18-25). Events typically run from late September through early November, with peak activities during October weekends.
Best Beaches in Rhode Island 2026: Parking, Fees, and Local Tips
Rhode Island's best beaches include Narragansett Town Beach (great for surf and amenities), Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly (busiest, biggest waves), Scarborough State Beach (beautiful and local-friendly), East Beach in Westerly (quietest and most natural), and Easton's Beach in Newport. State beach parking runs $14–$20/day for RI residents and $20–$30/day for out-of-state visitors in peak season.
Roger Williams Park Zoo Providence: complete guide 2026
Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence is one of the oldest zoos in the country and Rhode Island's most-visited family attraction. Plan on two to three hours, buy tickets online to skip the line, and park free in the lots off Elmwood Avenue. Members get free admission plus reciprocal entry at many other zoos, which pays for itself in about two visits.
Newport mansions tour guide 2026
The Newport Mansions are a collection of Gilded Age estates managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County, with The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms being the most popular properties to visit in 2026. Self-guided and guided tours are available year-round with tickets ranging from $26-$32 for individual mansion tours, while multi-mansion packages offer better value at $54.50 for five properties. The mansions are located along Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive, and most are open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with extended summer hours.