Things To Do
Beaches, events, outdoor activities, and attractions across Rhode Island.
85 articles
Gaspee Days in Warwick: Rhode Island's Revolutionary Summer Festival
Gaspee Days is Warwick's annual festival commemorating the 1772 burning of the British schooner HMS Gaspee — one of the first acts of violent rebellion against the Crown, more than a year before the Boston Tea Party. The celebration runs through late May and June in the Pawtuxet Village area, with an arts and crafts fair, colonial encampment, foot races, the Gaspee Days Parade, and a symbolic burning of the Gaspee.
Surfing in Narragansett RI: best spots, conditions, and lessons
Narragansett is New England''s best-known surf town. Narragansett Town Beach is the main break and the best place to learn, with Point Judith and Ruggles in Newport offering more advanced waves. Fall is the best season thanks to hurricane swells and warm water. You need a wetsuit year-round — 3/2mm in summer, 4/3mm or thicker with boots and hood in winter.
PVD Fest Providence music festival 2026 guide
PVD Fest Providence 2026 is Rhode Island's premier free outdoor music and arts festival, typically held in late April along Westminster Street in downtown Providence. The event features multiple stages with local and national acts, street performers, food vendors, and artisan markets. While official 2026 dates haven't been announced yet, the festival traditionally draws 40,000+ attendees and showcases the best of Providence's creative culture across a full day of entertainment.
Best Dog Parks in Rhode Island: Off-Leash Areas and Rules
Rhode Island's best off-leash dog parks include the Gano Street dog run in Providence, the Warwick City Park dog park, the Portsmouth Dog Park on Braman's Lane, and fenced runs in South Kingstown and East Providence. Most are free, open dawn to dusk, and require dogs to be licensed and vaccinated. Outside designated dog parks, leash rules apply in nearly every RI city and town.
Providence nightlife guide 2026
Providence nightlife in 2026 offers a diverse mix of entertainment across distinct neighborhoods, with the main action concentrated on Washington Street in downtown, Broadway in the West End, Thayer Street near Brown University, and Federal Hill's Atwells Avenue. The city features over 50 bars, clubs, and live music venues ranging from craft cocktail lounges and dive bars to dance clubs and comedy venues, with most establishments open until 1 AM or 2 AM depending on their license. Cover charges typically range from free to $20 for special events, while craft cocktails average $12-16 and local beers run $6-8.
Top craft breweries in Rhode Island 2026
Rhode Island's craft beer scene has flourished with over 30 breweries operating across the state as of 2026. The top craft breweries include Tilted Barn Brewery in Exeter, known for its innovative New England IPAs; Proclamation Ale Company in Warwick, famous for hoppy ales and sours; Foolproof Brewing Company in Pawtucket, offering year-round favorites; Long Live Beerworks in Providence, specializing in experimental brews; and Narragansett Beer (craft division) in Providence, blending heritage with modern craft techniques.
Rhode Island lighthouse tour guide
Rhode Island is home to 21 historic lighthouses, more per square mile than any other state, with 10 open to the public for tours or climbing. The most accessible lighthouses include Beavertail Light in Jamestown (museum open weekends May-Columbus Day), Point Judith Light in Narragansett (grounds open daily), and Rose Island Light in Newport (accessible by ferry with overnight stays available). Most lighthouses are managed by preservation societies and the U.S. Coast Guard, with visiting hours typically running from late spring through early fall.
Providence food tour guide 2026
Providence offers several guided food tours in 2026, with Rhode Island Red Food Tours and Taste of Rhode Island Tours leading the market at $65-85 per person for 2.5-3 hour walking experiences through Federal Hill, Downtown, and the East Side. Self-guided food tours are also popular, focusing on neighborhoods like Broadway in the West End, Thayer Street, and Wickenden Street, where you can explore Providence's diverse culinary scene from Italian bakeries to Southeast Asian restaurants at your own pace.
Rhode Island vineyard and winery guide 2026
Rhode Island has approximately 10-12 active vineyards and wineries scattered primarily across the southern coastal regions and Aquidneck Island, with most concentrated in Little Compton, Middletown, and Portsmouth. The state's maritime climate and diverse soil types create ideal conditions for cool-climate varietals, and most wineries offer tastings year-round with seasonal hours. Notable establishments include Greenvale Vineyards (est. 1982), Newport Vineyards, and Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyard, which collectively produce thousands of cases annually and host events ranging from intimate tastings to large festivals.
Best family activities in Rhode Island
Rhode Island offers exceptional family activities year-round, from exploring Roger Williams Park Zoo's 100+ acres with over 100 species to enjoying Misquamicut State Beach's gentle waves and carousel rides. Families can visit WaterFire Providence (free admission, select summer and fall evenings), tour historic mansions along Bellevue Avenue in Newport, or spend a day at the Providence Children's Museum at 100 South Street. The Ocean State packs remarkable variety into its compact size, allowing families to experience beaches, museums, parks, and cultural attractions all within a 45-minute drive.
Rhode Island ghost tours guide 2026
Rhode Island offers several ghost tours throughout 2026, with the most popular being Newport Ghost Tours, Providence Ghost Tours, and seasonal walking tours in historic areas like Benefit Street and Federal Hill. Tours typically run April through November, with peak Halloween season offerings, and cost between $20-$40 per person. The state's 400-year history provides plenty of haunted locations, from Colonial-era graveyards to notorious mansions and waterfront buildings.
Where to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Rhode Island: PVD Fan Zone, Sports Bars, and Getting to Gillette
Rhode Island's biggest free World Cup viewing spot is the PVD Fan Zone at Station Park in Providence, showing matches on a Jumbotron through the July 19 final. Seven tournament matches are being played at Gillette Stadium about 25 miles away, reachable by commuter rail, official express buses, or car. Providence sports bars around downtown and Federal Hill are showing every match.