Things To Do
Beaches, events, outdoor activities, and attractions across Rhode Island.
83 articles
AS220 Providence guide: arts, community, and events
AS220 is Providence's pioneering unjuried, uncensored arts space located at 115 Empire Street in Downtown Providence. Founded in 1985, this nonprofit cultural center offers free gallery exhibitions, live performances, artist studios, printmaking facilities, a youth program, and the AS220 Foo(d) restaurant. All events are open to everyone regardless of experience level, making it Rhode Island's most accessible hub for grassroots arts and creative community building.
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.
Pickleball courts in Rhode Island: where to play guide 2026
Rhode Island offers over 60 pickleball courts across the state in 2026, including indoor and outdoor facilities in Providence, Warwick, Newport, and Cranston. Many municipal parks provide free courts, while premium facilities like the Rhode Island Tennis & Health Club charge $10-15 per session. The state's compact size means you're never more than 30 minutes from quality courts, with peak playing season running April through October.
Best playgrounds in Providence RI for kids
The best playgrounds in Providence RI include Blackstone Park Playground (745 Blackstone Blvd) with its modern equipment and spray features, Neutaconkanut Hill Park Playground offering nature trails alongside play areas, India Point Park with waterfront views, and Lippitt Park Playground (1800 Westminster St) featuring classic equipment in a neighborhood setting. All Providence public playgrounds are free and open dawn to dusk year-round.
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.
Providence Bruins hockey: tickets, schedule, and Amica Mutual Pavilion guide
Providence Bruins hockey tickets range from $20-$65 depending on seating and game day. Purchase tickets online at ProvidenceBruins.com, at the Amica Mutual Pavilion box office (1 La Salle Square, Providence), or through Ticketmaster. The 2025-26 AHL season runs October through April with 36 home games. The downtown arena is accessible via RIPTA buses and offers multiple parking options within walking distance.
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.
Best indoor play spaces in Rhode Island for kids and toddlers
Rhode Island's best indoor play spaces include The Playground at Garden City Center in Cranston, Monkey Business Play & Parties in Warwick, and Kidz Kastle in Lincoln. These facilities offer climate-controlled environments with age-appropriate activities, slides, climbing structures, and interactive play zones. Most charge $10-15 per child with toddler-specific areas available. The Providence Children's Museum and various trampoline parks provide additional options for energetic kids during cold or rainy days.
Rhode Island road races and 5K runs 2026: complete guide
Rhode Island has a dense road racing calendar for its size, anchored by the Blessing of the Fleet 10-Miler in Narragansett, the CVS Health Downtown 5K in Providence, and the Newport Marathon and Half. Most 5Ks cost $25-$40 and benefit local charities. Spring and fall are peak season, with summer racing concentrated in the evenings along the coast.
Best Christmas tree farms in Rhode Island 2026
Rhode Island offers excellent Christmas tree farms for the 2026 season, with top choices including Schartner Farm in Exeter, Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown, and Pippin Orchard in Cranston. Most farms open the day after Thanksgiving and operate weekends through mid-December. Expect to pay $60-$90 for Fraser Firs and Balsams, with many farms offering complimentary hot cocoa, hayrides, and free tree shaking and netting services.
Top golf courses in Rhode Island 2026
Rhode Island offers approximately 45 golf courses ranging from championship-level public courses to affordable municipal options. Top courses for 2026 include Newport National Golf Club in Middletown (consistently ranked among New England's best public courses), Triggs Memorial Golf Course in Providence (a Donald Ross design), and the private Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington. Green fees at public courses typically range from $30-$150 depending on the facility and time of day.