Block Island
For a true glimpse of New England living and scenery, hop aboard the ferry to Block Island, located off Rhode Island’s southern shore in Narragansett Bay. This pretty circle of green ringed with gorgeous shoreline is home to sandy coastal paths, historic brick lighthouses, and miles of old stone walls stretched across verdant farmland.
WaterFire
A trail of more than 80 bonfires is set ablaze atop the surface of the three rivers that flow through Providence, filling the canals with a warm glow and the air with the smell of wood smoke, as onlookers and musicians line the banks. Created by sculptor Barnaby Evans, the work has existed in some form since 1994, and comes alive during the summer months, and additional select days throughout the year. Check the WaterFire website for dates.
Mansion Hopping
A trip to Newport isn’t complete without ogling the opulent Gilded Age mansions here. The Preservation Society of Newport County offers tours of ten of these over-the-top temples to wealth, including The Breakers, a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo built by the Vanderbilt family. The interior looks a bit like a wedding cake dipped in gold and velvet.