While the 48 by 37 miles making up Rhode Island doesn’t sound like much, the number of places to see all over the state make this an ideal place for road trips with friends and family alike. Here are five of the best road trips in Rhode Island that you can take to explore some fun and unique attractions:

1. South County
Flickr/Jack Mclane
Local seafood places like Iggy's:
Flickr/Amy Ross
Harbors like Galilee and Wickford Village:
This.Usually.Works/Flickr
We'd have a hard time discussing the best road trips in Rhode Island without starting in South County. The dozens of choices of beaches, restaurants, and shops make this a road trip worth going back to time and time again. Follow Route 1 for historic museums, antique shops, and more. Then swing up through Narraganset on Route 1A for amazing seafood restaurants like Iggy's in Narragansett, scenic sites like the sea wall, and then end up at the Umbrella Factory for coffee and a little more antiquing.
2. Blackstone Valley
Flickr/Doug Kerr
The Blackstone Valley Bike Path and other nature trails:
Flickr/Sean Benham
The Blackstone River attractions:
Flickr/Sean
Follow Routes 146, or 126 from Providence through Woonsocket (and the cities and towns along the way), for amazing historic attractions, nature paths, the state's only Casino, Twin River, and other things to do in Rhode Island. Blackstone Valley was the heart of the industrial revolution and Slater Mills Historic Site is an amazing place in Pawtucket to stop in for some guided history. You can take a long bike ride along the Blackstone Valley Bike Path for sites of the river and parks and then try your luck in the evening at the casino. This is a perfect road trip without even leaving the state.
3. Block Island
Flickr/Joy

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Block Island Lighthouses:
Flickr/Chris Goldberg
National Wildlife Refuge:
Flickr/US Fish and Wildlife Service
Ok so your road trip might start out with parking your car on a ferry, but there are still tons of road trip attractions once you've successfully made it onto the island. Start out by exploring the town of New Shoreham and its restaurants, then drive around the island to take in amazing beaches, stop to gawk at the Mohegan Bluffs, and proceed to take selfies with lighthouses in the background. Don't forget to spend some time at the National Wildlife Refuge for some of the nation's best birdwatching.
4. Northern Rhode Island
Flickr/LindaDee2006
Putnam Pike:
Flickr/Rick Payette
Rivers and Lakes:
Flickr/Andrew Malone
Take a drive down Route 44 to experience some of the best of Northern Rhode Island. Pick up some fresh veggies at the many local farms on the route, stop in the town of Chepachet in Glocester for delicious restaurants, and visit the rivers and lakes for boat rentals and fishing.
5. Aquidneck Island
Flickr/Matt
The Newport Cliffwalk and Mansions:
Flickr/Sean
Downtown Newport:
Andrew/Flickr
Take a drive down Route 138 and keep going over the bridge, past Jamestown, and you'll end up on Aquidneck Island. Stop at both Newport Historical Society and the Preservation Society for guided history tours of colonial buildings and gilded age mansions, and grab a delicious dinner at the historic White Horse Tavern, the country's oldest colonial tavern in continuous operation. Don't forget to get your tickets in advance for the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals.

With scenic routes, islands, historic sites, and nature trails, the Ocean State has some of the most amazing sites in the country. Can you think of any additional best road trips in Rhode Island we may have missed? Please give us your suggestions in the comments.

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More to Explore

Best Road Trips In Rhode Island

Melissa M. | June 30, 2021

What are some must-visit attractions in Rhode Island?

Literary fans, specifically fans of H.P. Lovecraft, who was born and raised in Rhode Island, can visit several sites around the state that are related to the author. You can read about those must-visit places in this article. Roger Williams Park Zoo should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit. This zoo is much more than just a zoo - it’s a whole park filled with pathways for hiking and biking, a playground, a carousel, a museum, and so much more. It’s one of the best places to visit in the state.

What are some of the best things to do in Rhode Island?

Some of the best things to do in Rhode Island also happen to be some of the most popular. From exploring the mansions, the Cliff Walk, and downtown areas of Newport to WaterFire, RISD, and the East Side of Providence, there’s plenty to do in this small state of ours. We have an incredible arts community with theatres like Trinity Repertory and the Providence Performing Arts Center (if you have tickets to a show, head to Capriccio ahead of time for an incredible dinner). Plenty of hiking trails can be found throughout as well as many miles of bike paths around the state. And if you love being on the water, head to the coast to charter a boat or take some sailing lessons.

What is living in Rhode Island like?

Let’s face it, Rhode Island is quite a special place. We have our own way of speaking, our own accent, and take pride in everything related to this tiny state. Rhode Island has tight-knit communities where everyone seems to know each other and there’s always a huge chance you’ll run into someone you know in just about any part of the state. We love our coffee milk and our Del’s Lemonade. Clam cakes were born here and are a staple across the state. And we have some of the best restaurants in the country, especially Italian. 

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Featured Addresses
Iggy's Doughboys, 1151 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
Galilee, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA
Wickford, North Kingstown, RI 02852, USA
Rhode Island, USA
New Shoreham, RI 02807, USA
Chepachet, Glocester, RI 02814, USA
Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island, USA