Our beautiful state boasts so many absolutely breathtaking places, but one – Kinney Azalea Gardens – offers a quiet sanctuary. If your idea of tranquility is quiet among nature, beautiful flowers, and plenty of moments to reflect, you’ll think you’ve discovered a piece of heaven. Perhaps even better, the beautiful gardens are open daily during daylight hours.

Sometimes nothing soothes the soul like spending a bit of time among nature, going for a leisurely walk, and stopping to smell the flowers - literally.
Google/Deborah Franks
We have so many amazing places where we can escape in Rhode Island, but Kinney Azalea Gardens might be the best.
Spanning 16 beautiful acres, Kinney Azalea Gardens in Kingston, a botanical garden and nursery, is home to more than 500 types of azaleas and rhododendrons.
Facebook/Kinney Azalea Gardens
The Rhode Island azalea gardens are not pet-friendly, so you'll have to leave your pup at home.
Open during the daylight hours each day, the botanical garden also sells plants. If you're inspired by your stroll, you can purchase flowers of your own to take home.
Google/Roy Nunn
Among the best gardens in Rhode Island, Kinney Azalea Gardens got its start in 1920 and showcases the work of four generations of the Kinney family. It all began with Lorenzo Kinney Jr., a professor at the University of Rhode Island, when he planted conifers on his son's land. Eventually, he discovered the beauty of azaleas, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The azalea gardens earn rave reviews from repeat visitors who call it a "hidden gem," "quiet," and "relaxing."
Google/Quishi Lin

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One of the highlights of this Rhode Island gem is the stone Moongate, framed by colorful flowers.
Google/Animesh Chowdhury
You might feel as though you've wandered into a fairy tale at this azalea garden in Rhode Island.
Boasting little surprises around every corner, the garden also features an enchanting footbridge.
Google/Michelle Gauvin
Sit down on one of the chairs that dots the property to enjoy the views and just relax.
Google/Natalya Krishchuk
Admission to the gardens is free. However, cash donations are accepted and appreciated. The gardens stay open through donations and plant sales.
Facebook/Kinney Azalea Gardens
Find more information, including a list of some of its plants, on the official website of Kinney Azalea Gardens. Or, stop by the Facebook page of one of the best azalea gardens in Rhode Island.
Facebook/Kinney Azalea Gardens

Have you been to Kinney Azalea Gardens in Rhode Island? Do you agree it is one of the best gardens in Rhode Island? Let us know in the comments! For another heavenly experience, make your way to Mohegan Bluffs on Block Island.

Another way to see the heavenly landscapes is on one of the best hiking trails in Rhode Island. You can find them all on AllTrails.

These Rhode Island Bluffs Are The Coolest Thing You’ll Ever See For Free

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More to Explore

Outdoor Activities In Rhode Island

Beth Price-Williams | April 01, 2024

Are there any other gardens in Rhode Island?

Kinney Azalea Gardens is one of the best gardens in Rhode Island, but it’s certainly not the only one worthy of a visit. Here are a few more of the best gardens in Rhode Island.

  • Stroll through the Green Acres Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, where you’ll pass elephants, bears, and more. There are more than 80 topiary sculptures, so don’t forget your camera.
  • Wilcox Park in Westerly is perfect for a leisurely walk. While it’s pretty any time of the year, plan a visit during the spring or summer when the flowers are in bloom.
  • A one-of-a-kind destination that’s been called an international bazaar, the Fantastic Umbrella Factory in Charlestown is also home to a beautiful garden that’s perfect for a meander.

What are some of the best waterfall hikes in Rhode Island?

We might not find a better way, besides visiting one of the best gardens in Rhode Island, to spend a warm day than to chase a few waterfalls. Here are some of the best waterfall hikes in Rhode Island.

  • Stepstone Falls via Ben Utter Trail – Exeter
  • Belleville Pond Trail – North Kingston
  • Blackstone River Bikeway Trail – Woonsocket
  • Turner Loop Trail – East Providence
  • Hunt’s Mill Trail – Rumford

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Featured Addresses
Kinney Azalea Gardens, 2391 Kingstown Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, USA