Though most of Rhode Island is not an island, there's enough water around that no one's likely to notice. This smallest of the U.S. states has more than 400 mi/650 km of coastline, so whether you're interested in boating, beaching or both, the ocean should play a big part in your visit.
The sea has drawn visitors to Rhode Island for a long time, including some of the wealthiest vacationers in the world. They converged on Newport, in particular, building lavish seaside mansions that today are some of the state's most popular travel attractions. Rhode Island is still big with the affluent, but it's a good travel destination for others as well. A large number of public parks are right on the water, so everyone can gain access to Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.