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The Millennial’s Guide To Traveling in Rhode Island

Millennials, we get it. You want to make your Rhode Island adventure memorable (especially if friends or family are counting on your travel-planning skills), but you don’t want to break the bank nor sift through dozens of attractions mid-trip to build the best experience. Soak in The Ocean State’s best and brightest (on a budget!) from Block Island to Providence with our millennial’s guide to Rhode Island.

Newport, Rhode Island.
Newport, Rhode Island. Photo: 6SN7 / Flickr CC BY 2.0.

A Millennial’s Guide: Things to Do in Rhode Island

Make Waves (And Ride Them!) In Newport

For the outdoor enthusiast couple (or family), Rhode Island is your one-stop spot for thrills and spills on the water — Newport especially stands out as a true maritime city with coastlines on the west, south, and east, so there’s more than enough ocean blue for everyone to make a splash. Stop by Scooter World for relatively inexpensive kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals, along with jet skis if you really want to make some waves. If not, you wouldn’t do yourself wrong to watch the yachts roll by at the harbor or dance the night away in downtown Newport.

Take In The Waterfire Lantern Lightings

If you’re looking to revel in a sight truly unique to Lil’ Rhody, look no further than the WaterFire Lantern Lightings in Providence. Events are held all year long — check the schedule and mark your calendars for an evening of live music, performances, and of course, captivating views of a river illuminated by floating fire. If you’re layering up for a December visit, holiday lighting makes WaterFire extra magical. Plenty of outstanding restaurants and nightlife await in the city if you have the time, but a free-to-see WaterFire lighting is worth a visit in and of itself.

Cruise Around Block Island


Photo: Andy Long / Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0.

Wandering around parts of Block Island, you’d hardly believe it’s such a famous Rhode Island hotspot — there’s plenty of room for everyone to stretch their legs and explore. Catch the ferry in Newport or New London, and rent a beach bike or moped to zip around 28 miles of scenic trails. Don’t forget to pack a lunch to enjoy by The North Light or at any spot among miles of coastal bluffs, which offer brag-worthy views of ocean vistas. A frisbee or soccer ball should also make its way into your bag — Block Island’s white-sand beaches were made for play.

If you’re the jammin’ type, a trip to the Block Island Music Festival is one of the most spirited things to do in Rhode Island — this free, six-day June jamboree showcases a wide variety of musical performances.

Driving through Rhode Island takes one or two hours tops, but you can expect weeks worth of low-cost, high-excitement adventure. Stop and smell the salty air with a reservation at one of our Rhode Island inns or hotels — we’ll see to it that your Ocean State getaway is one for the books.