Rhode Island

Rhode Island – the Ocean State – is the smallest state in the United States, and small really is beautiful. Only 37 miles east to west and 48 miles north to south “Little Rhody” has 400 miles of coastline, a great sailing tradition, and Newport, situated at the entrance to Narragansett Bay, attracts some of the wealthiest yachtsmen in the world.

This little state offers more than just water, more than 60 percent of its total area is covered in woodland, carefully preserved in 53 state parks, making it a perfect place to indulge in camping, hiking, and cycling.

The state capital is the city of Providence, lying at the northern point of narrow Narragansett Bay about 30 miles from the open ocean. Both Providence and the southerly city of Newport have a fascinating colonial history worthy of investigating via the local attractions, while the little resort island of Block, about an hour by ferry from the southern town of Point Judith is an unspoilt and well-preserved paradise for beachcombing and bird watching.

Once reserved as the resort for the rich, Rhode Island is today a favourite east coast getaway, particularly for Bostonians and New Yorkers, being only 60 miles and 180 miles respectively from those major cities.

The extravagant 19th-century mansions of America’s wealthy families that grace Newport, Rhode Island’s southern city on the Atlantic Ocean, are now reminders of a golden age that serve as tourist attractions to be marvelled at by visitors.