RHODE ISLAND · USA
Brief History/Information
Rhode Island is the smallest U.S. state by area and famous for its early role in religious freedom and the American Industrial Revolution. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams after he was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for advocating religious tolerance and the separation of church and state. Rhode Island was fiercely independent, attacking the British warship HMS Gaspee in 1772 and becoming the first colony to declare independence from Great Britain on May 4, 1776. It was the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution, joining as the 13th state in May 1790 only after guarantees for a Bill of Rights were assured. In 1790, Samuel Slater helped launch the American Industrial Revolution by building the first water-powered textile mill in Pawtucket.
What we did
September 2026. Us ‘Southern’ girls, decided to have a girls weekend trip to the Northeast to get a taste of fall weather, the end of September 2026. We flew in and out of Boston-Logan International and rented a car to drive, 2 hours. We booked through VRBO and stayed 3 nights at Club Wyndham Long Wharf a two bedroom & bath condo. It was pricy, but then again… everything is pricy in that area.
We happened to be there during an ‘off season’ Nor’easter, so some of our ‘outdoor’ plans had to be changed, but we didn’t let the bad weather ruin us! There is so much history and charm in this beautifully preserved town. There’s plenty of shopping, sipping, and strolling to do here.
Fun Facts About Rhode Island
The state's formal and longest official name used to be Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, but voters officially shortened it to just Rhode Island in 2020.
Coffee milk is the state drink: A sweet blend of cold milk and coffee syrup (with local brand Autocrat reigning supreme) has been the official state beverage since 1993.
The oldest operating tavern in the United States: Newport’s White Horse Tavern opened its doors in 1673 and still serves guests today.
Rhode Island was the only state that never ratified the 18th Amendment, refusing to enforce Prohibition.
Over 400 miles of coastline: Despite its tiny size, the winding shores of Narragansett Bay give the "Ocean State" more coastline than California.
Nation's oldest carousel: The Flying Horse Carousel in Watch Hill, built in 1876 (and sometimes noted from 1850), is the oldest operating flying horse carousel in the U.S.
A driver in Newport was handed the very first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile on August 28, 1904. The driver was going 15 miles per hour and was sentenced to five days in jail in Newport, Rhode Island.
Places of Interest
White Horse Tavern: The oldest operating tavern in the United States, opened its doors in 1673 and still serves guests today.
Mansion Tour: we only booked one mansion tour, because we believed we only needed one and would have a lot to do, but since we were in a Nor’easter, we actually booked another one. It’s much more cost effective if you book more than one in the beginning.
Cliff Walk: Take a beautiful 3.5-mile trail that puts the rocky Atlantic Ocean on one side and stunning historic mansions on the other. No sun coverage. We did the easy and paved part of the walk.
Washington Square: cobblestone paths of Washington Square and the historic district.
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