12 Magnificent Hidden Gems To Discover In Rhode Island This Year
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
Rhode Island makes life so much fun. We can all agree about that, right? Sometimes, though, we tend to get a bit complacent and forget what makes our beautiful state so special. Rediscover the magic of Rhode Island this year with 12 months filled with adventures. Add these 12 hidden gems in Rhode Island to your bucket list for what promises to be your best year yet.
1. January – Foster
Foster, RI, USA
Start off the year, usually the snowiest month of the winter, with a visit to the snowiest town in Rhode Island. Foster offers plenty to do – from a visit to Rhode Island’s lone covered bridge to a scenic hike to the highest point in the state. Take a peek at all the fun that awaits in the snowiest town in Rhode Island. If you've been Googling "hidden gems near me," you've just hit the jackpot, and it all starts with a visit to Foster.
2. February – Goddard Memorial State Park
Goddard Memorial State Park Beach, Warwick, RI 02818, USA
These hidden gems also promise some of the best things to do in Rhode Island. Goddard Memorial State Park offers plenty to do all year round, but you’ll definitely want to plan a visit during the winter. Bundle up for a day of snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. Horseback riding is also popular. Read more about this beautiful state park in Rhode Island.
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3. March – Fort Wetherill State Park
Fort Wetherill State Park, 3 Fort Wetherill Rd, Jamestown, RI 02835, USA
We’re marching toward spring this month, so how about packing a picnic and heading to the smallest state park in Rhode Island? Fort Wetherill State Park provides an idyllic backdrop for hiking, boating, and picnicking. The Rhode Island state park is also home to fascinating abandoned ruins. Read more about the smallest state park in Rhode Island.
Get a peek at the beauty at this hidden gem state park in Rhode Island with the YouTube video by A Life Worth Finding.
Get a peek at the beauty at this hidden gem state park in Rhode Island with the YouTube video by A Life Worth Finding.
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4. April – Kinney Azalea Gardens
Kinney Azalea Gardens, 2391 Kingstown Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Spring brings with it the blossoming of colorful flowers, making it the perfect time to go for a stroll through Kinney Azalea Gardens. Open all year round, the gardens are brimming with azaleas and rhododendrons. Stop to smell the flowers, or soak up the atmosphere by relaxing on a bench. If you've been looking for "hidden gems near me," this is certainly one of the prettiest. Learn more about this beautiful garden in Rhode Island.
5. May – Cumberland Monastery Trail
Monastery Drive, Monastery Dr, Cumberland, RI 02864, USA
Let’s carry that flower theme into May with a meander along the Cumberland Monastery Trail, which is brimming with vibrant wildflowers and wildlife. Chances are you’ll run across a deer or two, too. The trail is predominately flat and can be quite buggy during the warmer months. Bring and wear plenty of bug spray. Take a peek at the beauty that awaits on this wildflower trail in Rhode Island.
6. June – Spring Lake
Spring Lake, Burrillville, RI, USA
Summertime in Rhode Island means spending as much time as we can outdoors, including staying cool in swimming holes. An old-fashioned swimming hole with a beautiful sandy beach, Spring Lake draws beachgoers from all over and counts as one of the best things to do in Rhode Island in summer. Spend the day soaking up some rays, swimming, kayaking, and playing games at the arcade. Read more about this old-fashioned swimming hole in our previous article.
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7. July – Bristol
Bristol, RI 02809, USA
Bristol is the place to be on the Fourth of July. After all, it hosts the oldest Fourth of July parade in the United States. Watch the parade then explore Bristol before taking in an epic fireworks show. Go shopping; visit Colt State Park, or enjoy an afternoon of sail boating. Find out why Bristol is the most unassuming weekend getaway in Rhode Island and one of the most enchanting hidden gems in Rhode Island.
8. August – Yawgoo Water Park
Yawgoo Valley Ski Area & Water Park, 160 Yawgoo Valley Rd, Exeter, RI 02822, USA
August can get downright hot, making it the perfect time to spend a day or two at Yawgoo Water Park. The water park boasts water slides, two pools, and some delicious eats. Learn more about this water park in Rhode Island.
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9. September – Shannock Falls
Horseshoe Falls, Richmond, RI 02892, USA
As the colors of fall slowly begin to paint the landscape, Shannock Falls becomes even more breathtaking. Nestled in the town of Richmond, the waterfall is easily accessible. (You don’t even need to hike to it). Take a peek at the autumn beauty that awaits at this waterfall in Rhode Island, one of the best Rhode Island hidden gems.
10. October – Ten Mile River Greenway
10 Mile River Greenway Bikepath, Ten Mile River Greenway Bikepath, Pawtucket, RI, USA
Marvel at some of the most gorgeous fall foliage along Ten Mile River Greenway. Hike or bike this scenic path that features such beauty as a pond and local wildlife. You’ll also pass old railroad tracks on this six-mile trail. Read more about this picturesque fall destination in Rhode Island.
11. November – Big John Leyden’s Tree Farm
Big John Leyden Christmas Tree Farm, Big Farm On the Right Side Rd, 179 Plain Meeting House Rd, West Greenwich, RI 02817, USA
A trip to Big John Leyden’s Tree Farm is just the way to get into the Christmas spirit; the earlier you visit in the season, the bigger selection you’ll have. Pick your favorite tree then snap a photo with the 20-foot-tall Santa. Plan your visit to this Christmas tree farm in Rhode Island.
12. December – Newport
Newport, RI, USA
Get into the holiday spirit with a visit to the darling town of Newport. The town hosts a variety of activities, events, and guests – including Santa and Mrs. Claus – during Christmastime. Read more about this enchanting Christmas town in Rhode Island.
While you're in Newport during the Christmas season, take a tour of the Elms. Check out this YouTube video by Christopher Putvinski.
While you're in Newport during the Christmas season, take a tour of the Elms. Check out this YouTube video by Christopher Putvinski.
Which of these hidden gems in Rhode Island are your favorites? What do you think are the best Rhode Island hidden gems? Let us know in the comments! When you’re up for another adventure, set off on this hidden gems road trip in Rhode Island.
Discover more hidden gems on some of the best hikes in Rhode Island. You can find them all on AllTrails.
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More to Explore
Hidden Gems In Rhode Island
What are some of the best hidden gems in Rhode Island?
Get ready for your best year yet with a visit to these Rhode Island hidden gems, but they’re just the start. Here are more of the best hidden gems in Rhode Island that deserve a spot on your bucket list:
- Big River Management Area in West Greenwich beckons visitors all year long with hiking, sledding, and more.
- Go on a leisurely stroll through Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, where you’ll likely cross paths with a variety of local wildlife.
- Enjoy an evening of stargazing at Frosty Drew Observatory and Sky Theatre in Charlestown.
- Hike along the Whale Rock Trail in Narragansett, a boardwalk trail that leads to a sandy beach.
Itching to hit the road? You won’t find a better way to explore than on this hidden gems road trip in Rhode Island.