Posted in Rhode Island Meet The Locals February 28, 2021 by

12 Things Everyone In Rhode Island Should Avoid At All Costs

The Ocean State may be the smallest in the nation but it is full of amazing people and places. From the beaches to the city and beyond, there are so many wonderful things to experience. There are, however, a few things that cause issues for some people who live in this great little state. Here is a list of 12 things everyone in Rhode Island avoids.

1. Beach traffic
Flickr/jon collier
We've all been stuck on Route 4 heading towards Narragansett during the peak of beach season. There are only so many times we can listen to our favorite summer playlist in a traffic standstill before we lose it.
2. All other traffic
Flickr/H.B. Elkins
Who are we kidding? The Ocean State is one of the most densely populated states, meaning traffic is pretty much a daily occurrence. Living in Rhode Island means we all have have our own traffic avoiding tricks, including detours, and times of day we just simply don't drive.
3. Tourist hangouts
Flickr/Brad Swick
The locals tend to avoid places like Scarborough Beach and downtown Newport during tourist season.
4. I-95 in Downcity, Providence
Flickr/Ed G
Between the I-95/195 split, exit only lanes, and intense turns, highway driving through Downcity is usually best avoided.
5. Any frozen lemonade that isn't Del's
Flickr/Lorianne DiSabato
So maybe Mr. Lemon makes the cut, but most other frozen lemonades are just sad impostors compared to a Del's. Our intense love of Del's is one of those Rhode Island stereotypes that is absolutely true. There's really nothing better than Del's on a hot summer day, or any time of year really.
6. Clear clam chowder
Flickr/Michiey
Did you know Rhode Island has its own clam chowder? Clear chowder originated in Rhode Island, but the locals tend to avoid it.
7. Snow
Jef Nickerson/Flickr
The snow might not always be avoidable, but it's certainly worth trying.
8. Driving in the snow
Flickr/Jef Nickerson
Driving in the snow in particular should be avoided at all costs. We all know how well the state takes care of its roads, after all.
9. Less than amazing seafood
Flickr/squishyray
With so many options for amazing fresh seafood, anything less than the best is simply a waste of time in little Rhody. This is the Ocean State, after all, and we have some of the best seafood in the country.
10. Potholes
Flickr/Jef Nickerson
This pothole on Dean Street is a great example of what Rhode Islanders have to deal with. And it takes a long time for any pothole to get fixed, if ever.
11. Certain people from your past
Flickr/Carmella Fernando
Living in the smallest state means you will run into familiar faces pretty much everywhere you go. Avoiding the people you've had a falling out with is near impossible and takes some extra work. And if you don't run into that person, there's a good chance you'll run into that person's family somewhere.
12. Inauthentic Italian cuisine
Flickr/ordiglo
There are so many amazing Italian restaurants with the best pizza and pasta in the country. Avoid the chains and go local for real Italian food in Rhode Island.

Can you think of any other things everyone in Rhode Island avoids? Please mention them in the comments! And if you do want to visit a beach but avoid the crowds, check out these low profile beaches in Rhode Island.

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Living In Rhode Island

March 04, 2021
Melissa Mahoney

What are the best things about living in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has the best of everything! It’s filled with so much natural beauty between the forests, bays, ocean, islands, coastline, and beaches. Why would anyone want to live anywhere else? We also have some of the best seafood and Italian restaurants in the country as well as bakeries. There’s a thriving arts scene with the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), Trinity Repertory, and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). And since it’s small, it’s not uncommon to run into people you know in just about any corner of the state.

What stereotypes are there about Rhode Island?

Rhode Islanders have a lot of pride in their state, even the few who actually move away still show a lot of pride in their home state. A drive that takes any longer than 15-20 minutes may as well be considered a day trip. People love their coffee here so much that they put Autocrat Coffee Syrup in milk and have been doing so since childhood. There are many other stereotypes that can be found in our previous article, 15 Extremely Weird Things That Only People From Rhode Island Do.

What are the most popular foods in Rhode Island?

The Ocean State is a foodie state and there are several dishes that are iconic in the state. We have clam cakes that are fried balls of dough with pieces of clam inside. Doughboys, fried dough (like funnel cakes), are popular as well and are served alongside clam cakes at a place like Iggy’s. And pizza strips, which are delicious rectangles of dough and sauce, are a staple in the state.