RHODE ISLAND: THE OCEAN STATE
In Discover New England The Guide (2007)

Small really is beautiful when it comes to Rhode Island. Only 37 miles wide and 48 miles deep, 'Little Rhody' is the USA's smallest state. It has, however, 400 miles of coastline and a great sailing tradition: welcome to the Ocean State! There is plenty to do here, with Providence and Newport, two of New England's most historic and lively cities, plus soft sandy beaches, peaceful countryside, fine restaurants and high-quality B&B inns. And, it is not an island!

My kind of town
One of New England’s largest cities, Providence is the state capital, with one of the world’s biggest domes atop the capitol building. Visitors come for the heritage: Benefit Street, the ‘Mile of History’, is lined with grand, well-preserved 18th and 19th-century houses. In the revitalised downtown, the Arcade (1828) is arguably the country’s first shopping mall; Federal Hill’s ‘Little Italy’ is the place to dine; Brown University is one of the best in New England.

Newport is famous for the late 19th-century Gilded Age mansions. Built by America’s aristocracy, these treasure houses are full of gilt, marble, paintings and antiques. But the city dates back to 1639, with English-style streets, America’s oldest pub, the White Horse Tavern (1673) and handsome 18th and 19th-century homes. A holiday resort for the past 150 years, it is now a year-round destination, with world-class festivals for jazz, folk and classical music.

Somewhere special
Twelve miles offshore is tiny Block Island, a resort where time seems to have stopped in about 1955. Its 10 square miles offer old-fashioned pleasures, such as walks, cycle rides, beach picnics - and home-made ice cream! One hour away by ferry and 30 minutes by high-speed catamaran from Point Judith/Galilee, the island has a couple of atmospheric Victorian hotels and pretty B&Bs.

Highways and byways
It is easy to get lost on Rhode Island’s country roads, but Ministerial Road is straight, even if it is short. From the south, State Route 110 runs from Perryvilleup to West Kingston. Rhododendrons bloom in spring and rustic stone walls recall that this was originally meadow and farmland.

Family fun
There’s nothing quite like a family holiday in South County, the lazy, hazy stretch of soft sands and seaside resorts that runs from the Connecticut border to Rhode Island Sound. Average summer temperatures are ideal for youngsters, warm but not too hot: 22ºC/72ºF. There’s plenty of fun at child-oriented amusement parks such as Adventureland (Narragansett) and the 1867 Flying Horse Carousel, the oldest in America (Watch Hill). Stay in seaside towns with Indian names, such as Narragansett (known for its surfing); spend lazy afternoons on the gentle beaches of Matunuck, Green Hill and Sand Hill Cove. Further west is lively Misquamicut, while, right on the state border is attractive Westerly. Dating back to 1669, it has a growing artistic community.

Culture club
Providence is the home of RISD, the Rhode Island School of Design. Its excellent Museum of Art houses 80,000 works, ranging from ancient Greek and Roman sculpture and French Impressionist paintings to contemporary art. Take time to visit the birthplace of Gilbert Stuart in Saunderstown. This is now a museum dedicated to the life and times of the state's most famous artistic son. Stuart was the portrait painter whose 1795 image of George Washington appears on every one-dollar bill. One of the liveliest exhibition spaces in the state is Warwick's Museum of Art, while Wickford is known for its art shows, especially the annual Wickford Art Show. As well as seeing artwork, you can talk to the artists themselves in the booths that fill the downtown pavements each July. Then there is the grandeur of those century-old Newport mansions. Of course, the furnishings and artwork are magnificent, but to understand the families behind the grand architecture, do take a tour with the enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides. It's like Upstairs, Downstairs all over again!

Only in Rhode Island
In summer, a dazzling display called WaterFire, a mixture of music and light, illuminates the river in Providence. ‘Performances’ take place, usually at weekends and holidays, throughout the summer months. South of Providence, Warwick is known for the stylish low-fare TF Green Airport, but the city is also great fun during the Gaspée Days (June), when locals celebrate an early revolt against the British! In 2006, Newport Country Club hosts the 61st US Women's Open golf championship (June 29-July 2).

Away from it all
Built between 1760 and 1830, Wickford is a delightful example of a Colonial town, with small boats bobbing at the Town Dock. But, it also inspired The Witches of Eastwick! Known for its spring daffodil festival, Bristol has leafy avenues, fine old homes and, nearby, the historic Mount Hope Farm. The Herreshoff Marine Museum records the remarkable achievements of the Herreshoff brothers, designers and builders of five successful America's Cup yachts. To visit by bicycle, pedal the flat, scenic 14-mile East Bay Bike Path from Providence to Bristol.

Fascinating facts
Newport is synonymous with yachting, having hosted the America’s Cup for decades. Replicate the thrill of sailing the original course in a 12-metre yacht or just take a sunset cruise round one of the world’s great bays. Or play tennis where the stars played on the world’s oldest grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum. Just pay a fee and you can serve and volley where John McEnroe, Greg Rusedski and British newcomer Andrew Murray played.