Information sources: A=AAA Travel Guidebook, AC=AAA Camping Book, H= Highways magazine (Good Sam

Club), L=loop tours book (Readers Digest, hardbound), X=Xerox copy, T=1992 Texas travel soft-cover book,
NOTE: Key to map-location numbering system:
A=2005 trip B=2006 trip C=2007 trip No letter = 2008 trip & later trips
NOTE: Info may NOT contain CURRENT phone numbers, prices, times of operation, etc. due to publication dates for
info sources. ALWAYS check with the attraction / location / venue for updated info rather than drive to the location
and be very disappointed !
RHODE ISLAND 2007, 2014
RI001 B biking in Rhode Island (A202)
1) East Bay Bicycle Path is 14.5 miles long, stretching from Providences India Point to Bristols Independence
Park.
2) curving Bellevue and Ocean avenues provide splendid views of both coastline and mansions.
3) Closer to the edge on Cliff Walk theres a rugged hiking path that maneuvers along Newports rocky bluffs.
RI002 B Block Island (A207) 1) 18-acre Block Island Beach has many bike and hike trails. A popular trail is
Clayhead Trails, 2 miles north off Corn Neck Road. 2) Also, Greenway Trails, a half-mile west off Center Road. 3)
Mohegan Bluffs rise 200 feet along the southeast shore, affording an excellent view of the southern coast of Rhode
Island.
RI003 B Bristol (A208) Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum [Gem site], 1.5 mi. south via SR114 at 101
Ferry Road, overlooking Narragansett Bay. Summer residence of coal magnate, 45-room 1908 mansion with 33
acres of landscaped grounds. Has a collection of rare & unusual plants including a 100-ft sequoia. Allow 2 hours.
Open Wed-Sun and most Mon. holidays 10-4, mid-Apr to Columbus Day. Mansion & grounds $11, $9 (62+, military w/
ID, & full-time students w/ ID). Grounds when mansion is closed = $5. Ph: 401.253.2707.
RI004 B Narragansett (A210)
1. South County Museum [Gem site] is entered from Strathmore Street off SR1A at the Narragansett Indian
Monument, following signs into Canonchet Farm. Living-history museum with 7 buildings; interactive
exhibits; experience life in towns, farms, and on the sea. Allow 2 hours. Guided torus available. Tues-Sat
10-4, July-Aug; Fri-Sat 10-4, & Sun noon-4 May-June, and Sept-Oct. Additional AAA discount advertised.
$10, seniors $9, $4 (6-12). Ph: 401.783.5400.
2. Southland Riverboat Cruises at State Pier #3 adjacent to Block Island Ferry, sail on 1.75-hour narrated
sightseeing journey through the Harbor of Refuge, past historic Point Judith Lighthouse, and the 11 islands in
Great Salt Pond. Two-hour sunset cruises available late-May to mid-Sept. Sightseeing cruise daily at 11, 1,
and 3, mid-June through Labor Day; Sat & Sun at noon and 2, Memorial Day weekend to mid-June and day
after Labor Day to Columbus Day. Schedule may vary, call ahead. Sightseeing cruise = $12. Ph:
401.783.2954.
3. Canonchet Memorial, at corner of Beach Street and Ocean Road (SR1A), opposite the Narragansett town
beach at Gazebo Park, is a 6,000-pound limestone sculpture of the historical Narragansett Indian chief
Canonchet. Daily dawndusk. FREE.
4. Narragansett Indian Monument, Kingstown Road and Strathmore Street is a 23-foot-high sculpture carved
from a single Douglas fir tree by artist Peter Toth. The monument honors the AMerican Indian. Daily dusk-to-
dawn. FREE.
RI005 B Newport (A210-218)
1. Cliff Walk (A211) (also see RI01 above) is a 3-mile walking path, skirting bluffs between Eatons Beach and
Baileys Beach. The trail is rough at points, affords beautiful vistas of rocky coastline, glimpsed of manicured
Rhode Island Points-of-Interest
cottages behind hedges. Sections of Cliff Walk are directly on boulders at the waters edge. Wear good
walking shoes and USE CAUTION!
2. Self-guiding tour of Historic Hill (A212) includes 26 informative plaques describing historic properties.
Obtain maps from Newport Historical Society Hdqtrs, 82 Touro St., Ph: 401.846.0813.
3. The Preservation Society of Newport County offers individual admissions and multiple house tickets.
Included int he Newport Mansions Experience ticket are any five of the Preservation Societys properties.
Listed Preservation Society properties include: The Breakers, Chateau-sur-Mer, The Elms, Kingscote,
Marble House and Rosecliff (in Newport), and Green Animals Topiary Garden (open in season in
Portsmouth). The Breakers Plus package includes admission to The Breakers and any one other
Preservation Society house. The Newport Mansions Experience package is $31.50; $10 (ages 6-17). The
Breakers Plus package is $24.50; $6.50 (ages 6-17). Winter Passport admission to three properties $28; $9
(ages 6-17). Rates are subject to change; please phone ahead. Other packages also are available. Tickets
are available at each property, at the Preservation Society of Newport County, 424 Bellevue Avenue, Ph:
401-847-1000, and the Newport Visitor Center, 23 Americas Cup Avenue.
4. The Breakers [Gem site] (A212), 44 Ochre Point Avenue was built in 1895 and is probably the most
opulent of Newports mansions. Was 70-room summer cottage of Vanderbilt. First floor and sections of the
second are open to the public. (For details see 2013 AAA pg. 442) Allow at least one hour. Daily 10-6, mid-
Apr thru Jan 1
st
. Last tour begins 1 hour before closing. $19.50; $5.50 (ages 6-17). Phone ahead to confirm
rates & schedule. Ph: 401.847.1000.
5. The Breakers Stable and Carriage House (A212) is at Bateman and Coggeshall avenues, just west of The
Breakers. Includes greenhouses (not open to the public) and 2-acre summer garden. Allow 30 minutes. Free
with any admission to any Preservation Society of Newport County property. Daily 10-5 mid-June to mid-
Sept. $5, $1 (ages 6-17). Ph: 401.847.1000.
6. International Yacht Restoration School (A214) at 449 Thames St., in waterfront district. Visitors can watch
students at work as well as see schools collection of antique boats, including 133-foot schooner, the 1885
Coronet. Phone ahead to confirm schedule: 401.848.5777 $5.
7. Marble House [Gem site] (A214), 596 Bellevue Ave, built 1892 for a Vanderbilt, one of Newports most
sumptuous mansions. (For details see 2013 AAA pg. 444) Allow one hour. Daily 10-6, mid-Apr thru Jan 1
st
.
Sat, Sun & holidays 10-5 rest of year. Last tour begins 1 hour before closing. $10. Ph: 401.847.1000.
8. The Elms, [Gem site] 367 Bellevue Avenue, is a Neoclassical mansion designed by American architect
Horace Trumauer and built in 1901 for Edward J. Berwind, the king of Americas coal industry. (For details
see 2013 AAA pg. 443) Audio tours daily 10-6, Apr-Dec; Sat-Sun and holidays 10-5, rest of year. Behind the
scenes tour daily 10-4, Apr-Dec. Closed ThGv and Christmas. AAA Discount indicated. $14.50; $5.50 (ages
6-17). Servant Life tour admission $15, $5 (ages 6-17). Phone ahead to confirm rates and schedule. Ph:
401-847-1000.
9. Museum of Newport History (A214), 127 Thames St. The Newport Historical Society offers walking tours
that depart from here. Museum = $5. Mon, Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5, May-Sept; Fri-Sat 10-4, Sun 1-4 rest of
year. Walking tour = $12. Ph: 401.841.8770 or 401.846.0813.
10. MV Spirit of Newport (A214), 2 Bowens Ferry Landing adjacent to the Newport Hotel. Offers 1-hour
narrated tours on Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor. Food available. Cruises daily at 11, 12:30, 2, 3:30,
5 and 6:30, June 15-Labor Day. $12, over 62 =$10. AAA Discount indicated. Ph:401.849.3575.
11. Newport Sailing Tours (A216) depart Goat Island Marina, off Washington St. at Dock A5. Passengers may
take the helm. Sails through Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor. Daily 10-8, May Oct. One-hour tour =
$22. Two-hour tour = $35. Maximum number of passengers is six. Phone 401.848.2266 May-Oct, or
401.246.1595 year round.
12. Ocean Drive (A216) is a 9.5-mile circuit offering panoramas of the rugged Atlantic coastline. Large summer
homes border the drive.
Rhode Island Points-of-Interest
13. Oldport Harbor Tours depart from Old port Marine at Newport yachting Center on Americas Cup Ave. One-
hour cruises. Cruises depart daily every 90 minutes, noon-7:30, mid-June thru Labor Day. $10, AAA Discount
indicated. Ph: 401.847.9109.
14. Rosecliff [Gem site] at 548 Bellevue Ave. was built in 1902. The movie, The Great Gatsby was filmed here
in 1974. Daily 10-6, mid-Apr to mid-Nov. Last tour begins one hour before closing. (For details see 2013 AAA
pg. 445) $10. Ph: 401.847.1000.
15. Belcourt Castle, 657 Bellevue Avenue, was designed in 1891 by Richard Morris Hunt as a summer
residence for Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont and later, his future wife, the former Mrs. Wm. K. Vanderbilt. The
60-room French Louis XIII-style castle is now home to the Tinney family, whose art collection includes
antiques and treasures from 33 countries. Of note are the fine stained-glass collection, European antiquities,
arms and armor, and the renowned golden coronation coach. Tour not recommended for children under 8!
Allow 1 hour min. Candlelight torus Mondays 6-7pm. Ghost tours are given Fri-Sat 6-7:30pm. Hours may
vary. CLosed ThGv and Christmas. Phone ahead to confirm schedule. AAA Discount indicated. Fee = $25;
$15 (65+ & 0-18). Reservations are required. Ph: 401-846-0699.
16. Chateau-sur-Mer, [Gem site] 474 Bellevue Avenue, is an ornate Victorian mansion built in 1852 for Wm.
S. Wetmore, who made his fortune in China trade. Although it was large and unusually spacious in its day,
the structure was enlarged in 1872 by architect Richard Morris Hunt. (For details see 2013 AAA pg. 443)
$14.50, $5.50 (ages 6-17).
17. Hunter House, [Gem site] 54 Washington Street, was built in 1748 by Jonathan Nichols, a sea merchant
and Colonial deputy, and served as the headquarters of the Chevalier de Ternay, admiral over the French
naval forces during the American Revolution. (For details see 2013 AAA pg. 443) House open daily 10-6,
late-June to Labor Day; Sat-Sun and holidays 10-6, Mem Day to late-June, and day after Labor Day to
Columbus Day. Cost = $25; $5 (ages 6-17). Ph: 401-847-1000.
18. Kingscote [Gem site] is at 253 Bellevue Avenue. The 1841 Gothic Revival-style house, designed for
planter George Noble Jones of Savannah, GA was the first summer residence to be built in this section of
Newport. Wm. Henry King bought the house in 1864 and commissioned architect Stanford White to design
additions to it in 1881. (For details see 2013 AAA pg. 444)
19. Rough Point [Gem site] is at 680 Bellevue Avenue. The 49-room mansion was the Newport home of
tobacco heiress and preservationist Doris Duke. On a promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the 1891
English Manorial estate sits on grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and purchased in 1992 by
James B. Duke. Upon Dukes death in 1925, ROugh Point was part of the fortune left to his only daughter,
12-yr-old Doris. (For details see 2013 AAA pg. 445)
20. Touro Synagogue, [Gem site] A National Historic Site is at 85 Touro Street. Built in 1763, the oldest Jewish
house of worship in the nation and the only one to survive from Colonial times is said to be one of
AMericas most architecturally distinguished buildings of the 18th century. Designed by Peter Harrison, the
Georgian structure has a simple, almost austere exterior that contrasts with a graceful interior adorned with
brass candelabras, hand-carved paneling, balustrades and 12 Ionic and Corinthian columns. Guided tours on
the half-hour Sun-Fri 10-4, July 1 to Sept 2; Sun-Fri 10:30-1:30, Sept 3Nov 2; Sun-Fri noon2, May-June;
Sun, noon-1:30, rest of year. Last tour is 30 minutes before closing. No tours on Jewish holidays. Loeb visitor
center open various hours. $12; $10 (65+); $8 students & military w/ ID); free (ages 0-12). Ph: 401-847-4794,
ext 207.
21. Rum Runner II departs from 24 Bannisters Wharf off Americas Cup Avenue. The Rum Runner II, built in
1929, was used to smuggle liquor during the height of Prohibition. Cruises aboard the restored high-speed
motor yacht pass by mansions and former speakeasies while guides narrate the history of the boat,
Prohibition and Newport. Allow 1.5 hours. Cruises depart daily at 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30 and 7, mid-June
Labor Day; Mon-Fri at 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30, May1mid-June; daily at 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30, day after Labor
DayOct 31. The cruises departing at %;30 & 7 are cocktail cruises. Fare = $20; $18 (66+); $15 (0-12).
Cocktail cruise fare = $26. Ph: 401-847-0299.
Rhode Island Points-of-Interest
22. Viking Tours of Newport offers narrated trolly tours departing from the Newport Visitors Center at 23
Americas Cup Avenue. The tour covers some 150 points of historical interest, including visits to the Newport
mansions. Tours depart daily beginning at 10, May-Oct; Sat at 11:30, rest of year. Cost = 99-minute tour $26;
$16 (ages 6-17); Three-jour tour $42; $20 (ages 6-17); Four-hour tour $54; $25 (ages 6-17). Ph:
401-847-6921 for exact times.
23. The Whitehorne House, 416 Thames Street, is Newpoirts only Federal-style mansion open to the public. It
houses a stunning collection of 18th-century Newport furniture, including pieces by Goddard and Townsend,
as well as other early decorative arts by regional craftspeople. A period garden is behind the house. Guided
tours available. Allow 1 hour. House open Thurs-Mon 11-3, May-Oct; Guided tours depart at 10:30 and 3.
AAA Discount indicated. House $6; free (ages 0-12). Guided tour $12; free (ages 0-12). Ph: 401-847-2448.
NOTE re: above You can visit 5 mansions for just $31: The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, Rosecliff,
and Green Animals Topiary Gardens. See ad on A215 & A217. Also see The Elms and Hunter House on page
A213.
RI006 B Portsmouth (A218) Green Animals Topiary Garden, 0.7 mi west off SR114 at 380 Corys Lane. Started
in 1880. Was originally the summer restate of Thomas Brayton, who purchased the property in 1872. His Portuguese
gardener created the topiaries shortly after the turn of the century. Boxwood-lined ornamental gardens surround more
than 80 pieces of topiary including a lion, a camel & a giraffe, sculpted in privet and yew, as well as boxwood and
privet geometric forms and ornamental designs. Formal rose , fruit and vegetables gardens are featured. The main
house contains furnishings, Brayton memorabilia and Victorian toy collections. Allow 1 hour. Daily 10-6, mid_may
Columbus day. AAA Discount indicated. $14.50; $5.50 (6-17). Schedule & rates subject to change; pleas phone to
confirm. Ph: 401-847-1000.
RI007 B Providence (A219222)
1. Culinary Archives & Museum, 315 Harborside Blvd at the Harborside Campus of Johnson and Wales
University. Devoted to preserving the history of the gastronomy & hospitality industries, and features more
than 500,000 items. Many displays of utensils, appliances, chef uniforms, an Art Deco diner, etc. Guided one-
hour tours available by appointment. Tues-Sun 10-5. $7, over 65 yrs. = $6. Ph: 401.598.2805.
2. Museum of Art Rhode Island School of Design [Gem site] at 224 Benefit St., at the junction of Benefit
and Waterman streets. Museum houses nearly 86,000 works of art in 45 galleries from antiquity to present.
Tues-Sun 10-5 (also Thurs, 5-9). Closed Jan 1, July 4, ThGv and Christmas. AAA Discount indicated. $12;
$10 (over 62 yrs.); $5 (college students w/ ID); $3 (5-18); Free on Sun 10-5 and third Thurs of the month
5-9pm. Ph: 401.454.6500.
3. Roger Williams Park Zoo has 40 acres of animal exhibits. Food available. Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat-Sun & holidays
9-6, Apr-Oct; daily 9-4 rest of the year. AAA Discount indicated. $15, seniors = $13. Ph: 401.785.3510.
4. Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, in Roger Williams Park, is a 12,000 sq. ft.facility consisting of a pair
of greenhouses displaying New Englands largest public indoor presentation of botanical gardens. Guided
torus available & require a reservation at least one month in advance. Allow 1 hour minimum. Tues-Sun 11-4
(also Mon. holidays). Last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing. Phone ahead to verify holiday schedule. $3;
$1 (6-12). Ph: 401-785-9450, ext 250 for guided tour reservations.
5. Splash Duck Tours depart from the corner of Fountain and Eddy Streets by the Biltmore Hotel. One-hour
tours aboard amphibious vehicles. Minimum one hour, depart daily at11, 12:30, 2, 3:30, late-June Labor
Day; Mon-Fri at 11 & 2, Sat-Sun at 11, 12:30 &2 early-May to late-June and day after Labor Day late-Sept.
$20 each. Ph: 401.421.3825.
6. Walking Tours of Providence, departing from John Brown House at 52 Power Street. 90-minute walking
tours describe the architecture, culture and history of the city. The Benefit Street: A Mile of History tour is
one of several offered. Allow 1.5 hours minimum. Benefit Street tour departs Tues-Sat at 11, Sun at noon,
June 15-Oct 15. Fee = $10 each. Ph: 401.438.0463.
7. Gray Line offers various guided bus torus of the Providence area as well as coastal Newport. For schedules
and reservations phone 800-934-8687. Tours are listed as departing from the trolley booth at the junction of
Rhode Island Points-of-Interest
Fountain and Eddy streets, behind the Biltmore Hotel. One -hour narrated tours showcase the citys historic
downtown, including the Brown University area, Federal Hill, Benefit Street, and the Providence RiverTickets
may be purchased 48 hours in advance and a copy of the receipt presented at the booth. Allow 1 hour min.
$18; $16 (college students w/ ID and 65+); $14 (3-13). Ph: 401-421-3825 or 800-934-8687. AAA Discount
indicated.
8. Annmary Brown Memorial, 21 Brown Street, contains European and American paintings from the
Renaissance through the early 20th century along with a collection of centuries-old swords. Mon-Fri 1-5,
Sept-May; closed winter and spring school breaks. FREE. Ph: 401-863-2725.
9. Culinary Arts Museum is at 315 Harborside Blvd, at the Harborside Campus of Johnson & Wales University.
Visitors can explore the past, present and future of all things related to cookery at this museum. Within the
25,000 sq.ft.. gallery exhibits include Diners: Still Cookin in the 21st Century and Country Fair to Culinary
Olympics. Also changing exhibits. Tues-Sun 10-5; closed major holidays & university exam days. AAA
Discount indicated. $7; $6 (62+); $4 students w/ ID; $2 (5-18). Ph: 401-598-2805
RI008 B Woonsocket (A225) Museum of Work and Culture, off SR146, 2 miles north on SR104 / Providence
St./South Main Street to 42 So. Main Street. Exhibits housed in a former textile mill tells story of French Canadian
immigrants who left farms to work in local mills prior to Great Depression. Mon-Fri 9:30-4, Sat 10-5, Sun 1-4. $6,
over 62 yrs. = $4. Ph: 401.769.9675.
RI009 North Kingstown (A484, listed under Wickford, RI) Quonset Air Museum, 488 Eccleston Avenue,
chronicles Rhode Island aviation history while allowing visitors to observe aircraft from World War II to the post-
Vietnam War era being restored. Ph: 401-294-9540.
RI010 Wickford (A484) Smiths Castle, 1.5 mi. north on US1/Post Road to 55 Richard Smith Drive, is a historic
house museum built in 1678 by Richard Smith Jr. Members of the prominent Updike family, which later laid out
Wickford, lent prestige to the plantation when they inherited much of the property in 1692. The house has been a
trading post, a slaveholding plantation and a successful dairy farm. Docents in period costumes interpret 4 centuries
of life within the house. Guided tours available, and are given Thurs-Sun at noon, 1, 2, and 3 June-Aug; Fri-Sun at
noon, 1, 2, and 3 in May and Sept-Oct.; phone for appt. rest of year. Grounds open daily noon-4. Grounds are FREE.
Guided tours are $6; $2 (6-12). Ph: 401-294-3521.
Rhode Island Points-of-Interest