rI fAVORITESÂ
After 4 years, I’ve picked up a list of my all-time favorites in Rhode Island, ranging from restaurants, activities, beaches, and more!
Food
Family-owned since 1983, a small restaurant overlooking Bristol Harbor. They serve fresh, local seafood, highlighting Rhode Island’s coastal food culture and offering dishes that reflect the state’s strong connection to fishing and maritime traditions.
Beehive Café is a cozy, community-focused cafe in Bristol that features locally sourced ingredients and seasonal drinks. With an emphasis on sustainability and supporting local farms, it reflects Rhode Island’s small-scale, farm-to-table food culture.
The Clarke Cooke House is an iconic Newport restaurant set in a historic 18th-century building. Known for its upscale dining and refined New England cuisine, it emphasizes high-quality ingredients, seafood, and a long-standing tradition of elegant coastal dining.
Diego’s is a vibrant Mexican restaurant in Newport and Providence known for bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and a lively atmosphere. The menu blends traditional Mexican dishes with creative twists, making it a popular spot that adds cultural diversity to Rhode Island’s food scene.
Activities
The Cliff Walk offers a scenic coastal path that highlights Rhode Island’s natural shoreline alongside historic Newport mansions, showcasing the intersection of conservation, public access, and cultural heritage.
Clif Walk
Colt State Park is one of Rhode Island’s largest state parks, providing expansive green space, waterfront views, and recreational opportunities while supporting conservation and public engagement with the natural environment.
Colt State Park
Bowen’s Wharf is a historic waterfront destination where local businesses, restaurants, and maritime activity reflect Newport’s long-standing relationship with the ocean and coastal tourism.
Bowen's Wharf
Beaches
Narragansett Town Beach
A popular oceanfront beach known for strong surf, wide sandy shores, and its role as a hub for summer recreation in Narragansett.
Misquamicut State Beach
Rhode Island’s largest state beach, offering expansive shoreline, warm-water swimming, and easy public access for residents and visitors.
East Matunuck State Beach
A scenic beach in South Kingstown valued for its natural dunes, open ocean views, and opportunities to experience Rhode Island’s coastal ecosystems.
Second Beach (Sachuest Beach)
Located in Middletown, Second Beach features wide sands and consistent waves, making it a favorite for surfers, families, and birdwatchers.
Scarborough State Beach
One of Rhode Island’s most visited beaches, known for its long shoreline, accessibility, and importance to coastal tourism.
