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🇺🇸 State · United States
Rhode Island: smallest state, 400 miles of shore
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The smallest state in the country, Rhode Island makes up for its size with a surprisingly rich coast and a dense history. Nicknamed the Ocean State, it boasts more than 400 miles of jagged shoreline: sandy beaches, coves, cliffs and Narragansett Bay reaching deep inland. Newport, once the seaside retreat of America's great fortunes, lines up its lavish mansions facing the ocean, linked by a legendary clifftop promenade. Providence, the capital, charms with historic neighborhoods, a strong arts scene and evenings when braziers are lit along the downtown rivers. Between fishing villages, lighthouses, coastal farms and ferry-served islands, the state offers short distances and great variety. Visitors come for the grand architecture, the sailing, the seafood and the relaxed atmosphere of a New England turned toward the sea.
“The Great Gatsby” (1974), with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, was filmed at Rosecliff mansion in Newport, on its terrace and in its ballroom.
Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce allegiance to the British crown, passing its Act of Renunciation on May 4, 1776, two months before the Declaration.
In Newport, walk the free 3.5-mile Cliff Walk below the mansions, then grab a Del's, the local frozen lemonade locals eat with a spoon, not a straw.
Summer is high season, with crowded beaches and busy Newport mansions; visit early in the morning or outside July and August for more calm. Spring and fall stay pleasant and less busy. Distances are short, but a car helps reach the beaches and coastal villages, while Newport and Providence are walkable. Ferries serve Block Island from the coast. Try the local seafood and the Rhode Island-style calamari. As for connectivity, mobile coverage is excellent across this densely populated state, including along the coast; only a few offshore or island areas may run slightly weaker.