11 Classic Rhode Island Experiences Worth Building Your 2025 Vacation Around

A Good Time is Waiting for You at Little Rhodie

Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it does everything in grand fashion. From exploring grand mansions in Newport to cruising along Narragansett Bay, here are 11 of the best things to do in Rhode Island in 2025.

Visit The Breakers in Newport

The Breakers is the biggest and most impressive of Newport’s summer “cottages,” showing off the Vanderbilt family’s wealth and power. The home is filled with over-the-top Gilded Age décor, complete with a stable and carriage house.

You can join guided tours to hear stories about America’s families in the 1800s. 70 rooms in this grand Italian-style mansion are also available for you to explore.

Take a Newport Mansions Tour

We did say Rhode Island does things in grand fashion, so here’s another mansion for your itinerary.

The Newport Mansions tour lets you choose to visit 1, 2, or all of them. One id the Marble House, inspired by a small palace at Versailles and made of over 500,000 cubic feet of marble.

Another is the Elms is based on an 18th-century French country house. Rosecliff is designed to look like a royal retreat in France, and Kingscote was the first of the Newport “cottages” and an early example of Gothic Revival architecture.

Enjoy a Scenic Narragansett Bay Cruise

The cruise starts in Newport Harbor and glides into the calm waters of Narragansett Bay. Along the way, you’ll spot historic America’s Cup boats and luxury yachts in between Pell Bridge, Fort Adams, and Clingstone. The cruise also offers stunning views of Newport’s famous Ocean Drive.

Explore the Newport Cliff Walk

The Newport Cliff Walk stretches 3.5 miles along Newport’s eastern shore, and combines incredible ocean views with a peek at the grand mansions from the Gilded Age. The walk passes by many of Newport’s most famous estates.

Visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame

The International Tennis Hall of Fame sits in Newport, Rhode Island, is packed with memorabilia from tennis greats. The Hall of Fame also hosts the annual Hall of Fame Open, an event on the ATP World Tour. And yes, you can even play on the grass courts.

Attend the Newport Folk Festival

The festival brings together folk, blues, country, bluegrass, and folk-rock musicians over multiple stages at Fort Adams State Park. It’s happening on July 2025 so you may want to time your visit for then.

Take a Scenic Trolley Tour of Newport

The 90-minute trolley tour takes you past over 150 landmarks through historic Thames Street and the Newport Waterfront. The tour includes a drive along the scenic Ten-Mile Ocean Drive complete with a close-up look at mansions along tree-lined Bellevue Avenue.

Visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence

The Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to over 100 species from around the world, with a brand-new rainforest exhibit set to open in 2025. Test your courage at the Explore and Soar area’s zip lines and a ropes course. The zoo also hosts special events, including the famous Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in October.

Explore Block Island

Ferries from Point Judith, Newport, or Fall River will take you to the beautiful Block Island. You can rent bikes to ride around the island’s 17 miles of beautiful beaches and two historic lighthouses. You can also hike on trails with incredible ocean views.

Visit the RISD Museum in Providence

The RISD Museum holds over 100,000 works of art and design, with everything from ancient sculptures to Asian art, textiles, and decorative pieces. New exhibits in 2025 will highlight contemporary artists from around the world.

Attend the Newport Jazz Festival

Rhode Island loves its music, and Fort Adams State Park will also host the Newport Jazz Festival in August 2025. World-famous jazz musicians will perform on multiple stages, and you can also join jazz workshops and lessons.