Rhode Island Vacation Ideas
Rhode Island is a vacation experience with amazing natural beauty, authentic traditions and rich history.
It is a place where you can hike, bike through woodlands or kayak through 400 miles of coastline.
The seaside clam shacks to cutting edge cuisine isn't so bad ether.
Practically the entire state is a landmark, harboring 20 percent of the country's historic landmarks in this little stretch of land.
Beaches
Rhode Island has a variety of beach styles, from the more shielded beaches of Narragansett Bay featuring breakwater barrier protection to it's numerous ocean beaches with thundering surf and miles of stunning vistas.
At nicht you can listen to the ocean as a sound track while you take a great opportunity to teach yourself and the children about the planets and the night sky.
One of my favorite things to do is look for constellations and for just a few dollars you can pick up a star finder. It's not hard to do and it is a lifetime of knowledge and fun for everyone.
Saltwater Fishing
Saltwater fishing is a leading sport in Rhode Island. Giant bluefin tuna, marlin and swordfish are the prized catches and striped bass a more common favorite.
Rhode Island's offshore fishing is so good because of its relative closeness to the canyon fishing on the fertile Continental Shelf.
Still, Rhode Island is a fisherman's paradise from shore or boat. The diversity and abundance of game fish found in Rhode Island waters provides angling excitement throughout the year.
In-shore surf and rock casting, bottom fishing in protected bay and shoreline areas, as well as exciting offshore game fishing can be done in a variety of places.
Bluefish and Striped Bass are the most common sport fish, both inshore and offshore. The bluefish is considered to be one of the finest fighting fish in the Atlantic. These ravenous feeders average 4 to 6 pounds, with 11 to 15 pounders not uncommon, especially in the fall.
Striped bass is also known for its fight are found all along our shores, particularly in rocky areas and in estuaries, salt ponds and rivers, this fighter can reach up to 65 pounds, with many 40 pounders caught annually.
For offshore action, anglers can pursue several species of tuna, shark, and cod. Also billfish such as white and blue marlin and swordfish are caught annually.
Freshwater Fishing
Rhode Island has many rivers, lakes, and ponds provide a wide variety of freshwater game fish such as Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Crappie.
The scenic Wood and Pawcatuck Rivers offer premier trout fishing throughout spring, summer and autumn.
Fresh water species such as trout, landlocked salmon, large mouth bass, northern pike and perch are abundant in Rhode Island's many ponds and lakes.
Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay is the geographic center of Rhode Island. Sailing, boating, fishing, kayaking, cruising, swimming and seal watching are a few of the great recreational opportunities that can be enjoyed.
Narragansett Bay's protected harbors and inlets provide a perfect refuge to enjoy water related recreation. Snorkel, boat, jet ski, canoe, fish and kayak the area at your leisure.
Trails
Rhode Island's environment couldn't be more diverse considering the states small size.
The southern and eastern areas of the state are relatively flat, with gently rolling farmlands. However, the northern and western sections rise abruptly through dense woodlands. Various islands and coastal areas also provide variety of hiking opportunities.
Also, its people couldn't be more dedicated to preserving the state's natural heritage.
The "ocean state" features thousands of acres dedicated to wildlife refuges, more than 400 miles of coastline and more than 100 public and private beaches, scores of easily accessible public gardens and much more.
Rhode Island Nature Trails have been developed to help you discover the natural gems located throughout the state.
Rhode Island's Coastal Nature Trail will take you through some of the worlds most pristine and beautiful environments, while providing an enriching educational experience.
Rhode Island's coastal landscape is a diverse eco-systems. It forms barrier beaches, coastal ponds and freshwater wetlands, which sustain habitat for hundreds of species of wildlife.
Also, magnificent bluffs rise hundreds of feet above the Atlantic creating inspiring vistas.
The Coastal Nature Trail also includes some examples of coastal fortifications and lighthouses that have played a key role in Rhode Island's maritime heritage. They also provide a unique vantage point for observing the magnificent natural surroundings on land and sea.
The North South Trail
The trail runs 72 miles through rural western Rhode Island, traverses eight towns and passes through seven state-owned forested management areas. While principally a multi-use trail accommodating hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikes, some segments are restricted to hikers only.
Block Islands Greenways
25 continuous miles of walking and hiking trails offer the ultimate way to see Block Island's grassy meadows, stonewalls, inland moors, majestic Mohegan Bluffs, and plentiful wildlife.
Newport's Cliff Walk
Beginning at Memorial Boulevard, the 3.5-mile picturesque walk overlooking the Atlantic Ocean adjoins many famous Newport summer mansions
Coventry Greenway
A converted railway, this five-mile, unpaved greenway is popular with many hikers and bicyclists. Three miles of the trail have been designated as the first Rhode Island segment of the East Coast Greenway, which will span from Maine to Florida.
Arcadia Management Area Trails
This impressive 14,000 acre recreation area in the Southwestern part of the state is home to many sports including hiking, mountain biking, swimming, horseback riding and motorcycling.
Napatree Point Conservation Area
Located at the southwestern tip of Rhode Island, a long sandy spit separates Little Narragansett Bay from the ocean.
This area is one of the most important migratory shorebird stopover points on the East Coast and provides a foraging area for wading birds and year-round habitat for a variety of species.
There are spectacular hawk, songbird and monarch butterfly flights in autumn.
The area also offers excellent fishing from the rocky shore near the ruined fort at the far end of the point.
Trustom Pond Refuge
Approximately 250 bird species seasonally inhabit the refuge along with more than forty resident species of mammals and more than twenty reptiles and amphibians. Observation platforms along refuge trails enhance your viewing opportunities.
Osprey, woodcock, piping plover, prairie warbler, bobolink and other songbirds return here in the spring.
A barrier beach forms the refuge's southern boundary along Block Island Sound. This area remains one of the few east coast nesting sites for two bird species of special concern: the least tern and the endangered piping plover.
Rhode Island has so many beautiful places I am sure you will enjoy you vacation!