Rhode Island’s Hidden Gems: 8 of the Best!

Prudence Island

For those craving a blissfully remote escape—complete with windswept beaches, the call of seagulls, and nothing else—a Prudence Island trip delivers.

It’s only a 30-minute ride (a round trip ticket costs a bit over $10) to downtown Bristol for this six-square-mile piece of land. Yet it has a surprising low profile. With only 200 year-round residents, there isn’t much to do on the island—but that’s kind of the point. The island is home to the only one-room schoolhouse left in the state. It also has the North End Farm – a Revolutionary War-era farm that was raided repeatedly by the British. There are 13 miles worth of trails, which take you through pine forests, grasslands, and rocky beaches.

Prudence has no hotels, but you can visit the island for a single day to see its wild, untamed beauty. It’s best to buy supplies on the mainland prior to your arrival. There is one general store on Prudence, but you can also visit the island.

Sunset Cove

The peaceful location of this waterfront hotel is what you would expect. Sunset Cove Reservations are not difficult to get in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Aquidneck Island is proud to have this laid-back cafe, coffee shop and concert venue.

The pièce de résistance of Sunset Cove is undoubtedly its panoramic views over the bay, but locals flock to the restaurant for old-fashioned sundaes, food trucks, and live music performances. Jimmy Buffet played his final concert at Sunset Cove in 2023.

Gilbert Stuart Birthplace & Museum

The masterfully restored historic mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, attract all the attention and crowds. Gilbert Stuart Birthplace & Museum It is undoubtedly a cooler place to visit. The bucolic Saunderstown estate, once home to celebrated painter Gilbert Stuart (whose portrait of George Washington is now featured on every dollar bill), was once located in the area. 

The museum opens seasonally, from about mid-April to the middle of October. Visitors can get a taste of colonial living through Stuart’s gambrel-roofed 18th-century home. The museum is home to a gallery of original Stuart paintings, rotating exhibits, and an old tobacco snuff grinder, which was once used for grinding tobacco into fine powder. There are also trails that surround the 23-acre estate, which take you past cemeteries and historic stone walls.

Saunderstown has many attractions to see Plum Pt. BistroThe restaurant is a family business that specializes in homemade pastas made from local ingredients. Do not miss their sirloin and twin pork steaks served on creative cutting boards.

Reject’s Beach

Newport’s scenic drive ends here. Cliff Walk There’s also a sand-covered crescent-shaped section of coastline that is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. While the majority of this cove is owned by an exclusive beach club called Bailey’s Beach there’s still a small section that’s available to the general public. It’s referred to—appropriately and affectionately—as Rejects Beach.

Rejects Beach does not offer parking but is accessible on foot or by bicycle via the Cliff Walk. This is a perfect spot for a sunset or picnic. It is rarely crowded so you might have the place to yourself.

Broadway District

Newport’s cobblestoned coastline is often crowded with tourists. Newport’s Broadway District, less than a half-mile from the main street, is an authentic piece of the city. 

Broadway is the place to start your Broadway adventure House of WavesA popular community meeting place and art gallery, is also a gathering place for creatives. It is a vibrant and colorful space with many murals. You can get a good taste of the local arts scene through the photographs and paintings displayed.  

You should try the TikTok app. Nitro BarYou can also get a caffeine fix with fun, flavored drinks like the Wilbur, an iced espresso with coconut syrup and cinnamon. Also, there are tasty pastries, such as sun-dried tomatoes focaccia. Try the Fruit Loop for a blue, iced drink that is Instagram-worthy. It’s made from peaflower tea, vanilla and oatmilk.

Sweet Berry Farm

Picturesque Sweet Berry Farm The setting is reminiscent of a Hallmark movie set in summer. Middletown is not far from the beaches of Newport but still, it’s off the radar of many tourists. 

Sweet Berry Farm offers visitors the opportunity to pick their own fruit. In the spring, strawberries are available; in the summer, peaches and blackberries; in the autumn, apples and pumpkins. On-site, there’s a cafe and market that sells the actual fruits of the farm. Do not forget to stop by the Farmaesthetics ShedA small batch, organic skin care store nestled in the forest.

Wickford Village

Wickford Village, with its tree-lined streets, quaint harbor and charming houses is often overshadowed by the more popular Newport and Watch Hill. Wickford Village has a rich history with homes and churches dating back to before the Revolutionary War. You can browse the local artisan shops for everything from funky jewelry to handblown pottery. Once you’ve stocked up on gifts, refuel with lobster rolls and clam chowder beneath the blue-and-white-striped umbrellas at Tavern by the Sea. The Hamilton Lotus Pond is a nearby attraction that’s known for its beautiful (and unusually large) waterlilies. 

Green Animals Topiary Garden

This whimsical estate is a great place to take the family for a fun outing. Green Animals Topiary Garden The oldest topiary garden in the U.S. is here, but it’s not the same as your grandmother’s. Here, 80 giant hedges take on the form of giraffes. lions. elephants. and teddy-bears. On a sunny day, explore seven acres of flower-lined paths, fountains and herb displays, while taking in the stunning views of Narragansett bay. And while the topiaries are decidedly the stars of the show year-round, nearly 40,000 blooming tulips take center stage during the spring—no need to book that trip to the Netherlands.