• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-262881341751
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/new-england/rhode-island",
  "destination": "Rhode-Island",
  "title": "rhode-island",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "New-England",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Rhode Island

USA

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
cliff walk in Newport Rhode Island, License Type: media, Download Time: 2025-01-23T21:24:07.000Z, User: adouglaslott59, Editorial: false, purchase_order: 65050 - Digital Destinations and Articles, job: future digital articles, client: future digital articles, other: Ann Douglas Lott

Alex Tao Wang / Shutterstock

Overview

Rhode Island, the smallest of the US states, isn't actually an island. Although it only takes about an hour to traverse, this little wonder packs in more than 400 miles of coastline with wonderful, white-sand swimming beaches and some of the country's finest historic architecture, galleries and museums. What's more, Rhode Islanders are about as friendly as folks come.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Rhode Island? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your United States (USA) trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden

highlights

  1. 1Unwinding Scandinavian-style with saunas and cold plunges at a beloved Nordic spa
  2. 2Visiting a local oyster farm to taste fresh shellfish straight from the source
  3. 3Sailing Penobscot Bay as the sun sets on Camden Harbor
from $3,795

per person

book this tripsee trip details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-725787632629
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/new-england/rhode-island",
  "destination": "Rhode-Island",
  "title": "rhode-island",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "New-England",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

The Ocean State promises coastal adventures and a captivating blend of history and innovation at a point where land and sea are intertwined.

Read full article
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-60590142856
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/new-england/rhode-island",
  "destination": "Rhode-Island",
  "title": "rhode-island",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "New-England",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Rhode Island

Rhode Island and beyond

View all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-518880033216
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/new-england/rhode-island",
  "destination": "Rhode-Island",
  "title": "rhode-island",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "New-England",
  "country": "The-USA",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}