Highest-rated free things to do in Rhode Island, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Rhode Island, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Rhode Island.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Rhode Island using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Swan Point Cemetery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (151 reviews)
- Address: 585 Blackstone Blvd. Providence, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. The Stephen Hopkins House
- Rating: 5/5 (116 reviews)
- Address: 15 Hopkins St. Corner of Benefit & George Sts. Providence, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Bannister's Wharf
- Rating: 4.5/5 (223 reviews)
- Address: 1 Bannister's Wharf Newport, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Salve Regina University
- Rating: 4.5/5 (117 reviews)
- Address: 100 Ochre Point Ave. Newport, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Point Judith Lighthouse
- Rating: 4/5 (328 reviews)
- Address: 1460 Ocean Road Narragansett, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. The Towers
- Rating: 4.5/5 (139 reviews)
- Address: 35 Ocean Road Narragansett, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. 1661 Farm and Gardens
- Rating: 4.5/5 (175 reviews)
- Address: 1 Spring St. New Shoreham, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Watch Hill Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (175 reviews)
- Address: 14 Lighthouse Road Watch Hill, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Mansion Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (144 reviews)
- Address: 1701 Mansion Road New Shoreham, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. North Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (260 reviews)
- Address: Corn Neck Rd. North Light is located 1/2 MILE up the beach from the parking lot at Settlers' Rock. New Shoreham, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Brenton Point State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (308 reviews)
- Address: Ocean Drive Newport, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Benefit Street
- Rating: 4.5/5 (224 reviews)
- Address: Providence, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Castle Hill Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (242 reviews)
- Address: 800-870 Ocean Ave. Newport, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Newport Visitors Information Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (613 reviews)
- Address: 21 Long Wharf Mall Newport, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Wright's Dairy Farm and Bakery
- Rating: 5/5 (182 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Wickford Village
- Rating: 4.5/5 (256 reviews)
- Address: 1 Main St. North Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. St. Mary's Catholic Church
- Rating: 4.5/5 (210 reviews)
- Address: 12 William St. Enter on Memorial Blvd. at Spring St. Newport, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Napatree Point Conservation Area
- Rating: 4.5/5 (154 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Southeast Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (415 reviews)
- Address: Mohegan Trail New Shoreham, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Historic Federal Hill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (681 reviews)
- Address: 286 Atwells Ave. Providence, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Colt State Park
- Rating: 5/5 (467 reviews)
- Address: Route 114 Bristol, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Bellevue Avenue
- Rating: 4.5/5 (607 reviews)
- Address: Bellevue Ave. Newport, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (332 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Rhode Island State House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (427 reviews)
- Address: 82 Smith St. Providence, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Bowen's Wharf
- Rating: 4.5/5 (426 reviews)
- Address: 13 Bowens Wharf Newport, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Brown University
- Rating: 4.5/5 (455 reviews)
- Address: 1 Prospect St. Providence, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Thames Street
- Rating: 4.5/5 (810 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Beavertail Lighthouse and Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (435 reviews)
- Address: 774 Beavertail Road Jamestown, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Mohegan Bluffs
- Rating: 5/5 (751 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Cliff Walk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,613 reviews)
- Address: Newport, Rhode Island
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
