Rhode Island Visitor’s Guide for Golfers-Part I

Are you planning on visiting the Ocean State this spring or summer? Rhode Island boasts some outstanding golf courses that provide a variety of different challenges and inspiring views. This guide is to help you to plan your trip and make the most of your time on and off the golf course.

Just the Facts

Rhode Island is, as most people are aware, the smallest state in the United States. At just 1,214 square miles, all points are easily and quickly accessible. In fact, if you’re not careful, you might find yourself crossing over into Massachusetts or Connecticut (also home to many fine golf courses listed on our site). T.F. Green airport in Warwick, RI is the most central access point to those traveling by air and Boston’s Logan airport is a secondary option. Your drive from Boston to the capital city of Providence will take from 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic.

Providence lies at a strategic point in the Northeast corridor; it is about 180 miles northeast of New York City and 45 miles south of Boston. Many visitors from New England and the Mid-Atlantic choose to reach Rhode Island by car, Interstate 95 runs from north to south bisecting the state and connecting to all major secondary roads. Rhode Island is also accessible by Amtrak which operates service from all major cities. There are two stations within the state, the main station is in Providence and a secondary stop is in Kingston serves the southern portion of the state. In addition, Providence is connected to the Boston metropolitan area by commuter rail.

Beyond Golfing

Within this small area, you will find over 400 miles of coastline. The beautiful beaches of Rhode Island have been the major attraction for visitors for centuries and the grandiose mansions of Newport are a testament to their historical allure. In high season, Newport experiences a warm-weather tourism boom fueled by attractions such as the mansions, an active boating and sailing community and a number of cultural events including the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival.

For those looking for a little more laid-back vacation, summer beach cottages can be rented all along the southern Rhode Island coast line. There are a number of less famous beach communities such as Narragansett, Matunuck and Charleston that come alive in the spring and summer, each with their own local events and attractions.

If you’d rather spend your down-time from golf in a more cosmopolitan environment, the capital city of Providence has experienced a very successful revitalization over the past years. The downtown is bisected by two rivers that have been merged to create a river walk, home to the extremely popular “Waterfire” that is held throughout the warm-weather season. Waterfire began as an art installation of flaming cauldrons lit along the river at sunset and left to burn until late into the night. It has evolved into an event that involves music, food, street performers, gondola rides, and an outdoor ballroom.

Of course, there is plenty to do when Waterfire is not on the schedule. Providence has a number of world class restaurants, but may be most known for its “Federal Hill” section which boasts a little-Italy type collection of restaurants and food markets. The College Hill area, home to Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design is loaded with architectural interest as well as some more bohemian, off-beat shops and restaurants. And, right in the center of town, is the Providence Place Mall, if serious shopping is on your agenda.

For More Information

For such as small state, there is a lot going on. Now that you have a better idea of what Rhode Island has to offer, there are a number of web-sites that can help you plan your visit. The most important thing to keep in mind is that no matter where you decide to stay, the entire state is yours to explore.

Getting Here

MBTA: www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_commuterrail.asp

AMTRAK: www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage

T.F. Green Airport: www.pvdairport.com/

Visitor Information

Providence Warwick Convention and Visitor’ Bureau: www.providencecvb.com/index-a.cfm

Newport County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau: www.gonewport.com/

In the next installment…

• Golf vacation itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 day stays in Rhode Island.
  
  

>>> Read more articles from Mikele Albanese-St. Germain