Rhode Island

Providence is Rhode Island’s capital city.  The major attraction in this city is Waterpalace Park.  This is a four-acre urban park with riverwalks, an amphitheater and a tidal basin created by two rivers.  Other sites include the first U.S. Baptist Church that was built in 1775 and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art.  The Roger Williams Park, Museum, and Zoo is situated on 430 acres of pleasant parkland with a Museum of Natural History, a carousel, a planetarium, and a greenhouse.  

The Johnson & Wales Culinary Archives and Museum contains more than 200,000 items, including tools of the trade that date all the way back to the third millennium B.C.  Also showcased are 1,000-year-old Egyptian, Roman, and Asian spoons and periodicals.  The collection also houses many documents relating to culinary arts and entertainment and was amassed by Chicago chef Louis Szathmary.  It was donated to Johnson & Wales University, whose culinary institute is said to be the largest in the country.

Another famous estate located here is the Hammersmith Farm.  This was the summer home of the Auchincloss family for four generations.  The wedding reception of Jacqueline Bouvier and John F. Kennedy was held there.  During the Kennedy administration, it was known as the summer White House.  When Caroline Kennedy was young, she stated in the guest book that it was “My favorite house anywhere”. 

Rhode Island maintains a number of parks and beaches, with each one offering a specialty.  Colt State Park is known for its cycling trails, Fort Wetherill State Park is known for its scuba diving, and Misquamicut  State Beach is known for its beaches.  Other parks are Beaver Tail, which has a scenic lighthouse, and Diamond Hill, which has a lovely wooded area that is excellent for picnics.  The beautiful seaport town of Newport is famous for its mansions, enchanting coastline, annual jazz festival, and the Touro Synagogue (founded in 1763).  A visit to Newport’s grand summer mansions is a must.  Most of them were constructed in 1763.  One of the most famous estates is the Breakers.  It was designed as a Genoan Palace for Cornelius Vanderbilt II.  Rosecliff was inspired by Versailles and was the location for the film The Great Gatsby.  The Marble House was the big daddy of extravagance.  One of the most ornate rooms is known as the “Gold Room”.  Tour guides, dressed as butlers and maids, greet visitors as if they were invited guests and then lead them on the tours of the magnificent homes.

Rhode Island "towns" are actually large districts.

Don't be surprised if you hear a great number of people speaking Portuguese.

Try the Portuguese Sweetbread - it is a real treat!

 

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