Rhode Island With Kids: New England’s Most Underrated Trip

By Kate Loweth
March 31, 2026
8 Min Read

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but for families, it delivers outsize charm. Although sweeping coastal views and historic seaside towns set the scene, what makes it work with kids is the ease of exploration. The distances here are short and the pace is delightfully slow, and unlike some of the region’s more headline-grabbing summer destinations, Rhode Island still feels a bit off-path … you won’t find resorts lining the shores or traffic clogging the main coastal roads on weekends.

A family of six poses for a selfie on a rocky coastal shoreline on a sunny day, with dark seaweed-covered rocks and sparkling blue ocean water visible in the background. The group includes two adults and four children of varying ages, several wearing sunglasses, with one child in a purple Jamestown t-shirt and another making a playful face at the camera. — CB Travel Advisor Loren Braunohler and her family enjoying a nature walk on the Rhode Island coast

“Rhode Island is a dream,” says CB! Travel Advisor Loren Braunohler. A local for the past several years, she loves how simple it is for families to balance beach time with culture, history and outdoor adventure. We tapped into Loren’s expertise to share the best beaches, can’t-miss day trips and family-friendly stays to help you plan a Rhode Island getaway that feels refreshingly different.

The Best of Rhode Island with Kids

Top Family-Friendly Beaches

With nearly 400 miles of coastline, Rhode Island delivers the perfect spot to spread out your towels for a day in the sand. Before setting off for the shore, check whether day passes or parking passes are required. Many of the popular beaches fill up on weekends and holidays, so arriving early is always recommended.

A wide sandy beach curves along a calm bay under a blue sky with wispy clouds, with beachgoers wading and walking along the shoreline and low dunes and greenery visible in the distance. In the foreground, dark rocky outcroppings border the water's edge where a small group of people, including a child carrying a blue bucket, walk near the tideline. — Sachuest Beach, just a stone’s throw from Newport, is known for its convenience and family-friendly vibe. Photo courtesy of Discover Newport

Second Beach (Sachuest Beach), Middletown

This mile-long beach backs up to Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, offering stunning views for your day in the sun. You can sign up for surfing lessons during the summer season or bring your shovels and pails to dig in the sand. A concession stand, showers and picnic tables make it a breeze to spend the whole day here.

Narragansett Town Beach

If you’re looking for a long, sandy beach with a dedicated area for surfing, Narragansett Town Beach is your spot. Lifeguards are on hand during the summer season, and you can find plenty of dining spots and shops nearby. The town often hosts movies on the beach during the summer, with food trucks offering treats from ice cream to tacos.

Gooseberry Beach, Newport

Tucked into a cove along the iconic Ocean Drive, Gooseberry Beach is a favorite for its calm waters and swim platforms that are perfect for cannonballs. Rent beach chairs and umbrellas onsite and find your spot to enjoy the water vistas and magnificent estates just beyond the sand.

An aerial view shows a large Gilded Age mansion with a red roof set on expansive green lawns along a rocky Atlantic coastline, with ocean waves breaking against the stone seawall below. Additional historic estates, dense tree cover, and a harbor with a cruise ship and bridge are visible stretching toward the horizon in the background. — Newport’s Cliff Walk winds past some of the most beautiful Gilded Age homes in town, such as The Breakers. Photo by David Gleeson/Courtesy of Discover Newport

Step into Newport’s History

Best known for its opulent Gilded Age mansions and rich sailing tradition, Newport is full of family-friendly adventures beyond the beach.

The scenic Cliff Walk and Ocean Drive. Whether you prefer to take the 10-mile Ocean Drive or walk the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, the rocky Rhode Island shoreline and the estates that dot it are at your feet. Some of Newport’s most celebrated mansions, including The Breakers, Marble House, The Elms and Rosecliff, welcome visitors, allowing you to explore them up close. Families with strollers find the northern portion of the paved Cliff Walk most accessible.

A bronze statue of a tennis player mid-swing stands in the foreground overlooking a manicured grass tennis court, with a large historic shingle-style brick building featuring green trim, a clock tower, and arched entryway in the background. The grounds include brick pathways, green fencing, benches, and ornamental shrubs under a partly cloudy sky. — The International Tennis Hall of Fame includes a statue honoring British player Fred Perry, one of the all-time greats. Photo courtesy of Discover Newport

Visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame. If you have a tennis buff in the family, build in time for a stop here — the museum brings the sport to life with kid-friendly interactive exhibits and memorabilia from legends like Roger Federer, the Williams sisters, Rod Laver, Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe and many others. This is one of the only places in the world where members of the public can play a match on historic grass courts (bring your tennis whites!). If you time it right, you might catch a pro tournament or a Hall of Fame induction event.

Tour Fort Adams. Kids who enjoy history will be intrigued by the sprawling Fort Adams complex, built between 1824 and 1857 to guard the entrance to Narragansett Bay. Not only will you get to see the officers’ quarters and barracks, but you can also check out the underground listening tunnels that were used to detect enemy activity and take in the views of Newport Harbor from the ramparts. Fort Adams hosts several seasonal festivals, including the Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival.

A young blonde child wearing a red long-sleeve rash guard stands on a sandy beach holding a yellow-striped Del's Lemonade cup with both hands. The ocean, a tree-lined shore, and a clear blue sky are visible in the background. — Nothing beats the summer heat like Del’s frozen lemonade!

Stop for frozen lemonade at Del’s. When temperatures creep up, Newport families flock to Del’s Lemonade for a refreshing sweet treat.

Learn about the marine life of Narragansett Bay. If you need a break from the sun, Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium is the perfect pit stop. Kids will love the touch pools and interactive exhibits that bring them face to face with sharks, seahorses, jellyfish and more.

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Multiple large braziers burning with open flames are positioned along a river at night, their reflections glowing orange on the dark water below. A large crowd of spectators lines the riverbank in the background, watching the fire installation. — During WaterFire, dozens of bonfires are lit on braziers along the waterways in Providence. Photo by Scott F. Smith/iStock.com

Explore Providence

Rhode Island’s capital city is full of fun things to do with kids, from historical tours to museums devoted to young visitors.

Stroll through Roger Williams Zoo. With more than a thousand animals calling the zoo home, kids can see African elephants, Masai giraffes, zebras, red pandas and more.

Check out WaterFire. This fire sculpture installation along the three rivers that run through downtown Providence is a must for families visiting in summer — book a boat tour if you want to view the blaze from the water. The WaterFire events calendar also includes live music, street performers, pop-up eateries and more.

Dive into Providence’s present and past. Families will enjoy touring the Rhode Island State House to see where the state government convenes. The Museum of Natural History and Planetarium is a must-visit for its rotating exhibits, which focus on everything from the study of bird eggs to urban wildlife.

Visit the Providence Children’s Museum. Kids can explore culture, history, science and the arts via hands-on exhibits and activities.

A stone lighthouse building with a white tower and dark lantern room sits among grassy sand dunes on a sandy shoreline under a partly cloudy blue sky. Several visitors walk along the beach in the foreground, with calm water visible at the bottom of the frame. — Built of granite, North Light on Block Island dates from the 1860s. Photo by Mohan Nannapaneni on Pixabay

Take a Day Trip to Block Island

Start your day with a bit of an adrenaline rush: a 45-minute ride on the high-speed ferry from Newport or Narragansett to Block Island, a small, quiet isle off the southern coast. Once there, it’s easy to explore on foot or rent bikes to check out the two historic lighthouses and Mohegan Bluffs. Boating and sailing enthusiasts can get out on the water, and parasailing is available for the thrill-seekers in your crew.

A young girl in a light blue and red jacket and red pants stands with arms and legs spread wide, smiling broadly, in front of a wall densely covered with painted and inscribed wooden oars and paddles. The oars display a variety of names, dates, flags, and colorful designs. — Kids will be engrossed by the colorful, uniquely decorated paddles on display at The Oar

While many come to Block Island for its beautiful beaches, there are more than 28 miles of hiking and walking trails to stretch your legs. Stop at Abrams’ Animal Farm to visit the alpacas, goats, lemurs, sheep and other creatures. Before heading back to the mainland, grab a bite at The Oar, one of the island’s most iconic restaurants (open Memorial Day through late September). Its surfaces are covered in hundreds of signed and painted oars left behind by boaters, a tradition that started in the 1960s when it was a casual dockside hangout. Over time, it became a living scrapbook of maritime visitors from near and far. Leave room for one of their signature frozen mudslides — non-alcoholic versions are available for the kids.

A large yellow and white multi-story Victorian-style hotel with an American flag flying from its central tower sits atop a sand dune overlooking a wide sandy beach. The beach foreground features white canvas shade structures, a gazebo, and seating areas where guests are gathered. — Ocean House has an enviable position on one of Rhode Island’s most appealing stretches of sand. Photo by Dave Sarazen/Courtesy of Ocean House

Where to Stay in Rhode Island with Kids

To make the most of Rhode Island’s beach towns and water activities, most families choose to base along the coast in towns like Narragansett, Newport, Westerly and Middletown. Here are a few properties recommended by CB! Travel Advisors:

Ocean House, Watch Hill

Perched dramatically above the shoreline in the charming village of Watch Hill, Ocean House is the epitome of classic New England luxury. Guests can take advantage of the private white-sand beach and a plethora of activities, from surf lessons and croquet to yacht excursions. Cooking classes, scavenger hunts and movie nights in the sand are just a few of the offerings that kids will love, and beachfront amenities, family-friendly dining and easy access to the village’s carousel and lighthouse walk make this property a destination in itself. For parents who want a special date night or a quiet spa morning, the staff can arrange babysitting services.

TIP: Consider pairing a few days at Ocean House with a short stay at its sister property, the Weekapaug Inn, just down the coast. Set on a saltwater pond, it has a more intimate, nature-driven vibe that perfectly complements Ocean House’s grandeur. Weekapaug guests have unlimited access to the daily complimentary activities at Ocean House as well.

A sitting room with deep teal-painted walls and paneling features a dark plaid sofa with mixed throw pillows, a cream wingback chair, a wood coffee table, and a gold velvet fringed ottoman arranged on a red patterned rug. A marble-topped dining table, a large geometric pendant light, tall windows overlooking trees, and dark ceramic table lamps complete the richly layered space. — The sitting area of the Alfred Suite at The Vanderbilt carries a hint of period flair yet feels fresh and sophisticated. Photo courtesy of Auberge Resorts

The Vanderbilt, Auberge Collection, Newport

In the heart of downtown Newport , The Vanderbilt combines Gilded Age elegance with modern bells and whistles. Set in a beautifully restored mansion once owned by the famous Vanderbilt family, the hotel has preserved classic details in its spacious guest rooms, many of which feature family-friendly configurations.

Book a vintage car ride along Ocean Drive to take in the area’s beauty. Little legs can easily explore nearby parks, shops and restaurants before you head back for a swim in the hotel’s indoor pool. Parents will appreciate the refined ambiance and attentive service that make every stay feel special without losing the warm, relaxed New England welcome.

A bright, open hotel lobby with warm wood floors features an arrangement of navy and gray upholstered armchairs, floor lamps, and seating areas centered around a white fireplace. Large windows along the back wall flood the room with natural light and offer views of a marina, while framed artwork and a fluted column accent the coastal-style interior. — The Living Room at The Brenton Hotel, a comfortable bar and lounge area, is a perfect vantage point for watching the boats in the harbor. Photo by Tyler Murgo/Courtesy of The Brenton Hotel

The Brenton Hotel, Newport

Modern, bright and perfectly located on Newport Harbor, The Brenton Hotel is ideal for families seeking stylish comfort in the heart of town. Upon arrival, you are greeted by the property’s book concierge, who offers recommendations for titles to borrow during your stay. Steps from shops, ice cream spots, boat tours and waterfront paths, the property offers plenty of nearby activities with no need to get in the car. Suite-style layouts allow families room to spread out after a day of exploring. And if your family includes a canine friend, bring him or her along to enjoy the dog-friendly amenities and nearby dog parks.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly accommodations and things to do in Rhode Island on Ciao Bambino

10 fun things to do in Newport, Rhode Island with kids

5 cozy resorts in New England for wintertime fun

10 unmissable things to do in Martha’s Vineyard with kids

Relax on Martha’s Vineyard at Winnetu Oceanside Resort

Photos courtesy of Loren Braunohler except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.

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Rhode Island With Kids: New England’s Most Underrated Trip