11 Ways to Experience Rhode Island by Land, Sea and Air
June 13, 2018
Summer is finally here! Summer in Rhode Island brings beautiful weather, family barbecues, post-dinner ice cream runs, and weekend beach trips. With the warm sunshine, it’s hard to remember all the things we have to do. We’d much rather focus on all the fun things we want to do. That’s why we created this list of 11 ways to get the full Rhode Island experience – taking it in by land, sea, and air.
Don’t forget dad – Father’s Day is coming up! These experiences make for great last minute gifts. Bring dad along for the summer fun!
Follow Rhode Island Red Food Tours on social media to keep up with all of the fun happenings in Rhode Island this month (and every month!)
Take a Rhode Island Red Food Tour
Tours in Newport and Providence on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (Newport)
We would be remiss not to suggest taking dad on a Rhode Island Red Food Tour! He loves food, you love food, and he loves you! Stroll through Downcity Providence or Historic Newport, admire the architecture, learn about the local history and culture, and dig in! Dad will surely thank you for taking him along for a day of food, fun, and quality time.
Downcity Providence Food Tours are Fridays and Saturdays, 12 pm – 3:30 pm. Enjoy tastings from some of the best restaurants Providence has to offer. Ticket prices start at $69 per person. Learn more about the Downcity Providence Food Tour here.
Newport Neighborhood Food Tours are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 12 pm – 3:30 pm. Savor bites from some of the best restaurants Newport has to offer. Ticket prices start at $69 per person. Learn more about the Newport Neighborhood Food Tour here.
Book your Rhode Island Red Food Tour here.
We also have gift certificates available because Father’s Day should be celebrated every season. Get your gift certificates here.
The classic Father’s Day activity – fishing! Fish’n Tales Adventures has a variety of lobstering and fishing trips to enjoy with dad and the rest of the family. All of their tours are out of Newport, Rhode Island.
Get up and close on their 75-minute lobster tours. See how lobster traps are hauled, help bait the traps and sort the day’s catch. Their tour guides will share how lobsters live and how they’re caught. Fish’n Tales offers daily lobstering tours, starting at $20 per person. Get all the details here.
Fish’n Tales has several fishing trips to choose from, including 2 and 3-hour trips. Their tour is hands-on; guests fish for black sea bass and other seasonal species. Rod, tackle, bait, and ice are included. Their experienced crew is available to help beginners. Reservations are required for their fishing trips. Tickets start at $40 per person. Get all the details here.
Learn more about Fish’n Tales Adventures and book your tour here.
Rail Explorers are still fairly new to Rhode Island and we are so happy to have them! Since they are new, we’ll explain all the basics. A rail explorer is a pedal-powered vehicle that rides on railroad tracks. There is no need to steer or keep your hands on the wheel. Just pedal along and enjoy the ride! Rail Explorers offer two tours – “The Northern Ramble” and “The Southern Circuit.” Whether dad is an adventuring nature-lover or a more laidback kind of guy, a Rail Explorers tour could be a ton of fun.
The Northern Ramble is a leisurely six-mile ride along the Narragansett Bay with spectacular, unique views. The ride will take you through two private waterfront estates, two golf courses, the Newport Preservation Society Topiary Gardens, and the Audobon Society Nature Preserve.
The Southern Circuit is also six-miles long, starting at Portsmouth Grove Station and heading south to Rail Explorers’ exclusive picnic area.
Pricing is as follows:
Tandem (two explorers): $75
Quad (up to four riders): $125
Single VIP seat next to tour guide: $45
Parking and check-in for tours is at 1 Alexander Road in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
Sailing Newport RI – 12 Meter Charters
Enjoy a truly unique Newport experience with dad. All of the 12 Meter Yachts have competed in the America’s Cup. Sail with an experienced crew and learn all about Newport while taking in the sights. It’s absolutely gorgeous! One of the most unique experiences Newport has to offer.
12 Meter Charters offers 2-Hour Sailing Cruises, 3-Hour Racing Experiences, and Uniquely Newport Packages. The experiences don’t require previous sailing experience, so feel free to help out the crew or just relax and enjoy. Uniquely Newport Packages are luxurious, with options like Sip & Sail and Air & Sea, where you take in the sights via boat and helicopter!
Learn more and book your tour here.
Experience Newport from above. Newport Helicopter Rides offer a variety of helicopter tours, including a Mansion Tour, Island Tour, and Lighthouse Tour. They also offer experience packages, which combine a helicopter tour with another unique Newport experience. Dad will love the one-on-one time and the experience of a lifetime.
Tours start at $75 per person and can be customized to meet all of your wildest dreams.
Book your Newport experience above the clouds here!
We know that you (and dad!) are busy. That’s why we offer gift certificates. They can be used at any time, for either of our tours. It’s perfect for Father’s Day! You won’t be locked into a date and time, but you will be guaranteed a great time with dad. Bonus: you’ll eat some super yummy food, too! Get your Rhode Island Red Food Tours gift certificates here.
A classic Italian experience right in the heart of Providence! You’ve likely seen gondolas drifting down the Riverway during WaterFire. La Gondola offers tours during WaterFire and at a variety of times during the season, March 31 – October 8. All tours are weather permitting and 30-40 minutes. Bring the whole family along for this one! It’s a fun, relaxing way to see the City of Providence.
Reservations are strongly recommended. Trip packages start at $89 per person.
Book your La Gondola experience here.
Rhode Island Brew Bus offers a variety of all-inclusive tours that bring you across RI (and parts of Connecticut) to experience some of the best breweries around. Their Beereakfast tour is one of their most popular for a reason and is just like it sounds – a combo of beer and breakfast! We’d recommend this one for dads who love brunching and beer.
RI Brew Bus has several tours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tours start at $70 per person.
Book your Brew Bus experience here.
Experience the spectacular Providence sunset skyline in a brand new way. Providence Kayak is offering monthly sunset (and sunrise!) guided tours throughout the summer and into fall. Tours are about 2 hours long and 21+. Great for dads who love water sports and spending quality time with their family.
Tour prices include all equipment, tour, and beverages. Single kayaks are $45 and tandem kayaks are $65.
Purchase your tickets and learn more about paddling through Providence here.
Newport Vineyards is New England’s largest grower of wine grapes. Learn all about the winemaking process, explore their vineyards, and enjoy a tasting. Newport Vineyards offers daily tours and tastings, so no need to plan ahead (perfect for a last-minute Father’s Day surprise!) Tours are $15 per person.
Head on over to Newport Vineyard when the mood for great wine strikes. After your tour and tasting, head on over to Brix Restaurant or the Vineyard Café for some great eats.
Learn more about visiting Newport Vineyards here.
Keep up with us on social media! We’re always sharing upcoming events, new foodie spots, and Rhode Island experiences.)
Matunuck Oyster Farm Tours are free and open to the public. This summer’s tours are June 18, July 9, and July 17 at 6 pm. The farm tours start at Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown. Wrap up Father’s Day weekend with a tour on Monday, June 18. Great for the seafoodies out there!
Learn about aquaculture and fisheries, globally and locally. Explore their seven-acre shellfish farm in Potter’s Pond. Tours are about an hour long and can be tailored to each group.
Learn more about Matunuck Oyster Farm Tours and dining at their oyster bar here.
Foraging Downtown Providence: Monthly Garden Tours
Avenue Concept Farm Fellow, Jessyloo is leading monthly free tours of Downtown Providence’s urban gardens. Foraging Downtown Providence tours are the last Sunday of every month, running through October. Does dad have a green thumb? This could be a fun way to spend time and enjoy Providence’s urban gardens.
Participants will explore three of Jessyloo’s downtown gardens and other urban greenscapes. It’s a new and fun way to experience Downcity!
Find more information about the Monthly Garden Tours and Jessyloo here.
