Merry Maids

An excellent aquatic adventure awaits just a short distance away in Newport. That city is closest to Narragansett Bay, the sparkling body of gentle ocean water that is considered the state's greatest natural resource. This is an excellent spot for fishing, shellfishing, sailing and various other water sports. Because of the various tournaments and competitions held here, Narragansett Bay is often referred to as the "Sailing Capital of the World."

Sometimes, the best family adventures are the ones where you just spend quality time together playing a game of catch after chowing down a picnic lunch. The perfect place to do that in Providence is Richardson Park. The kids will love the PlayBooster and PlayShaper attractions as well as the Humpty Climbers and swings that are all part of this beautiful park. For the older kids, there's fun to be had on the basketball courts, a water park and the big expansive lawn. An afternoon of great family fun awaits at Richardson Park.

Providence's Governor Henry Lippitt House offers you a rare opportunity to travel back to the high-Victorian days. In fact, you will feel like you've returned to a different time and place when you tour this house, as the architectural details like hand-carved woodwork, intricate stenciling and ornate chandeliers are just a few of the many stunning features you will find here. This attraction was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

The salt air and ocean breeze are the perfect backdrop for the truly unique tour experience that is the Rhode Island Bay Cruises. This is the best way to see Narragansett Bay aboard the luxurious 400-passenger Catamaran Millennium. From this comfortable vantage point, you will see such sites as 10 lighthouses, 10 islands, Historic Fort Adams, Hammersmith Farm, waterfront mansions, the Jamestown and Newport Bridges as well as the Aircraft Carrier USS Forrestal. The catamaran will also glide through Newport Harbor which is filled with sailboats and yachts.