Discovering Rhode Island

Dress: River Island (similar here, striped version here). 

Finally I get to tell you about a place that has sneaked its way into my top five holiday destinations. Summer has been rather shy this year, hesitatingly popping its head out before scurrying back to its hiding place so we booked a last minute trip to the USA in search of the sun. To say that Rhode Island was one of my favourite stops on our East Coast road trip is a huge understatement. Not only was it a welcome change of pace after a manic first few days in NYC, it turned out to be one of the prettiest places I’ve ever visited. In fact, it was so charming that our two day stopover morphed into five days of relaxation as we quickly became addicted to the allure of the sandy shores and picturesque seaside towns. Now, I have to say, our main motivation for visiting Rhode Island was to spend some much needed time with my best friend who has lived there for years but there are plenty of reasons why you should add the smallest state in the USA to your bucket list even if one of your favourite people doesn’t live there.

To Break Out of your Holiday Routine

It’s very tempting to opt for a textbook holiday where you enjoy your days with a good book by the pool and dinner on an evening on repeat for a week but this blog post will hopefully inspire you to switch up your routine, live like a local and make lots of memories that you will treasure for years to come. There is something really exciting about renting a car and exploring a few destinations in detail. We got to experience the delights of a city that never sleeps as well as the relaxation that only a seaside town can bring in just a few days. Rhode Island is a great base for a road trip surrounded by Cape Cod, Newport and only a short drive from NYC. Watch Hill, Block Island and Mystic are all hotspots to explore during your time here. We stayed with friends which made our experience extra special and totally unique and having our own personal tour guides to show us the best bits helped us really get a feel for our surroundings.

To Be Inspired 

As a writer, holidays are the perfect opportunity for reflection and when I’m surrounded by beautiful scenery, I can’t help but be inspired. During our stay in Rhode Island, we explored the coastal town of Watch Hill which has hands down one of the most stunning stretches of sand I’ve ever seen. It has so many nooks and crannies that offer the perfect place to curl up with a good book or your laptop and spend the day pouring your thoughts out onto paper. It has a Hamptons vibe and the coastal village is sprinkled with rambling summer houses with softly rolling lawns and spectacular sea views. I couldn’t help but think that they would make the perfect location for a writer’s retreat.

There’s Seafood Galore and the Best Peach Belinis

After eating my bodyweight in pretzels and pizza in NYC, the local cuisine in Rhode Island put an end to the carb coma that I had been in since the start of our trip. If you like seafood, be prepared to eat a ridiculous amount of lobster rolls. It really is a foodie’s dream and whether you choose a posh place for dinner (for the best peach belinis with your seafood go to the Olympia Tea Room) or pick up lunch to go from one of the many deli’s you will be amazed at the quality of the local cuisine.

Taylor Swift Lives There

Did I forget to mention that while exploring the delights of Rhode Island, I found my dream house? Watch Hill is home to some of the most incredible properties I’ve ever seen and you can’t post an Instagram photo without including #mansiongoals. Yes, while everyone seems to think that Taylor Swift lives in a mansion in The Hamptons, she actually has a holiday home in Watch Hill so you have every chance to spot Taylor and her squad.

It’s an Instagrammer’s Dream

With epic ice cream parlours, stunning sunsets, pastel backdrops and sea views, Rhode Island is a blogger’s dream. Watch Hill even has one of America’s oldest carousels which is pretty Instagram worthy but wherever you point your camera, there is no filter required. If you have the time, I urge you to spend a day here, wondering around the shops, sipping on frozen lemonade while looking out onto the harbour.

There’s an Epic Brunch in Mystic

Mystic is another must-visit village located a just over the border of Rhode Island. If you get the chance to visit, a brunch at The Engine Room is a must. Now if there is one thing better than brunch, it’s a boozy brunch. My favourite boozy brunches always involve a Mimosa (or three) but don’t turn down the opportunity to build your own Bloody Mary if you’re that way inclined. This is a great way to spend the morning after the night before with everything from hangover burgers to french toast and eggs Benedict and other brunch staples.

Our trip to Rhode Island was one we will never forget and we were lucky to experience it with lifelong friends.

We toasted to the most wonderful of days and reluctantly said our goodbyes and continued our road trip to Atlantic City which you can read about here.

Have you visited Rhode Island? Leave me a comment with your favourite things to do in the area. This was our first time visiting Rhode Island but I’m sure it won’t be our last.