1,214 square miles

401

Providence

Rhode Island experiences a generally mild climate throughout the year. Average annual precipitation is 44 inches, and it is not uncommon to see more rain than snow during the winter. The Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay often affect the climate in the state, especially the refreshing sea breezes during the hot summer months! Average temperatures throughout the year are (in °F): 30-50 in winter, 45- 75 in spring, 65-85 in summer and 30-75 in the fall.

Rhode Island is the birthplace to many well-recognized names in the worlds of sports, science, politics, the arts and general celebrity.  Among these are…
• Spalding Gray, actor/writer, Providence
• Meredith Vieira, journalist/television host, Providence
• Prudence Crandall, educator/women’s rights, Hopkinton
• Nathanael Green, US General, Warwick
• Esek Hopkins, US naval officer, Scituate
• William Little, golfer, Newport
• Oliver Hazard Perry, US naval officer, South Kingston
• Gilbert Stuart, painter, North Kingston

For expert advice on how to plan your tour to Rhode Island, or to order additional planning and promotional materials, we invite you to contact the state directly. Experienced travel professionals are standing by to help you with your plans!

Rhode Island Tourism Division
Contact: Katrina White, Group Tour Manager
kwhite@riedc.com

One West Exchange Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-222-2601 x150
Toll Free: 1-800-556-2484
Fax: 401-273-8270
www.visitrhodeisland.com 

Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Tel: 401-222-3260
www.dot.state.ri.us

Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles
Tel: 401-588-3020
www.dmv.state.ri.us

Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)
Tel: 401-784-9500
www.ripta.com

Rhode Island Council on the Arts
Tel: 401-222-3880
www.arts.ri.gov

Rhode Island Historical Society
Tel: 401-331-8575
www.rihs.org

Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority
Tel: 401-423-0800
www.ritba.org

Rhode Island Division of Taxation (Motor Fuels)
Tel: 401-222-2950
www.tax.state.ri.us

1636 – First settlement
1776 – Rhode Island was the first colony to renounce allegiance to Great Britain and declare independence
1790 – Thirteenth state to adopt the U.S. Constitution
1793 – Slater Mill in Pawtucket became America’s first successful water-powered cotton mill, spurring the Industrial Revolution
1843 – Adopted current state constitution

Rhode Island’s largest industry is health services, followed by tourism and manufacturing. Growing industries include boat building, electronics, chemicals, and metal products.  

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

1,076,189 (2005 estimate)

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Tel: 401-724-2200 / 1-800-454-2882
www.tourblackstone.com

Block Island Tourism Council
Tel: 401-466-5200 / 1-800-383-BIRI
www.blockislandinfo.com

East Bay Tourism Council
Tel: 401-245-0750 / 1-888-278-9948
www.eastbayritourism.com

Newport County CVB
Tel: 401-849-8048 / 1-800-326-6030
www.GoNewport.com

Providence/Warwick CVB
Tel: 401-456-0200 / 1-800-233-1636
www.pwcvb.com

South County Tourism Council
Tel: 401-789-4422 / 1-800-548-4662
www.southcountyri.com

Warwick Department of Tourism
Tel: 401-738-2000 / 1-800-492-7942
www.visitwarwickri.com

• Roger Williams, Rhode Island’s founder, also founded the first Baptist Church in America.
• The first open golf tournament was held in Rhode Island in 1895.
• The nation’s oldest carousel is in Watch Hill.
• The first state to enact an anti-slavery law in North America, in 1652.
• The first torpedo boat, “Stiletto” was built in Bristol in 1887.
• Pelham Street in Newport was first in the country to use gas-illuminated streetlights.
• Polo was played for the first time in the United States in Newport, in 1876.
• John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier were married in Newport at St. Mary’s church in 1953.
• The Providence State House has the fourthlargest self-supporting marble dome in the world.
• Newport is home to the oldest surviving synagogue in North America, Touro Synagogue, built in 1763.

400+ miles

17 State Parks, 10 State Beaches, 4 Forest Environment Sites

The state of Rhode Island levies a 7% sales tax on most goods and services.  Visitors pay tax on all lodging and accommodation, which is comprised of 7% sales tax plus 5% RI hotel tax.  Restaurant tax is 8%.

Rhode Island is made up of 39 municipalities.

Rhode Island Welcome Center
Located on I-95 between exits 2 and 3 in Richmond, the Rhode Island Welcome Center is a full-service center open seven days a week, yearround. It is an excellent rest stop, fully equipped with all the necessary services and literature on all of the state’s tourism destinations.
Tel: 401-539-3031

T.F. Green
Provides maps, tourism destination brochures and other visitor information. Staffed by volunteer Johnson & Wales University students.

Newport Gateway Visitors Information Center
Located on 23 America’s Cup Avenue, almost immediately after the Newport Bridge. Offers maps, brochures and other visitor information.