Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but it has plenty of interesting landmarks! Rhode Island landmarks include the State House, a lighthouse, and several Gilded Age mansions (although their owners considered them “summer cottages.”)
The most famous landmark in Rhode Island is the Ocean Drive Historic District with its impressive homes, including The Breakers.
In fact, in reviewing The Breakers, Patty M. on Yelp says that “If you just have time to tour one of the mansions in Newport, RI this is the one.”
Along with The Breakers, here are some famous landmarks in Rhode Island that you’ll want to check out.
Famous Landmarks in Rhode Island Include:
2. International Tennis Hall of Fame
3. The Breakers
4. Ocean Drive Historic District
5. Cliff Walk
8. Block Island Southeast Lighthouse
9. Goddard Memorial State Park
10. Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
11. RISD Museum
An RV rental in Rhode Island is a great way to explore the landmarks in America’s smallest state!
1. Fort Adams State Park
Fort Adams State Park is on the mouth of the harbor in Newport, Rhode Island and you’ll get beautiful views of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay. The state park is home to Fort Adams, the historic former army post that was established in 1799. You can tour the fort, or swim, boat, picnic, or use the soccer and rugby fields. In summer, there are also jazz and folk festivals, but you can enjoy the park year-round.
RVing to Fort Adams State Park
While there are no camping facilities at Fort Adams State Park, you can park your RV at the fort. There is lots of free parking in front of the Fort’s main entrance. You can also purchase an overnight vehicle parking pass at the visitor center. There are no campgrounds in Newport, Rhode Island and parking can be a challenge in the town. You may want to consider leaving your RV or trailer set up at your campground and ride a bike or rideshare to get around.
RV rentals in Newport, Rhode Island.
Camping near Fort Adams State Park
There are no campgrounds at Fort Adams State Park, or in Newport, Rhode Island at all, in fact. But here are a few Rhode Island campgrounds that are nearby.
Fort Getty Park & Campground
1050 Fort Getty Rd.
Jamestown, RI 02835
(401) 423-7260
This campground has full hookups, showers, and is pet-friendly. The park has a rocky beach, a public boat ramp, and a dock.
Newport RV Park
181 Bradford Avenue
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 682-2424
This campground is just five miles from Newport. It has full hookups, WiFi, showers, and a dog park. There’s a camp store, fishing, a playground, and nearby hiking and walking trails.
Meadowlark RV Park
132 Prospect Avenue
Middletown, RI 02842
(401) 846-9455
Meadowlark RV Park has full hookups available, along with back-in sites. Newport is just 2 1/2 miles away. Each site has a picnic table, and there is a grassy area for games, a playground for kids, a laundry room, and a dump station. The campground does not have bathrooms or showers.
2. International Tennis Hall of Fame
Located in Newport, the Tennis Hall of Fame includes a museum and multiple tennis facilities. The museum’s collection of memorabilia and artifacts includes photos, videos, equipment, and trophies from some of the most influential tennis players and figures in the sport. Guests can also reserve the indoor and outdoor tennis courts by the hour and coaching and lessons are available.
RVing to the International Tennis Hall of Fame
There is no parking lot at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. There is some street parking available, but that can be a challenge for bigger rigs. The Bellevue Gardens Center parking lot is across the street from the Hall of Fame, and is an hourly lot. The Gateway Parking Lot is Newport’s main transportation spot, and there are a limited number of spaces for RVs there. The lot cannot accommodate vehicles over 15 feet long, and no trailers are allowed. From the Gateway Lot, you can take the trolley around Newport.
RV rentals in Newport, Rhode Island.
Camping near the International Tennis Hall of Fame
As the International Tennis Hall of Fame is in Newport, the nearby campground options are the same as those for Fort Adams State Park.
Wawaloam Campground
510 Gardiner Road
West Kingston, Rhode Island 02892
(401) 294-3039
This campground has full hookups, playgrounds, laundry, and a camp store. There’s also a splash pad and pool, mini golf, and crafts for guests to do.
Gibson Hill RV Park
177 Gibson Hill Rd.
Sterling, CT 06377
(860) 564-9996
This RV park has full hookups, a heated outdoor pool, restrooms with showers, and WiFi. It’s also pet friendly.
3. The Breakers
A visit to the Italian Renaissance-style Breakers will make you feel like you stepped into “The Great Gatsby.” This Gilded Age mansion in Newport was built in the 1890s as a summer home for the Vanderbilt family. Not only was it the largest and most opulent house in Newport when it was built, but it’s also become one of the most-visited attractions in Rhode Island. The mansion is a National Historic Landmark and is owned by the Newport Preservation Society as a museum. It’s open to the public year round for tours of the building and grounds.
RVing to The Breakers
Parking is free at The Breakers. The mansion is accustomed to large tour groups, so there are some parking spaces that should be able to accommodate larger rigs.
RV rentals in Newport, Rhode Island.
Camping near the Breakers
The Breakers are in Newport, Rhode Island. Any of the above-listed campgrounds are great options, or you can move further afield and stay in Connecticut while exploring Rhode Island.
Sun Outdoors Mystic
45 Campground Rd.
Old Mystic, CT 06372
(860) 536-4044
This campground is about an hour and 15 minutes from The Breakers. It has full hookups, and each site has a charcoal or wood grill, cable, WiFi, a picnic table, and a fire pit. There are restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, a camp store, mini golf, fishing, and a playground. The campground is pet-friendly.
4. Ocean Drive Historic District
The Ocean Drive Historic District is along Ocean Drive on the southern shore of Newport. It’s the area where wealthy New Englanders had their summer “cottages” in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This area is part of Newport’s Ten Mile Drive which includes these mansions, public parks, and public access to the beaches along the Atlantic shoreline.
RVing to the Ocean Drive Historic District
You can drive your RV along the Ocean Drive Historic District and take your own driving tour of the area. Several of the mansions in the area also have parking that can accommodate RVs.
RV rentals in Newport, Rhode Island.
Camping near the Ocean Drive Historic District
You can camp at any of the above campgrounds, which are near Newport. If you want to go farther out, you can try the Jellystone Park in Massachusetts.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Cranberry Acres
20 Shoestring Rd.
Carver, MA 02330
(508) 866-4040
This Jellystone Park has full hookups and each site has a fire ring and picnic table. The campground also has a big water park, a mini golf course, a jumping pillow, and a playground.
5. Cliff Walk
Newport, Rhode Island’s Cliff Walk is a beautiful 3.5-mile walk along the ocean shore. This public access walk winds its way along the coast of Aquidneck Island. You’ll get views of the ocean, the rocky shoreline, and the occasional Gilded Age mansion. It’s a National Recreation Trail and most of the walk is easy to traverse. There are 16 QR code trail markers located at significant stops along the walk that people can watch for. Scanning the QR codes on a smartphone will give visitors information on the historic mansions as well as on local geological features.
RVing to the Cliff Walk
There is parking at Easton Beach and Forty Steps, near the Cliff Walk. You can also try parking at the Perry Lot. There is some metered parking, which might work if you have a smaller rig.
RV rentals in Newport, Rhode Island.
Camping near the Cliff Walk
The Cliff Walk is in Newport, so any of the above campgrounds would work as options. You can also stay near historic Plymouth, Massachusetts. It’s about 42 miles from the Cliff Walk, but you could explore two historic areas.
Sandy Pond Campground
834 Bourne Rd.
Plymouth, MA 02360
(508) 759-9336
This campground has full hookups, WiFi, a picnic table, and a fire ring. It has a beach for swimming, boating, and fishing. There are also hiking trails, arcade games, and planned events.
a picnic table, fire ring, and are pet friendly.
6. Arcade Providence
Step back through history and visit the first indoor shopping mall in the United States. The Westminster Arcade, also known as the Arcade Providence or the Providence Arcade, was built in 1828 as the country’s first enclosed shopping center in Providence, Rhode Island. The arcade was built in the commercial Greek Revival architecture style, and has gone through several renovations over the past 200 years. Today it’s a mix of apartments, dining, bars, and retail shopping.
RVing to the Arcade Providence
Providence is a big city, so driving a large rig through the city streets can be a challenge. There is covered garage parking next to Arcade Providence, but it may not fit RVs or trailers. You might want to consider leaving a large rig or trailer at the campground and driving a tow vehicle or taking a rideshare downtown.
RV rentals in Providence, Rhode Island.
Camping near the Arcade Providence
There are a few campgrounds near Providence.
Holiday Acres Campground
593 Snake Hill Road
N. Scituate, RI 02857
(401) 934-0780
This campground has full hookups, showers, a laundry room, and a kids’ game room. There’s also a separate area for adults 21 and over, with a big-screen TV, a jukebox, a pool table, and darts.
Ashaway RV Resort
235 Ashaway Road
Bradford, RI 02808
(401) 377-8100
This campground has full hookups and grass or gravel sites. The campground has an arcade, a dog park, laundry, mini golf, a playground, a pool and splash pad, and planned activities.
7. Rhode Island State House
The Rhode Island State House is an impressive capitol building in Providence. Designed in the Neoclassical style, the building features the fourth largest structural-stone dome in the world. Aside from housing part of the state’s government, the Rhode Island State House is open for tours and is home to a Visitor Center and gift shop that sells locally made items.
RVing to the Rhode Island State House
There is a free parking lot next to the state house. While driving through Providence can be a challenge, you should be able to find parking to visit the capital.
RV rentals in Providence, Rhode Island.
Camping near the Rhode Island State House
You’ll want to look for campgrounds near Providence to be close to the State House. Here are a few.
Worden Pond Family Campground
416 Wordens Pond Rd #4425
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 789-9113
This campground has full hookups, showers, and cell reception. There’s a boat ramp and launch, fishing, and a sports field. This is a pet-friendly campground.
Oakleaf Family Campground
43 Oak Leaf Way
Chepachet, RI 02814
(401) 568-4446
Oakleaf Family Campground has water and electric hookups and a dump station. There is a pool, playground, horseshoe and bocce ball courts, and planned events for guests.
8. Block Island Southeast Lighthouse
The Block Island Southeast Lighthouse sits atop of Mohegan Bluffs and is one of two lighthouses on the island. It’s also the easiest to visit. Built in 1875, this National Historic Landmark provides visitors with fantastic views of the ocean and the rest of the island. Tours of the lighthouse are offered during summer and the grounds are open year-round.
RVing to the Block Island Southeast Lighthouse
You can’t bring your RV to Block Island. Island visitors can take a car ferry or high-speed ferry from Newport or Point Judith to explore the island for the day.
RV rentals in New Shoreham, Rhode Island.
Camping near the Block Island Southeast Lighthouse
There is no RV camping on Block Island. However, once you get back, you can camp at the Charlestown Breachway State Campground and get great views of Block Island Sound.
Charlestown Breachway State Campground
812-774 Charlestown Beach Rd.
Charlestown, RI 02813
(401) 786-4223
This campground does not have utilities and all RVs must be self-contained, with their own bathrooms. Pop-up, hybrid, and conversion campers with canvas tops are not allowed in the camping area. Registered campers can use the septic dump and water filling stations at Burlingame State Campground or Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground. The Breachway has a boat launch for guests to use.
9. Goddard Memorial State Park
One of Rhode Island’s popular metropolitan parks, Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick covers almost 500 acres and includes the forests, fields, a golf course, and the beach. Visitors can hike, go horseback riding on the 18 miles of bridle trails, and go canoeing. There are sports fields, a 9-hole golf course, and a swimming beach.
RVing to Goddard Memorial State Park
You can’t camp at Goddard Memorial State Park, but there are parking areas that can accommodate an RV for the day.
RV rentals in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Camping near Goddard Memorial State Park
You can camp near Warwick, even though you can’t camp at the park itself.
Fishermen’s Memorial State Park & Campground
1011 Point Judith Rd.
Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 789-8374
This campground has full hookups, a dump station, showers, and is pet friendly. There’s a swim beach at the park, and visitors can go fishing or enjoy the playground and tennis court.
10. Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
Construction on the Touro Synagogue began in 1759 and was completed in 1763. The synagogue was dedicated during that year’s Hanukkah celebrations. Tourists can visit the synagogue grounds and learn about this national historic site in Newport.
RVing to Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
The synagogue is in Newport. Visitors to the synagogue are encouraged to park at the Newport Gateway Center and take the ten-minute walk through the town center to the site.
RV rentals in Newport, Rhode Island.
Camping near Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
You can’t camp right in Newport, but there are several campgrounds nearby where you can stay.
Newport RV Park
181 Bradford Avenue
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 682-2424
This campground is just five miles from Newport. It has full hookups, WiFi, showers, and a dog park. There’s a camp store, fishing, a playground, and nearby hiking and walking trails.
Wawaloam Campground
510 Gardiner Road
West Kingston, Rhode Island 02892
(401) 294-3039
This campground has full hookups, playgrounds, laundry, and a camp store. There’s also a splash pad and pool, mini golf, and crafts for guests to do.
11. RISD Museum
The Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design is an art museum in conjunction with the famous design school. It’s one of the largest art museums in the U.S. and has works of art from ancient times until today.
RVing to RISD Museum
The museum is in downtown Providence. Driving an RV through the crowded city can sometimes be a challenge, and finding parking could be tricky as well. There are some Metropark lots that might be options, and visitors can park for free in RISD staff lots on weekends.
RV rentals in Providence, Rhode Island.
Camping near RISD Museum
You can find campgrounds near Providence which would make a good home base for exploring the city and the museum.
Holiday Acres Campground
593 Snake Hill Road
N. Scituate, RI 02857
(401) 934-0780
This campground has full hookups, showers, a laundry room, and a kids’ game room. There’s also a separate area for adults 21 and over, with a big-screen TV, a jukebox, a pool table, and darts.
Worden Pond Family Campground
416 Wordens Pond Rd #4425
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 789-9113
This campground has full hookups, showers, and cell reception. There’s a boat ramp and launch, fishing, and a sports field. This is a pet-friendly campground.
Continue Exploring Rhode Island
Rhode Island has a deceptively large number of interesting landmarks for being the smallest state in the country! If you want to learn more about exploring the state, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in Rhode Island. If you want to try RVing in Rhode Island yourself, you can check out the rentals on RVshare.
