Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's tips for improving homeschool field trips.
Our listing of Rhode Island field trips for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city. If you would like to submit a Rhode Island field trip destination, you may do so using the red button above.
Colt State ParkBristol
Colt State Park in Bristol is often referred to as the 'gem' of the State park System. The entire western border of the park is an open panorama onto Narragansett Bay. Open year round, the park offers four miles of bicycle trails passing along the Bay and through 464 acres of groomed fruit trees, carefully nurtured flowering bushes, and manicured lawns. Rich in history, it proudly displays ten large playfields, six picnic groves containing 400+ picnic tables and its' popular open air Chapel-By-The-Sea.
East Bay Bike PathBristol
The East Bay Bike Path is the first multi-town bike path built in Rhode Island. It travels 14.5 miles from India Point Park in Providence to Independence Park in Bristol, passing many state and local parks and recreation areas. Connecting neighborhoods, schools and business districts, the path is popular with commuting cyclists heading into Providence. The path follows the former Providence and Bristol Railroad.
Charlestown BreachwayCharlestown
Located on east side of "the Breachway" is a camping area for self contained RV's, a state beach, some of the best salt water fishing in South County, a salt water beach, and a panoramic view of Block Island Sound. This location also has boat launch with limited parking.
Casimir Pulaski Memorial Recreation AreaChepachet
Located within the 4000-acre George Washington Management Area, the 100-acre Pulaski Memorial Recreation Area is a "day use" facility offering users a multitude of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. From the first class trout fishing in the spring, to enjoying a picnic, a short hike, or a cool swim in the 13-acre Peck Pond in the summer, to cross-country skiing on the 10 miles of groomed trails into the adjacent George Washington Management area in the winter, Pulaski provides year round enjoyment for all ages.
Beavertail State ParkJamestown
Beavertail State Park, located in Jamestown, Rhode Island, is known for offering some of the most beautiful vistas along the New England coastline. The Park attracts people from all over the country, to enjoy it's pristine environment. Beavertail's most popular activity is sightseeing, and can be done from the comfort of a vehicle, in one of the four overlooks or on foot, from the rocky coastline. Beavertail also provides some of the best saltwater fishing in the area, along with offering hiking trails, and a naturalist program that attracts hundreds of people each year.
Fort Wetherill State ParkJamestown
Fort Wetherill State Park, situated upon 100 foot high granite cliffs across the water from Fort Adams State Park, is a former coastal defense battery and training camp. Known for its spectacular view of Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, Fort Wetherill has been a popular sight for viewing the numerous Tall Ship Events and America's Cup Races. The area is also a major attraction for scuba diving, with Diving Clubs from New York State, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island using the facilities at the boat ramp year round. Additionally, the park offers family and group picnicking, boating, fishing, hiking and exploring on the park's 61.5 acres of property.
Snake Den State ParkJohnston
Snake Den State Park is located along Route 6 in Johnston, Rhode Island. The 1000-acre undeveloped property boasts self-guided walking trails, beautiful trees, flowers and plants and also a working farm. In the fall, the foliage at Snake Den is something to behold. Snake Den is accessible at a small parking lot past Dame Farm on the right hand side, which is located on Brown Avenue in Johnston.
Lincoln Woods State ParkLincoln
Nestled between routes 146 and routes 123 , Lincoln Woods State Park is one of Blackstone Valley's great treasures. A short ride from Providence, Pawtucket, and Cumberland, it is a popular get away for northeastern Rhode Islanders. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the fresh water beach, trout fishing, playing ball, hiking, jogging, horseback riding, or just relaxing under a shade tree.
Blackstone River Visitor CenterLincoln
The Blackstone River State Park which opened in January 2006 reflects the efforts and cooperation of several federal and state agencies and represents a true commitment to serve the public in a variety of ways. These agencies include the state departments of: Environmental Management, Transportation, State Police, Historical Preservation and the federal departments of: Federal Highway Administration and the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and the regional, Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
Blackstone River BikewayLincoln
The Blackstone River Bikeway is the state's second-longest bike path, with 18.2 miles of bikeway - which includes 11.6 miles of path between Cumberland and Woonsocket and segments of on and off-road bikeway heading south to India Point Park in Providence and north to the Massachusetts border. Experienced riders can find their way from the end of the off-road bikeway in Cumberland to India Point Park in Providence (connecting to the East Bay Bike Path) through a series of on-road routes marked with share-the-road markers called "sharrows." The path follows the Blackstone River wherever possible, including on the tow paths of the historic Blackstone Canal. This highly scenic bikeway crosses the river many times, offering views of waterfalls, marshes and wildlife. Many old mills line the river too, evidence of the impact of the Industrial Revolution that earned the Blackstone the title of the "hardest-working river in America."
Scarborough North and South State BeachesNarragansett
Scarborough State Beach with its newly renovated pavilion and expanded beach area along with renovations to the Olivo's and Lido's beach areas, which are now referred to as the Scarborough South Complex, will offer a wide range of beach related activities. Saltwater bathing with lifeguards on duty from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm will continue to be Scarborough's biggest attraction along with picnicking, an observation tower with scenic views and boardwalk. People of all ages will find activities of interest from sun bathing on Scarborough's sandy beach, and people watching on its boardwalk to picnicking under shaded shelters, and saltwater bathing in one of Rhode Island's most popular spots.
South County MuseumNarragansett
The museum is located within Canonchet Farm, a large public park owned by the town of Narragansett. The collections contain more than 20,000 items dating from 1695 to 1950, though most are from the Victorian era, c. 1840-1910. The museum has become a popular attraction and its exhibits have helped to keep alive Rhode Island's rural, village, and maritime heritage, providing a fascinating glimpse of the hand-craft technology and everyday life of the people of the past two centuries.
Touro Synagogue National Historic SiteNewport
The oldest synagogue in the United States, the Touro Synagogue was dedicated in 1762, and serves an active congregation today. The congregation was founded in 1658 by Sephardim who fled the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal and were searching for a haven from religious persecution in the Caribbean. Today, the synagogue celebrates not only their story, but serves to honor all who came to this shore seeking to worship freely.
Fort Adams State ParkNewport
Steeped in history, Fort Adams State Park is perhaps best known for its annual summer concerts when the jazz and folk festivals draw thousands to enjoy the music and beautiful surroundings. Situated at the mouth of the Newport Harbor, Fort Adams State Park offers an exceptional panoramic view of both Newport Harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. Before being deeded to the State of Rhode Island in 1965, Fort Adams had served the U.S. Navy for ten years and the U.S. Army for more than a century. Today the park offers a wide range of activities, including tours of the historic fort, saltwater bathing, fishing, boating, soccer, rugby, and picnicking.
Brenton Point State ParkNewport
Occupying the former grounds of one of Newport's grandest estates, Brenton Point State Park affords its visitors one of the most commanding and spectacular views on the East Coast. The park is located at the point of land where Narragansett Bay meets the Atlantic, midway along renowned Ocean Drive. Visitors can enjoy picnicking, hiking, fishing, or just relaxing with the cool breezes and majestic views of the Atlantic.
Hasbro FunlabPawtucket
Hasbro's FUNLAB is a a department that runs play testing programs to ensure games and toys Hasbro creates are age appropriate and simple to understand—but, most importantly, create FUN, satisfying play experiences all around the world. Hasbro has come to deeply value its relationships with the homeschool families and truly appreciate their insights for how to improve the play experience, in addition to their flexible scheduling. These play tests provide a unique, insightful element for families—as they will experience first-hand some of the behind-the-scenes components of toymaking--encompassing design, engineering, strategy, and imagination. And of course, all who participate in our programs receive special gifts. If your Homeschool family or co-op is interested in partnering with Hasbro's Funlab, please feel free to create an account and include each family member's name, age, and interests.
Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence
The Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design, also known as the RISD Museum, is Rhode Island's leading museum of fine and decorative art, housing a collection of 84,000 objects of international significance. It is southeastern New England's only comprehensive art museum and is accredited by the American Association of museum. The RISD Museum strives to be a vital cultural resource by educating and inspiring a wide variety of audiences: families and individuals, scholars and researchers, artists and designers, and students of all ages. The Museum maintains an active program of exhibitions, lectures, tours, workshops and publications dedicated to the interpretation of art and design from diverse cultures ranging from ancient times to the present.
Museum of Natural History and PlanetariumProvidence
The Museum of Natural History is Rhode Island's only natural history museum and is home to the state's only public planetarium.
Roger Williams National MemorialProvidence
Roger Williams National Memorial commemorates the life of the founder of Rhode Island and a champion of the ideal of religious freedom. Williams, banished from Massachusetts for his beliefs, founded Providence in 1636. This colony served as a refuge where all could come to worship as their conscience dictated without interference from the state.
Goddard Memorial State ParkWarwick
Goddard Park attracts thousands of visitors each year as Rhode Island's most popular Metropolitan Park. The park offers a beautiful natural environment with spacious lawns, fields, and forested areas with a variety of trees from all over the world, including 62 deciduous and 19 evergreen species. Visitors can make use of a nine hole golf course, an equestrian show area, 18 miles of bridle trails, 355 picnic tables, 11 game fields, and a new performing arts center for weddings, concerts, picnics and special events.
John H. Chafee Nature PreserveWarwick
The 230-acre John H. Chafee Nature Preserve at Rome Point in North Kingstown is an undeveloped conservation area home to a variety of wildlife, beachfront, and hiking trails. It's a popular place to view harbor seals resting out on rocks just offshore (seasonally).
Misquamicut State BeachWesterly
One of the state's most popular beaches with over a half mile of beach front. There are also many local attractions for children. This modern pavilion includes many new concepts including rails, outside showers, tower and composting toilets. This beach does fill to capacity during sunny summer weekends.
John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley NHCWoonsocket
The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (often shortened to the Blackstone Heritage Corridor) is where the American Industrial Revolution began. From there it sent reverberations throughout the United States. Follow the 46 miles of the Blackstone River as it drops 450 feet to sea level. Explore the varied habitats of its watershed, the charming towns and villages in the region, and their distinctive culture created by influences from around the globe.
