SIGHTSEEING > RHODE ISLAND

BRISTOL ù BLITHEWOLD GARDENS AND ARBORETUM
101 Ferry Rd, Rte 114, Bristol, RI (map)
401.253.2707
info@blithewold.org
http://www.blithewold.org

A 45-room, turn-of-the-century mansion on 33 acres of landscaped grounds that overlook Narragansett Bay, as well as the largest giant redwood this side of the Rocky Mountains. Self-guided tours of the mansion are offered Wed through Sun from 10 am to 4 pm. The grounds and gardens are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission $10, $8 for seniors and students, free for youths under 17. When the house is closed, admission to the gardens is $5, free for youths under 17.

CHARLESTOWN ù FANTASTIC UMBRELLA FACTORY
4820 Old Post Rd (off Rte 1), Charlestown, RI (map)
401.364.6616
No umbrellas are made here, but craftspeople and shopkeepers work in a historic farm setting complete with sheep, ducks, pheasants, peacocks, guinea hens, emus, and chickens. ThereÆs also an art gallery, handmade gifts and clothing for sale, and a restaurant called Duke's. Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, mid June through Labor Day. Free.

JAMESTOWN ù FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMORIAL BUILDING
50 Narragansett Ave, Jamestown, RI (map)
401.423.0062
JFDmuseum@jamestownfd.com
http://www.jamestownfd.com

Exhibits include a horse-drawn 1895 steam engine and other antique firefighting equipment, plus photographs. Open Mon through Fri from 7 am to 3 pm, and on weekends by appointment. Free.

NEWPORT ù BEECHWOOD
580 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI (map)
401.846.3772
astors@astorsbeechwood.com
http://www.astorsbeechwood.com/

Take a tour of this opulent Victorian mansion and erstwhile summer home of Caroline Astor, a queen of 1890s society. Actors portray Mrs. AstorÆs servants and assorted high-society guests. Call for details about private parties. Tues and Fri feature "Roarin' Twenties Tours," which re-create the year 1929. All other days feature "Victorian Tours," which give a glimpse of the life of Mrs. Astor's family and friends. Interactive Murder Mystery Tours most Thurs at 7 pm and on Sat at 1:30 pm from July through Sept.. Speakeasy dance parties on Tues at 7 pm from July 10 through Sept.. History tours leave every half-hour. Open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.

NEWPORT ù BELCOURT CASTLE
657 Bellevue Ave, two miles south of Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI (map)
401.846.0669
belcourt2006@aol.com
http://www.belcourtcastle.com

A King Louis XIIIûstyle castle features an antiques collection, stained-glass windows, armor, rugs, paintings, French furniture and silverware, and the only golden coronation coach in America. Guided tours daily every two hours from 10 am to 4 pm in June and Aug. In July, no 10 am tour on Sun or Mon.. That Belcourt Castle has ghosts has not been disputed by successive occupants since 1956. For further folklore about the mysterious haunting of this old structure, "Ghost Tours" are offered on Thurs and Sat at 5 pm. Candlelight Tours, which explore the castle's large collection of artwork, furniture, sculpture, armor, paintings, tapestries, and stained glass, leave on Fri, Sun, and Mon at 6 pm. Tour fee $12, $8 for seniors, $7 for students, $5 for children five through 12. Ghost and candlelight tours $18.

NEWPORT ù INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
194 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI (map)
401.849.3990
newport@tennisfame.com
http://www.tennisfame.com/

The worldÆs largest tennis museum, housed in the restored Newport Casino. Site of the first US national singlesÆ championship, in 1881. Professional tennis tournaments are still played on the grass courts here each summer. Grass courts are open to the public. Open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Admission $9, $7 for students, seniors, and military personnel, $5 for children. Family and group-tour discount rates available.

NEWPORT ù PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT
424 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI (map)
401.847.1000
info@newportmansions.org
http://www.newportmansions.org

The society oversees nine astonishingly opulent mansions built between 1748 and 1902, all on or near Bellevue Ave: Hunter House, the Breakers, Kingscote, ChGteau-sur-Mer, Marble House, the Elms, Chepstow, the Isaac Bell House, and Rosecliff. (Reservations required to visit Chepstow, an Italianate summer villa overlooking Narragansett Ave.) They are also in charge of the Green Animals Topiary and the Breakers Stable and Carriage House. Tours offered daily at each property from 10 am to 5 pm, starting June 23. The Breakers opens for tours at 9 am. Separate admission to each house $11 (except the Breakers, which costs $16, and Hunter House, which costs $25). Discounts for students and children. Five-house package $31, $10 for children six through 17. Check the Web site or call for other tours.

NEWPORT ù TOURO SYNAGOGUE
85 Touro St, Newport, RI (map)
401.847.4794
http://www.tourosynagogue.org

The oldest synagogue in the United States, dating from 1763, and displaying the oldest Torah on the continent. Guided tours on the half-hour. In June, open on Mon, Tue, Wed, and Fri from 1 to 3 pm, and on Sun from 11 am to 3 pm. July through Sept 2, open 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Thurs and Sat. Admission $5, free for children 13 and under.

NORTH KINGSTOWN ù GILBERT STUART MUSEUM
815 Gilbert Stuart Rd, North Kingstown, RI (map)
401.294.3001
info@gilbertstuartmuseum.org
http://www.gilbertstuartmuseum.com/

Stuart, born here in 1755, is best remembered for his portraits of George Washington. Attractions include an operating 18th-century snuff mill, a grist mill, and a working water wheel. Open Thurs through Mon from 11 am to 4 pm. Guided tours are on the hour, with the last tour at 3 pm. Admission $6, $3 for children six through 12.

PAWTUCKET ù SLATER MILL HISTORIC SITE
67 Roosevelt Ave, Pawtucket, RI (map)
401.725.8638
info@slatermill.org
http://www.slatermill.org

The property includes the Old Slater Mill, built in 1793, the Sylvanus Brown House, built in 1758, and the Wilkinson Mill, which dates to 1810. The site also houses a mid-19th-century machine shop and a 16,000-pound operating water wheel. Exhibits include a slide show of mill history and demonstrations of early textile machinery, hand-spinning, and weaving. Open Tues through Sun. Through June 30, open 11 am to 3 pm. In July through Sept, open 10 am to 5 pm. Admission $9, $8 for seniors, $7 for children six through 12.

PORTSMOUTH ù GREEN ANIMALS TOPIARY GARDENS
CoryÆs Lane (off Rte 114), Portsmouth, RI (map)
401.847.1000
info@newportmansions.org
http://www.newportmansions.org

In the tradition of European estates, trees and shrubs have been sculpted into various shapes, including a teddy bear and a giraffe. There are 80 figures, plus rose arbors, a toy museum, formal flower beds, a pet cemetery, and a vegetable and fruit garden. Managed by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Admission $11, $4 for children six through 17.

PROVIDENCE ù JOHN BROWN HOUSE
52 Power St (at Benefit St), Providence, RI (map)
401.273.7507
http://www.rihs.org

Built in 1786 by merchant, slave trader, and privateer John Brown. Completely restored with original and period furnishings, the house is a three-story Georgian mansion. Tues through Fri, tours begin at 1:30 and 3 pm. On Sat, additional tours are offered at 10:30 am and noon. Open from 10 am to 4 pm. Gift shop open 1 to 4 pm. Admission $8, $6 for seniors and students, $4 for children seven through 17.

PROVIDENCE ù PROVIDENCE ATHENAEUM
251 Benefit St, Providence, RI (map)
401.421.6970
http://www.providenceathenaeum.org

This Greek Revival building, designed by William Strickland in 1838, houses 155,000 books and manuscripts, including a 19th-century-literature collection. Open Mon through Thurs from 9 am to 7 pm, on Fri until 5 pm, and on Sat until 1 pm. Free.

PROVIDENCE ù PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY
21 Meeting St, Providence, RI (map)
401.831.7440
info@ppsri.org
http://www.ppsri.org

Pick up maps for walking tours of the city. Open Mon through Fri from 9 am to 5 pm.

PROVIDENCE ù ROGER WILLIAMS NATIONAL MEMORIAL
282 North Main St, Providence, RI (map)
401.521.7266
http://www.nps.gov/rowi

Visitor center, exhibits, and video show interpreting the life of Roger Williams, the founder of the first government in the world with complete religious freedom for all. The original 1636 settlement of Providence included this site, now across the river from the Capitol. Open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm. Free.

PROVIDENCE ù ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO
1000 Elmwood Ave (Exit 17S or 16N off I-95), Providence, RI (map)
401.785.3510
http://www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org

This zoo is located in a beautiful 430-acre Victorian park with landscaped terrain, waterways, drives, walks, and outdoor gardens. Popular attractions include sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and the Tropical Rain Forest Pavilion. The African Plains exhibit features cheetahs, ostriches, and GrantÆs zebras. The Australasia exhibit features exotic animals such as the tree kangaroo and the Bali Mynas, a visually striking and highly endangered bird from Indonesia. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission $12, $8 for seniors, $6 for children three through 12, free for zoo members and children under three. Free parking.

RIVERSIDE ù LOOFF CAROUSEL AT CRESCENT PARK
700 BullockÆs Point Ave, Providence, RI (map)
401.433.2828
http://www.crescentparkcarousel.com

This 1895 carousel, designed by Charles I.D. Looff, features 66 hand-carved figures. The park's pavilion has an onion-dome roof and stained-glass windows. Open Thurs through Sun from noon to 8 pm. Rides 75 cents, 50 cents on Thurs..

SAUNDERSTOWN ù CASEY FARM
2325 Boston Neck Rd (Rte 1A), Saunderstown, RI (map)
401.295.1030
http://www.spnea.org/visit/homes/casey.htm

A mid-18th-century homestead overlooking Narragansett Bay, surrounded by a 300-acre organic farm with horses, cows, sheep, chickens, a water garden, and 30 miles of stone walls. A farm stand sells vegetables and flowers when available. Tour includes the farmyard and cemetery. Open on Sat from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission $4, free for SPNEA members and Saunderstown residents.

WESTERLY ù FLYING HORSE CAROUSEL
Bay St, Watch Hill, Westerly, RI (map)
401.596.7761 or 401.596.6590
Brought to Watch Hill around 1879, this is in contention for the title of oldest carousel in the country. Hop onto one of the 20 horses, hand-carved with real tails and manes, and try to grab the brass ring as you go around. Open daily through Labor Day from 1 pm until dark. Nominal fee.

WOONSOCKET ù MUSEUM OF WORK AND CULTURE
42 South Main St (Market Sq), Woonsocket, RI (map)
401.769.9675
http://www.rihs.org

The interactive museum focuses on the French Canadians who came to work in the textile factories of New England. Museum open Mon through Fri from 9:30 am to 4 pm, on Sat from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Sun from 1 to 4 pm. Admission is $7, $5 for seniors and students, free for children under 10.