Explore New England's Regions

And then there’s tiny Rhode Island, where the longest distance between two points on the mainland is an hour’s drive.

Not being an island at all, the state’s name is often given a raised eyebrow. But the origin is from Aquidneck Island (RI’s largest island), which was originally called Rhode’s Island, and later the whole of the state was called Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, which is far too long a name for so small a state. It was not long before “and Providence Plantations” was dropped. So now you know.

Despite being such a small state, it rightly touts itself as the Ocean State, with 400 miles of coastline, thanks largely to Narragansett Bay, which effectively cleaves the state in two.

And what a lot this state packs into such a small space. Providence, sitting at the head of the Bay, is the home of  Ivy League Brown University, Providence College, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and others. With all those colleges, you can be sure to have your fill of arts and culture, not to mention some of the best food – including the outstanding Italian fare in Federal Hill.

But Rhode Island doesn’t stop with Providence. Newport, famous for its gilded age mansions, is further down in the Bay, and is a beautiful old seaport town even apart from the mansions. Speaking of port towns, it’s got those too, and of course, with all that coastline, plenty of beaches. and Block Island, a worthy alternative to the more famous nearby island of Martha’s Vineyard.