Category: Guide

🎃✨ Step into the magic! ✨🎃

September 20, 2025

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular returns to Roger Williams Park Zoo — a breathtaking trail glowing with thousands of artistically carved pumpkins. From whimsical scenes to awe-inspiring designs, it’s an autumn tradition you don’t want to miss. 🍂🕯️📍 Roger Williams Park Zoo
📅 September 26 – October 31
🎟️ Tickets & info: https://www.rwpzoo.org/event/jols/
Who’s ready for some pumpkin magic? 🍁🧡
#JackOLanternSpectacular #ProvidenceRI #FallMagic #AutumnVibes #USA1731

Eden of America: Rhode Island Landscapes

January 8, 2025

“The Island is exceedingly pleasant and healthful; and is celebrated for its fine women.
Travelers, with propriety, call it the Eden of America”

JEDIDIAH MORSE
American Geography; or, A View of the Present Situation of The United States of America, 1789
Brochure: THE EDEN OF AMERICA, Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design. Cover painting: Alvan Fisher, Providence from Across the Cove, 1818, Rhode Island Historical Society. Issued in conjunction with a 1986 exhibition of artwork depicting the countryside of Rhode Island.
THE EDEN OF AMERICA, Rhode Island Landscape , 1820-1920, Museum of Art, RISD

“A portrait of Rhode Island is as much an image of sea as of land, for the state is dominated by a coastline that has lured countless visitors, including America’s fore- most landscape painters. Rhode Island has been noted throughout its history for its natural beauty and healthful climate, and was first described in 1789 as the “Eden of America.”
Conveniently located between Boston and New York City and easily accessible by train or steamer, Rhode Island evolved during the 19th century into America’s seaside playground. Newport, the colonial rival to New York and Boston, was reborn in the last century as the summer haunt of America’s social elite. Across the Bay to the west, the smaller island of Conanicut (Jamestown) was popular as a picturesque site for excursions from Newport. On the western mainland shore was Narragansett, famous for its Pier and Casino and known by 1880 as the “city of hotels,” while at the Connecticut border, Watch Hill with its popular bathing beaches. developed.
Artists were attracted to Rhode Island throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it is the combination of land, sea and sky, and the variety of visual possibilities created by these elements, that dominate their paintings…”

From exhibit brochure: THE EDEN OF AMERICA, January 24 to April 27, 1986 Museum of Art,
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
Issued in conjunction with a 1986 exhibition of artwork depicting the countryside of Rhode Island.

Credits: Rhode Island School of Design Museum

“The Cole Farm House is the absolute best!”
Heather, Steve & family (October 2024)

Cole Farm’s history begins in 1731, we invite you for a ride back in history – read more
Cole Farmhouse is first and foremost a guest accommodation – read our guests’ testimonials

#USA1731

Flea Markets

October 20, 2024

Looking for unique finds, secondhand items or handcrafted small businesses? Treasure hunt at the best flea markets near Cole Farmhouse

Providence Flea
Providence Flea hosts local vintage vendors and some of the area’s most creative artists, artisans and makers, plus community non-profits, food trucks and carts, and live musicians.
Operate indoors from mid-Fall through Winter and  Spring on Sundays at  Farm Fresh RI Market Hall,   10 Sims Ave in Providence, RI.
Address: Farm Fresh RI Market Hall,   10 Sims Ave in Providence, RI.
Duration: Year-round except for January.​
Day of Week: Sunday
Hours: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Website: https://www.providenceflea.com/ 

The Old Mill Vintage Marketplace And Flea 
An indoor flea market with a large selection of antiques and secondhand items.
Address: 3 Bridal Ave., West Warwick 
Duration: Year round
Day of Week: Saturdays, Sundays
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Website: https://www.facebook.com/theoldmillflea

Plainfield Pike Flea Market
Outdoors market with 10 acres for over 200 vendors.
Address: 2111 Plainfield Pike Johnston, Rhode Island 02919
Duration: April 7, 2024 – November 24, 2024
Day of Week: Sunday
Hours: 6:00am – 1:00pm
Website: https://www.pikefleamarket.com/

The General’s Market
Longest-running flea market in Rhode Island, formally known as The General Stanton Inn Flea Market.
Address: 4115 Old Post Road Charlestown, RI
Duration: Summer
Day of Week: Sunday
Website: https://www.thegeneralsmarket.com/

Outside Rhode Island

Seekonk Flea Market
Features, antiques, collectibles, sporting goods, clothing, toys, tools, automotive and more.
Address: ​1782 Fall River Ave Seekonk MA 02771
Duration: April till December 6th
Day of Week: Sunday
Website: https://www.seekonkfleamarket.com/

Gilbert Stuart Museum

July 16, 2023

Meet the painter of George Washington’s famous portrait

Gilbert Stuart Museum (Photography by #USA1731)

Gilbert Stuart , one of America’s master portrait artists is best known for his portraits of George Washington. His birthplace is Saunderstown, RI and the snuff mill of the Stuart family has been authentically restored and open to visitors — see visit information at the museum’s website: https://gilbertstuartmuseum.org/ (note: while the website indicates that Guided Tours are given on a regular basis, they depend on volunteer availability).

AMERICANREVOLUTION.ORG reveals the story behind the third and most famous painting of Washington: When Mrs. Washington wanted a picture of the President for herself, she persuaded her unwilling husband to submit a third time to Stuart’s brush and company. In the stone barn in Germantown he used as a studio, the painter waited anxiously for Washington to ride out for the first sitting… Washington entered the barn with cold courtesy, sat down in the chair Stuart had provided, and clamped his face into the rigid expression he saved for portrait-painters. Stuart plunged into his fund of anecdote, but the face did not relax… Stuart commented on a local horse race; Washington made an animated answer and his face came alive. Then Stuart ransacked his mind for all he knew about horses, and soon the two men were actually talking. Stuart’s brush flew merrily in rhythm with his tongue. The conversation moved on to farming, a subject it had never occurred to Stuart to discuss with the Commander-in-Chief, and again Washington was interested.

President Washington’s passion to horses and to farming probably explains his historic visit to Cole Farm in Providence, RI (see: http://sites.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/articles/170.html “The Cole home has been preserved in as nearly as possible the form in which it was when early members of the Cole family entertained Washington and Lafayette, and contains among other relics of that day the chair in which the commander-in-chief sat.

Cole Farm was famous for its high-grade cows and for horse breeding. Read our blog post about one of the best Thoroughbred racehorses of the late 18th century : Hambletonian


#GilbertStuart #Washington #historic #RhodeIsland #USA1731#ColeFarm #Hambletonian

Photography by Chris Vaccaro https://www.rimonthly.com/gilbert-stuart-ris-most-famous-painter/

Bike Paths in Rhode Island

August 11, 2022

Courtesy of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Rhode Island offers beautiful bike paths for cycling enthusiast — novice to advanced. Nearly 80 miles of open pathways with an eclectic mix of wide ocean views, big city beauty, small-town charm, industrial heritage and remote wooded backcountry. The ocean state is part of the East Coast Greenway, stretching more than 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida.

The Cole Farmhouse on Providence EastSide is about 2 miles from India Point Park where you embark on a 14.5 miles journey to Bristol on the East Bay Bike Path.

East Bay Bike Path

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.

Learn more about our Bike Paths, Maps and Parking Information at RI Dot site

  1. East Bay Bike Path
  2. Blackstone River Bikeway
  3. Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway
  4. South County Bike Path
  5. Ten Mile River Greenway
  6. Warren Bike Path
  7. Washington Secondary Bike Path
  8. Quonset Bike Path

Courtesy of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Coggeshall Farm Museum

August 2, 2022

Coggeshall Farm recreates true farm living in the late 18th century

Coggeshall Farm is a salt-marsh farm from 1790s. The farm is set on 48 acres of coastal farmland in Bristol RI, about 30 minutes drive from the Cole Farmhouse.

The farm is beautifully preserved to 1790s and it brings to life the daily experience of tenant farmers on the farm. The museum offers hands-on experiences through its working farm with heritage livestock, heirloom field crops and its historic structures.

The friendly costumed historians on site will make your visit fun and educational with live demonstration of daily farm activities.

The museum address is: 1 Colt Drive, Bristol, RI 02809 (for GPS use, enter “Coggeshall Farm Museum”)

Check hours rates and special events at: https://www.coggeshallfarm.org/

Tip: Visit Colt state Park and beach on this excursion — see info at: https://riparks.com/parks/colt.php#colt

WaterFire Providence – 2025 Event Schedule

July 12, 2022

Courtesy of WaterFire Providence

2025 WaterFire Schedule will be posted in April — stay tuned!

WaterFire is a free public art installation presented on the beautiful rivers of downtown Providence. WaterFire was first launched in 1994 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of First Night Providence, and has become an annual public art attraction and urban festival.
The public is invited to walk the riverfront and enjoy the beauty of the flickering fire light, the and the music from around the world.

The Cole Farmhouse on Providence East Side is located less than two miles from downtown Providence — about forty minutes walk.

Courtesy of WaterFire Providence

Farms, Farmers Markets & PYOs

July 11, 2022

Enjoy local farms and farmers’ market near the Cole Farmhouse

A short guide to help you find healthy, fresh produce grown local. Meet and support local farmers and vendors. These markets showcase a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and other farm products.
Browse full list of RI Farmers Markets (Farm Fresh RI)
Download the full RI Markets Guide (Farm Fresh RI)

Farmers Markets

Providence

Hope Street Farmers Market
Address: Hope St &, Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI 02906 (Lippit park)
Duration: May 6 to October 28, 2023
Day of Week: Saturdays
Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Farm Fresh Rhode Island
A large selection of local farm and food vendors in a custom-built facility designed
Address: 10 Sims Ave, Providence
Duration: Year round
Day of Week: Saturdays
Hours: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Armory Park
Address: Armory, 85 Parade St, Providence,
Duration: June 1 – Oct 26
Day of Week: Thursdays
Hours: 3:00pm – 7:00pm,

Broad Street,
Address: Algonquin House, 807 Broad St, Providence,
Duration: runs Jun 10 – Oct 28
Day of Week: Saturdays
Hours: 8:00am – noon

Neutaconkanut Park
Address: 675 Plainfield St, Providence
Duration: Jul 3 – Oct 30
Day of the week: Mondays
Hours: 2 – 6pm

Outside Providence

Burrillville Farmers Market
Address: 75 Tinkham Lane, Harrisville, RI 02830
Duration: June 3 to September 30, 2023
Day of Week: Saturdays
Hours: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Aquidneck Growers Market
Address: Embrace Home Loans Campus25 Enterprise Dr, Middletown
Duration: May 6 – October 28 2023
Day of Week: Saturday
Hours: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM


Local Farms

R&R Farm
Address: 652 Newman Avenue, Seekonk, MA
Phone (508) 617 1489
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/RR-Farms-Seekonk/100063535476175/
Friendly and inexpensive farm within fifteen minutes drive from the Cole Farmhouse. Small variety of high-quality produce in affordable prices. Recommended!


Name: Blackbird Farm
Address: 660 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917
Phone: (401) 578-3959
Website: https://blackbirdfarmri.com/
Description: antibiotic-free, no-added-hormones, pasture-fed, 100% Black Angus cattle and 100% pedigreed American Heritage Berkshire pigs.

Name: Pat’s Pastured
Address: 830 South Road, East Greenwich RI 02818
Phone: (401) 830- 4728
Website: https://www.patspastured.com/
Description: Ethically-raised, pastured meat and eggs

Name: Moonrose Farm
Address: Cranston, RI
Phone: (401) 484-1645
Website: https://www.moonrosefarm.com/
Description: Woman owned chemical free farm & apiary specializing in vegetables and cut flowers.

Name: Big Train Farm
Address: 1012 Snake Hill Road, North Scituate, RI 02857
Phone: (401) 243-4212
Website: https://bigtrainfarm.com/csa-details/
Description: Certified Organic Vegetable Farm. 

Tour Providence East Side

August 29, 2021

Curated by Elyssa Tardif and Rhode Tour Team

This self-guided tour includes 18 location in the beautiful East Side

Rhode Island State House
Roger Williams National Memorial
The Home of Betsey Metcalf (Demolished)
The Changing City
The Old Brick Schoolhouse and the Providence Preservation Society
The Home of Sissieretta Jones
Early Industry and Wood-Fired Pizza
Providence Art Club
First Baptist Church
Rhode Island School of Design and RISD Museum
Market Square and the Market House
The Providence Athenaeum
The Stephen Hopkins House
Mary Balch’s School (Demolished)
First Unitarian Church
John Brown House Museum
Brown University Quadrangle
Governor Henry Lippitt House

The website at: https://rhodetour.org/tours/show/21 provides interesting details, facts and tips for each location.