Discover the Ocean State: 24 Captivating Fun Facts About Rhode Island You Never Knew

1. Rhode Island's rebellious beginnings

Rhode Island, the state less likely to play 'follow the leader' than a rebellious teenager ignoring their Snapchat curfew: It was the first colony to call for a Continental Congress in 1774, officially declared its independence from the British Crown on May 4, 1776, and finally caved in as the very last of the original thirteen states to ratify the United States Constitution on May 29, 1790. This feisty little state sure knows how to make a statement in American history!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Ocean State's fishing and sailing

While residents of other states might tease Rhode Island for being the runt of the litter in terms of size, this tiny titan packs quite the sea-sational punch: Rhode Island is home to a thriving fishing industry, with 65% of anglers being tourists fishing mostly in saltwater, but river and ocean fishing are also popular. Moreover, its ports, such as Newport, serve as prime sailing destinations, further cementing its status as the "Ocean State" sought out by avid maritime aficionados.
Source => unitedstatesnow.org

Did you know that Connecticut is home to the oldest hamburger joint in the U.S.? Louis' Lunch in New Haven has been serving up a delicious blend of five cuts of beef since 1895! 🍔🇺🇸 Get a taste of history with this fun fact.

=> Fun Facts about Connecticut

3. Roger Williams' religious haven

If Roger Williams were alive today, he'd probably be the ultimate housewarming party host, welcoming those who've experienced some serious religious ghosting: Williams, the advocate for religious liberty, founded Providence, Rhode Island in 1636, creating a haven for the persecuted seeking complete religious freedom; he also greatly influenced the First Amendment with his ideas about the separation of church and state.
Source => mtsu.edu

4. Del's Frozen Lemonade empire

When life hands Rhode Island lemons, they make Del's Frozen Lemonade worthy of ol' King Midas himself: Born out of Naples, Italy in 1840, Great Grandfather DeLucia's cherished recipe of lemon juice, sugar, and snow, swaddled in cave-straw, crossed the Atlantic, and by 1948, sprouted its first thirst-quenching stand in Cranston, growing into a zesty, family-owned, global phenomenon.
Source => dels.com

5. Providence's seaport food scene

If at first you don't seaport, fry, fry again: Providence, Rhode Island, has a lip-smacking restaurant scene rooted in its history as a major Revolutionary War seaport, and is further enhanced by the culinary expertise of the world's largest cooking school, Johnson & Wales University.
Source => goprovidence.com

6. Vanderbilts' vacation spot

Rhode Island: where the Vanderbilts vacationed and size truly doesn't matter! This tiny titan packs more power and importance in its diminutive landscape than its name might suggest, disproving the age-old myth that “bigger is better.” Funnily enough, Rhode Island is not even home to 30-plus islands; contrary to popular lore, the official count is one big kahuna, accompanied by a few sidekicks: Home to the grandiose Vanderbilt mansion, The Breakers, and nestled along a magnificent stretch of the Newport shorefront, Rhode Island boasts a rich history and a dazzling coastline both worthy of note and envy.
Source => ri.gov

7. Over 30 public beaches

Don't let its size deceive you — Rhode Island's got beach brawn packed within its puny state lines: Sporting over 30 public beaches such as the spacious Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly and hidden gem Mohegan Bluffs on Block Island, there's an activity-filled coastal spot for surfers, sunbathers, and sandcastle architects alike!
Source => providencejournal.com

8. Block Island Ferry options

Ahoy, mateys, and grab your peg leg, for the watery commute from Rhode Island to Block Island is a sea-worthy adventure indeed, replete with various vessels to ferry you across the briny blue: Choose from the car-friendly Block Island Ferry, the speedy Block Island Hi-Speed Ferry catamaran, alternative routes offered by Newport to Block Island Ferry and Block Island Express, or voyage from Montauk, NY, aboard the Viking Fast Ferry – welcome aboard, and anchors aweigh!
Source => blockislandinfo.com

9. Rhode Island's pizza strips

In a world where pizza dares to be different and shuns the typical cheesy lifestyle, Rhode Island has birthed a rebellious, cheese-less culinary wonder: the pizza strip, a rectangular-shaped dish served at room temperature with no cheese or toppings, just sauce! This saucy superstar originated in the state's Italian American community and can be found in Italian bakeries and grocery stores across Rhode Island, like Venda Ravioli, The Original Italian Bakery, LaSalle Bakery, and DePetrillo's Pizza & Bakery.
Source => providencejournal.com

10. Oldest U.S. shopping mall

If shopping malls were on the dating scene, Rhode Island's Westminster Arcade would have bags of stories to share with its younger counterparts over a cup of chicory: not only is it the oldest enclosed shopping mall in the United States, but it also carries the prestigious honor of becoming a National Historic Landmark since its humble beginnings in 1828.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Unique grass tennis tournament

Lawn and order, tennis style: Rhode Island's Infosys Hall of Fame Open in Newport is the only professional tennis tournament played on grass outside of Europe, dating back to the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championship in 1881 and graced by legends like Lleyton Hewitt and Goran Ivanisevic.
Source => atptour.com

12. Rhode Island Red chicken mascot

Why did the chicken cross the Rhode Island border? To become an egg-cellent state mascot, of course! In a stunning display of poultry prowess, Rhode Island has crafted its very own superstar bird: the Rhode Island Red chicken. As the state bird, this fine-featured fowl not only struts its stuff on the farm but also boasts an impressive egg-laying capacity, originating as a dual-purpose breed in New England during the mid-1800s for meat and egg production. Today, free-range divas of the Rhode Island Red species can shatter egg-spectations with up to 300 eggs per year.
Source => thehappychickencoop.com

13. Quahog-mania

Rhode Island: The epicenter of the quahog universe, where they party so hard they've given these clammy delights their very own week – complete with mouthwatering, shell-shocking menu takeovers! The serious reveal: Narragansett Bay supports Rhode Island's thriving quahog industry, with over 17.5 million of these mollusks harvested in 2022, ranking them as the state's fifth most valuable commercial fishery, and prompting a delicious annual Quahog Week celebration to promote local seafood and the RI Seafood brand.
Source => dem.ri.gov

14. Newport's prestigious golf scene

If golf courses could wear top hats and monocles, they'd all be clamoring for a spot on the Rhode Island social scene: The Newport Country Club, with its Beaux Arts style clubhouse designed by Whitney Warren, hosted the first U.S. Amateur Championship and U.S. Open in 1895, and the U.S. Women's Open in 2006, where Annika Sörenstam emerged victorious after an intense 18-hole playoff.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

15. Watch Hill's historic carousel

Hold your horses, or rather, make them fly: The Watch Hill Flying Horse Carousel in Rhode Island isn't just the oldest horse in the amusement park, it's the only surviving flying horse carousel in the US, so important that it's trotted onto the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and galloped its way to being a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Source => seewesterly.com

16. Coffee milk as official state drink

Feeling latte guilt or thinking that chocolate milk is too brew-dinary? Rhode Island has you covered with its own official liquid hug for your brain: Coffee milk, made with coffee syrup, proudly steals the spotlight as the state's official drink since 1993, with Rhode Islanders swearing by Autocrat Coffee Syrup's 1895 recipe to create their beloved caffeinated concoction.
Source => ri.gov

17. Slater's cotton spinning mill

When Samuel Slater spun a yarn, he wasn't just telling tall tales: In 1790, Slater built the first ever American cotton spinning mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, kick-starting the industrial revolution and turning Rhode Island into a textile titan with 61 mills within the first 20 years.
Source => nps.gov

18. Oldest American apple variety

In a sweet twist of fate, the oldest American apple variety has its roots firmly planted in the tipsy soil of a Rhode Island tavern keeper's backyard: The Rhode Island Greening, originating from the 1650s, is a triploid and biennial fruit tree that requires two diploid pollenizers for full fertility, bears large, late-season greenish-yellow apples used in ciders and pies, and is still in production today, despite its susceptibility to various fruit tree ailments.
Source => cumminsnursery.com

19. Eisenhower House in Rhode Island

Who needs a summer vacation when you can govern in style from a Rheal good location: Rhode Island's Eisenhower House, once the summer White House of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, is now a picture-perfect venue for weddings and events offering spectacular panoramas of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay, managed by the smallest state with the biggest charm.
Source => eventective.com

20. America's oldest restaurant

What do you get when you cross colonial politics, kangaroo courts, and a hankering for pints? A tavern that stands the test of time: The White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island, America's oldest restaurant and a National Historic Landmark, which began as a humble residence in 1652 and later served as the meeting place for the Colony's General Assembly, Criminal Court, and City Council for nearly a century until it galloped into the annals of history and the National Register of Historic Places.
Source => whitehorsenewport.com

21. Newport's historic riding academy

Step right up and prepare to be amazed under the big top of Rhode Island's history, where the circus has been in town for over 200 years: Newport, Rhode Island has been home to a manege constructed by Christopher Gardner in 1774, the "Original American Rider," who performed equestrian feats inspired by English rider Jacob Bates, leading to Newport's claim to have established one of the first riding academies in the United States.
Source => whatsupnewp.com

22. Del's Lemonade for generations

When life gives Rhode Island lemons, they freeze them and build an empire: Del's Lemonade, a beloved Rhode Island treat, traces its roots back to Franco DeLucia's arrival in the early 1900s with his family's frozen lemonade recipe, leading to the establishment of Del's Lemonade stand in 1948, and today boasting 25 franchises across five states and employing five generations of DeLucias.
Source => newengland.com

23. Providence, third largest New England city

If size doesn't matter, then Rhode Island is the Napoleon of the United States – tiny but mighty! This spirited underdog of a state boasts a capital city that slaps harder than a colonial-era tea party: Providence, with its 190,934 residents, stands proudly as the third largest city in New England. Admire the stunning blend of old and new architecture, scenic waterfront views, and lively arts and culture while strolling through this historical gem.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

24. Bristol's oldest Independence Day parade

Rhode Island may be small, but it sure knows how to party like it's 1776: Bristol, Rhode Island hosts the oldest Independence Day celebration in the United States, known as the Bristol Fourth of July Parade, which has been held annually since 1785 and attracts over 200,000 attendees from all over the world.
Source => en.wikipedia.org