From amazing gilded age mansions and gorgeous historic lighthouses, to one of the nation’s oldest carousels, Little Rhody is filled with wonder! You just have to know where to look. Though there are dozens of gorgeous natural attractions, there’s something just as special about places designed and constructed by talented people in Rhode Island. Here are 10 of the most impressive man made attractions in the state that are just so worth visiting in person.
- The Breakers, Newport
Flickr/garden beth The Breakers Mansion might be the most impressive building in the entire state, if not all of New England. Built between 1893 and 1895, this 70 room mansion was constructed as a Vanderbilt summer residence and stands brilliantly on Ochre Point Avenue in Newport.
- The Rhode Island State House, Providence
Flickr/CameliaTWU This national historic landmark homes the 4th largest self supporting marble dome in the world! It’s also striking from every angle and located on Smith Street in Providence.
- Fleur-de-lys Studio, Providence
Flickr/Andrew Kuchling This historic art studio stands out with its brilliant shade of yellow and wood frame main facade. It can be seen in person on Thomas Street in College Hill in Providence.
- Fort Adams, Newport
Flickr/Steve Freitag This former United States Army Post is a massive coastal fortification in a beautiful state park in Newport. It was established on July 4th, 1799 and is the site of the Newport Jazz Festival, one of the state’s most popular events.
- Flying Horse Carousel, Westerly
Flickr/David The Flying Horse Carousel is one of the oldest carousels in the world and is located in Watch Hill in Westerly. It’s an official national historic landmark and still open to children!
- Southeast Light, Block Island
Flickr/Timothy Burling Located just next to beautiful Mohegan Bluffs on Block Island is one of the nation’s most breathtaking historic lighthouses. Known as Southeast Light, this lighthouse dates back to 1874.
- Gun Totem, Providence
Flickr/Matt This unique sculpture by artist Boris Bally contains hundreds of previously owned handguns. The weapons were obtained during a gun buy back initiative and the statue is located outside Providence’s federal courthouse.
- Fort Wetherill, Jamestown
Flickr/Ani Od Chai This former coastal artillery is located in Jamestown on Conanicut Island. Exploring the dark and extensive tunnels is not only super cool, but also a little creepy! Fantastic hiking trails, fields, and more are also found at this beautiful scenic park.
- The Elms, Newport
Flickr/slack12 The Elms is a national historic landmark and gorgeous former summer cottage of the Berwind Family. It can be seen on Bellevue Avenue in Newport.
- Slater Mill Historic Site, Pawtucket
Flickr/Doug Kerr Known as the “birthplace of the industrial revolution,” historic Slater Mill is a historic textile mill complex found along the Blackstone River in Pawtucket. It has been fully restored to its 1835 appearance and can be toured via the Old Slater Mill Association.
Have you visited any of these man made wonders in Rhode Island? For more great attractions found in Rhode Island, click here.
Flickr/garden beth
The Breakers Mansion might be the most impressive building in the entire state, if not all of New England. Built between 1893 and 1895, this 70 room mansion was constructed as a Vanderbilt summer residence and stands brilliantly on Ochre Point Avenue in Newport.
Flickr/CameliaTWU
This national historic landmark homes the 4th largest self supporting marble dome in the world! It’s also striking from every angle and located on Smith Street in Providence.
Flickr/Andrew Kuchling
This historic art studio stands out with its brilliant shade of yellow and wood frame main facade. It can be seen in person on Thomas Street in College Hill in Providence.
Flickr/Steve Freitag
This former United States Army Post is a massive coastal fortification in a beautiful state park in Newport. It was established on July 4th, 1799 and is the site of the Newport Jazz Festival, one of the state’s most popular events.
Flickr/David
The Flying Horse Carousel is one of the oldest carousels in the world and is located in Watch Hill in Westerly. It’s an official national historic landmark and still open to children!
Flickr/Timothy Burling
Located just next to beautiful Mohegan Bluffs on Block Island is one of the nation’s most breathtaking historic lighthouses. Known as Southeast Light, this lighthouse dates back to 1874.
Flickr/Matt
This unique sculpture by artist Boris Bally contains hundreds of previously owned handguns. The weapons were obtained during a gun buy back initiative and the statue is located outside Providence’s federal courthouse.
Flickr/Ani Od Chai
This former coastal artillery is located in Jamestown on Conanicut Island. Exploring the dark and extensive tunnels is not only super cool, but also a little creepy! Fantastic hiking trails, fields, and more are also found at this beautiful scenic park.
Flickr/slack12
The Elms is a national historic landmark and gorgeous former summer cottage of the Berwind Family. It can be seen on Bellevue Avenue in Newport.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Known as the “birthplace of the industrial revolution,” historic Slater Mill is a historic textile mill complex found along the Blackstone River in Pawtucket. It has been fully restored to its 1835 appearance and can be toured via the Old Slater Mill Association.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
