Our Favorite Fall Activities in Rhode Island
Shhh! We’re going to let you in on a little secret. There’s really no off season in Rhode Island. The fall offers plenty to do and see, but the best part is that it can be enjoyed at a bit of a slower pace since most of the summer visitors have gone home. The weather is still beautiful, warm in the day and cool at night, so come see us and take advantage of one of the most beautiful seasons here. If you’re looking for something fun to do during your stay, here are some of our favorites:
Apple and Pumpkin Picking
Sweetberry Farm is located in Middletown, and they are known best for their adorable market and cafe area, and for their vast selection of seasonal “pick-your-own” offerings. For the months of late August through early October, their apple picking is top notch. Visit their pumpkin patch too! A closer option to our cottages, Young Family Farm is located in Little Compton. During the months of September through the end of October, they offer ten different varieties of apples, including Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Gala, Smoothie, Mutsu (Crispin) and Jonagold.
Bowen’s Wharf Annual Seafood Festival
This year marks the 30th annual Seafood Festival on Bowen’s Wharf in Newport, and you won’t want to miss it. On Saturday, October 16th (11am - 6pm) through Sunday, October 17th (11am - 5pm), rain or shine, head downtown and gain your free admission into the most popular local event of the season. Honoring the “Harvest of the Sea,” the event benefits the Oliver Hazard Perry, a 200-ft educational sailing vessel in Rhode Island. Live music keeps the mood light and fun while you load up on all of your favorite seafood dishes; think stuffies, lobster rolls, fish tacos and the best selection of craft beer and cocktails.
Visiting Local Breweries
With the idea of Oktoberfest in the air, you’ll want to head over to local breweries that serve up seasonal craft concoctions. Taproot Brewery at Newport Vineyards does just that, with beautiful views of the vineyard, delicious farm to table food, and you guessed it, their own housemade Imperial Pumpkin Ale and Oktoberfest German Lager. Its location is perfectly situated in Middletown as well, so you avoid all the hustle and bustle of downtown. Make sure you have a reservation, they book up fast and their walk-in availability is limited!
Ghost Tours in Newport
Spooky season wouldn’t be the same without the Ghost Tours of Newport, where they offer nighttime tours of historical sites downtown. For a $20 fee for adults and $12 for children, you get to experience a 1.5 hour tour that spans for less than a mile of Newport’s most haunted sites. Led by lantern light and a professional guide, you’ll explore the sites of the Olde Town colonial district, including the old Jailhouse inn and America’s oldest tavern, the White Horse Tavern. Find out things you would have never known about our little city by the sea!
Explore a Corn Maze
For good old fashioned fall family fun, head to the corn maze at Escobar’s Farm in Portsmouth. Every Friday through Sunday until November 7th, they’re open to the public, so people can come and take their shot at making their way through the corn maze that spans over 8 acres—with or without a map. In addition to the maze, they offer seasonal snacks at their concession stand, and other added attractions like hayrides, and a “hay-play” area that's perfect for photos with your little ones.
Newport Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Hosted at the same site as popular local music festivals (and widely known) Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, is the Newport Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival at Fort Adams state park. Taste the most delicious local food truck fare on October 16th and 17th, serving up everything from Asian dumplings and comfort food from Moyzilla, to locally sourced oysters from the Shuck Food Truck, and Mexican delights from the South Shore Taco Guy. Don’t forget about the craft beer selection as well, with offerings from places like 90+ Cellars, Zero Gravity, Citizen Cider, and Timberyard Brewing, to name a few. There will also be local artisans featured with work for sale, alongside live music and fun large-scale outdoor games like Giant Jenga and Checkers. Bring a blanket or chairs and sit with your family and friends for this fantastic outdoor fall event.
Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Events
Norman Bird Sanctuary typically hosts the local Harvest Fair that is postponed until next year; however, they’re still offering several weekend harvest season events like the finale of their summer outdoor concert series on the first weekend of October and a full moon hike on the premises at the end of October. Check out their other family friendly offerings here.
Newport Restaurant Week
Discounted and special pre-fixe meals run for one week, November 5th through 14th, at Newport’s most popular restaurants. Don’t miss it! It’s the best way to try some of the priciest places in town.
What are your favorite things to do during the fall in rhode island? tell us in the comments.
In post images: Erin McGinn Photography
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