Rhode Island has its fair share of churches, many of them well known. But most people focus on the big Providence and Newport churches and overlook the many gorgeous and historic houses of worship elsewhere in the state. We've found one in Wakefield that is particularly lovely.
St. Francis of Assisi in Wakefield is recognizable for its distinctive and beautiful architecture based on churches in Assisi, Italy.
Residents of and visitors to Wakefield have admired this gorgeous building for decades. And for church members, it is not just a landmark but a spiritual home.
There's never a bad time to be a Rhode Islander, but the holiday season is an especially magical time to live here -- especially if you happen to live near the charming little city of Newport. Christmas in Newport, Rhode Island lasts all December long, with events and displays all over town. But all you have to do to get into the holiday spirit is take a stroll down Thames Street, otherwise known as Newport's Main Street, and take in the seasonal sights.
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Thames Street is one of the oldest continuously used streets in Rhode Island. It's also Newport's main street filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions like the historic Bowen's Wharf and Bannister's Wharf.
It runs parallel to the waterfront, full of inviting shops and restaurants. Thames Street RI is especially enchanting this time of year, so it's the perfect place to enjoy a holiday stroll, do some holiday shopping, and check out Christmas window displays.
The official annual Newport Holiday Stroll tends to kick off the holiday season. This traditional event includes shopping discounts, restaurant specials, a tree lighting, and more. During this event, it's clear that Newport is the top Rhode Island Christmas town.
As a matter of fact, if you live in Newport, you're lucky — the city celebrates Christmas for the entire month of December!
newport rhode island -Dec 23, 2010 downtown shopping center
A Newport, Rhode Island Christmas is citywide with a host of monthly celebrations, from concerts, caroling, and craft fairs to visits with Santa and Nutcracker performances. Annual guided holiday lantern tours will be available every Friday and Saturday starting in late November through late December.
Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, RI decked out at Christmas time, ships docked with lights and wreaths.
Newport truly is the best Christmas town in Rhode Island. And there's nothing quite like shopping on Thames Street during the holiday season — every storefront is decked out in decor. A few of the most popular shops are Thames Glass Glassblowing Studio and Gallery, Rochelles Of Newport, and Sequins of Thames St. Check out the decor at each place and pick out unique holiday gifts for your loved ones
One local tradition you definitely won't want to skip is Christmas at the Newport Mansions. The Marble House, the Elms, and the Breakers are all decorated beautifully for the holidays, with a theme of Gilded Age glamour. I find that touring the mansions during the holidays in Newport, RI is a magical experience.
The opulence of Newport’s Gilded Age mansions meets the sparkle and magic of Christmas during the Holidays at the Newport Mansions.
When spending the holidays in Newport, RI, you'll find that this city is full of coastal charm. It's easy to see why it's one of the top Christmas towns in New England. Spend as much of your December as you can here and you'll agree that this is truly the most wonderful time of the year.
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If it's been a while since you've spent time in Newport, December is the perfect time to go. Have you spent Christmas in Newport, Rhode Island?
While Newport is as charming as can be during the holidays, check out a few other charming Rhode Island Christmas towns.
Public art is important to our culture. There are many people who may never be able to go to a gallery or buy art of their own, but due to all of the awesome grants and creators out there, you can find art to admire for free in almost any city or town. Rhode Island has a particularly rich history of public art. The state is absolutely packed with murals, sculptures, and installations of all kinds that will grab your eye in an instant. However, some of our most prevalent public art is also definitely some of our wackiest. The Mr. Potato Head statues in Rhode Island, for example, have to be seen to be believed, and the story behind them is oh so fascinating.
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While driving through the state, there is a good chance you've spotted at least one of these person sized Potato Heads.
You may not have thought too much about them, just believing they're a strange anomaly. However, these Potato Heads have been around for over 20 years now. Actually, there used to be a LOT more.
So, despite the original number of Potato Heads seeming massive for such a small state, we are now left with only eight. It's a sad end to a cute story, but we think these few that remain are here to stay!
This Rhode Island Mr. Potato Head gets brought out every year for the Fourth of July parade in Bristol.
These Mr. Potato Head statues in Rhode Island are incredibly unique! And while they may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's sad that we've lost so many over the years when they are so iconic. The remaining Rhode Island Potato Heads are scattered throughout the state. Do you have a favorite of the potato head statues in Rhode Island? If you're a Potato Head fan, you'll love all the incredible finds available on Etsy!
