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15 Budget Activities You Can Do From Start to Finish for the Perfect 2-Day Rhode Island Solo Trip

Rhode Island, a U.S. state in New England with sandy shores and seaside colonial towns, is perfect for solo travel. That is why I created this Rhode Island Travel Guide.

Newport is famed for Gilded Age mansions, such as The Breakers, while the capital of Providence is home to the majestic Waterplace Park and Riverwalk. 

Noah’s take: I was first drawn to Rhode Island because it is one of the 50 U.S. states. Like many travelers, I have the goal to visit all 50 states.

After solo traveling in Rhode Island, I soon learned Rhode Island was more than just a place to check off. It is a setting for an insightful, engaging solo trip. 

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How Long Should I Solo Travel in Rhode Island?

You could easily spend weeks in Rhode Island. After all, it is an entire state. However, if you are a budget traveler, two days in Rhode Island is sufficient. It is a perfect side trip if you are traveling to or from Boston. 

Read: Boston Solo Trip: The Perfect Itinerary for a 3-day Budget-friendly Trip

With my Rhode Island Travel Guide, you can cover the most famous sites in Providence and Newport in two days while still appreciating underrated spots. 

1. Take an Amtrak or MBTA Train to Providence

The most enjoyable, eco-friendly way to travel to Providence is by train. Driving can be expensive and stressful, while taking a train is relaxing and convenient. I absolutely love staring out the window on a train and watching life roll by.

If you are visiting Providence from New York City or Washington, D.C., you can find relatively inexpensive Amtrak train tickets. The Northeast is one of the few places where you can travel cheaply and easily in the U.S. without a car. 

How Do I Book Inexpensive Amtrak Tickets?

You can sign up for Amtrak’s reward system and redeem points to save money. However, the easiest way to get inexpensive tickets is to have flexible travel days and to book months in advance.  

Many Amtrak lines have heavy discounts if you book your travel early. So, if you want to travel to Providence, start planning your trip on Amtrak.com now. 

After doing a few quick searches, I found $35 tickets from D.C. to Providence if you book three months in advance. However, if I wanted to travel from D.C. to Providence next week, those same coach seats were about $200.

In general, getting cheap Amtrak tickets is fairly less work than trying to get cheap airline tickets. Cheap airline tickets require a lot of price tracking and researching, while all you need to do usually with Amtrak is book a few months in advance. 

Should I Purchase an Amtrak or MBTA Ticket When Traveling From Providence to Boston?

If you visit Providence from Boston, you have two different train options. You can book your tickets through Amtrak or MTBA, Boston’s transportation authority. 

First, check online on Amtrak.com; if you find fares less than $12.25, book through Amtrak. If you book months in advance, you can usually find coach seats under $10. 

However, if you book your travel a month or so before your trip, you will likely find the cheapest fares through MBTA. One-way fares from Providence to Boston’s South Station are $12.25. 

Noah’s take: The downside is the MBTA is much slower. It will take you close to 2 hours to get to Boston, while some Amtrak trains only take an hour. 

2. Arrive in Providence and Take a Bus to Historic Newport

If you arrive in Providence by train, you will need to take a bus to reach Newport. Since you only have two days in Rhode Island, I recommend you spend the “best weather day” in Newport. 

Noah’s take: You will spend a lot of time outside in Newport. If one day on your trip has more sunny weather in the forecast, I recommend making that your Newport day. 

Walk to Kennedy Plaza and find stop Y. Board Bus 60. In less than an hour and for only $2, you can reach Newport. 

3. Aimlessly Explore the Newport’s Historic Buildings and Trendy Stores

Get off the bus at the Newport Visitor Information Center. It is the last stop on the bus line. A small outlet mall, a bustling wharf, and historic buildings are here.

Noah’s take: Usually, I like to tell my readers exactly what they should see and where they should go. However, I invite you to explore this area of Newport by following what strikes your interest. 

Although sometimes the most memorable things are spontaneous and random, I do recommend you find The Old Colony State House and Trinity Church on your walk. They are lovely and charming. 

4. Picnic at a Spacious Park and Recharge Inside a Public Library

In a 10-minute walk from the Newport Visitor Information Center, you can reach Aquidneck Park adjacent to the Newport Public Library. 

This park is perfect for eating takeout under the sun. 

Noah’s take: Although there is no shame in eating alone in a restaurant, on my solo trips, I find the most joy when I eat my food outside, surrounded by new scenery. Parks are the perfect place to consume a meal and to practice eating mindfully. 

However, if you visit Newport during the winter, you might want to ditch the picnic and warm up inside the Newport Public Library. 

When Is the Best Season to Visit Rhode Island?

I love visiting New England during spring when flowers bloom, and life returns after a long winter. You appreciate the beauty you see more because you just experienced the dead of winter.

Summers and fall are also excellent times to visit, but there will probably be more crowds. You will especially find more crowds in the summer and fall if you visit during Providence’s WaterFire season. Keep reading to learn more about this special Providence event.

Noah’s take: I visited Rhode Island during late winter, which was great. I definitely was cold, but I was not miserable. I spent a considerable amount of time indoors to balance out the cold. 

• I find winters depressing. Seeing Newport’s beautiful coastlines and mansions was the perfect remedy for a little winter blues. 

• No matter the season, this is a great area to rest and prepare to continue your Newport exploration. 

5. Walk Down Bellevue Avenue and Admire Mansions Once Home to America’s Elite

Now, for a quick history of Newport. The city became a summer resort during the Gilded Age. The New York elite would design elaborate summer houses in Newport with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Flash forward to today; Newport is home to many preserved mansions that reflect the wealth of the Gilded Age. 

There are 11 properties managed by Newport Preservation Society that you can tour. However,  I recommend you only tour The Breakers mansion. 

Noah’s take: You might want to tour more mansions. However, your wallet may not agree. To tour The Breakers, it costs $29. Since this is a quick trip, you really only have time to tour one mansion anyway. 

Don’t worry. You can still appreciate other iconic mansions, such as the Isacc Bell House and The Elms, by walking down Bellevue Avenue for free as you make your way to The Breakers. 

Noah’s take: Walking from the Newport Public Library to The Breakers via Bellevue Avenue will take around 30 minutes. Yes, it is a long walk, but it is a great way to see the many historic mansions that line Newport’s street. 

If you don’t feel like walking, you can take Bus 67 to The Breakers from the library.

6. Tour Newport’s Most Famous Mansion and Get Lost in Its Opulence

Perhaps the most popular activity in Newport is to take a self-guided tour of The Breakers Mansion, built by one of the richest men in America, Cornelius Vanderbilt II. 

As I mentioned above, the tickets are a pricey $29. However, this is such a unique activity, exclusive to Newport. It is worth the expensive cost. 

You can download an app after admission and listen to an audio guide during your tour or ask for a printed script that you can read while you tour the historic landmark. 

Noah’s take: Touring this massive home is a perfect solo activity. Try to visit on a weekday for a more intimate experience. Sometimes, I was the only person in the room I was touring. That made it even more enjoyable. 

• Make sure to also walk around the grounds after visiting the inside of the Mansion. You can get some stunning photos. 

7. Stroll Down the Stunning Cliff Walk as the Sun Sets

You can access the Cliff Walk in a short walk down Ruggles Ave from Breakers. The Cliff Walk is a 3.5-mile-long trail showcasing Newport’s stunning shoreline and stunning Gilded Age mansions. 

Noah’s take: Think of the Cliff Walk as a perfect place for a nice solo walk. You can admire amazing architecture while watching the waves crash against cliffs. The photo opportunities are endless here. 

The Breakers Mansion sits in the middle of the Cliff Walk. 

If you want to see more mansions on your walk, walk about 2 miles south from The Breakers entrance of the Cliff Walk to Bailey’s Beach. You will then need to take Bus 67 back to the main hub of Newport. 

If you are short on time and would rather not take the bus back, you can head north towards Easton Beach. You will only have to walk a mile to the north end of the Cliff Walk. Don’t worry; you can still admire a few mansions on this side and watch surfers near Easton Beach. 

Of course, you can also walk the entire trail. However, it is a 7-mile stretch from start to finish. 

8. Take the Bus Back to Providence and Stay at a Hostel

After you finish the Cliff Walk, you can visit the Picnic Cafe in Newport near the Visitor Center Bus stop back to Providence. 

Noah’s take: I randomly stumbled upon this place, and their cookies were divine. 

If you want to save money for your trip, you will definitely want to stay overnight in Providence. Newport’s charm does not translate to cheap accommodation for solo travelers. 

Providence is limited in budget accommodation for solo travelers. I stayed at Providence Hostel and Guesthouse for $40. 

Is it the safest area in Providence? No. Is it the most comfortable place to stay? No. 

Read: Why Should I Stay in a Hostel for My Solo Trip?

However, It is the cheapest option for a stay in Providence, and its location is fairly convenient—just a 20-minute walk to downtown. 

Noah’s take: It functions more like a house than a hostel. So, you will have limited privacy and space. I was fine staying there for a night but would not recommend a long-term stay. 

You get what you pay for. You might think you should steer clear of this place, but you can sacrifice some for one night. If you are committed to solo traveling, you will want to sacrifice so you can continue solo travel. 

9. Start Your Tour of Providence at the Rhode Island State House

In a 10-minute walk from Providence Hostel and Guesthouse, you will reach the Rhode Island State House. The building looks straight out of Washington, D.C.

It is ironic how the smallest state has one of the most exquisite statehouses. Rhode Island was the richest state per capita near the early 1900s, so the State House was built to symbolize its wealth. 

Noah’s take: Self-guided tours are available weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. However, since this is a quick trip, a quick stroll around the grounds is what I recommend. 

10. Gain a Deeper Appreciate for Rhode Island at the Roger Williams National Memorial

Down the hill from the Statehouse is the Roger Williams National Memorial, a large greenspace with various exhibits on Rhode Island’s famed founder. 

Williams was known for his beliefs in religious freedom. It is definitely a nice park to learn more about Rhode Island’s interesting legacy. 

Noah’s take: I love solo traveling in New England because of its rich history. Sure, its history was not always pretty, but I find solo trips more enjoyable and insightful when I know about the history of the place I visit. 

11. Admire the Old State House for an Insightful Solo Trip Activity

At the south end of the Roger William National Memorial, you will find an eye-catching historic building, the Old State House. It is one of just six surviving colonial-era state houses in America. 

Rhode Island renounced its allegiance to Britain in this building, marking it as the first colony to do so. 

12. Take in Providence at Prospect Terrace for an unforgettable view of Providence

You can walk uphill to Prospect Terrace from the Old State House in less than a few minutes. Here you can see views of Providence’s most famous sites, the First Baptist Church and the State House. 

On this beautiful terrace, you will also find the resting place of Roger Williams. It seems fitting that he now is overlooking the city he founded. 

Noah’s take: If you love photography, this is a great place to capture some panoramic shots of the city. 

13. Live Your Student Fantasy at Brown University

From Prospect Terrace, walk ½ a mile down Bowen Street to Thayer St, home to many restaurants and storefronts that attract students from the nearby Brown University. 

After grabbing a bite to eat or window-shopping, walk down Thayer St. to explore the grounds of Brown University. 

Noah’s take: If you want a detailed walking tour of the Ivy League University, you can visit this page from gpsmycity. However, I recommend you explore at your own pace. Follow the path that grabs your attention. 

14. See the Historic Homes and Churches Along Benefit Street

Blocks away from Brown University is Benefit Street, with a high number of Colonial homes and churches. It is a beautiful area that functions like an outdoor museum. 

• Must-see sites along Benefit Street include the Stephen Hopkins House, the First Unitarian Church of Providence, and the John Brown House Museum. 

Noah’s take: My favorite site was the John Brown House. Although the grounds themselves are interesting enough to tour, you can go inside the House and learn about Rhode Island’s early dependence on slavery. 

• Tickets are $10, and you can book them online here. 

Make sure to also visit the First Baptist Church in America, on the corner of Benefit Street and Thomas Street, on your walk. 

Roger Williams fled persecution in Massachusetts and established the first Baptist church in the country in Providence’s College Hill neighborhood. 

This historic landmark is one of the most famous buildings in the entire city. 

15. Finish your Solo Trip along Providence’s picturesque and Famous Riverwalk 

Less than a 10-minute walk from the First Baptist Church in America, you will find Waterplace Park, home to many walking paths and art installations. It is a great place to take photos and relax in an urban space. 

This Riverwalk also hosts one of Providence’s most popular and famous events, Waterfire. The three rivers that pass through downtown Providence are set aflame during this summer festival. 

Nearly 100 bonfires are placed on the surface of these waterways, making for an interesting art event that gathers nearly 1 million visitors. 

In 2023, Waterfire will be held at various times from June to November. Visit Waterfire.org to learn more. 

After visiting the Riverwalk, you can easily walk to Providence Station and continue on to Boston or head south to New York or D.C. 

Now, Use This Guide and Solo Travel to the U.S. Smallest State

Before I planned my own Rhode Island trip, I overlooked Rhode Island as a great solo travel spot. 

Rhode Island might be small in size, but its history and natural beauty make up for it. In 48 hours, you can have an exhilarating, educational solo trip that you will remember for the rest of your life. 

Visiting the East Coast? Read all of my East Coast guides:

Boston Solo Trip: The Perfect Itinerary for a 3-day Budget-friendly Trip

8 Solo Things to Do in NYC for the Perfect Day Alone

Philly Solo Trip: The Perfect Itinerary for a 2-Day, Budget-Friendly Trip

16 Things to Do Alone on a DC Solo Trip