 |
 |
25 Things To Do: Hot Spots and Hidden Treasures
1. Visit Vineyards and Taste their Wine: Sample the classic, dry Vidal Blanc, the signature wine of Sakonnet Vineyards, New England's oldest winery. With fifty acres of many Vinifera varietals including Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, Sakonnet Vineyards hosts private functions and summer concerts. "Sakonnet," in Naragansett Indian, means "where the geese land." Open daily for tours and tastings. 162 west Main Rd., Little Compton, RI. 401-635-8486. www.sakonnetwine.com. New England's largest vineyard, Westport Vineyards and Winery, is eight miles away, owned by the Russell Family, who also founded Buzzards Bay Brewing. Westport wines include traditional method sparkling wines, Chardonnay, Rosé of Pinot Noir, Riesling and other Alsatian varietals. 417 Hixbridge Rd., Westport, MA. 1-800-993-9695. www.westportrivers.com.
2. Travel Back in Time: at the Little Compton Historical Society, located in the Wilbor House, whose inhabitants spanned eight generations. on land purchased from the Sakonnet Indians in 1673. The original house, built by Samuel Wilbor in about 1690, comprised only two rooms, one on top of the other, and a cramped stairway. Original architectural details include beamed ceilings and feather-edge boards. Throughout the year, the museum is open by appointment. July through Labor Day, it is open Thursday through Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Last tour is at 4 p.m. 548 West main Rd., Little Compton; 401-635-4035. Adults, $5. Children, $1. www.littlecompton.org
3. Give Tribute to the Deceased: with a visit to Little Compton's Old Commons Burying Ground, in the town center. The earliest of the tombs dates to the 17th century, and the cemetery includes a number of slate markers, both vertical slabs and ledger stones. The burying ground is home to the headstone of Elizabeth Alden pabodie, the first white child born in New England (1623). Unusual messages on ancient headstones include: "In memory of Elizabeth who should have been the wife of Mr. Simeon Palmer who died August 14 1776.... in "
4. Walk in the Woods: Meander along the loop dirt road in Wilbor Woods, Swamp Rd., Little Compton. Trout Creek flows through the verdant paradise. There are fire pits for picnics and literary inspiration hanging from the trees.
5. Collect Sea Shells and Construct Sand Castles: at Little Compton's town beach, South Shore Beach, near the banks of Tunipus Pond. On a clear day, there are views of Cuttyhunk and the Elizabeth Islands. Parking, $9 weekdays; $13, weekends.
6. Catch Sight of Snowy Egrets and Glossy Ibis's: at the Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, part of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. 50 acres of woods and salt marsh with trails overlooking the Sakonnet River. Jack's Island, a peninsula that extends into the Sakonnet River, is home to breeding Ospreys. Seaport Avenue, off of rte. 77 South, in Tiverton.
7. Get a Bird's Eye View of the FarmCoast New England’s landscape with Balloon Adventures of New Bedford, based in South Dartmouth, MA. The aerial adventure costs $275-$300 per person; $175 per child. 2-6 adults per trip. 508-636-4846.
8. Elephants and a Chinese Tea House: At Gallery 4 in Tiverton Four Corners you can find paintings made by elephants. Yes, and certified!, learn the story. Also, there is a 175 year old Chinese Tea House located behind the Soule-Seabury House, an historic house built by a Sea Captain from the China Trade. For more information visit Bob Smith at Gallery 4 in Tiverton Four Corners. 401-816-0999.
9. Explore an Oak-Holly forest: in the Weetamoo Woods and the abutting Pardon Gray Reserve, originally settled in 1696. Once the home farm of one of Tiverton's original colonial proprietors, the 230 acres were purchased for preservation in 1997. (Rte. 77), Tiverton.
10. Wake up with Freshly Roasted, Hand Blended Coffee: from Coastal Roasters, a micro-roaster with a conscience. The cozy waterfront shop features specialty coffees and teas, including the Ethiopian Longberry Harrar and Guayaki, a smoky and fire roasted caffeinated herbal tea. Locally made pastries include the tasty oatmeal raisin chocolate chip and coconut cookie. Now that's a mouthful! 1791 Main Rd., Tiverton, RI. 401-624-2343. www.coastalroasters.com.
11. Hook up! Go saltwater sport fishing for bluefish, striped bass and yellow fin tuna, among others, with Finesse Fishing Charters in Buzzards Bay. Home port in Padanaram. Captain Bob Demello leads full day (7 hours) and overnight trips, depending on the tide, to the ledges of Buzzards Bay, the Sow & Pigs reef off Cuttyhunk Island, the holes of the Elizabeth Islands, and along the white sandy beaches of Martha's Vineyard, Cuttyhunk, Martha's Vineyard. www.finessefishingcharters.com. 508-979-5657.
12. Eat Locally Grown Produce and Seafood: at the Back Eddy. Kick off the meal with some local oysters and little necks, followed by apple wood bacon wrapped giant New Bedford scallops with spring succotash and garlic seared spinach. End with Mary's Morning Glory Farms tiramisu. One Bridge Rd., Westport, MA. 508-636-6500. www.thebackeddy.com.
13. Observe New England's Largest Concentration of Breeding Osprey: while kayaking along the Westport River. Rent a kayak from Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures, 489 Old County Rd., Westport, MA. All levels are welcome. 508-636-0300. www.ospreyseakayak.com.
14. Explore the Coastal Villages by Bike. The Village Bike Shop, located in Westport and in Padanaram, offers guided tours, bike sales and rentals and personalized bike-fitting consultations. 678 Main Rd., Westport. 508-636-0525. 354 Elm St., Padanaram. 508-992-1199. www.villagebicycle.com.
15. Watch the Sunset from Atop The Nubble, a steep and massive rock that is great for climbing. A perfect biking destination. Across the river from Horseneck Beach. There is very limited parking, so it's best to bike there.
16. Host a Party or Special Event: at the Meeting House, a timber frame structure on an acre of land in the midst of Tiverton Four Corners, a restored 18th century village. A small knoll, a seasonal pond and a sculpture garden create an atmosphere of elegant seclusion. 401-624-2600. www.themeetinghouse.info.
17. Capture Wildflowers, Permanently! Visit Salt Marsh Pottery to see their lines of fine pottery made using local wildflowers. Their creative touch can also imprint your children’s feet or make a customized Commemorative Wedding Bowl.. Housed in an old schoolhouse in Russells Mills Village. www.saltmarsh.com
18. Take a Glass Blowing Class, or just Watch! Visit Fried Glass Studio and meet glass artist Ian Silvia. Explore the process of creating objects from molten glass. Paperweights, drinking glasses, vases, and sculptural glass. More information at www.friedglassstudios.com
19. Learn about an Anagama Kiln: Using an ancient Japanese method of wood firing, Ceramic Artist Chris Gustin invites ceeramic artists from around the country to join in this special event. 2-3 times per year. Visit their Gallery at 231 Horseneck Road, S. Dartmouth. www.gustinceramics.com
20. Sculpture Set Amongs the Trees: at the Four Corners Arts Center. Each summer the Arts Center hosts an exhibit of New England sculptors set among the lawns and trees of The Meeting House. The 2008 Exhibit, curated by James Montford of the Bannister Gallery at Rhode Island College, features the works of Norma Anderson Fox, Susan Shutan, Gabriel Warren, Troy West, and Claudia Widdiss. Open during daylight hours at The Meeting House, Tiverton Four Corners. For more information, see www.fourcornersarts.org.
21. Visit a Monument to a Chicken! In “Downtown” Adamsville you will find a monument to the Rhode Island Red Rooster. The stone was dedicated in 1925 to commemorate the “Rhode Island Red Breeding Fowl”. First bred in Adamsville in 1854 by John Macomber and Captain William Tripp, the breed spread around the world and contributed greatly to the economic prosperity of this area in the 19th century.
22. Buy Fresh Flowers, Local Produce from Farm Stands. Young’s Family Farm Stand, 260 West Main Rd., Little Compton, RI. Open daily from 9-5. Down the road, find sandwiches, bakery, deli, and outdoor seating at The Last Stand, 374 West Main Rd. 401-592-0400.
23. From Asiago to Westcome Cheddar, Milk and Honey Bazaar, in Tiverton Four Corners, features more than 100 varieties of cheese. This specialty foods market also carries terrines, oils, wine jellies, mustard, duck foie gras, charcuterie, flat breads and customized gift packages. 3838 Main Rd., Tiverton, RI. 401-624-1974 www.milkandhoneybazaar.com.
24. Local Wind Surfers Head to Fogland Beach, Tiverton's town beach. The peninsula extends into the Sakonnet River with a rocky southern shore. The northern face of the beach is a sandy, calm cove perfect for families and picnics. There is a playground and a snack bar, too. Parking $5 weekdays, $10 weekends.
25. Learn to Weave with Handweaver Amy C. Lund, at her Tiverton Four Corners studio, which also features antiques and locally crafted ceramics, jewelry and furniture. In a two day workshop on a preset loom, beginners learn to make a scarf or table runner for $180 plus materials. 401-592-0099. www.amyclundhandweaver.com. |