Great place to be, especially as summer comes. I'll skip Newport. Providence is awesome for people your age, great bars and places to eat. Bristol has charm and the oldest 4th of July parade in the country. All this is serious sailing country, so if you haven't sailed, it is a good place to take lessons and learn about it.

West of you: Mystic CT(great town and seaport museum);
Essex, CT (steam train, picturesque), Stonington, CT and RI coast nearby (quaint villages, beaches); South County beaches
East of you: Tiverton, RI (wineries, gorgeous country rides, just across the river from Newport) New Bedford (whaling museum etc) Westport and Horseneck Beach, MA (big wide beach, busy in summer) Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard.

North of you: Boston and Cambridge (another great 4th of July place), North Shore and Cape Ann, Portsmouth, NH.

Farther north: hiking in the White Mountains (NH), biking in the Green Mountains (VT), a weekend trip to Montreal. A weekend in NYC. Are you beginning to get the picture? Everything here is nearby, much of it (Boston, NY, some of the Cape, Mystic) is easy to get to by train or bus. Some places have charm, some are great to hang out, some like Portsmouth have both. Six months will fly by.

Good advice from Ackislander.

Agreed that there are a lot of day trip options via public transport from Providence. And with a car, you can get most anyplace you want as a day trip, though from your location parts of northern Vermont, areas north of Portland in Maine, and Cape Cod and the Islands are probably best done as an overnight or few day's stay. I'd definitely consider getting a guidebook for New England to research possibilities that appeal to you, and if you plan to explore northern New England, Boston, the Cape and Islands, or New York City in detail, guidebooks that focus on these areas are a good idea.

Note well that many attractions in less urban areas of New England have seasonal hours, often from Memorial Day to Columbus Day only -- so if you're hankering for a jaunt to the Maine Coast, Cape Cod and the Islands, the Berkshires, and the like, that's the best time to maximize your options. And those are also the best times to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and beach-going or (in the fall) leaf-peeping.

Feel free to post here with trip itineraries, and we'll be happy to help with suggestions.

Great ideas from Achilsander and bachlunch, and Just an hour south is Jamestown Island, make a picnic, or pick sandwiches up at McQuades and head out to Beavertail State Park, do a little fishing or just enjoy the beautiful views. If you like the night life, the two casinos just over in CT, Foxwoods, and Mehegan Sun are within striking distance too.

www.visitnewengland.com is a site that might give you an idea of what other things might be happening in the area.

Definately Newport -do the whole cliff walk, fly a kite at Brenton Park or Fort Adams and if you can make it during the tall shop festival it is a real treat. http://oceanstatetallships.com/

Providence - if you happen to be in town check out Firewater for a couple of hours. http://www.waterfire.org/

If you go to Bristol, check out Colt http://www.riparks.com/colt.htm

That site will also give you an overview of the Newport parks and other great parks in the state, which includes one of my favourite beaches - East Beach. If you're in the area check out Matunuck Oyster Bar http://www.rhodyoysters.com/

When does the 6 months end?

Some of the ski areas in NH are putting in zip lines. Kayaking is very popular. We've only done river kayaking but you can find sea kayaking places. Lots of rental places around New England. Mountain biking is also popular. There are some scary trails at some of the ski areas. I think Mt Snow in VT is one of the places that has a yearly competition.

Do you bicycle or kayak? I'll tell you about a few favorite places if you do.

If you can't get Red Sox tickets check out the Paw Sox in Pawtucket.

Don't think anyone's mentioned Federal Hill. It's a wonderful Italian neighborhood with great Italian restaurants and food stores.

Going to a Paw Sox game is definitely fun, and quite close to where you are in Cumberland.

Rhode Island has great bike paths! We especially like the East Bay one from East Providence down towards Newport:
http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/what-to-do/biking/

South County beaches are good, or take the ferry to Bock Island for the day.

In addition to fish, local food includes influences from the large Portuguese-speaking population in southeastern New England. New Englanders love ice cream, and some of the best can be found at Tiverton Four Corners (and outposts): http://graysicecream.com/ Across the street, the Provender is known for its sandwiches and baked goods. Tiverton Four Corners itself is a bit of a mixed bag, with a bunch of precious little shops and a small farmers market on summer weekends.

If you venture to that area, check out clam fritters and other local comfort food at Evelyn's (www.evelynsdrivein.com), a very popular roadside institution that's been around for 40 years now.

It's a little early in the season yet, but you'll soon see the ubiquitous Del's all over the state: a cupful of frozen lemonade with little bits of lemon in it, though it's better from one of their original shops than the outposts...

Blueeyedgirl - you are certainly an enigma.

I clicked on your name to get a better handle on your travel style and history before posting a few other suggestions which included a day trip to Block Island and renting bikes or scooters.

I find it odd that over a year ago you and your spouse 26 and 28 honeymooned in Hawaii, you were a woman on a girls trip weekend in Austin and now you are 24 male single with a girlfriend.

So who are you really? I can understand a gender change or a divorce, but to shave years off of ones life? How is that even possible?

Sounds like a typical Rhode Islander.
Divorced man who thinks he's a woman who lies about her age and eye color.

So who are you really?

I'd like to direct the same question to you, Lookin Glass.

Weird huh Looking Glass!

Many families/couples on these forums share a screen name.

Perhaps more of us should disguise personal details than actually do.

Perhaps Ack. I hope we hear back from the OP as it is an interesting experience to offer ideas for someone that wants to explore the area over a 6 month assignment.

BTW is that your house that just got listed for 59 million? LOL! I don't think it's worth a penny over 56!

I think it is actually Roger Penske's but I haven't had time to look yet. I am in town and nothing in town has sold for more than $20 million. Oh, well, them that's got, gets.

I'll keep ya'll guessing! How about your vote on BEST LOBSTER ROLL IN R.I.??

Maine?

Best lobster roll: in season from the kitchen at Partners Village Store, Westport, MA! (Westport has the largest lobster fleet in southern New England...)
partnersvillagestore.com
Google maps location:
http://tinyurl.com/7jgekjn