We moved to Providence two years ago - I'm not particularly enamored of Rhode Island as a whole, but Providence is worth a stop. There is very interesting architecture, wonderful urban renewal, fabulous restaurants (well - a New Yorker doesn't need those!), and the whole city has a funky, interesting vibe that I really enjoy. It's very small, very walkable, and very liveable.

Take a trip to Block Island, Rhode Island. Very historic, great hikes, views, and sunsets. Plenty of local cuisine -- try the clam cakes (not at all like crab cakes). Lots of times there are clambakes on the beach (Town Beach, Scotch Beach)

http://www.blockislandchamber.com/

For lot of insight into the sometimes unusual world of Rhode Islanders, visit this fun site:

http://www.pagesintime.com/ri/

And try the New York System hot weiners.

Watch Hill RI offers summer "cottage" subjects -- pretty grand houses if not so fine as those at Newport, and a pretty harbor prone to good sunsets. Narragansett has a working fishing fleet. Newport has its many mansions.

At Mystic seaport you can photograph full-rigged ships and small working craft.

Salisbury Ct (NW corner) has some very posh farm country. Also the Taconic range, which is not only nice to photgraph, but offers hikes ranging from easy to moderately difficult. The view from CT's Bear Mountain is impressive. Thee are covered bridges, the Housatonic River and several quaint towns. Litchfield Hills are nearby and offer similar attractions.

There are river towns in CT featuring 19th century industrial architecture -- sometimes in ruins. Take a drive up Rt 8.

So landscape and hikes -- NW CT.

Maritime, SE Ct and RI.

Well, I do believe you want the part of Litchfield County, CT that includes Washington, Litchfield, New Preston, Lake Waramaug, Kent. Cornwall Bridge (covered). Many famous and smart people have chosen to live there. They cant all be wrong. And maybe my ancestral village New Milford. And you want great restaurants? Try Clamp's Hamburger Stand in Northville section of New Milford. It's been in the same spot for 70 years.

Mystic and Newport would be my top choices in those two states

The NW corner of Ct is scenic and still rural as others have noted. If you are going farther north in New England to western MA, Vt, NH, ME I would skip it

Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam on the Ct River (built by the actor who played sherlock Holmes) is unusual, on a cliff, has good views

Mark Twain House in Hartford is worth a stop if your route takes you through that area

A couple of years ago while visiting Mystic we saw a wild mushroom festival advertised. It was held at a small nature museum (with a long Indian name). It was the third weekend in Sept. Local chefs made interesting dishes to sample. (Hope that's enough clues.) A visit to Abbott's for a lobster roll is probably mandatory. Not necessarily unique but a pleasant lunch in a beautiful place. See I love coffee, sampling coffee cabinets thru out RI would be on my list. I think Tiverton had one of the most popular ice cream places. I agree Providence is an interesting city. Check the Waterfire schedule for an interesting event. Related to food, Johnson & Wales has an interesting cooking museum. You will want a guided tour otherwise. Great collection of antique stoves and apparently carving busts out of beef tallow used to be popular. Although Federal Hill is much smaller than Boston's North End it's still a great place to explore. There are some Providence restaurants with interesting menus. I thought the Native American museum at Foxwoods was very interesting. The building is not near the casino if you prefer to avoid gambling. The hands and feet of the life size figures were molded from real people.