Some would argue that Del's lemonade is the state drink of RI, with coffee milk a distant second, but I say to each his own.

You do need to see some of the mansions in Newport if you have yet to do that. All architecturally interesting, well taken care of and preserved and a slice of life that does not exist any more, especially The Breakers.

Have you been out to Point Judith for some clam cakes?

Liz - even though it is 15 degrees where I am right now, I would give anything for a Del's right now. (We used to mix it with vodka when I was in college, but I would take one straight right now)

Gail

www.dels.com

They sell packages of the mixture, to be mixed with water and ice. I've made it, my kids say it's ok. I keep forgetting to put some actual lemon in the blender, I know that would help. So would some vodka!

Thanks for mail order info - I think I will try it.

I've always enjoyed Galilee and the many fine seafood restaurants. A day trip by boat to Block Island should also be on your short list.

Ah, yes,

In addition to the above, you really do need to go to the Newport Creamery for an Awful Awful.

For ALL Rhode Islanders, or wannabe's, here is the ultimate RI food, places, things and nostalgia web site http://www.pagesintime.com/ri/

Mike, you've been out there in the desert too long...

Newport Creamery is, unfortunately, a shadow of its former self. I can't even get a kid to drink an Awful-Awful. And I think there is only one location anymore in Newport proper. There's one in Middletown.

I agree that a day or weekend on Block Island is a must-do.

I'll add, the cliff walk in Newport (and Newport if you've never been).

Rhode Island johhnycakes. There is a grist mill that still grinds the corn, near the border with Ct. -And a wonderful old diner in East Greenwich, called "Jiggers" that serves them.
Of course there is Rhode Island clam chowder(thinner that the Ma. variety)-and as for the Awful Awful, I hated that even when I was growing up there!!

The cemetary is Swan Point, on Blackstone Bovd.It has the graves of many Union army men, and Ken Burns in his program on the Civil War,read a poem one of the officers had sent to his wife. The Rhode Island Historical Society has some wonderful exhibits and old manuscripts. The R.I. School of Design has a museum that shouldn't be missed, and a store that sells its alumnae students and faculty's designs on Weybosset St. Go to the Art Club,on College Hill for lunch. Experience the Trinity Repertory theatre, and the Shakesperean theatre in Wickford during the summer.

Enjoy Federal Hill, and go for dessert at Pastishe. Shop in the Arcade,and admire the architecture,tour the Beneficient Congregational church, and listen to the organ, if you can.

Samuel Slater Mill is in Pawtucket, and is still open. Go to the Historical Society there, and they have an interesting tour leading you throughout the Blackstone Valley.

You know about Newport, I am sure-but do take a trip out to the Rose Island Lighthouse,when the weather is warmer. Go to the R.I.Lighthouse Foundation's website, to learn how you can stay overnight in a keepers cottage, as it was in the 20's when the last keeper served. And do go to Block Island. It has resisted development, as in Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, and is a unique esperience. Take to the beaches at Scarborough and Naragannset. along the shore-the smaller towns of Wickford,and Tiveton, and tourU.R.I. And by all means, have lunch in Providence at the Johnson and Wales Culinary school!!

Ah Yes, Rhode Island. My home state.

Liz, ther is also still a Newport Creamery in Cranston. And, I don't believe there ever was more than one in Newport.

In any case, for all things Rhode Island, the pagesintime website is not to be missed.

Unfortunately, things are not the same along the shore as they were when I was growing up in Rhode Island. I recall all of the "clam shacks" along the shore road by Narragansett, selling clam chowder and clam cakes. No more -- now they are all shut down. Health Department rules now, you know.

I have a partially used bottle of Autocrat syrup in my kitchen cabinet. I do still get back there every couple of years and try to revisit many of the places. We spent a few days on Block Island last Summer, and it brought back many fond memories of vacationing there in my early youth.

I checked on Newport Creamery's website, they say they have 12 Rhode Island locations, and 2 stores in Massachusetts.

For Yaddy, the OP, there is one in Providence:
673 Smith Street, 02908
(401) 351-4677

And there was a second location of Newport Creamery in Newport. It is now a Panera Bread 49 Long Wharf Mall, Newport, RI 02840.

Useless fact: Panera started life here in St. Louis as St. Louis Bread Co. and it is still called that here, although many products, like the gift cards, are branded Panera.

Johnson & Wales has a Culinary Museum we visited several years ago. Although I remember mostly a historic collection of stoves there was also some oddities such as busts carved out of beef fat. I think we had to make reservations and were given a tour by a student.

Fun thread! These are just off of the top of my head. I'm sure I'll think of more later:

Feast of St. Joseph - Federal Hill (Italian Street Fair)
Attend a Pawtucket Red Sox game
Caserta's Pizza - Federal Hill
"Stuffies" (stuffed quahogs) and fried clams (with the bellies) at the original "Flo's" clamshack in the Island Park section of Portsmouth.
Cocktails at the Coast Guard House - Narragansett
Humor books by Don Bousquet (www.donbousquet.com)
Stone Bridge Dishes in Tiverton
Late night dining at Wes's Rib House in Olneyville (very dodgey neighborhood)

I used to love taking the ferry from Providence through Narragansett Bay to Newport and then on to Block Island. Hopefully it still runs that route...when the weather warms up.

Didn't realize you were from R.I. MikePinTucson. Like yours,my moniker reflects where we are now! Must admit, I certainly enjoy Tucson, the few times we have been there, and do enjoy reading your advice about that city.

Yes fried clams at Aunt Carrie's and cocktails at the Coast Guard House - Narragansett. My Aunt had a cottage at Lido Beach. Great summers. This thread sure brought back some real fond memories.

There is a Newport Creamery in Newport on Bellevue right across the street from the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Bobby G-strings in Wakefield.

I forget where it is, but isn't there a stone tower near the beach that was supposedly built by the vikings?

You are probably thinking of this, in Newport

http://www.quahog.org/attractions/index.php?id=48

Naragansett Beer!!!
Sponsor of the Red Sox for SO many years.
Hi neighbor, have a Gansett!!!

I knew I would think of more.
In Newport:

Touro Synagogue is the first Synagogue established in the U.S.

The White Horse Tavern is one of the oldest restaurants in the country.

The afore-mentioned Tennis Hall of Fame

Salve Regina University - in the news today because of a dorm fire. Some of its buildings are converted Newport Mansions.

This is a cute article:

http://venuszine.com/stories/you_where_you_at/711

I always love the view from the Biltmore Ballroom, so go up and enjoy it. If you get a party invite there, take it!

There are quite a few antique stores that I used to love to shop at.

I drove past Providence on the way back to Boston from Newport and was touched by a beautiful nostalgia. I loved my times there.

Claire