It may not surprise you that Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country but you may be surprised to know that there are 1.1 million residents with 165,000 dogs living in the tiny state. Another little-known fact is that Rhode Island is one of the 13 original colonies. It is also the only state that makes coffee milk, which is exactly what it sounds like, milk with coffee in it. They sell it by the gallon. Rhode Island is also the place where Taylor Swift was born.
Besides all that, the state is also known as the sailing capital of the world as well as the Ocean State due to its huge oceanfront area. And the state loves dogs. Even though it is so small, there are 700 dog-friendly vacation rentals, more than 300 pet-popular restaurants, 20 dog parks, and 9 dog beaches.
Choosing a specific location in Rhode Island for your vacation can be difficult if you are not familiar with the area. It is important to know which cities and attractions are the most pooch-friendly before you choose. We listed our top 15 choices and the activities that make them popular.
Providence
Besides being the state capital, Providence is also the political, cultural, and commercial hub of the state. It has both the peaceful small-city charm as well as a rich culture and art scene. It is also a great coastal town with miles of waterfront on the Narragansett Bay and Providence River. And with 35 pet-friendly rental properties, you will have no trouble finding the perfect place to stay for your summer vacation.
One of the unique experiences you can have in Providence is the Ghost Tour. The tour starts at Prospect Terrace Park and takes you through the historic neighborhood to learn about the city’s late residents. Fido can join but he has to be on a leash. To let him romp around off the leash, take him to Rocky Point State Park where your pooch can play in the water if it is warm enough.
To end the evening on a fun note, take Fido to the Rustic Tri-View Drive-In to watch a movie together.
Newport
It does not get much more romantic than a cozy bed and breakfast with a fireplace and jacuzzi. The Wynstone allows dogs of all sizes and does not even charge a fee. Then, you can take your honey and your fur baby to the beach for a cozy picnic by the ocean. Battery Park is a small historic park overlooking the bridge making it a sweet picnic spot. Or you can go to Block Island where they have off-leash areas where you can all swim.
Another dog-friendly activity that you will all enjoy is the Newport Vineyards where you can sample some of the best wine in New England. Or take a private sunset cruise where leashed pups are welcome. The Sea Newport crew offers scenic and relaxing boat rides on a gorgeous yacht.
Also, do not miss the guided tour of Newport’s Hidden History where you can learn all about the city and its history. From Queen Anne Square to the oldest pub in the state, The White Horse Tavern.
Fort Adams State Park
Home to the fortified structure built in 1841, Fort Adams State Park hosts the annual Sail Newport, Newport Folk Festival, and the Newport Jazz Festival. It has some incredible views of Narragansett Bay with swimming, picnicking, and playgrounds for couples with pups to enjoy. Your fur baby will love staying with you at the historic, luxurious Vanderbilt Hotel, built in 1909. It has a spa, bar, two restaurants, room service, a gym, and some incredible rooms with antique furniture.
The park also has lots of trails for hiking and biking, saltwater fishing, picnicking, paddling, and sailing ports. If you want to catch something really huge, take a fishing charter with a seasoned captain who knows where to go to catch the whoppers. Another fishing charter, ArchAngel, guarantees you a great catch or you get a refund.
After working up an appetite, head to Diego’s for Mexican food, O’Briens Pub for beer and burgers, or The Grill for some delicious seafood.
North Kingstown
With just 27,000 people and about 4,500 pups, North Kingstown is a city on its own but is part of the Providence metro area. What makes this such a fine place for a summer vacation is that all four of the North Kingston beaches are dog-friendly. As long as you keep your cuddle buddy on a leash and pick up after him, he is welcome to join you in the sand and the water.
Compass Rose Beach is one of the favorites where you and your pooch will likely see many of the local fur babies and their humans on any summer day. The sandy beach has picnic benches to enjoy a picnic if you bring some food. The quaint village of North Kingstown was founded in 1674 when Richard Smith and Roger Williams set up trading posts in Wickford, where you can find Smith’s Castle today.
Be sure to stop by the Narrow Lane Orchard with your pup. The one-mile nature trail has a tree carved into the shape of a sasquatch.
Warwick
Warwick has an area of about 50 square miles with 31 unique little villages like Chepiwanoxet Point on the peninsula in Greenwich Bay, Pawtuxet Village where the Pawtuxet River and Providence River meet the Narragansett Bay, and Potowomut, which is set off on its own. The city itself is known for being one of the more photogenic places in the state, with all the waterfront and lighthouses. And it has 83,000 people living there with 13,000 fur babies.
The city has a fantastic off-leash dog park where your pooch can play off the leash. Warwick City Dog Park has a separate small dog space as well as a larger park with three miles of paths, picnic areas, ball fields, and a hockey rink. Rocky Point State Park is another dog-friendly place where leashed dogs can go to enjoy trails, the ferry, an observation tower, and the rest of the 120 acres.
Afterward, stop by Tommy’s Clam Shack to get some fried clams or the Shannon View Inn where you can have a burger, buffalo fries, or some poutine, which is french fries and cheese curds with gravy.
Portsmouth
Located on Aquidneck Island with Newport and Middletown, Portsmouth is a small city with about 17,000 residents. There are also an estimated 2,800 fur babies living there so you will likely run into them at the local dog park in northwestern Portsmouth in Melville Park. It is fully fenced, has a separate area for little dogs, and lots of toys to play with.
This is a terrific city for a weekend getaway! First, you can stop by the Greenvale Vineyards and enjoy some local wine on the patio. They often have food trucks as well, in case you get hungry. If you are more of a beer person, take your cuddle buddy with you to enjoy some craft beer at Ragged Island Brewing.
Nearby, rent an RV or pitch a tent at Melville Pond Campground instead of staying at an expensive hotel. It is right next to Matapurcetti Brook and Melville Upper Pond and has a dog park, fishing, hiking trails, hot showers, and free internet.
Yawgoo Valley Snow Park
If you love snow, winter in Rhode Island is stunning. At Yawgoo Valley Snow Park, you and the family can enjoy some skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, and sledding. You will have to leave your fur buddy at the hotel or with a dog sitter because they are not allowed on at the park. Being the only skiing spot in the state makes this a very popular spot during the winter so they allow reservations. Book at least six months in advance to get a spot.
The park lauds 36 acres with the longest trail about 2,200 feet long. They have two rope tows and two double lifts as well as a ski patrol, a first-aid station, and a cafe. You can also lease or buy equipment at the Pro Shop if you need it.
Some of the other parks that are dog-friendly have groomed trails that can be used for cross-country skiing. Pulaski Recreation Area is one of them, with 10 miles of trails.
Cranston
Also known as Pawtuxet to locals, Cranston is a large city in southeastern Rhode Island with almost 83,000 residents and 13,000 dogs. The city was on the 100 Best Places to Live in Money Magazine in 2006 and one of America’s 50 Best Cities in 2014. Cranston is located on Providence and Pawtuxet Rivers and Pawtuxet Cove with several waterfront parks that welcome fur babies.
Pawtuxet Oxboes Park runs along the banks of the Pawtuxet River, where you can find several unofficial off-leash dog parks. The Pawtuxet Park also has access to the river and cove as well as a playground for kids, ball fields, and picnic areas. Another great place to enjoy the water is Roger Williams Park, where you can rent a swan boat or kayak, take a hike, or ride on the carousel.
Then, take your pooch to dinner at the Thirsty Beaver Hometown Pub & Grill where they have burgers, sandwiches, and pizza as well as beer.
Smithfield
In northern Rhode Island, northwest of Providence, Smithfield is an average-sized town with a little over 22,000 residents and approximately 3,500 canine companions. Settled in 1663, it was named after John Smith, one of the first settlers in Providence. Fido will probably agree with you that the most important spot in town is the Smithfield Dog Park. Local pet parents like it, too, with its agility equipment, benches, and water fountains.
Another fun activity you can do with your pooch in Smithfield is to take him to Mendon Twin Drive-In, where you can watch some great movies. He is allowed outside the car on a leash, but he cannot go into the beer garden or snack bar, so bring your own snacks and brew.
Then, take Fido to Wright’s Dairy Farm and Bakery for some ice cream and pastries. Just keep him leashed and away from the cows.
Charlestown
Loaded with natural space, Charlestown does not have as many residents per square mile. In fact, there are less than 8,000 people and about 1,000 dogs living in the city. One of the main places to hang out is Burlingame State Park where they have a campground with 700 sites to choose from featuring showers, restrooms, and a comfort center. There is also a beach, arcade, boat rentals, and trails.
Next door, Ninigret Park is also quite popular and boasts a swimming pond, trails, playgrounds, and a nature observatory. There is also a wildlife refuge, but it has strict rules about dogs. However, the best part is the off-leash dog park. It has one acre for big dogs and a half acre for little dogs with a fire hydrant, benches, and waste stations.
But around town, you can also find some awesome national historic places to see, like the Babcock House, Fort Ninigret, an Indian Burial Ground, and the Foster Cove Archaeological Site.
Coventry
For a vacation at the lake, head to Coventry where there are several of them with boating, fishing, swimming, and waterskiing as well as camping and hiking. The largest is the 226-acre Tiogue in the eastern section of the city. It has a fishing area at the north end of the lake where you can catch some huge trout. There is also a boat launch and a restroom nearby. On the southwestern corner of the lake is Briar Point Beach.
One of the most popular places for families with dogs who enjoy lake activities is Waters Edge Family Campground. The camp has 70 campsites right on Flat River Lake. They offer wakeboarding, skiing, boating, fishing, tubing, and sailing. Also, John Curran State Park is located on the 30-acre Spring Lake. There is also a trail that takes you around the park.
Speaking of trails, Coventry also has the Washington Secondary Bike Path which is almost 20 miles where you and your pooch can walk.
East Providence
If you are headed to East Providence for a summer break, be sure to bring your sunscreen and towels so you and your pupster can go for a swim at Sabin Point Waterfront Park. With four acres on Narraganset Bay and the Providence River, there is a lot of room to roam around. The city has a population of over 37,000 with 7,600 dogs, so you will probably see some fur babies out with their humans.
You and your pup can also play at Veterans Memorial Park. You can explore the 2.5-mile trail, fish in Brickyard Pond, and just hang out as long as your dog is leashed and you pick up after him. If you are in the mood and have the energy, take a walk along the Ten Mile River Greenway Bike Path. It is not really 10 miles long. It is three miles long and connects several parks and fields along the water.
Don’t miss the Rumford Pet Center, where pups can come in and pick out their own treats. Everything is natural and holistic.
Woonsocket
With a population of over 43,000, Woonsocket is nicknamed A City on the Move. It was founded in 1820 with just a few dozen people but within the first year, the population went up to 500. It has the most historic sites in Rhode Island including Hanora Mills from 1827, the John Arnold House from 1712, the Logee House from 1729, and Smithfield Friends Meeting House from 1719.
The Blackstone River runs right through the city and allows for some fun water activities. Cold Spring Park is one of the dog-friendly parks with a boat launch, tennis, playgrounds, trails, boat tours, and fishing. A little further south down the river, Costa Park welcomes leashed dogs, where they have a playground, trails, volleyball, basketball, hockey, and horseshoe pits. And River Island Art Park has some excellent fishing spots.
When you get hungry, Ciro’s Tavern has a great dog-friendly patio where you can grab some delicious food and beer. Or try a slice at MVP Pizzeria or J&D Pizza.
West Greenwich
Those on a tight budget will really appreciate the affordable hotels in West Greenwich. The rooms at Super 8 start at just $78 and have free Wi-Fi, family rooms, and a free breakfast. It is also not far from Lake Tiogue. The Motor Lodge has rooms for under $100 with free Wi-Fi, room service, and a spa with a hot tub. Residence Inn is just a little more at $115 but it also has an indoor pool and fitness center.
One of the nicest parks in the city is free of charge and you can bring your cuddly buddy with you as long as he is leashed. Beach Pond State Park is a local favorite for catching bass, walleye, and catfish. Or take your pooch to Big River Management Area for even more space and diverse environments. It has over 8,000 acres including wetlands, forest, and agricultural as well as the Carr, Congdon, Nooseneck, and Big Rivers.
You can also visit Stepstone Falls Waterfall and Hiking Park, the Tillinghast Pond Management Area, Pratt Conservation Area, and Woodvale Farm.
Fisherman’s Memorial State Park
If camping is what you want to do, Fisherman’s Memorial State Park is perfect because it has 182 different sites to choose from. Some have RV hookups, while others offer tent pads with picnic tables and fire rings. The camp also has playgrounds for the little humans, showers, restrooms, and picnic tables. The park itself is also dog-friendly as long as you keep your pup on a leash no longer than six feet.
Covering over 90 acres at the southwestern end of Point Judith, the park has easy access to Bluff Hill Cove, Aguntang Brook, and the Atlantic Ocean. There are several sandy beaches where you and your pooch can play, but he has to stay on a leash, and you need to bring your own bags to pick up after him. On Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the park even has a farmers’ market.
If you want to fish, Camp Cronin Fishing Access is one of the local hotspots. Just remember to get a fishing license first.
The Final Woof
Ready for a trip to Rhode Island with your fur baby? Pack your bags, and we will help you choose some of the best places to go in the smallest state in the country. You can bring your lover to Newport for a romantic stay at The Wynstone Bed & Breakfast or bask in luxury at the Vanderbilt Hotel. Or you can gather the whole family for a winter vacation going skiing, tubing, and sledding at Yawgoo Valley Snow Park. For a summer break, East Providence has several swimming beaches, and North Kingstown also has a dog-friendly waterfront. For something affordable, West Greenwich can house you and your pup for under $100.
