Select Page

Rhode Island Field Trip Guide

Rhode Island Field Trip Guide

Explore the Charm of the Ocean State through educational field trips for all ages and experience Rhode Island through fun and memorable field trip ideas

Rhode Island field trips, as one of the smallest states, are often overlooked by its New England neighbors. However, both locals and frequent tourists to the state know that it packs just as much adventure, charm, luxury, natural beauty, and artistic ethos as any other state on the East Coast. There should be no shortage of Rhode Island field trip ideas, and with every main attraction within an hours’ drive of one another, visitors can check off their entire bucket list in one day

Some Rhode Island Field Trip Ideas:

  • Lippitt House Museum
  • Audrain Automobile Museum
  • St. Ann’s Art and Cultural Center
  • Bowen’s Wharf
  • Exploration Center and Aquarium
  • Breakers Mansion and more  
Breakers Mansion Field Trip
Photo of Breakers Mansion in Rhode Island

Rhode Island History & Heritage Field Trip Ideas

As one of the original 13 colonies, Rhode Island has no shortage of historic sites that tell the story of the beginning of the nation, making it a great location for educational field trip ideas. Bowen’s Wharf used to be one of the country’s main points of trade with the rest of the world. Today, it’s one of Newport’s biggest tourist attractions, with tons of local cuisine and souvenir shopping. The Breakers Mansion, owned by the Vanderbilt family, is the grandest of Newport’s summer homes. This Gilded Age cottage has its own audio tour, which visitors can access by downloading the Newport Mansions app.

Rhode Island’s seafaring and naval history mean that its coastline is riddled with historic lighthouses that make for great stops on a field trip. The Southeast Lighthouse at Mohegan Bluffs was built in 1875, but today it sits 300 feet from its original location due to erosion. North Light Lighthouse is a must-visit for the scenic walk down Corn Neck Road to Settler’s Rock, and ends up at the Sachem Pond Wildlife Refuge.

The state is also home to its fair share of unique museums. The International Tennis Hall of Fame preserves the history of tennis and celebrates its champions. Lippitt House Museum has taken the Victorian-era household of Henry Lippitt and frozen it in time. The Audrain Automobile Museum is comprised of over 160 of the rarest automobiles in history, making Rhode Island a great location for museum field trips.

Rhode Island field trip to WaterFire
Rhode Island WaterFire sculpture

Performing Arts Field Trips in Rhode Island

Providence has been known as a mecca of the arts on the East Coast for decades. In recent years, the city has prioritized its devotion to public art displays through the Avenue Concept initiative.

No sales tax on art purchases in the state of Rhode Island means that visiting this state is a perfect excuse to pick up some gems for great prices from one of the many local artisans across the state. If you’re more interested in artistic field trip ideas, the St. Ann’s Art and Cultural Center and the RISD Museum house amazing collections of art. 

You can also see a number of classic shows and original local performances at one of many historic, architecturally stunning theaters across the state, including Contemporary Theater Company, Providence Performing Arts Center, or Festival Ballet Providence. If you time your trip right, you can see an amazing display of visual arts at the WaterFire festivals in downtown Providence.

Sachem Pond field trip idea
Photo of Sachem Pond in Rhode Island

STEM Rhode Island Field Trip Ideas

You’re bound to pass by a number of farms during your stay, so you’ll want to pull off the road for some local produce or to meet some furry farm friends at Dame Farm and Orchard, Knight Farm Orchard and Country Breakfast Restaurant, or Jaswell Farm.

Rhode Island, with its extensive biodiversity and protected land, is a hub for unique flora and fauna. While you’re out exploring, add a kid-friendly learning component to your adventure at Audubon Society of RI Nature Center and Aquarium, Normal Bird Sanctuary, and Exploration Center & Aquarium.

If you’d like to Get More Field Trip Ideas, be sure to Subscribe to Student Travel Planning Guide and Download our Current Issue for FREE

RECENT STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE ARTICLES