Although there has been scant need for the down jackets this December here in Rhode Island, the advantages of lower heating costs and being able to get outside for even more activities are welcome.  However, there are ways to get into the seasonal spirit down in Newport. The local Historical Society (NHS) is hosting a variety of events for holiday enjoyment, education, and supplementing your existing habits with new traditions.

One of the major events being featured is the Holiday Lantern Tour. The tour is designed to illustrate how the holidays were celebrated in the colonial era. Tour-Goers will be guided through historic Newport and learn the rich history of one of the most important places in Rhode Island. These run every Friday and Saturday evening starting at 4:30 pm through December 23rd and is a great way to start a festive weekend. The Newport Historical Society allows members to receive a discounted price in efforts to increase involvement within the organization.

In addition to the lantern tour, NHS has other educational events this December including the “Discover Colonial Newport” and “Working Waterfront” walking tours.  By learning more about Newport, the society hopes to brighten your days as you help to preserve and celebrate the history of this great city by the sea.

Reservations are strongly encouraged as these events tend to book quickly. Call now or visit the website to secure your spot to enjoy a weekend in Newport and preserve our state’s history.

If you’re in Providence or Newport this week make sure you stick around because it is the time to taste Rhode Island. As you are probably sick of Halloween candy, Newport and Providence are showcasing delicious food, menus and entertainment that illustrate the taste and culture that compose our state. On November 2nd, the Botanical Gardens at Roger Williams Park Zoo will come alive with a fantastic blend of cultural food inspired by the Federal Hill House Association, whose efforts serve one of the “largest multi-ethnic communities” in Rhode Island.

The “Taste of the Hill” event has several restaurants teaming up to make this a delicious and cultural experience for you to enjoy, but also support the FHHA’s efforts to help people, help themselves integrate into the community. Started in 1887 as a home for recent immigrants, the multi-cultural nature of FHHA inspires “The Taste of the Hill” ethnic blend of eating and entertainment.
If you happen to be in Newport, you don’t have to miss out either. This Friday, November 4th, is the opening day of Newport’s Annual Restaurant Week that feature many of the restaurants in Newport and Bristol counties. A prefixed lunch and dinner menu offer a delicious ten-day opportunity to experience some of Rhode Island’s finest, and please your taste-buds.

Ed Hardie, our Providence Manager and Newport boater, recommends either of these events. “They offer the perfect way to try new restaurants to which you have never been at a fantastic price. What better way to be adventurous.” Note that these are both paid events.

With the tumultuous weather that the summer has bought us, it may have been hard for some of us to enjoy our coastline the way we normally do. Southern Rhode Island may have seemed a bit emptier than previous summers, but there are still ways to enjoy the coastline and South County as we head into the autumn.

Although there are many events, a few caught my eye. This Friday is your last chance of the year to venture out on the Lighthouse Cruises and Newport Harbor Tours, departing from North Kingstown. You will be able to view beautiful islands, light houses and the famous Jamestown and Newport Bridges one last time before cold weather hits. If the stars catch your eye while you are out there, another idea is heading over to the Frosty Drew Conservatory in Charsletown to stargaze and see the night sky in an entirely different way.

In addition to these events, Rhode Island Sea Grant is holding it’s 30th annual “CoastWeeks”. These weekend events are designed to raise awareness for the need to preserve the coastline. They also demonstrate and harbor a better understanding of coastal management, in different areas of Rhode Island. On October 1st, you can join fishery scientists on the URI research vessel and learn about the proper fishing methods utilized to preserve our aquatic ecosystem. This is sure to be educational and fun, so if you’re interested head to the Wickford Shipyard, this Saturday. Two weekends later, “CoastWeeks” is also leading a free Newport Harbor Walk, showing the community all that the harbor has to offer and the environmental challenges associated with it.

South County is not just for summer beach go-ers. Make the most of your weekend, and welcome the Autumn in a new way this year.