Blackstone River Visitor Center and Service Plaza is a Highway Gem

While highway rest stops are usually bland places designed for folks to get back on the road quickly; the Blackstone River Visitor Center and Service Plaza in Lincoln, R.I. invites travelers to stick around a while.

History, exercise, safety, rest, and refreshments can all be found at this featuring a visitor center resembling a New England-style red barn.

Inside the 24-hour center, conveniently located off Interstate 295 northbound between exits 9 and 10, there are beautiful colonial posts and beams alongside mill-style decorative lighting.

Old fashioned wooden rocking chairs, like one would see at Cracker Barrel Restaurants, give visitors a comfortable seat and a chance to relax whether it is after a long car ride or a long walk outside.

There are large historical informational signs about the Blackstone River Valley's history during the American Industrial Revolution.

Two large wooden racks provide plenty of brochures about the area. Large maps on the walls enable tourists to see the various roadways, bodies of water, large and small towns, and historical landmarks. Many of these features are not present on mapping software or GPS systems.

Like many service plazas, this three and a half year old facility features restrooms along with Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins 31 flavors and a seating area with cable TV. I noticed this to be unique as Baskin Robbins closed many of its other joint outlets with Dunkin' Donuts.

Unlike other service plazas I have been at, this Dunkin' Donuts has no drive-thru window; keeping with the atmosphere of having the visitor stay and relax rather than get in and get out.

Compared to older service plazas, I noticed that the restrooms are newer with more contemporary colors and are kept quite clean.

Unique to this 9,700-square-foot facility is the offices of the state environmental protection agency and a satellite state police office. On the Sunday afternoon, I walked past; neither office appeared to be staffed. In fact, the only staff members I saw on my visit were the ones at Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors.

Adjacent of these offices is a television giving visitors national and local headlines, regional weather forecasts, and information about the area.

The center opened in November 2006 and was the result of a cooperation of several state and federal agencies. Rhode Island agencies that were involved in this project included the Departments of Environmental Management, Transportation, State Police, and Historical Preservation while federal departments included the Federal Highway Administration and the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The regional Blackstone Valley Tourism Council was also involved in the project.

The State of Rhode Island is expected to open a visitor center with similar services along Interstate 295 Southbound, almost directly across the highway from this facility.

Some of the most unique aspects about this visitor center are what can be found outside.

In the front, history buffs, like me, will enjoy the water turner burner and gate operator artifacts and informational signs.

The front of the facility features a nicely 123-car-space landscaped parking lot with large lights. Those coming off the highway are greeted with signs leading trucks to park in an 8-space parking area, trail users another, and those wanting to use the restrooms or food services another.

Large windows and doors overlook the back of the center which features picnic tables and a paved winding path.

On my last visit, several types of people were seen enjoying the pathway ranging from couples taking a walk, cyclists with helmets and knee pads, pet owners walking their dogs, and others enjoying a warm day.

The pathway is designed for bikers and walkers to enjoy the great outdoors. It is part of the Blackstone River Bikeway which can be used to access the Blackstone River State Park including the Blackstone River, Blackstone Canal, and the Captain Wilbur Kelly House Transportation Museum. It is also part of the East Coast Greenway, which consists of 3,000 miles between Canada and Key West linking major cities of the Eastern seaboard.

I walked down the path and saw the decorative fencing and even small street signs advising walkers to keep to the left and bikers keep to the right as well as those advising of upcoming turns.

There are no maps or signs on the first end of the bikeway starting at the visitor center. Those unfamiliar, like me, had no idea how long it was or where it was going unless they did research in advance.

I would advise those wanting to use this path to plan ahead and ensure there is plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors and of course, plenty of time to enjoy some delicious ice cream before going back to the car!