Visit Rhode Island: a Tiny, Well-Kept Secret!

Rhode Island is positioned in a perfect location along the northeast corner of the United States. Sandwiched between Boston and New York State, beautiful Rhode Island sits amid the largest concentration of higher-education facilities in the U.S. Rhode Island offers good jobs, good communities and a statewide commitment to helping business grow and prosper.

Rhode Island's Governor, Donald L. Carcieri, is credited with reviving the state's commitment to economic development. The small size of the state allows decision makers to quickly come together for meeting and to communicate and cooperate in moving the state together.

In 2006, Rhode Island initiated a sweeping pro-growth tax reform which provides a reduction in income and property taxes. It offers an inventive for entrepreneurial companies to invest in Rhode Island's high growth potential. The state's capital and largest city, Providence, has emerged as one of the 'hot spots' on the East Coast, revitalized by new leadership and growth.

Rhode Island is small, just 1,100 square miles, but its perfect environment for experimentation has proven that bigger isn't always better. Rhode Island uses its manageable small size as leverage for its real-world laboratory for testing new ideas. It's miles of pristine beaches , Narragansett Bay, historic architecture, easy-but-sophisticated lifestyle, top quality restaurants, theater, arts and cultural activities have made tourism the fastest-growing sector in Rhode Island. It is a $5 billion a year enterprise.

Another of Rhode Island's largest industries is health sciences. The world-class medical school and research center at Brown University and Lifespan's teaching hospitals are in Providence. Rhode Island has a strong presence in cutting-edge heath care, treatments and technology. The state is also the headquarters of CVS/Pharmacy, the nation's largest pharmacy chain.

At one time, Rhode Island was the center of the nation's textile and jewelry industries. Now it's the home to well-known companies such as Hasbro, the toy giant. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center is in Newport, RI. Because the state has more miles of coastline than most US states. World-renowned marine-related industries, including boatbuilding and repair, shipbuilding, fishing, aquaculture, marine electronics and marine traders flourish.

A federally supported pilot project, the Undersea Perimeter Security Interoperable Defense Environment (UPSIDE) established to address waterborne threats to the state's shoreline infrastructure, is underway, and if successful, could be expanded to protect the coastlines of other U.S. states.

Employment in Rhode Island grew almost 3% between 2001 and 2006--the fastest rate of any state in New England.

The City of Newport, RI, known as the City-by-the-Sea, was founded in1639 and was an important trade center rivaling New York City and Boston at one time. Today, it is a beautiful showcase of fine homes and mansions, lush gardens and host to boat shows, music festivals, museums and fine restaurants. Newport is home to almost 200 restored colonial-era homes and buildings protected by the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

Like most of New England, Rhode Island is known for the great variety of natural beauty, cultural offerings and social history. Known as the Ocean State, Rhode Island has long, sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay.

Off Rhode Island's shore is beautiful Block Island. Accessible only by boat and ferry, this small gem of an island offers beaches and bluffs, good hiking and great bicycling trails. Block Island is heralded as 'one of the twelve best unspoiled areas in the Western Hemisphere'. The island has green rolling hills and dramatic bluffs and beautifully restored Victorian hotels, charming inns and B&B's. Many say Block Island's rolling green hills and dramatic Mohegan Bluffs are reminiscent of Ireland.

Rhode Island has over 400 miles of scenic coastline featuring 100+ public and private beaches. Their pristine beauty is one of the state's most appealing attributes.

In the summertime, everyone in Rhode Island goes to the beach! Many of the nicer beaches charge a small fee for admittance, but it is worth the price for what is available. Lifeguards stands are positioned every few hundred feet along the water and the lifeguards are constantly alert to the activities around them and in the water. Hot water showers and modern bath houses are available as well as restaurants, concession stands, playgrounds, volleyball nets, and picnic facilities. Most beaches are wheel chair accessible, and many have discounted admission for seniors.

The beaches are clean, the water is warm and the waves are, for the most part, gentle but fairly large and great for body surfing. The beaches of Rhode Island, in my opinion, are some of the nicest and most beautiful I've ever seen.

Narragansett Bay is 'like a precious gem in a fine jeweled setting' and is the sparkling geographic center of Rhode Island, according to the travel guides. Many activities are offered including snorkeling, boating, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, scuba diving, charter boat tours and fishing excursions, whale and seal watching, sailing instruction, abd lighthouse touring to name a few. Rhode Island, the tiniest state in the nation, offers something for everyone to enjoy.