With the weather getting warmer and COVID restrictions lifting, here are a few ways for you to enjoy the spring and upcoming summer! Photo from vrbo.com.
I, like many people, am done with winter, especially this one. The incredibly cold temperatures paired with the COVID-19 protocols made this winter feel extra harsh and isolated. Hopefully as the weather improves, we can spend more time outdoors with others while also being safe. To celebrate the arrival of spring, here are some fun activities to do around the University of Rhode Island’s campus and the surrounding Rhode Island area.
On campus, there are countless spots that are just perfect for warm and sunny weather. The Quad in particular is a great place to relax in the sun, play games like frisbee or spikeball with some friends or even to get some homework done! All of these activities can be done safely as there are plenty of grassy areas to space out from others. The athletic fields are another great spot to get some exercise in the warm weather, along with the bike path where you can go for a run, walk or bike ride.
The Ocean State definitely lives up to its name. The Rhode Island coastline is filled with beautiful beaches, cute coastal towns and fun little spots to explore. Ten minutes from the Kingston campus is Narragansett Town Beach which is always bustling with people walking, running and surfing the waves. Heading south, Scarborough Beach is another great spot. It’s smaller than ’Gansett, but still very charming. Scarborough has a great hiking trail with some of the best views I’ve seen. Point Judith features a historic lighthouse that opened in 1810 and a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean as well.
One of my favorite things about Rhode Island is the incredible sunsets that happen nearly every night. Chasing sunsets has become a fun activity for my friends and I. Nothing is better than watching the sun fall beyond the horizon to end off a week of hard work, exams and classes. The beach is always a reliable spot to catch a great sunset, but on campus there are some great spots as well. Both the Quad and the Beaupre Center for Chemical & Forensic Sciences lot offer great views overlooking campus.
Newport is one of the most beautiful and historic coastal towns in Rhode Island. Situated on Aquidneck Island, it is home to many great restaurants, shops and other fun attractions. Consider the iconic cliff walk, or a tour inside the Marble House mansion, which are still happening, just with decreased capacity. Downtown Newport has many great restaurants and small businesses to go visit. The harbor is a great place to relax and admire some of the historic boats docked.
Wickford Village is another small town north of Kingston. Similar to Newport, there are many shops and boutiques to explore. There are a handful of art galleries and studios that are usually open to the public. Wickford also features some great restaurants along the historic harbor. This quaint, coastal village is perfect to walk around and explore, or to look out across the water.
With warmer weather on its way, we can expect to spend way more time outside, especially after being cooped up for what seems like way longer than just this winter. So go out, get some fresh air and enjoy the spring season!