When most people think about summer vacation, their thoughts turn to long stretches of sandy beaches, clear ocean waters, cool breezes and bright sunshine. No wonder, then, that hundreds of thousands of happy vacationers travel to the state of Rhode Island each year to enjoy 400 miles of scenic coastline, more than 100 beaches, Newport's Gilded Age opulence, and Block Island's pristine New England charm.

The heart of Rhode Island is Narragansett Bay, a sparkling body of ocean water, which is considered the state's greatest natural resource. Bountiful fishing and shell fishing, challenging sailing conditions, quiet coves and wide, sandy beaches make the bay ideal for water sports. For more than 50 years, 12-meter yachts competed on the bay for sailing's prestigious America's Cup, earning host city Newport the nickname "Sailing Capital of America" and bringing worldwide recognition to the Ocean State's many tourist attractions. For simple pleasures and relaxation, Newport offers beautiful beaches and vistas to explore.

Rhode Island's southern coastal towns—Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown and Narragansett—harbor many of the loveliest white sand beaches on the Atlantic coast. Whether the windswept beauty and thundering waves of Matunuck, the gentle calm of Galilee, or Westerly's turn-of-the-century ambiance, every beach area has its own special appeal.

Twelve miles south of Rhode Island's coast lies tiny Block Island, an 11-square-mile gem of a seaside resort, which has been heralded as "one of the last great places." Its rolling green hills and dramatic bluffs are reminiscent of Ireland, and its beautifully restored Victorian hotels and inns preserve the elegance of a by-gone era. It's easy to reach by ferry or by air.

Rhode Island features a host of highly acclaimed attractions that are sure to delight the whole family. With its prominent place in American history; its treasures of architectural masterpieces; its legendary coastline; and its urban excitement, Rhode Island packs more per square mile than most states hundreds of times its size.

Newport Mansions
These fabled mansions, the extravagant "summer cottages" of America's Gilded Age, portray the opulence of a bygone era. Six of these palatial estates are owned, maintained and operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Privately owned mansions include: The Astor’s Beechwood, where costumed actors recreate the fabulous 1890's lifestyle; Hammersmith Farm, the "Kennedy Summer White House", and Belcourt Castle, summer residence of Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont.

Summer Music Festivals
Newport, Rhode Island is the setting for three of America's premier music events—the Newport Music Festival, Newport Creamery Newport Folk Festival, and the Newport JVC Jazz Festival. All of these highly acclaimed festivals take place against the elegant backdrop of the city's fabled mansions and world-class harbor, attracting tens of thousands of music aficionados each year.

Benefit Street's Mile of History
Located on the East Side of capital city Providence, Benefit Street hosts the most impressive concentration of original Colonial homes in America. Beautifully restored houses, churches and museums overlook the city's historic waterfront. The Providence Preservation Society conducts walking or escorted bus tours.

Slater Mill Historic Site
Old Slater Mill (1793), "Birthplace of the American Industry," was the first factory in America to successfully produce cotton yarn with water-powered machines. The mill now houses operating machinery used to illustrate the process of converting raw cotton to finished cloth. The historical treasure also includes the Sylvanus Brown House (1758) and the Wilkinson Mill (1810). A reconstructed 16,000 lb.-water wheel is still in operation.

International Tennis Hall of Fame
For tennis lovers, the oldest grass courts in America, and the only ones open for public play, can be found at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, located in the historic Newport Casino. The Hall of Fame brings world-class tennis competition to Newport each year. In addition, the Tennis Hall of Fame Museum features displays, artifacts and exhibits covering over a century of tennis history.

The State Capital
Located in Providence, this building is a beautiful, stately white Georgian marble structure with one of only four self-supporting domes in the world. (St. Peter's Basilica, the Taj Mahal and the Minnesota state capitol are the other three). Designed by McKim, Mead and White in 1891, it houses the original Rhode Island Charter and the historic portrait of George Washington painted by Rhode Island native and noted Colonial portraitist, Gilbert Stuart.

Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
Former summer residence of Pennsylvania coal magnate, Augustus Van Wickle, this 45-room turn-of-the-century mansion and 33 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens overlook Narragansett Bay and historic Bristol harbor. As one of the first and most innovative arboretums on the continent, Blithewold features 50,000 flowering spring bulbs, a Japanese water garden, an 83-ft. giant redwood (the largest east of the Rockies), a bamboo stand, and hundreds of unusual plantings.

Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design
One of America's finest small museums; its collections include classical art from Greece and Rome, 18th century European porcelains, Chinese and Indian works, Egyptian objects, 19th-century French art, modern Latin American works, and masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the present. Pendleton House, the earliest example of an American Wing in a United States museum, features the Pendleton Collection of American furniture and decorative arts. The Daphne Farago Wing is a center dedicated to the display and interpretation of contemporary art.

Block Island
Virtually unspoiled by progress, this Victorian "treasure island" is located ten miles south of Rhode Island's southern coast. Accessible by ferry or air, the island features quaint architecture, spectacular vistas and delicious native seafood. Charming inns, beaches and biking offer something for everyone. The Mohegan Bluffs rise abruptly to a height of 200 feet above the sea and stretch for nearly three miles along the island's southern shore.

Rhode Island offers not only a unique blend of geographic, historic and cultural diversity, but also a vast selection of recreational activities. It is considered America's first vacationland, a distinction it earned in 1524, when Italian navigator Giovanni da Verazzano, exploring for France, was so captivated by the beauty of Narragansett Bay, he lingered a fortnight—the origin of the first two-week vacation with pay on record. Narragansett Bay is one of the largest salt-water recreational areas in New England. Camping and other outdoor recreational activities are available in over 2300 acres of beautiful parks on six islands.

Biking
Rhode Island is the perfect place to cycle. Because of the state's compact size, a bicycle cannot only provide recreation and exercise, it can also be a practical means of transportation. The diverse natural beauty of the Ocean State is another benefit for the bicycle enthusiast. The following locations are particularly noteworthy: East Bay Bike Path (Providence to Bristol), Goddard State Park (Warwick), Conanicut Island (Jamestown), Greenville Area (Smithfield), Colt State Park (Bristol), and Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive (Newport).

Fishing
Salt-water fishing is a leading sport in Rhode Island, with giant blue fin tuna, marlin and swordfish the prized catches. Striped bass is a local favorite. The Ocean State offers in-shore surf and rock casting, bottom fishing in protected bay and shoreline areas, in addition to exciting off-shore game fishing. Fresh water fishing in natural and stocked areas can be found throughout the state. The scenic Wood and Pawcatuck Rivers offer premier trout fishing throughout spring, summer and autumn. Other fresh water species such as large mouth bass, northern pike and perch are abundant in Rhode Island's many ponds and lakes. Trout season opens annually on the second Saturday of April at sunrise.

Hiking
The terrain of Rhode Island is far more varied than one might expect from a small geographic area. For example, the southern and eastern areas of the state are relatively flat, with gently rolling farmlands. The northern and western sections, however, rise abruptly uphill through dense woodlands. Various islands and coastal areas provide variety of hiking opportunities.

Parks
Rhode Island has 2,300 acres of parks on six islands. State parks include: Colt State Park-Bristol, Burlingame State Park-Charlestown, Haines Memorial State Park-E. Providence, Beavertail State Park-Jamestown, Lincoln Woods State Park-Lincoln, Fisherman's Memorial-Narragansett, Brenton Point State Park-Newport, Fort Adams State Park-Newport, Goddard Memorial State Park-Warwick, and World War II Memorial State Park-Woonsocket. The state also has an open national park, Roger Williams National Memorial-Providence.

Area: 1545 sq.mi, Land 1045 sq. mi., Water 500 sq.mi.

Location: 41.82195 N, 071.41973 W.

Coastline: 40 mi., Shoreline 384 mi.

Border States: Connecticut - Massachusetts -New York (water border).

Agriculture: Nursery stock, vegetables, dairy products, eggs.

Industry: Fashion jewelry, fabricated metal products, electric equipment, machinery, shipbuilding and boat building, tourism.

Flag: Placed on a white field is a circle of thirteen gold stars representing the first thirteen states. The stars surround a gold ship's anchor. The states motto " Hope" is on a blue ribbon below the anchor.

State Motto: Hope.

Origin of state's name: Possibly named in honor of the Greek Island of Rhodes or was named Roode Eylandt by Adriaen Block, Dutch explorer, because of its red clay.

Population: 980,819; 43rd, 12/99.

Statehood: May 29, 1790.

Topography: Eastern lowlands of Narragansett Basin; western uplands of flat rolling hills.

State Capital: Providence.

Largest Cities: Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, and East Providence.

Geographic Center: Kent, 1 mile south-southwest of Crompton.

Highest Point: Jerimoth Hill; 812 feet, 46th.

Lowest Point: Atlantic coast; Atlantic Ocean, sea level, 3rd.

State Bird: Rhode Island Red.

State Flower: Violet - Viola.

State Nickname: The Ocean State.

State Song: Rhode Island It's for Me.

State Tree: Red Maple - Acer rubrum.