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Tour Rhode Island is an opportunity for Rhode Islanders to be tourists in their home state. We have compiled 24 exciting itineraries that cover every corner of the Ocean State. To order tickets, call ArTTix at 401-621-6123. All tours depart from the Community College of Rhode Island Knight Campus in Warwick on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Lunch and all admissions are included in ticket price.

401-621-6123

Price: $45 for adults, $35 for children

Tours will go, rain or shine. Please dress appropriately and wear proper footwear, especially on tours that include walking or boarding boats. All itineraries are current as of press time, and are subject to change based on weather or site availability. While we don’t anticipate changes, if there are any, every effort will be made to contact you prior to May 1st. Please provide your email to ArtTix at time of booking for ease in necessary communications. Your privacy is very important to us, and we will NEVER give your email address to anyone.

ArtTix hours Monday – Friday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm;

Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

ArtTix's online service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

The ArtTix Ticket Office is located at 155 Westminster Street in downtown Providence, between CVS and Amenities Deli.

Charge to credit cards will be to “The Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island”

What's for Lunch?

When you call to order your tour, you will be asked to select a sandwich for your catered box lunch, courtesy of Blackstone Caterers. Your choices are:

“Ham”: Forest ham with Smoke Gouda, Tomatoes, Lettuce & Honey Mustard on a Multi Grain Roll
“Turkey”:Roasted Turkey Breast with Narragansett Creamery Provolone Cheese. Lettuce and Tomato served on Whole Wheat
“Veggie”: Grilled Local Vegetables including tomato, Basil, Zucchini, and Mozzarella Cheese in a Spinach Wrap.

The catered box lunch will also include:

·Potato Chips

·Bottled water

·Locally made baked good

·Seasonal fruit offering

·Condiments

2010 Tour Rhode Island Itineraries

Tour 1: Block Island Highlights

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:00 a.m. Just a short ferry ride off the coast of southern Rhode Island brings you to Block Island, New England's unspoiled island paradise. Block Island is a precious gem surrounded by pristine ocean beaches and magnificent coastal bluffs that climb from the surf into a sanctuary of natural splendor. Enjoy storytelling about the island’s fishing industry, both past and present. Learn about the origins of the island and more during a tour with a local guide. The island's distinctive Victorian architecture and small town personality will refresh your spirit. Rolling meadows bordered by centuries-old stone walls line the winding country lanes that will bring you to magical destinations such as Old Harbor, where you will enjoy browsing through specialty shops, boutiques, galleries and museums, all surrounded by postcard-perfect scenery. You’ll savor the views on your bus tour of the island. Stops include: Southeast Lighthouse, Mohegan Bluffs, Rodman's Hollow, North Light, the Historical Society, Smilin’ Through and more. This Tour includes 2 one hour ferry crossings.

Tour 2: Block Island Highlights

Tour 3: Block Island Highlights by Taxi

On this tour you will be broken up into smaller groups for an intimate tour of the island provided by Block Island resident taxi drivers. Hear stories of the Island and history from a local. Stops include the Southeast Lighthouse, Rodman's Hollow, Mohegan Bluffs and more. After your tour enjoy your lunch at one of Block Islands premier hotels with ocean views and historic architecture.

Tour 4: Block Island’s Inns of Today

Enjoy a first hand behind the scenes look at the Block Island Inn’s of today. Take a guided tour of Block Island most famous Inn’s, with a look back to how these Victorian inns have changed into what they are today. The Historic National Hotel, The Blue Dory Inn, Spring House Hotel, Manisses History of the properties, past celebrity guests, celebrity wedding, tour some of the inns most popular rooms.Downtown Historic walking tour by historian and island resident with a stop at the Block Island Historical Society.

***THIS TOUR REQUIRES WALKING. PLEASE WEAR COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES***

Tour 5: Warwick’s Unique Blend (Bus 1)

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. To start your day we will begin with a hearty May Breakfast to sustain you for a jam packed day that’s filled with everything that makes up Warwick’s unique blend. A visit to Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum with its award winning gardens, this home, built by the Slater family is sure to be a highlight for those with a love of the Victorian era. And, a tour of the grounds at Aldrich Mansion with its breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay, its history and stately presence, will surely leave a lasting impression. A stop at the Warwick Historical Society is scheduled especially for the history buffs and be sure to wear your walking shoes, because next on the agenda we’ll be pounding the pavement for a scenic and informational look at the historical sites in Pawtuxet Village, the setting for the burning of the British revenue schooner, HMS Gaspee by Rhode Island patriots in 1772, the event heralded as “America’s First Blow for Freedom” ™. And, now that we’ve seen how we arrived, let’s fast forward to the present for a surpriselook all the new and exciting changes in the City and what they mean to Warwick’s future

Tour 6: Warwick’s Unique Blend (Bus 2)

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. To start your day we will begin with a hearty May Breakfast to sustain you for a jam packed day that’s filled with everything that makes up Warwick’s unique blend. A visit to Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum with its award winning gardens, this home, built by the Slater family is sure to be a highlight for those with a love of the Victorian era. And, a tour of the grounds at Aldrich Mansion with its breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay, its history and stately presence, will surely leave a lasting impression. A stop at the Warwick Historical Society is scheduled especially for the history buffs and be sure to wear your walking shoes, because next on the agenda we’ll be pounding the pavement for a scenic and informational look at the historical sites in Pawtuxet Village, the setting for the burning of the British revenue schooner, HMS Gaspee by Rhode Island patriots in 1772, the event heralded as “America’s First Blow for Freedom” ™. And, now that we’ve seen how we arrived, let’s fast forward to the present for a surprise look all the new and exciting changes in the City and what they mean to Warwick’s future

Tour 7: Favorite Pastimes of the Blackstone Valley

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. Enjoy pastry and coffee and check out the spring selection of plants and flowers at Phantom Farms, Cumberland. Enjoy a short walk along the bikeway from Lonsdale Drive-in and discover the habitat diversity along the Blackstone River. We will view a 20-minute movie, "Hidden in the Blackstone," at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Pawtucket.

From there, we will tour three historic buildings at Slater Mill in Pawtucket with a costumed interpreter and learn about the American Industrial Revolution. Lunch will be served on the grounds at Slater Mill. After lunch, the tour heads to McCoy Stadium - home of the Pawtucket Red Sox. Enjoy a special behind the scenes tour of the newly renovated McCoy Stadium, home to the AAA team of the Boston Red Sox.

The final stop will be the Charles D. Looff Carousel at Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket. Ride on the historic Looff Carousel and tour historic Daggett House, Pawtucket's oldest house, and stop in to the Rhode Island Watercolor Society.

Tour 8: Blackstone Valley Sampler

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. The first stop on this the Sampler will be in Center Falls at the Cherry Tree Festival May Breakfast. Enjoy a traditional Rhode Island May breakfast along the banks of the Blackstone River among the new Cherry Tree Grove.

From there, we will tour three historic buildings at Slater Mill in Pawtucket with a costumed interpreter and learn about the American Industrial Revolution. After a quick stop at Jenks Park & Cogswell Towner, It’s off to Hearthside for a tour of one of the finest examples of Federal period homestead, hosted by period costumed “Friends of Hearthside.” we will visit the Valentine Whitman House, one of just a few surviving "stone-end" houses built in the 17th century.

Next we head to the Captain Wilbur Kelly House. View a preserved section of the historic Blackstone Canal that was once used for transportation, and is now a segment of the glorious Blackstone River Bike Path. Experience the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket and learn how the contribution of French Canadian immigrants to the Blackstone Valley has left a strong Rhode Island legacy. See and hear their story. We drive through Slatersville, the first –planned Industrial community in America, toward the final stop on this tour Wright’s Dairy Farm. Visit this working dairy farm and see 120 Holsteins being milked. Fresh ice cream, milk, whipped cream and deserts are available from the farm and on-site bakery.

Tour 9: Hidden Treasures of the Blackstone Valley

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. The first stop on this tour is a hidden treasure nestled in the northwest corner of Blackstone Valley, the wonderful Grace Note Farm in Burrillville. After a light breakfast, we will get a behind the scenes tour of Stadium Theatre, Woonsocket’s premiere Performing Arts Center. Then we will be heading to St. Ann's Arts and Cultural Center in Woonsocket. A treasure to be seen and saved, view the finest fresco paintings found in North America at what has been called "America's Sistine Chapel."

After lunch at the Blackstone River State Park Visitor Center in Lincoln, we will head to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island in Smithfield for a Raptor presentation with a live owl and/or hawk.The final stop on this tour is the Smith Appleby House in Smithfield. Tour this former one-room stone-ender built in 1696 by Elisha Smith, grandson of John Smith "The Miller," a cartographer of the New England coastline and a member of Roger Williams' original party of six men who fled the Massachusetts Bay Colony to settle in Providence.

Tour 10: Country Fun in the Blackstone Valley

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. Our first destination is Chepachet Farm, Chepachet for Rhode Island maple syrup with pancakes and a beverage, a farm tour and a wagon ride. Experience this one-of-a-kind farm & carriage works.The tour will then drive-by the Ruben Mason Home in Glocester, which during the Dorr Rebellion in 1842, was designated as a field hospitality by the state militia. Next, is the Brown and Hopkins Country Store in Glocester, known as America’s oldest continuously operated country store and other antique shops in this quaint New England village.

For lunch, we will stop at Burrillville's Spring Lake Arcade where folks can play vintage arcade games. The group will then head to Woonsocket for a tour of the Museum of Work & Culture. See and hear the story of the French Canadian immigrants contribution to the Blackstone Valley. Wright’s Dairy Farm in North Smithfield is the final stop. Visit this working dairy farm and see 120 Holsteins being milked. Fresh ice cream, milk, whipped cream and deserts are available from the farm and on-site bakery.

Tour 11: South County Arts & Culture

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. Arts and Culture play an important role in South County. From art galleries, theatres and mansions to the landscaping and architecture, South County has long been recognized as a cultural center of the state. Abundant in history, buildings from the seventeenth century and beyond still stand and tell the stories of South County’s Narragansett Indians, war heroes, America’s founding fathers and many others.

The first stop on the tour will bring us to the General Nathanael Greene Homestead in Coventry. A Revolutionary War hero, Nathanael Greene lived here from 1770 to 1776. Greene was the youngest and one of the most trusted generals of the Revolutionary Army and a friend and comrade-in-arms of George Washington. The house is now a museum run by the General Nathanael Greene Homestead Association. Those attending the tour will have an opportunity to explore the yard and eight display rooms, all of which are completed with furnishings from the time period as well as the memorabilia of the Greene family.

Next, the bus will drop us off at the steps of the Babcock-Smith House, a Georgian-style mansion built in 1734 by Dr. Joshua Babcock, Westerly’s first physician, a postmaster and the Chief Justice of Rhode Island. The house is full of furniture that dates back two hundred years and toys from the 1890s. The landscape includes a Colonial garden and culinary herb garden. Lunch to follow the completion of the tour of the home will be held at the Nathaniel Greene Homestead’s Carriage House.

After a driving tour of Westerly, we will next arrive at the Langworthy Farm Winery, a small, intimate farm winery on beautiful Route 1A. Situated one-half miles from the ocean near Weekapaug and Misquamicut, it is an ideal area for growing grapes and producing wine. Taste samples that have names like Misquamicut Merlot, Rhody Riesling, Shelter Harbor Chardonnay, and Weekapaug White will be available for all to try. Not only will we get an opportunity to taste the wine made here, but we will get to observe how a variety of their delicious wine is made while getting a taste of history in the mix!

The last stop on the tour will bring us to the South County Museum in Narragansett. The museum is located in a 174-acre town park that was the 19^th century estate of Rhode Island’s Civil War era governor and post-war senator, William Sprague. Those touring will be able to visit the seven exhibit buildings portraying blacksmithing, carpentry, printing, textiles, and early transportation. The farm and grounds are also home to several types of gardens, farm animals and the official home of the Rhode Island Red. While touring the beautiful grounds and captivating exhibits, those touring will become engulfed in historical times as the museums “Bridge to the Past” event will be taking place. The museum and all of its exhibits will come to life with live enactments within every corner of the museum. Take caution, however, as we are told there may be some pirates looking to capture unsuspecting tourists!

Tour 12: South County – Where Nature Meets History

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. South County encompasses miles of pristine coastline, thousands of acres of woodlands and nature preserves, ocean beaches, freshwater ponds, pristine, meandering rivers and forested wetlands. From scenic coastal communities along Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to pastoral villages, inland forests and farmlands, South County is truly a nature lover’s dream. Behind its landscape lies an incredible amount of history, tradition and culture.

While driving to the first location enjoy the scenic pleasures of the areas surrounding the Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum, located in Aracadia Village, Exeter. Embark on a guided tour and learn about the history and culture of the local Native American Indians, then take a tour of the fishing camp and gardens. You will also have an opportunity to sample Native American foods and browse the many significant exhibits showcasing Native American culture.

Next on the trip a new location, the Carpenter’s Grist Mill, will be visited. The quaint grist mill built by Samuel E. Perry in 1703 sits on Moonstone Beach Road in the Perryville section of South Kingstown, RI. It has been known as Carpenter’s Grist Mill since 1874 when the Carpenter family first became is owners. It has been in continuous operation since it was built, and is the only water powered mill currently operating in Rhode Island. Travelers will be able to witness the processes taking place inside of this working mill where Rhode Island Whitecap Flint Corn is stone ground by water power. They will also be able to walk down to the source of where such water power comes from, the nearby water supply, Perry’s Mill Pond, named after the mills creator, Samuel E. Perry himself.

En route to the next stop, the tour will stop at beautiful Scarborough State Beach for lunch. Sit along the wall or on one of the many picnic tables and benches along the walkway and gaze onto Rhode Island’s breathtaking shoreline while taking some time to sit back, relax, and enjoy lunch!

After all are satisfied, we will journey to the third stop on the tour, The Gilbert Stuart Birthplace Museum, at the head of the Pettaquamscutt River. It not only served as the family’s dwelling place, but also as a place of industry. View the oldest snuff mill in America and the reproductions of the works of one of America’s foremost portrait painters. Also, enjoy a presentation of the annual Herring Run, explained by a representative from the DEM, and view the famous waterwheels as you walk the historic grounds and gardens.

Located in Wickford, surrounded by Mill Cove and the Cocumscussoc Brook, is the last stop on our tour, Smith’s Castle. Providing an up-close look at four centuries of Rhode Island history, watch a reenactment of encampment as pirates and docents dressed in costumes parade the grounds. Take a guided tour of the castle, a trading post owned by Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island which was sold in 1661 to Richard Smith. As you learn about the transformation of the plantation, you’ll see why it still remains a treasure to Rhode Island today.

Tour 13: South County by Land, by Air, and by Sea

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. It is through the trials and tribulations experienced throughout time that greatness is allowed to shine forth. Our county, repeatedly challenged in times of war, financial hardship and natural disaster, has been able to establish itself with a greatness that stems from its ability to address, and, with time, overcome each new obstacle that presents itself. South County due to its access to not only land, but to air and sea as well, has been a treasure to the United States and the government for ages. From being the first home to such historically significant groups as the Seabees, who are still one of the first national groups to respond to such crises as Hurricane Katrina, to the lighthouses that have been built and today still aid the Coast Guard as active navigation aids, South County provides the country with the means through which to effectively meet every type of challenge. Its coasts not only provide such government organizations as the U.S. Air National Guard with an efficient and functional home, but also to any who choose to visit a serene, pleasant and breathtaking experience.

The first leg of the journey through land, air, and sea will start on land at the home of the respected and innovative Seabees. The Seabees are a group of people from all trades, carpenters to electricians, who have aided the Navy for years in such tasks as developing pontoons, so that large vasts of water could be crossed in WWII . Visit Camp Endicott, the original home of the Seabees that was turned into a museum and memorial in the late 1990s after the deactivation of the base. Walk through the famous Quonset Huts, named after the location in which they were created, that were pre-packaged and used during WWII in providing shelter to men participating in the war. Learn about the fascinating history of the Seabees, see one of the only two existing pontoons left in the world, and step into the only concrete chapel ever constructed, the Chapel-in-the-Pines, built by the Seabees while the base was active.

Next take a short drive over to the embark on the air portion of the tour with the second stop at the R.I. Air National Guard. Upon arrival you will be met by local escorts from the 143^rd Airlift Wing and brought to the RIANG auditorium where Lt Col Bruce Fletcher, the Public Affairs Officer, will give an overview of the mission of RIANG and show a presentation on the C-130J and its mission. The 143^rd Airlift Wing is the home of the United State’s Air Force’s first C-130J-30 that deliver passengers and cargo by airdrop, extraction and air/land support of theater commands throughout the world. They provided transportation for candidate Barack Obama during his visit to Afghanistan in 2008. Here the opportunity to not only visit the Air National Guard and learn about its present mission, but also to take a walk through some of the very aircrafts spoken about will be provided.

The third stop, right next to the Air National Guard, further adds to the air portion of the tour. The Quonset Air Museum holds as its mission to preserve, interpret, and present Rhode Island’s aviation history through their collections, research, education, and exhibits. Founded in 1992 with the assistance of then Governor Bruce Sundlun, the air museum will aid in educating those participating on the state's rich aviation legacy and display to them the collections that document the contributions of Rhode Island to the growth and development of aviation and space exploration. The museum is housed on 3 acres in an original Naval Air Station Quonset Point (NASQP) hangar built in 1945 as the point building for the Overhaul and Repair (O&R) facility. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the historical artifacts and parts and walk through some of the 28 aircrafts currently on display or under restoration, dating from 1944 to 1983.

After learning about the use of land and sea in the history of Rhode Island, the opportunity to relax, enjoy the scenery, and have lunch will take place at the Compass Rose Beach, one of the most beautiful and serene beaches overlooking Quonset Point. Have a seat on the sandy beach or on one of the many picnic tables and unwind before setting sail on the sea portion of the tour.

The final adventure of the journey will take place aboard the Rhode Island Bay Lighthouse Cruise boat. This 90-minute cruise showcases some of Rhode Island’s most beautiful and historical Lighthouses. Its captain will take you throughout Narragansett Bay bringing you up close and personal to these historic landmarks on this one-of-a-kind cruise that you will remember forever. Some of the lighthouses still remain active aids in navigation to the Coast Guard today. A few of the lighthouses to be toured will be the Whale Rock Lighthouse, Newport Harbor Lighthouse, and the Rose Island Lighthouse. Though you’ll be brought out to sea to complete the day’s touring, we promise will bring you back to land to return home for some rest!

Tour 14: Providence Arts, Culture & Theater Tour

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. With the largest number of working artists per capita in the country, Providence boasts an eclectic mix of galleries, theaters and museums. Join us for a day as we delve into the city’s vibrant arts and theater scene. Be sure to wear your walking shoes, as Providence is known for its accessibility as a walking city. The day begins at the Providence Performing Arts Center with a tour of this beautiful historic landmark, which hosts touring Broadway shows, plays and concert.

The RISD Museum displays one of the most diverse art collections in the nation. This classic but trendy museum houses more than 80,000 pieces from around the world, featuring everything from Monet to a larger-than-life Buddha sculpture. From RISD we head to the Providence Athenaeum known for it’s remarkable wide-ranging collections, its wonderful building and, most importantly, the people who know and love it. There are few institutions like it.

For lunch you’ll visit the Culinary Arts Museum at Johnson & Wales University, often referred to as “The Smithsonian of Food.” This renowned museum has a remarkable and invaluable collection representing the preservation of five millenniums of food and cooking development, traditions, and anecdotes. Don’t miss seeing the life-size diner! Bert Gallery was founded in 1985 and celebrates over twenty years in business promoting regional American artists from the late nineteenth century to present day. From Johnson & Wales University, travel to Scialo Brothers Bakery for a behind the scenes tour of the this Federal Hill Landmark. All this leading up to the finale, "Arts on the Hill," where you'll experience the many art galleries on Atwells Avenue amidst the wonderful aromas of Federal Hill.

Tour 15: Best of Providence

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Providence seamlessly blends the urban sophistication of a big city with the graceful charm of a small town. Experience the best of the city on this fun-filled tour. Your day will include an eclectic mix of history, art, food, wine and fun! Be sure to wear your walking shoes, as Providence is known for its accessibility as a walking city.

Your day begins at the John Brown House, a fascinating mansion built in 1788. Enter the John Brown House and step into the world of 18th century wealth and power. The museum features meticulously restored rooms containing nationally significant treasures. Then you will stop over at the First Baptist Church of America, founded by Roger Williams in 1638. After a driving tour of Providence, we'll stop for lunch at the Culinary Arts Museum, at Johnson & Wales University, often referred to as “The Smithsonian of Food.” This renowned museum has a remarkable and invaluable collection representing the preservation of five millenniums of food and cooking development, traditions, and anecdotes. Don’t miss seeing the life-size diner!

No Providence festival would be complete without the wild puppet creations from The Big Nazo Lab. We will get to peek inside the lab, which serves as an exhibition space and a creature-building workshop. From here we will head to College Hill. The RISD Museum displays one of the most diverse art collections in the nation. This classic, but trendy museum houses more than 80,000 pieces from around the world, featuring everything from Monet to a larger-than-life Buddha sculpture. The day ends with a wine tasting class. Learn about the characteristics of wine and how to pair wines with food.

Tour 16: East Bay Mansions and More

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. The day begins with a visit to the Maxwell House which offers an authentic view of Colonial America. The 1752 cc gable house is where 18th century crafts are demonstrated to expand the understanding of what life was like 250 years ago

Next it’s off to the Audubon Society’s Environmental Education Center, situated on the twenty-eight-acre wildlife refuge. The center features a life size model of a Right Whale, Rhode Island’s largest aquarium, tide pool tank, trail and boardwalk to the bay. Then it's time to discover Coggshall Farm, an early 18th century farm that is still operated with traditional tools.

Later this morning experience the exquisite architecture and unique hand carved moldings at Linden Place, the home of the DeWolf family, which founded the Uniroyal Rubber Company, a banking empire, and is more infamously known for their participation in the triangle slavery trade Time for lunch and a special stop at Mount Hope Farm, a magnificent site that includes healthy farmlands, wetlands, rocky coastline and historic farm buildings. View more than 200 acres of pristine natural beauty that include ponds, spillways and trails

Enjoy Herreshoff Marine Museum, located at the site of the world-famous Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, whose products dominated the Golden Age of Yachting. Explore the unique collection of 60 classic sailing and power yachts built from 1859 to 1945, steam engines, fittings, photographs and memorabilia. Don’t miss the America's Cup Hall of Fame. Our last stop of the day is at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum which captures all your senses as you meander through the gorgeous gardens and marvel at the forty-five room main house.

Tour 17: East Bay Historic Treasures

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. The day begins with a visit to the Audubon Society’s Environmental Education Center, situated on the twenty-eight-acre wildlife refuge. The center features a life size model of a Right Whale, Rhode Island’s largest aquarium, tide pool tank, trail and boardwalk to the bay. Next it’s off to Mount Hope Farm, a magnificent site that includes healthy farmlands, wetlands, rocky coastline and historic farm buildings. View more than 200 acres of pristine natural beauty that include ponds, spillways and trails.

Later this morning, experience the exquisite architecture and unique hand carved moldings at Linden Place, the home of the DeWolf family, which founded the Uniroyal Rubber Company, a banking empire, and is more infamously known for their participation in the triangle trade. Before leaving the estate enjoy a delicious boxed lunch. Then it's time to discover Coggshall Farm, an early 18th century farm that is still operated with traditional tools.

A special stop will be made at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum which captures all your senses as you meander through the gorgeous gardens and marvel at the forty-five room main house.

Our last stop of the day is at Herreshoff Marine Museum, located at the site of the world-famous Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, whose products dominated the Golden Age of Yachting. Explore the unique collection of 60 classic sailing and power yachts built from 1859 to 1945, steam engines, fittings, photographs and memorabilia. Don’t miss the America's Cup Hall of Fame.

Tour 18: Newport County Tour - International Tennis Hall of Fame and Newport Mansions

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Taste, touch and smell your way through history on this walking tour of the Lower Thames Street neighborhood. Chocolate, spices, and rum flavored old Newport's kitchens and commerce. Explore the wharves where these goods were made and traded, while hearing lively stories about sailors & boat builders, smugglers & merchants, and working women & immigrant families. The tour includes a short visit inside the kitchen of the Federal-period Whitehorne House.

Tour the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The museum chronicles the entire history of the sport through fascinating galleries while portraying the game’s greatest champions. Housed in the Historic Newport Casino, a National Historic Landmark, discover this great sports museum and experience the grandeur of a Victorian-era social club.

Visit the Newport Visitor Information Center located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue. Here you will find one stop shopping for attraction and recreational tickets, information on events and activities, shopping, dining, and a whole lot more. All aboard! Enjoy a scenic harbor cruise on board of the Majestic, one of Newport’s newest tour boats. Learn about fascinating points of interest in the ‘City by the Sea.’ A gourmet Rhode Island box lunch will be provided.

Board the bus for your Newport Mansions experience! Enjoy an audio tour of The Breakers. The Breakers is the grandest of Newport's summer "cottages" and a symbol of the Vanderbilt family's social and financial preeminence in turn of the century America. It is a 70 room Italian Renaissance- style palazzo inspired by the 16th century palaces of Genoa and Turin. Today, the house is designated a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy a scenic coach tour of Ocean Drive before departing for CCRI in Warwick.

Tour 19: Newport County Tour - Wineries

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Arrive at the Newport Visitor Information Center located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue. Here you will find one stop shopping for attraction and recreational tickets, information on events and activities, shopping, dining, and a whole lot more.

Onward to Greenvale Vineyards, nestled in the town of Portsmouth. Explore the vineyard’s idyllic setting and beautifully restored Victorian Gothic stable/tasting room. Taste and savor delicious award-winning wines produced from 100% estate grown grapes that have been nurtured by the Parker family’s historic farm. Board the bus to Rhode Island’s largest and oldest winery Sakonnet Vineyards & Winery. One of the most elegant farms in Little Compton, some 50 acres of grape vines in this unique microclimate produce the vineyard’s award-winning wines. You will enjoy a tour of the winery and a special wine tasting exclusively for members of this tour. Enjoy your Rhode Island gourmet box lunch on the scenic grounds of Greenvale Vineyards!

Board the bus for the last stop on the Newport County Winery tour, Newport Vineyards, where you will enjoy an informative tour of the world-class wine making facilities and vineyard, ending with a sampling of the fruits of their labor at their winery tasting bar! Enjoy shopping in the wonderful gift shop before catching the bus to return to CCRI in Warwick.

Tour 20: Treasured Gems of Aquidneck

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 am. Fort Adams, the largest coastal fortification in the United States, built in 1799, stands at the entrance to Newport Harbor. This morning you’ll visit this engineering and architectural masterpiece to see where the soldiers lived, enter the casemates, explore the tunnel system, and climb the bastions for breathtaking views. Later, a guided tour along Ocean Drive includes the legendary landscapes and rugged coastal views that draw millions of visitors to Newport annually.

A visit to Whitehall, home of George Berkeley reveals the educator, philosopher and Anglican cleric’s lifetime of success. Berkeley's influence is reflected in the institutions of education named in his honor. The University of California, Berkeley, and the city that grew up around the university were named after him. Also named in his honor were Berkeley College at Yale University and Berkeley Library at Trinity College, Dublin

Glimpse authentic New England at Prescott Farm where early American architecture and landscape is peacefully depicted in a country setting. Tour the historic 1812 windmill, visit a revolutionary war guardhouse and feed the ducks and geese at the pond. Learn what vegetables and herbs would have been grown in a Colonial garden.

Your last stop is at The Elms, summer residence of the Berwind’s of Philadelphia. Mr. Berwind made his fortune in the Pennsylvania coal industry. Architect Horace Trumbauer modeled the house after the mid-18th century French chateau d'Asnieres (c.1750). The interiors and furnishings were the setting for the Berwinds' collection of Renaissance ceramics, 18th century French and Venetian paintings, and Oriental jades. The elaborate Classical Revival gardens include terraces displaying marble and bronze sculpture, a park of fine specimen trees and a lavish lower garden featuring marble pavilions, fountains, a sunken garden and carriage house and garage.

Tour 21: Famous / Infamous Rhode Islander's

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 am. Our first stop this morning is at the infamous DeWolf family’s estate Linden Place. This 1810 Federal-style mansion is located in the center of the Bristol Historic Waterfront District. It was the residence of the Dewolf/Colt Family for 177 years. Family members included Col. S. P. Colt, founder of the U.S. Rubber Co. and the Industrial Trust Co. (forerunner of Fleet Bank). The mansion and historic outbuildings are surrounded by rose gardens and nineteenth-century sculpture

Then it’s of to Providence and the John Brown House Museum. One of America's grandest mansions when completed in 1788, the house was home first to John Brown, a businessman, patriot, politician, China Trade pioneer and slave trader who participated in the debates and practices that shaped the new nation and the world

Next Roger Williams National Memorial, “Providence’s national park,” interprets the life and times of Roger Williams, the founder of the first government in the world with complete religious freedom for all. The original Providence settlement (1636) was here. Enjoy the 4.5 acres of landscaped grounds that provides a setting for contemplation of Roger William's contributions to the principles of religious freedom and tolerance in America.

It’s off to South County and the birthplace of famous resident Gilbert Stuart. Born here in 1755, Stuart was the Colonial portraitist best known for his portrait of George Washington the likeness of which appears one American one dollar bill. Enjoy the estate’s operating 18th century snuff mill, the first in America, with water wheel, Colonial furniture and tools.

Our last stop of the day is at the Nathanael Green’s Spell Hall, home of George Washington's second-in-command. Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United States are named for him

Tour 22: Rhode Island in the Limelight

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 am. Rhode Island has been a favored destination for film companies since before Hollywood was Hollywood. We'll be exploring some of that history with stops at the Providence studios of Rhode Island PBS for a behind-the scenes tour; Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, home of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, where we'll speak with festival director George Marshall; Aldrich House, home of the Rhode Island Historical Society, where we'll view a couple of short silent films and talk about film restoration and the very early days of film in Rhode Island; Star Diner in East Providence, the setting for scenes from the Showtime series "Brotherhood," the short film "Manifest Breakfast," and the recent feature film Atomic Beach Party; and Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, a featured location in the films The Great Gatsby, The Betsy, True Lies, Amistad, Evening, and 27 Dresses. Along the way we'll point out some other locations that you may have spotted on the big screen or on your TV screen, have fun with film and television trivia, and enjoy some audio-visual exhibits.

Tour 23: Blackstone Valley Sampler II

Depart CCRI, Warwick. Cherry Tree Festival May Breakfast – Modern M Condominium Central Falls. Blackstone Valley's first Annual Cherry Tree Festival. St Ann’s Arts and Cultural Center, Woonsocket, RI. “A treasure to be seen and saved”, view the finest fresco paintings found in North America, “America’s Sistine Chapel.” Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket. The contribution of French Canadian immigrants to the Blackstone valley has left a strong Rhode Island legacy. See and hear their story. Lunch will follow at River Island Park behind the Museum. Capt Wilbur Kelly House Museum. View a preserved section of the historic Blackstone Canal that was once used for transportation and today a segment of the Blackstone River Bike Path. Slater Mill Historic Site, Pawtucket . Tour three historical buildings, with a costumed interpreter, that were the seeds of the American Industrial Revolution. Return CCRI, Warwick.

Tour 24: Haunted Sites of Rhode Island

Tour well known haunted sites throughout the state of Rhode Island with paranormal investigator/author Thomas D’Agostino. From Pawtucket to Middletown and Glocester to North Kingstown, Tom and his wife will give insight to Haunted Rhode Island with stories, and accounts of haunted places across Rhode Island. D’Agostino has investigated the paranormal for over twenty-five years and has written accounts of haunted places throughout New England. His books include “Haunted Rhode Island,” “A Guide to Haunted New England” and “Abandoned Villages and Ghost Towns of New England”.

8:30 am Depart CCRI

9:30 am Cherry Tree Festival May Breakfast – Modern M Condominium Central Falls

Other sites will include The Monastery and Nine Men’s Misery, Tavern on Main in Glocester, Ramtail in Foster, Devil Foot’s Walk in North Kingstown, Brenton Point in Newport and Purgatory Chasm in Middletown. Some walking is required and comfortable shoes should be worn.

4:30 pm Return to CCRI in Warwick

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