Tour Rhode Island - May 2, 2009

Tour Rhode Island is an opportunity for Rhode Islanders to be toursists in their home state. We have compiled 24 exciting itineraries that cover every corner of the Ocean State. To order tickets, call AAA of Southern New England at 877-874-7845. Membership in AAA is not required to book tickets. All tours depart from the Community College of Rhode Island Knight Campus in Warwick on May 2, 2009. Lunch and all admissions are included in ticket price.

Price: $40 for adults, $30 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 2. Please provide your email to AAA 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.

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 Whole Foods Market. Your choices are:

Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella and Basil Sandwich: Featuring vine ripened tomatoes, RI’s Own Narragansett Creamery Mozzarella and fresh basil with extra virgin olive oil
The "Italian:" Made with thinly sliced Prosciutto di Parma, sweet sopressata, genoa salami, provolone, lettuce, onion, tomato and our own homemade sweet and spicy pepper relish
Herb Turkey: All natural Applegate Herb Turkey Breast(no nitrites/nitrates), creamy havarti cheese, roasted garlic, lettuce and tomato

The catered box lunch will also include:

365 Everday Value Whole Foods Market brand Potato Chips
365 Everday Value Whole Foods Market brand Assorted Sodas or water
Locally made baked good
Whole fruit or seasonal fruit offering

2009 Tour Rhode Island Itineraries

Tour 1: Block Island Highlights

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 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.

Tour 2: Block Island Highlights

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.

Tour 3: Block Island Highlights

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.

Tour 4: Warwick Yesterday Tour

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. Step back in time and discover Warwick's rich history, beginning with a May breakfast, a tradition started by Quakers in 1867. Next on the agenda is a visit to Warwick’s unique Aldrich Mansion. Built in 1896 during the "Golden Age", this majestic mansion is situated on seventy five acres of sprawling land with breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay, and just down the road from Warwick Neck Lighthouse. This amazing 51-foot lighthouse was built in 1827 and has the distinction of being the last traditional operational lighthouse built in Rhode Island.

Traveling further back in time is a tour down the cobble stone streets of historic Pawtuxet Village where in 1772 the British schooner, HMS Gaspee was burned in protest of British taxes. This historic event that took place before the Boston Tea Party, is truly "America’s First Blow For Freedom". And while in Pawtuxet Village, lunch and scenic tours will be provided.

After lunch, we’ll be visiting Warwick Historical Society which is a local treasure in itself. This amazing home has been turned into a museum where you can read, touch and examine historical artifacts. The day will be filled with local treats and a surprise stop to keep your energy levels high. As we near the end of our day, we’re going to visit the site where the "stars" land at TF Green Airport. So put on your walking shoes and bring a camera as you step back into yesteryear for a tour you will be talking about for a long time to come.

Tour 5: Warwick Today Tour

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. If you’ve experienced TourRI in the past, you know all about Warwick’s history. Now you can experience present-day Warwick as well as learn about plans for its exciting future. A hearty breakfast will fortify you for a day of fun. Then it’s off to TF Green Airport to learn about the interesting past and exciting future of the facility. Next on the agenda will be the Oakland Beach Carousel Foundation where the past is being recreated for the future. The pride of workmanship by all the volunteer artists that are participating in this ambitious undertaking is very evident and has to be seen to be appreciated.

When you think of Warwick, you may think of shopping. If you think the malls are the only place to shop, well think again, because we’re off to a pottery shop, a country store, specialty gifts and more, all in a quaint village that is in the process of getting a whole new look. So, are you hungry yet? We hope so, because lunch will be at a surprise location that is sure to please. And if you have a sweet tooth, you are in luck because the delicacies at our next stop will keep you coming back for more. The new Warwick Fire Station visit is a highlight that is sure to please.

As we know, all good things must come to an end, and we'll end with a taste of Warwick Ice Cream, a local treat since 1927. So put on your walking shoes, bring a camera and an empty stomach as this tour is guaranteed to have something for everyone.

Tour 6: Favorite Pastimes of the Blackstone Valley

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. We will head to Central Falls and take a river boat tour aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer in the Valley Falls Wilderness Area. Enjoy pastry and coffee while exploring the Urban Preserve in search of wildlife. After the boat ride, 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 7: Blackstone Valley Sampler

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:15 a.m. Our first stop will take the group to the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Pawtucket. View the award-winning movie “Hidden in the Blackstone” and enjoy a complimentary coffee and pastry with shopping at the Slater Mill Gift Shop. From there we will tour three historical buildings at Slater Mill in Pawtucket with a costumed interpreter and learn about the seeds of the American Industrial Revolution.

From there we head to Hearthside for a tour of one of the finest examples of Federal period homestead, hosted by period costumed “Friends of Hearthside.” For lunch we will visit the Valentine Whitman House, one of just a few surviving "stone-end" houses built in the 17th century. Whitman was a friend of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island. After lunch, 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 will then tour an amazing 1877 schoolhouse, the Little Red School House in North Smithfield, before heading over to 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 8: 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'll 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 next door 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. Next we will travel to a newly restored county chapel that was erected by locals in 1859, the Smithfield Union House.

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 9: 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.

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. The tour will then drive-by the Ruben Mason Home in Glocester, which during the Dorr Rebellion in 1842, was designated as a field hospitaly by the state militia.

For lunch, we will stop at Burrillville's Spring Lake Arcade where folks can play vintage arcade games. The group will then head to Central Falls and experience a river tour aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer through the Valley Falls Wilderness Area.

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 10: South County Treasures & Keepsakes

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. South County is home to an abundance of historical treasures and resources around every corner. From pristine coastline, farmland, forests, fresh water ponds, meandering rivers and forested wetlands to scenic coastal communities, beautiful, historic homes, and amazing architecture, it also provides a glimpse of what defines our heritage and way of life. We invite you to explore your backyard, learn from all that has been protected and preserved and take home the stories and sights of Rhode Island’s history.

The first stop, at the head of the Pettaquamscutt River, is the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace Museum. As the family’s dwelling place, it was also a place of industry. View reproductions of the works of one of America’s foremost portrait painters, watch the oldest snuff mill in America and tour the authentically restored and furnished workingman’s home. Enjoy a special presentation of the annual Herring Run, explained by a representative from DEM, and view the famous waterwheels as you walk the historic grounds and gardens.

Next, we visit the South County Museum in Narragansett, a 174-acre town park that was the 19th-century estate of Rhode Island's Civil War-era governor and post-war senator, William Sprague. Jump into the past where you’ll explore 22,000 artifacts and various aspects of working life on the sea and shore throughout Rhode Island. Lunch is at Wilcox Park, a beautifully landscaped, miniature replica of New York’s Central Park. Maintained by the Westerly Public Library, it has unique species of trees, a dwarf conifer collection and perennial and annual flower beds. After a driving tour of downtown, historic Westerly, enjoy a stop at the Westerly Armory, one of 18 historic armories in Rhode Island and one of the 5 ½ designed by the architectural firm of William R. Walker & Son. Built in 1901, it served as home to the various military units in Rhode Island and now displays a variety of community and military memorabilia to preserve community, state, and national history.

Our last stop is 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. It later became the home of Orlando Smith, discoverer of the famed Westerly Granite in 1846.

Tour 11: South County Heroes & Settlers

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. South County has long been recognized as a cultural center of the state. Buildings and homes from the seventeenth century and beyond, landscapes on which we still stand, shed legends and tales of early settlers, war heroes and America’s founding fathers. As their lives have served with creative expression, dignity, enterprise and honor, they have carved Rhode Island’s proud heritage, community and tradition. This tour invites you to step back in time, appreciating the past and celebrating those influences that reflect today.

Our first stop is the General Nathanael Greene Homestead in Coventry. A Revolutionary War hero, 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. Explore the yard and eight display rooms, filled with period furnishings and Greene family memorabilia.

Next, we visit the Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum, located in Arcadia Village, Exeter. Through this guided tour, learn the culture and tradition of local Native American Indians, with a musical presentation by students from Nuweetooun School. Sample Native American food and browse the many significant exhibits showcasing their history. Enjoy lunch at the scenic Arcadia Management Area, Rhode Island’s largest management area. Covering 13,814-acres of forests, ponds and hiking trails, it also provides beautiful picnic areas en route to our next stop, Kenyon’s Grist Mill.

In the heart of the quaint village of Usquepaugh, the Queens River provides a picturesque setting for this historic mill that dates back to the early 1700s. As a supplier of a variety of meals, flours, mixes and baking items, you will be able to sample their johnny cakes, one of Rhode Island’s best known staples. Drink locally roasted coffee, learn about single pass stone grinding and traditional techniques passed down from the Native Americans.

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 re-enactment of encampment as 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.

Tour 12: 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 Governor Henry Lippit House Museum, the only intact authentic example of original 19th century high style Victorian decoration in Providence.

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.

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 13: 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 class presented by the New England Wine School. Learn about the characteristics of wine and how to pair wines with food. Your class will be held at the 3 Steeple Street Bistro.

Tour 14: East Bay Mansions and More

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. The day begins with a spin on the Looff Carousel at Crescent Park, designated as one of American’s finest example of preserved folk-art. Later, enjoy a tour of the Audubon Society’s Environmental Education Center, situated on the twenty-five-acre Claire D. McIntosh 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.

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.

Next it’s off to 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.

A short drive brings you to 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.

Later, Mount Hope Farm is 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.

Historic architecture and coastal inlets are around every corner along your journey to Colt Park, where breathtaking seascapes, stone fenced fields and rolling meadows await you. Before leaving the East Bay, discover Coggshall Farm, an early 18th century farm that is still operated with traditional equipment.

Tour 15: East Bay Historic Treasures

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Everyone is a child again as you begin your the day with a ride on the Looff Carousel at Crescent Park, East Providence, one of two Looff carousels remaining in Rhode Island. Next, the Maxwell House 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.

Later, enjoy a boxed lunch and tour of 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 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. A short drive brings you to 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.

Then it's time to discover Coggshall Farm, an early 18th century farm that is still operated with traditional tools. Before leaving the East Bay experience the historic architecture and coastal inlets that are around every corner along your journey to Colt Park, where breathtaking seascapes, stone fenced fields and rolling meadows await you.

Tour 16: Newport County Tour - Jamestown

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Our first top is Watson Farm. This 265-acre site is a working farm in Jamestown that is home to heritage breeds of cattle, sheep, horses, chickens and a large garden. Enjoy a one hour walking tour of the farm with picturesque views of Jamestown's West Passage.

Depart Watson Farm for Jamestown Windmill, the Quaker Meeting House and Clancy Designs glassblowing studio. The group will split in half at this point and each will spend 30 minutes at the Quaker Meeting House/Jamestown Windmill and Clancy Designs. Built in 1787 and in operation until 1896, the old Jamestown Windmill stands high on Windmill Hill in the center of the island. The Quaker Meeting House, built in 1786-1787, has been open for Sunday worship every summer. Clancy Designs is a glass blowing studio featuring hand-blown functional and fun glassware. You’ll get to meet the artists, tour their beautiful workshop and experience the glass blowing process.

We will then head to Beavertail Lighthouse. The southernmost part of Conanicut Island (Jamestown) is known as Beavertail, for its shape on the map. This rocky, windswept point looks south to the open Atlantic Ocean and separates the East and West Passages of Narragansett Bay. It has hosted beacons and lighthouses since at least 1705. The current lighthouse was built in 1856. Enjoy a boxed lunch from a local favorite, Spinnakers Café. You can also use this time to explore Beavertail and tour the Beavertail Museum.

Find out more about Jamestown history and folklore on a short drive through Jamestown to see the sites and homes that have made the island a popular vacation destination over the centuries. Take a guided walking tour down Narragansett Avenue where our museums, shops and restaurants are located. You’ll have free time afterwards to check out the shops and grab a snack if you like! Depart from East Ferry to go back to CCRI in Warwick.

Tour 17: 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 a tour of The Elms was a summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Julius Berwind of Philadelphia and New York. The house is modeled after the mid-18th century French chateau d'Asnieres (c.1750) outside Paris. Construction of The Elms was completed in 1901 at a cost reported at approximately $1.4 million. In 1996, The Elms was designated a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy a scenic coach tour of Ocean Drive before departing for CCRI in Warwick.

Tour 18: 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.

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. 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. 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 19: Newport County Tour - Tiverton and Little Compton

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Your visit to Rhode Island’s historic Farm Coast area will begin with a stop at Arruda’s Dairy in Tiverton. Their Moniz farm was named Rhode Island’s Outstanding Dairy Farm of 2008 for their sustainable farming practices.This working dairy farm has been owned and operated by the Arruda/Moniz family since 1917. You will get a guided tour of this highly productive dairy operation. You’ll learn how the dairy produces its full line of milk products without bovine growth hormones. You’ll see the farm, calving barn, processing room and other sights and sounds of Arruda’s Dairy. Please dress appropriately as this is a working farm. Open-toed shoes are not advised and please bundle up if it’s cold – we’ll be outside.

Board the bus for the quick ride to historic Tiverton Four Corners. This small crossroads village dates to pre-Colonial times (it takes its name from the fact that in Colonial times, a public house or tavern could only be located, by law, at a crossroads!). Today, this quaint collection of 18th and 19th century buildings contains numerous small shops, art galleries and artisan food stores. You can stroll at your own pace around the Village, exploring the wonderful craftsmanship of dedicated young artists in their storefronts, walk down to the Mill Pond shops, or just find a quiet spot to enjoy the early Spring day. You may enjoy your box lunch in or around the Meeting House.* Oh, yeah, did we mention that Gray’s Ice Cream is right in the middle of town?

The Peckham family of Little Compton has its roots deeply planted in the Farm Coast. Several of the working farms in the area are owned and/or operated by one family member or another! At Peckham’s Green House, you can visit one of Rhode Island’s most extensive nurseries. See why southeastern Rhode Island farming is a passion and expertise to many! One of the most elegant farms in Little Compton is Sakonnet Vineyards, where 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. A little taste of the grape is a wonderful way to end your tour to the Farm Coast! Bus returns to CCRI in Warwick.

*In case of inclement weather, the bus will visit Fogland Beach on the Sakonnet Passage just a few minutes from the Meeting House, a restful and beautiful spot to enjoy your lunch.

Tour 20: Rhode Island’s Architectural Treasures

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Rhode Island boasts some amazing architecture spanning four centuries. Enjoy a day seeing some fine examples of buildings throughout various eras of our history. Please note: This tour will include stairs and extensive periods of walking.

Our first stop for the day will be Casey Farm in Saunderstown. This lovely farm was one of the original Providence Plantations (as in the State of Rhode Island and…) and is still a working farm. Today Casey Farm is part of the CSA movement (Community Supported Agriculture) and part of Historic New England.

Next we’ll visit one of the best known sites in the state, The Breakers Mansion, summer “cottage” of the Vanderbilt family. Arguably the most ornate home in Newport, The Breakers is one of the best examples of Gilded Age architecture in the country.

Our last site before lunch will be the Newport Colony House, Rhode Island’s first government building. The Declaration of Independence was read from it’s front steps, and it was a meeting site for the commission investigating the Gaspee Incident.

After lunch we will see one of the finest examples of Federal architecture in the state at the Samuel Whitehorne House. Since the house is small, we will split the group in two and take turns touring lower Thames Street and the house. Be sure to take note of the Townsend and Goddard furniture throughout the home.

Our final site on the way back to CCRI will be at Clouds Hill Farm Museum, one of the best Victorian Houses in the state. Clouds Hill has an interesting history in that it is passed down through descendants of the Slater Family to the daughters, in fact, you may meet the current owner on our tour today. Return to CCRI by 5pm.

Tour 21: Rhode Island's Universities - Special Places on the Campus

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Rhode Island is fortunate to be home to many excellent colleges and universities, and this tour will highlight a handful of special sites on campus.l of them.

Begin the day with a tour of Ochre Court, currently the administration offices for Salve Regina University in Newport. Built for Ogden Goelet in 1888-1892, as a Gothic masterpiece, this was Richard Morris Hunt’s first spectacular mansion design in Newport. The home was given to the Sisters of Mercy in 1947 who established Salve Regina, and it housed the entire school, including dorm space and classrooms.

We go from the elegant to the simple with our next stop at URI. The University of Rhode Island was established as the state’s agricultural school, so it’s fitting that we tour the original farm house and farm that established the school. Watson Farm has been restored and furnished in it’s 1790-1840 period, and is the oldest building on campus. Our URI stop also includes a visit to the Special Collections building.

Box lunches will be provided at the farm so you can enjoy the view and the farm a little longer.

Many Rhode Islanders know Johnson & Wales as one of the finest Hospitality and Culinary Schools in the nation, but did you know the university is also home to a museum? The Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Museum has been called the Smithsonian of Food and houses thousands of food related objects.

Our next stop is a very special treat - a tour of the John Hay Library at Brown University. The Hay houses the personal papers of John Hay, President Lincoln’s secretary and a Brown alum, as well as an extensive collection documents by and about Lincoln, not to mention 3,000 plus pieces related to HP Lovecraft.

The final site will be a visit to the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art and the brand new Chase Center which was opened this past October. A docent-led tour will show highlights of the museum’s collection, but be sure to save a minute to visit RISD Works- the museum’s shop that features original art work by students and alumni.

Tour 22: Spooky Rhode Island Legends

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Rhode Island has its share of spooky stuff that goes bump in the night, and this tour will investigate some of the legends. Led by Rory Raven, mentalist and author of Ghosts of Providence, it’s sure to be a fun day looking at Rhode Island’s darker side…

The first stop will be in Exeter where the group will hear the legend of Mercy Brown, Rhode Island vampire, from Dr. Michael Bell, state folklorist. Dr. Bell has written Food for the Dead, a book about Mercy and other NE vampire legends, so he’s certainly the expert. Learn how consumption wiped out families and was thought to be the work of dead relatives.

Our next romp will be at the Sprague Mansion in Cranston, now home of the Cranston Historical Society. The murder of Amasa Sprague, owner of the Cranston Print Works, and the subsequent investigation, arrest and execution of John Gordon ended the use of the death penalty in Rhode Island. Interestingly, it’s not John or Amasa that walks the halls of the Mansion. Is it Charlie, the butler?

After lunch, we’ll visit Warwick City Hall for a tour of the building with Bob Martin, who was interviewed on Ghost Hunters. Bob has photographed something that didn’t quite belong in the building, and there’s a rumor that the City Council Chambers have a resident ghost.

Finally, Rory will lead the group on a walking tour of Providence’s East Side, home of HP Lovecraft, creator of the science-fiction genre who featured buildings from the East Side in his tales of the macabre. Rory will also point out some of the places where ghosts have been “hanging around” for a while and spin the tales behind the legends.

Tour 23: Black Heritage Tour - Providence

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. Discover the rich and diverse history, culture and art of the Black Experience. An escorted, narrated driving and walking tour of central Providence’s historic Downtown and East Side communities. Also, on this tour you will visit an Underground Railroad landmark, historic homes and African American congregations. Walking level: MODERATE/ADVANCED

This all-day tour explores the communities and neighborhoods associated with Providence's African heritage. Through the lives of individuals who contributed to the political, cultural and social fabric of Rhode Island's history, you will gain a sense of the collective story, African American accomplishments and struggles.

The morning segment of the tour begins with a visit to the Providence’s waterfront district. The waterfront had significant ties to the international maritime routes for the slave trade and the Underground Railroad… we’ll visit India Point, Fox Point and Old Harbor, ports of entry for Africans and their descendants originating from West Africa and Cape Verde. With a break for lunch you’ll hear from a local community historian.

After lunch, we begin the final leg of this tour in the College Hill district. Here we will visit the area that was the epicenter of the Black community in the 1900s. We will follow the path which traces the contributions of Providence’s African-American citizens in education, business, religion, and the military life of the this community.

Tour 24: Black Heritage Tour - Bristol

Departs from CCRI in Warwick at 8:30 a.m. As depicted in the film Traces of the Trade: A Story From The Deep North, which recently premiered at Sundance Film Festival, Bristol was deeply involved in the slave trade, which brought tens of thousands of Africans to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. Bristol's DeWolf family prospered from the trade, sailing to West Africa with Bristol-made rum that they exchanged for slaves. Thousands of these captives were shipped to DeWolf-owned coffee plantations in the Caribbean while others were destined to be sold at auction in southern U.S. ports.

Remnants of Bristol's slave past and the DeWolf dynasty survive in Linden Place, the only remaining of the many DeWolf family mansions, and Bristol Harbor Inn and DeWolf Tavern, housed in the rum distillery from which barrels of rum were shipped to Africa. Walking tours take visitors through Linden Place and past Federal period mansions built from slave trade wealth on to the former rum distillery turned hotel. Tours by bus bring visitors to New Goree, an east Bristol settlement established by freed slaves and to the DeWolf cemetery where America's most notorious slave trader, Senator James DeWolf, is buried near the graves of Adua and Polydore, slaves whose story is told in the film Traces of the Trade.

After a half day in Bristol, the group will travel to Newport where Theresa Guzman Stokes will trace her family history, which dates back to 1769 Newport with the arrival of the Hays and Myers families, two of the original benefactors of Touro Synagogue. The Stokes family history is fascinating, punctuated with men and women of honor who stood for their beliefs and the rights of their fellow human beings. Travel back in time to Boston, the Confederate South, Harlem and then back to Newport with Theresa and see sites in Newport that are a part of the family’s heritage.