"Hunt Slonem: Nature Resplendent" Exhibit
Midday gallery escape featuring vibrant, luminous butterfly and exotic bird works by renowned neo-expressionist artist Hunt Slonem.
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Things to do in Rhode island with friends
What's on in Rhode island this week — the spots locals are packing, buzzy restaurants, and weekend plans worth texting the group chat about.
10 hand-picked things to do in Rhode island right now · 6 with confirmed dates
How we pick spots for a group
- Buzzy, higher-energy rooms that take a crowd
- What's on right now over evergreen tourist stops
- Bookable tables and shared plates a group can split
🌊 Happening Today
Wednesday evening plans across Rhode Island
Plan a friends trip to Rhode island
Tell us who's going and WonderKit drafts three Rhode island trip ideas in about a minute — free, and you see them before creating an account.
🦞 Eat & Drink
New spots, patios, and seasonal bites
Matunuck Oyster Bar
Waterside dining overlooking Potter Pond, serving hyper-local pond-grown oysters and just-caught swordfish harvested by their own aquaculture farm.
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Gift Horse
Buzzy raw bar and kitchen in downtown Providence highlighting New England coastal ingredients, creative crudo plates, and coastal-inspired cocktails.
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⛵ This Weekend in Rhode island
Top coastal festivals and events for July 24–26
Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams
Legendary three-day historic music celebration on Narragansett Bay featuring world-class artists, ocean breezes, and iconic seaside stages.
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Yellow Cup Weekend Outdoor Festival
High-energy outdoor community festival featuring live DJs, cultural food trucks, and vibrant summer celebrations along the waterfront.
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Food Truck Friday at Roger Williams Park
Kick off the weekend under the elms with over a dozen gourmet food trucks, local craft beer on tap, and live evening acoustic sets.
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✨ New & Notable
Limited-run experiences and upcoming culinary milestones
Providence Restaurant Weeks 20th Anniversary
Get ready for the state's premier two-week culinary celebration kicking off this Sunday, featuring special prix fixe menus across nearly 80 top restaurants.
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"A Bug's World" at Roger Williams Park Zoo
Immersive summer zoo exhibition featuring life-sized animatronic insects, from supersized caterpillars to giant beetles set amidst lush zoo pathways.
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🚗 Quick Escape
Weekend trips within a 2-hour drive of Rhode Island
Historic Mystic Seaport & Coastal Village
A breezy 45-minute drive west to Connecticut’s coast. Explore historic tall ships, wander maritime museums, and grab fresh lobster rolls right on the Mystic River.
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Rockport & Gloucester Artisan Coast
Head 90 minutes north past Boston to Cape Ann's dramatic granite coast. Tour working lighthouses, browse Bearskin Neck art galleries, and enjoy fried clams by the harbor.
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Frequently asked
What are the best things to do in Rhode island with friends?
Group-friendly highlights in Rhode island right now include "Hunt Slonem: Nature Resplendent" Exhibit, Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams, and Yellow Cup Weekend Outdoor Festival. WonderKit updates this guide daily so plans stay current.
Where do locals go out in Rhode island?
The "Eat & Drink" section above lists buzzy restaurants and bars in Rhode island — the spots locals are actually packing this week.
Where's the best nightlife in Rhode island?
Check the sections above for current events, buzzy bars, and weekend plans in Rhode island worth texting the group chat about.
Plan a friends trip to Rhode island
Tell us who's going and WonderKit drafts three Rhode island trip ideas in about a minute — free, and you see them before creating an account.