Rhode Island may be a small state, but as far as attractions go, it's big on things to do. You can spend a weekend in a charming seaside town, attend one of the many summer festivals in Newport, explore the rolling countryside near the Connecticut and Massachusetts borders, or just find a beach and chill out for a while. Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, as is the state's full name, is the smallest state in the Union, with just 1,045 square miles of land area. This compact size works to the visitor's advantage, however, making it easy to hit all the desired attractions on their respective list. And while you're making your way about here, you are going to, at some point, likely need to depend on the Rhode Island hotels to rest your weary head. No need to worry. The Rhode Island hotels provide a full assortment of lodging options, from small cottages, to luxurious hotels. Here's a look at some possible destinations in the Ocean State, and the kind of Rhode Island hotels you can expect to find at each.

Rhode Island's largest city is Providence. Providence has been on an upward climb in the latter years, making the city more of a joy to visit than ever. Recent improvements include the restoration of older buildings, the building-up of the riverfronts, new hotels, a large shopping mall, and a revitalized business district. The Downtown Arts District is a pleasure to explore, and when you get hungry, the city's up-and-coming dining scene offers attractive dishes that will inevitably cost less than in the nearby larger cities of Boston and New York City. Partly due to the city's 12 schools of higher learning, Providence boasts some pretty lively nightlife, and the city hosts a number of yearly events. When it comes to choosing Providence RI hotels, you might select one of the luxurious and large downtown hotels, or spend a romantic weekend in a bed and breakfast. For discount Rhode Island lodging, there are a good amount of budget Providence RI hotels off of the area highway exits. During special college weekends, the inns and motels in the area to not only fill up, but raise their rates as well. On the southern edge of Providence's metropolitan area, the city of Warwick is a consideration for lodging, as the Warwick hotels have suitable options for any budget. Warwick has nice beaches, plenty of shoreline recreation, a good amount of colonial history, and small town charm. The state's primary airport in located here, meaning there are some good choices for mid-priced airport Warwick hotels.

The second largest city in Rhode Island is the "Gilded Age" city of Newport, which is found on Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay. You can get to Newport by ferry, or drive over one of the 3 bridges that connects the island to the rest of the state. Newport is known for its ornate mansions, the bulk of which can be found lining the coastline. Also known as a yachting city, boating here is a very popular activity. Some of the main attractions in Newport are undoubtedly the mansions, such as the Marble House and The Breakers. It's never a bad idea to check out the exhibits at the Newport Art Museum, or learn about the city at the Museum of Newport History. Newport's festivals are part of the city's identity as well, and among the more notable is the summertime Newport Music Festival. The hotels in Newport are known to raise their summer rates, so come at any other time, and you might only pay half of the summer cost. While Newport exhibits a wealthy identity, the city is mostly middle class, and there are many affordable hotels in Newport. Even during the busiest times of the season, the numerous bed and breakfasts and inns provide available rooms. From the luxury hotels in Newport, to the city's choices for Rhode Island budget hotels, you can find the right accommodations when visiting. Some of the Rhode Island budget hotels and motels can be found in nearby Middletown.

Rhode Island Map

If you are looking for a good base in the north part of the state, the city of Woonsocket is of worthy consideration. From Woonsocket, it's just 16 miles into Providence, so both city's attractions can easily be enjoyed when you stay at one of the Woonsocket hotels. The Blackstone River Valley is a major draw for Woonsocket visitors, as is the unique Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The Woonsocket hotels aren't exactly numerous, but there are choices for a nice mid-priced hotel, or discount Rhode Island lodging here. If you want to get away from it all in Rhode Island, you might head to the southern coast and take a ferry to Block Island. Some of the best Rhode Island beaches can be found here, as well as migrating birds, pleasant rolling hills and some nice Rhode Island hotels. Most of the Block Island hotels are located in the small town of Old Harbor. When you visit Block Island, you can select from a varied accommodations list, with options being full-service hotels, inns, guest houses, bed and breakfasts and cottages or apartments. One of the best beaches found on the state's more than 400 miles of coastline is East Beach, located on the southern shore of the mainland. East Beach is a state park with 3 miles of undeveloped beaches. Camping is popular on the Barrier Islands around here, and you can find some nice Rhode Island hotels in nearby Charlestown. From upscale inns, to charming bed and breakfasts, the Charlestown hotels have you close to all that the southern coast has to offer. There are some nice inns in Charlestown, a couple options for Rhode Island budget hotels, and overall, the choices here are pretty unique.

Regardless of where you make your base in Rhode Island, you are close to everything the state has to offer. No more than an hour in your car is what you will spend heading from destination to destination, and you can always know that the beaches aren't far away. Throughout the state, you will find a healthy number of small town bed and breakfasts and inns, and primarily off the major roadways, you should have no problem finding Rhode Island budget hotels. Discount Rhode Island lodging is made possible through vacation packages, and off-season deals, and it never hurts to ask a manager or concierge for any chances to save extra. So, come to Rhode Island, see it all, and always have a great place to stay.