Advertise with us
Visit Rhode Island

Science and Nature

Science & Nature - RI Statewide

Rhode Island has many places and opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature (maybe learn a little, too) at wildlife preserves, bird santuaries, nature trails,and state parks.

19 places to visit

  • Jamestown, RI

    Watson Farm

    Started in 1796, this working farm is set on 265 acres and features cattle, sheep, horses, chickens, and a garden. Trails and self-guided tours take visitors on a trip through the history and seasonal cycles of the farm. School programs and demonstrations are available. Open seasonally.

    455 North Road 401-423-0005
    Visit website

  • Block Island (New Shoreham), RI

    Rodman's Hollow

    This 230-acre glacial outwash basin, located in the southwest part of the island, is considered the birthplace of conservation on Block Island. Walk down Black Rock Road off of Cooneymus Road. About 0.25 miles down on your left, you will see a wooden gate and turnstile marking the trail entrance. Bear left, where the trail splits to traverse the bottom of the Hollow (where you can also access a trail leading to Fresh Pond); bear right to ascend a knoll with a wonderful panoramic vista. The trails intersect again to return to Black Rock Road. If you turn left and continue down the road, you can access the beach via a trail down the bluff.
    Directions: Turn onto Walk down off of Cooneymus Road. About 0.25 miles down on the left there is a turnstile at the head of the trail. The trail soon splits. Bear left to traverse the bottom of the Hollow; walk right to ascend a hill with a giant vista.
    Information: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/rodmans-hollow/
    Black Rock Road 401-446-2129

  • Little Compton, RI

    Sakonnet Point

    Sakonnet Point is an ideal location for bird watching. The Sakonnet Point Lighthouse can be seen from the beach at the point, but is not open to the public.

  • Little Compton, RI

    Tunipis Pond

    Another good bird watching spot, particularly for the wide variety of duck species that collect there.

  • Middletown, RI

    Norman Bird Sanctuary

    This 450-acre refuge includes several wildlife habitats and seven miles of trails. The site also houses an on-site museum, educational area, and small gift shop. Spring and fall bird walks are held. Lots of activities for kids and families in the outdoors and in nature. - Trail Map (PDF)
    Hours: Open Daily 9am - 5pm. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas.
    583 Third Beach Road 401-846-2577
    Visit website

  • Middletown, RI

    Purgatory Chasm

    A geological phenomenon caused by a thin crack in the ledges on the east side of Easton Point. The fissure has formed over the centuries due to erosion from the sea.
    Purgatory Road 401-847-7565

  • Middletown, RI

    Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

    Very near to Newport, this national site is a haven for many types of shore birds, and very popular with Southern New England bird watchers.
    Sachuest Point Road 401-364-9124

  • Prudence Island, RI

    Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

    National environmental preserve with a self-guided hiking trail and guided nature walks. The park has a picnic area, swimming, and boating areas. Prudence Island is accessible via a ferry from Bristol, RI (dock is off Thames St. near Rockwell Park).
    Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day, dawn to dusk.
    55 S. Reserve Drive 401-683-6780
    Visit website

  • Tiverton, RI

    Sapowet Marsh Wildlife Management Area

    This typical coastline habitat is home to several species of game birds and is stocked with ring-necked pheasant. The area also supports a wide variety of songbirds, shore birds, and wading birds. Great spots for bird watching.
    Puncatest Road

  • Burrillville, RI

    Black Hut Wildlife Management Area

    This preserve covers 1,548 acres of forest, wetlands, and farmland. The area contains many observation points.
    Spring Lake Road 401-568-4300

  • Burrillville, RI

    Buck Hill Management Area

    This wildlife management area offers observation of birds, fox, coyote, and others. Parts of the area are designed specifically for wildlife farming fields and food growth regions. Map of Buck Hill Management Area.
    Buck Hill Road
    Visit website

  • Glocester, RI

    Durfee Hill Wildlife Management Area

    This wildlife area is home to both game and non-game wildlife, including deer, rabbits, muskrat, and coyote. Hunters will find wild turkey, pheasant, and more in season.
    Route 94

  • East Providence, RI

    Watchamocket Cove

    Another area bird-watching site, ideal for winter spotting of gulls and widgeons.

  • Newport, RI

    Dutch Island Wildlife Management Avenue

    This island's 94 acres of scrub and forest provide an opportunity to observe the coastal ecosystem. Several species of waterbirds, shorebirds, and wading birds can be found there. Access to the island by boat only.

  • Bristol, RI

    Prudence and Patience Islands Wildlife Management Area

    While smaller areas are part of both parks listed above, Prudence and Patience Islands are a refuge for a wide variety of bird and mammal species. Prudence Island is known for its popularity for migrating birds and presents excellent opportunities for bird watching. Ticks are plentiful on these islands so use insect repellant and dress accordingly. Accessible only by boat.
    Narragansett Bay

  • Providence, RI

    Museum of Natural History and Cormack Planetarium

    Rhode Island's only natural history museum and home to the state's only planetarium make this a great place to visit and thing to do, especially on your next family vacation with children. The museum offers regular exhibits, events, and attractions. The Planetarium features a state-of-the-art Zeiss star projector and an enlarged domed ceiling on which the stars are projected. Children under age 4 are not permitted into the planetarium.
    Hours: Museum open Friday - Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with last admission at 3:30 p.m. The planetarium is open on Saturdays and Sundays, and the show is at 2 p.m.
    Admission: Museum admission is $2 (does not include planetarium; free for members and children under age 4); planetarium tickets are $5 and must be purchased online (ticket sales are final and ticketholders cannot enter the planetarium once the show has begun).
    Information: www.providenceri.com/museum.
    Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue 401-680-7221

  • Block Island, RI

    Greenway Trails of Block Island with the Block Island Nature Conservancy

    Formed by glaciers nearly 10,000 years ago, Block Island features a diverse array of habitats. Maritime shrubland, beaches and open morainal grasslands support more than 40 state and federal rare or endangered species, including the globally endangered American burying beetle. Birds stop here while migrating in the spring and fall along the Atlantic Flyway. There are approximately 25 miles of walking trails on Block Island open to the public, free of charge. Places of interest on Block Island include Clay Head Preserve off Corn Neck Road, the Fresh Swamp Preserve, off Lakeside Drive, Hodge Family Wildlife Preserve, off Corn Neck Road, Nathan Mott Park off Center Road and Turnip Farm off Old Mill Road, and Rodman's Hollow, Black Rock Road off of Cooneymus Road. Information: http://bit.ly/FPYM3m
    Office at 352 High Street 401-466-2129

  • Providence, RI

    Roger Williams Park Botanical Center

    The botanic garden is housed in a glass-and-steel-edged conservatory on the southeastern side of the park. Seasonal plants, delightful getaway. The park also features a rose garden which is located on the western side near the Elmwood Ave. entrance.
    Floral Avenue 401-785-9450
    Visit website

  • Jamestown, RI

    Beavertail State Park

    This beautiful park on a high promontory overlooking Narragansett Bay is hemmed by a rocky coastline and lots of opportunities to study life of the tide pools. The Park operates a naturalist program for adults and kids to learn about tide pools and local geology, intertidal ecology, fish life and marine mammals.
    Beavertail Road 401-884-9834
    Visit website