Rhode Island Parks & Gardens

Rhode Island Parks & Gardens

Colt State Park
Route 114, Bristol, RI  02809

• A 464-acre state park on the shore of Narragansett Bay, with 4 miles of hiking & biking trails, gardens, 10 playing fields and 6 picnic groves.
• Fishing, concerts & naturalist programs are available in season.
• Hours: Year-round. Free. (401) 253-7482

Governor Stephen Hopkins House
15 Hopkins St., Providence, RI  02903

• Stephen Hopkins was one of Rhode Island’s signers of the Declaration of Independence, and elected Governor of the state a record 10 times.
• Hopkins also served as the Chancellor of Brown University, and resided in this colonial home, originally constructed in 1707, but enlarged in 1743.
• The house is a National Historic Landmark, and contains historic items of note, furniture and an 18th century parterre garden. George Washington slept there — twice.
• Open: April – December, Wed and Sat, 1-4 p.m. Tours also by appointment. (401)751-1008  (401) 751-1758

Green Animals Topiary Gardens
Cory’s Lane off Route 114, Portsmouth, RI  02871

• The gardens have more than six dozen trees and shrubs, immaculately groomed and sculpted, some in the shape of animals. Also features fruit trees, flower beds, and a rose arbor.
• The gardens are the site of a Victorian toy museum
• Hours: May 24 – October 12, 2008, open daily at 10 a.m.; last tour admission at 5 p.m.; close at 6 p.m. Schedule is subject to change; call 401-847-1000 for more information.
• Newport Mansions Preservation Society

Whitehall Museum House
311 Berkeley Avenue, Middletown, RI 02842-5392

• 5 miles from downtown Newport  set on the remnants of an eighteenth century farm.
• Its first resident, Dean George Berkeley, enlarged the first dwelling to become a country manor house in 1729.
• Newport Garden Club continues to help with weeding and maintenance
• Open: Daily, July 1 through Labor Day: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Other times by appointment.  Closed: Mondays.
• Tours are welcome. (401) 846-3116 or (401) 847-7951

General James Mitchell Varnum House
57 Peirce Street, East Greenwich, RI  02818

• James Mitchell Varnum was one of George Washington’s generals.
• His mansion was built in 1773, and visitors can enjoy the Colonial garden, the paneled walls, and period furnishings
• Hours: June-August, Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Donations suggested. (401) 884-1776

Hunter House
54 Washington Street, Newport, RI  02840

• Manicured Colonial-style gardens.
• The mansion is one of the finest examples of Georgian Colonial architecture from Newport’s “golden age” in the mid-18th century.
• (401) 847-1000 or (401) 847-7516 for information and tour hours.

Blithewold Gardens and Arboretum

Bristol, RI

• Located on Narragansett Bay, 25 minutes east of Providence and 60 minutes south of Boston
• Blithewold is one of the finest garden estates in New England.
• Diverse gardens, specimen trees, and a 45-room English style manor house
• The Gardens & Grounds: Year-round daily 10 am to 5 pm. Check website for more info.

Hammersmith Farm and Terrace Gardens

(Privately Owned Newport Mansion-They may give tours.) Newport, RI

Kinney Azalea Gardens

2391 Kingstown Road, Kingston, Rhode Island 02881

Tagged as: NE Private Trust Gardens