2 Rhode Island 5-star attractions in 1 day: East Bay Bike Path and WaterFire

A quick recap of a glorious summer day.

Three of us biked the entire 14-mile East Bay Bike Path, from Providence’s India Point Park (or at least the ferry dock) to Bristol (another ferry) and back. Lots of water views. Plus we hit some residential roads in between, reaching a few beaches along the way (even if we didn’t go in the water).

Really, water is everywhere.

A beautiful trail, just as we discovered nine years ago.

And of course there was an ice cream stop. Even if I didn’t take a photo.

Actually, there are so many food options, from the nothing-fancy Sip ‘n Dip coffee shop where we got some donuts just before trying to board the ferry in Bristol, to the supermarket along the trail in Barrington to restaurants within easy reach.

And I did take photos of a few sculptures along the way:

In the evening we drove into Providence, caught up briefly with some of friends of mine, and then headed to WaterFire, this wild event where fire pits on the river are filled with wood, set alight and then refilled to keep feeding the flames. Thousands of people line the river, almost more like a canal, to gaze at the flames for free. And kayakers paddle all around (that part isn’t free for them).

I swear the fire at one point smelled sweet, like a s’more.

WaterFire seems to happen about every six weeks this summer (of course that could change any year), so plan your trip accordingly.

And if you want to take the ferry, whether from Providence or Bristol, to Newport and the mansions, also plan accordingly.

Only 10 bikes allowed. You now have to reserve your bike spot … we didn’t know that last part so our bigger plan of biking from Barrington to the ferry in Bristol, going to Newport and biking along Ocean Drive near the OTT Gilded Age mansions, taking the ferry to Providence and biking back to Barrington quickly fell apart.

We forgive you, Lisa. I guess we will have to come back.

More Rhode Island biking: Rhode Island’s 5-star Washington Secondary Trail: Car-free from near Connecticut to the outskirts of Providence