Travelogue: Rhode Island and Connecticut Getaway

 

August 8-10, 2025, a quick getaway to Rhode Island and Connecticut with my son and sister.

 

Mystic, Connecticut was our first stop. It has a charming and quaint New England atmosphere, still retaining a laid-back small-town vibe despite the multitude of tourists sampling Mystic Pizza (as popularized in the movie). The rich maritime history, combined with picturesque waterfront views, makes this town a popular destination and a quick getaway.

Newport in Rhode Island is renowned for its opulent mansions, such as The Breakers and Marble House, which served as the summer "cottages" for the ultra-rich and famous during the late 19th century, as dramatized in the "Gilded Age" HBO drama. 

The grand dame of these mansions is the Breakers, where the Vanderbilt family lived lavishly in this breathtaking display of grandeur and wealth. The 70-room mansion attracts many visitors who are dazzled by its architecture and interior decorations, featuring marbled floors, gilded high-vaulted ceilings, walnut and platinum-leafed panels, alabaster arches and columns, crystal chandeliers (probably costing more than my annual salary), and mahogany and oak furniture. 

So amazing how the other half lives. I am sure that all the other visitors fantasized about being one of the Vanderbilt children. Maybe this is where Anderson Cooper vacationed as a child. There is an inscription on the fireplace that was imported from a 16th-century French chateau:  "I laugh at great wealth, and never miss it; nothing but wisdom matters in the end." I strongly disagree with this; who in their right mind will laugh at wealth?

Providence has a vibrant arts and culture scene, a charming small town that was the setting for the American medical drama of the same name, which ran from 1999 to 2002. Chantal Krevaziuk crooned a whimsical version of the Beatles' "In My Life".

Providence is steeped in art and history. Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design attract students from all over, adding to the “happening vibe” of this place.

A must-see attraction is the WaterFire, an award-winning outdoor sculpture installation by local artist Barnaby Evans. We were lucky to catch the event during our visit. The iron braziers along the three rivers in downtown Providence were lit with small bonfires. The banks along the rivers were filled with people, a la Times Square. The scheduled evening event began at sunset with a ceremonial gong and music to hype the bonfire lighting. It was magical.

River Boat Tour

We took a scenic boat tour along the Providence River, with the boat captain narrating the historic milestones and pointing out the nautical and architectural highlights of Providence. It was interesting to learn that the Providence River Bridge was constructed elsewhere in North Kingston before the entire bridge span was placed on barges and floated into its final location. Voila, a new bridge.

Yale University

We also stopped by Yale University, a private Ivy League University in New Haven, Connecticut. Famous alumni include the two Presidents Bush (Senior and Junior), Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Jodie Foster.

Food trip

Of course, wherever we travel, food beckons. We dined at Il Massimo (Italian), Dolores  (Mexican) at Hope Street, Sherkaan (delicious Indian food), and bought PVD donuts home.

One funny thing happened. As we were driving from the WaterFire, traffic stopped because of a runaway turkey. The driver in front of us tried to coax the turkey to move out of the road, as the pedestrians on the sidewalk shouted encouragements (as if the turkey could understand). I was able to pass by Mr. Turkey. Fortunately, I saw him in my rearview mirror as he successfully reached the sidewalk, where a gaggle of pedestrians were ready to welcome him.