Nearly four centuries of practice have created a sophisticated ecosystem where overpriced attractions thrive like algae in a neglected fish tank.
I think the state motto should be “hope” as in “I hope this restaurant is better than it looks.”
Rhode Island has mastered the delicate balance of charging premium prices while delivering experiences that would make a gas station hot dog seem gourmet.
1. Mystery Tower, Newport, Rhode Island
This 28-foot stone tower sits in downtown Newport and has sparked wild theories for decades. Some claim Vikings built it, while others insist it was the Knights Templar or even Chinese explorers.
Nobody actually knows who constructed this thing or when. The mainstream theory suggests it was built in the mid-1600s as a colonial windmill.
You’re better off spending your time at Newport’s stunning mansions instead. The tower takes about 10 minutes to see everything, and there’s really not much to look at.
Why It’s On This List: Any attraction with “mystery” in its name is probably trying too hard to be interesting.
2. Red Parrot Restaurant, Newport, Rhode Island
This Thames Street restaurant has been around since 1993 and sits in a building from 1898. Locals consistently avoid this place, even though tourists flock here for dinner.
The prices are steep for what you get. You’ll pay premium rates for average food in a crowded, noisy atmosphere.
The service can be hit or miss depending on which server you get. Some nights you’ll wait forever, other nights it’s fine.
Why It’s On This List: When locals won’t eat somewhere, that’s usually a red flag for tourists.
3. Rosecliff Mansion, Newport, Rhode Island
This Newport mansion is part of the Preservation Society tour, but it’s the least impressive of all the grand estates. The house feels empty and sparse compared to The Breakers or Marble House.
The second floor has been turned into a museum display instead of showing original rooms. That’s why many visitors feel disappointed after paying full admission.
You’re better off visiting The Breakers first, then deciding if you want to see more mansions. Rosecliff should be your last choice, not your first.
Why It’s On This List: It’s the mansion that even mansion tour guides recommend skipping.
4. Ballard’s Beach Resort, Block Island, Rhode Island
This Block Island institution draws crowds who take the ferry just to drink and eat mediocre food. The restaurant serves some of the worst food on the island at inflated prices.
People literally get off the ferry, walk 1,000 feet to Ballard’s, get drunk, eat terrible food, and head back. Many end up needing bandages or crutches from Block Island Rescue.
The location right off the ferry makes it convenient, which is exactly why it’s a trap. Convenience doesn’t equal quality.
Why It’s On This List: When convenience is the main selling point, the food usually suffers.
5. Wright’s Farm Restaurant, Harrisville, Rhode Island
This family-style chicken dinner spot has been serving the same menu for over 50 years. The restaurant seats hundreds of people in a cafeteria-style setting.
The chicken dinners come with basic sides like french fries, coleslaw, and rolls. But here’s the catch – the portions are huge, but the quality is just okay.
You’ll wait in long lines for food that tastes like it was made for a school cafeteria. The atmosphere feels more like a wedding hall than a restaurant.
Why It’s On This List: Big portions don’t make up for bland, mass-produced food.
6. Iggy’s Doughboys, Multiple Locations, Rhode Island
These clam shacks are scattered across Rhode Island and have become tourist magnets. The original authentic feel has been lost as they’ve expanded to multiple locations.
The clam cakes often have more batter than actual clams. The chowder can taste like it was just made and hasn’t had time to develop flavor.
Locals still go to Iggy’s, but they know which locations to avoid. Tourists don’t have that inside knowledge.
Why It’s On This List: When a local institution expands too fast, quality usually takes a hit.
7. Newport Cliff Walk (Damaged Sections), Newport, Rhode Island
The famous 3.5-mile cliff walk has been plagued by collapses and closures in recent years. A 20-foot section collapsed in March 2022, and more sections have been closed since.
Winter storms and erosion have made parts of the walk dangerous. The city frequently closes sections due to sinkholes and cracking concrete.
You’re better off checking which sections are open before making the trip. Nothing ruins a vacation like finding out your main attraction is closed.
Why It’s On This List: An attraction that’s frequently closed isn’t much of an attraction.
8. Mohegan Bluffs Staircase, Block Island, Rhode Island
These dramatic bluffs are Block Island’s most photographed spot, but the staircase to the beach has been closed due to erosion. The bottom of the stairs was washed out, leaving a dangerous drop.
The stairs were just repaired in 2022, but they’re already closed again. Hundreds of tourists visit daily, only to find they can’t access the beach below.
That’s why you should call ahead before making the ferry trip to Block Island. The overlook at the top is still open, but that’s not what most people come to see.
Why It’s On This List: What good is a scenic staircase if you can’t use the stairs?
9. Chelo’s on the Water, East Greenwich, Rhode Island
This waterfront restaurant trades on its location rather than its food quality. The prices are high because of the water views, but the food doesn’t match the cost.
The service can be slow, especially during peak season when tourists pack the place.
You’ll pay premium prices for chain restaurant quality food.
The view is nice, but you can get better food and better value at dozens of other Rhode Island restaurants.
The location is doing all the work here.
Why It’s On This List: Pretty views don’t make up for overpriced, mediocre food.
10. Dewolf Tavern, Bristol, Rhode Island
This Bristol restaurant gets mentioned as wildly overrated by locals who know the area.
The tavern has a nice historic setting, but the food and service don’t live up to the hype.
Tourists see the historic building and waterfront location and assume it must be good. But here’s the deal – the kitchen can’t match the ambiance.
You’re better off exploring other Bristol restaurants that locals actually recommend. Don’t let the pretty building fool you into thinking the food will be equally impressive.
Why It’s On This List: When locals call a place “wildly overrated,” tourists should listen.
11. Scarborough State Beach, Narragansett, Rhode Island
This popular beach charges $14 for parking during peak season and gets absolutely packed with crowds.
The beach has limited facilities and the parking lot fills up by 10 AM on weekends.
You’ll spend more time looking for parking than enjoying the beach.
The sand gets so crowded that finding a spot for your blanket becomes a challenge.
Rhode Island has dozens of other beaches with better facilities and easier parking.
This one just happens to be the most advertised.
Why It’s On This List: Paying premium prices to fight crowds isn’t much of a vacation.
12. The Black Pearl, Newport, Rhode Island
This Bannister’s Wharf restaurant has been coasting on its reputation for decades.
The clam chowder won awards in the 1980s, but the quality has declined significantly since then.
The prices have gone up while the portions have gotten smaller.
You’ll pay $18 for a bowl of chowder that tastes like it came from a can.
That’s why locals avoid this place during tourist season. The restaurant knows tourists will pay high prices for mediocre food based on old reviews.
Why It’s On This List: Living off past glory doesn’t make current food taste any better.
13. Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, Rhode Island
This 40-acre zoo has been struggling with outdated exhibits and animal welfare concerns. Many enclosures look tired and need major updates.
The zoo charges $18 for adults but doesn’t offer the experience you’d get at larger, more modern facilities. Several exhibits are frequently closed for repairs or maintenance.
You’re better off visiting the nearby Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut or driving to Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. Both offer more for your money.
Why It’s On This List: Small, outdated zoos can’t compete with modern animal experiences.
14. Warwick City Park Beach, Warwick, Rhode Island
This Narragansett Bay beach looks nice in photos but has serious water quality issues. The beach frequently gets closed due to bacteria levels that exceed safe swimming standards.
The parking is free, which attracts crowds, but the facilities are minimal.
There’s only one small bathroom building for the entire beach area.
The water quality problems aren’t always posted clearly. You might drive all the way there only to find swimming is prohibited.
Why It’s On This List: Free parking isn’t worth it if you can’t actually swim in the water.
15. Brick Marketplace, Newport, Rhode Island
This tourist shopping center in downtown Newport is filled with overpriced souvenir shops and chain stores. The “marketplace” is really just a mall disguised as a historic attraction.
Most of the shops sell the same mass-produced souvenirs you can find anywhere. The prices are inflated because of the Newport location and tourist foot traffic.
You’re better off exploring the actual historic streets of Newport instead of this artificial shopping experience. The real charm is outside this building.
Why It’s On This List: Calling a strip mall a “marketplace” doesn’t make it historic or interesting.
16. Aunt Carrie’s Restaurant, Narragansett, Rhode Island
This clam shack has been around since 1920 but trades heavily on nostalgia rather than current food quality.
The restaurant gets packed with tourists who heard it was “famous.”
The clam cakes are often greasy and the chowder can taste watery.
People keep coming because of the history, not because the food is actually good.
I made a classic mistake of assuming old meant authentic. Sometimes old just means they haven’t updated their recipes or cooking methods in decades.
Why It’s On This List: Historic doesn’t automatically mean the food is worth eating today.
17. Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, Rhode Island
This waterfront shopping and dining area is designed to separate tourists from their money as quickly as possible.
The shops are overpriced and the restaurants serve mediocre food at premium prices.
The wharf looks charming but everything costs 30-50% more than it should.
A simple lunch for two can easily cost $60-80 for basic food.
That’s why locals tell visitors to walk through for photos but eat somewhere else.
The location is pretty, but your wallet will feel the pain.
Why It’s On This List: Scenic locations often charge scenic prices for ordinary experiences.
18. Galilee Escape Room, Narragansett, Rhode Island
This escape room business operates out of a small building near the beach and charges premium prices for a basic experience. The rooms are small and the puzzles are often broken or poorly maintained.
You’ll pay $35 per person for what feels like a high school drama class project.
The “themes” are generic and the technology doesn’t work half the time.
There aren’t many entertainment options in the area, so tourists book this thinking it’ll be fun.
It’s usually disappointing.
Why It’s On This List: Limited options doesn’t mean you should settle for poor quality entertainment.
19. Crescent Beach, Block Island, Rhode Island
This beach gets all the attention on Block Island, but it’s often too crowded to enjoy.
The beach is small and gets packed with day-trippers who take the ferry over.
Finding parking near the beach is nearly impossible during peak season.
You’ll end up walking a mile from wherever you can find a spot.
You’re better off exploring some of Block Island’s other beaches that don’t get mentioned in every guidebook.
The island has plenty of coastline that isn’t overrun with crowds.
Why It’s On This List: The most famous beach isn’t always the most enjoyable beach.
20. Waterplace Park, Providence, Rhode Island
This downtown Providence park hosts the famous WaterFire events, but visiting when there’s no event is pretty disappointing. The park is just concrete walkways around a small river.
Without the fire sculptures and crowds, it’s basically a fancy sidewalk next to some water.
The area can feel empty and uninspiring during regular days.
Tourists often visit expecting something spectacular and find a very ordinary urban park.
The magic only happens during special events.
Why It’s On This List: A park that’s only interesting during special events isn’t much of a daily attraction.