Happy New Year! An adventure to Little Rhody takes us to two of the coolest gardens in the state; the gardens at Blithewold Mansion in Bristol and the Roger Williams Botanical Garden in Providence. These two Rhode Island gardens are very different but both worth the visit to the Ocean State.
The Gardens at Blithewold
Blithewold is an astounding estate in Bristol, Rhode Island. Although this is often overshadowed by the even more grandiose Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Blithewold is impressive in its own right. The visitor can purchase tickets to either the home and the gardens or just the gardens. I opted for the latter.
Blithewold is a mansion that sits on an expansive piece of property that affords the inhabitants superb views of Narragansett Bay. The grounds have plenty of room to explore. The water garden, a Giant Sequoia tree, and a rock garden are among the different areas of the property to ramble in. In front of the home, a wide lawn rolls like a red carpet down to the bay. Visitors are even able to set foot on the small rocky bay beach which belongs to Blithewold.
Trails meander to and fro throughout the grounds. From the splendid rose garden to the stand of bamboo trees, Blithewold will satisfy any armchair horticulturist.
Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
Roger Williams Park is the largest green space in the city of Providence. With plenty of grass to fly a kite, picnic, or romp around, it is a welcome respite from the city. In the park is plenty of attractions, including the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the carousel. With lagoons, paths, and so much to do, Roger Williams Park is a must-visit the next time you’re in Providence.
Although not as well-known as the zoo, the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center is another worthwhile visit when in the park. This is the largest botanical garden in New England, spanning 12,000 square feet indoors and a total of 23,000 square feet including the outdoor gardens.
The inside contains not only a wide variety of plants from around the globe but is presented in a fashion where it is easy to take a seat, listen to the bubbling fountains, and take in the serene scene. There is a variety of plants including orchids, cacti, and even palm trees
The outdoor area features a rose garden that is set up like a labyrinth. Try not to get lost while working your way from the outside in toward the portico in the middle. The botanical center was built in 2007, so is still a relatively newer tourist attraction but is certainly worth the time.
Two Rhode Island Gardens
Both Blithewold and the Roger Williams Botanical Center include gorgeous grounds with a wide variety of flora. Many, including the Giant Sequoia, the cactus, and the orchid, are plants that are certainly not indigenous to the New England region but are fun to experience on your own right in your own backyard. What’s great about this garden adventure is the botanical center can be visited any time of the year, even in the coldest moments of winter since much of the plant life and can be found inside the greenhouse.
If you’re looking for a fun way to add to your Rhode Island trip, check out this weekend in Newport.
