28 things people from rhode island have explain to out-of … · 2016. 2. 17. · named the new...

Arthur, Brian. "28 Things People From Rhode Island Have Explain To Out-Of-Towners." Movoto.com. MovotoInsider, n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.

28 Things People from Rhode Island Have Explain to Out-Of-Towners by Brian Arthur

1. Coffee Milk Is The Nectar Of The Gods

Source: Wikimedia Commons user Justincheng12345 If you’ve never tasted coffee milk, you’ve probably never spent more than a long afternoon in Rhode Island. This combination of coffee syrup and milk tastes like something between a coffee milkshake, a chocolate milk, and heaven in a cup.

2. The Taste of Del’s Frozen Lemonade is the Taste of Summer

Source: Flickr user fabulousfabs


Not quite an Italian ice and not quite lemonade, Del’s Frozen Lemonade is best categorized as a “slushy.” It’s a favorite among Rhode Islanders, particularly during the balmy summer months, when Del’s carts and trucks are located beachside.

3. Providence Isn’t on Fire, It’s Just WaterFire

Source: Flickr user Heather Katsoulis

One of Providence’s coolest attractions is WaterFire, an outdoor bonfire and sculpture that’s been lighting up the city’s rivers since it was first presented in 1994. These days, WaterFire is credited with drawing around 350,000 visitors to the city per season.

4. There are One-Hundred Ways to Eat a Clam, But Clam Cakes are Number One

Source: eatyourworld.com


The clam cake, featuring clams mixed into a ball of batter, fried, and finally dipped into tartar sauce or ketchup, is what the region is famous for. You can consider them the hush puppies of the Rhode Island area.

5. Not Everyone Talks Like Peter Griffin, Thank You Very Much

Source: Facebook user Family Guy

Sure, some people in the state speak with a bro-tastic accent, using “friggin” as a filler word and refusing to pronounce their “r”s, but among most folks, the Rhode Island accent is much more subdued.

6. Everyone Should Experience A Fourth Of July In Bristol

Source: Flickr user The United States Army Band


Bristol’s Fourth of July celebration has been going strong since 1785, making it the oldest annual celebration in America, and the city pulls out all the stops for the holiday. Parades, fireworks, and patriotic speeches? You better believe it.

7. There’s Actually a Perfectly Good Reason It’s Called Rhode Island

Source: Wikimedia Commons user M2545

In case you’ve never seen a proper map of the United States, the state of Rhode Island is not an island. Most of it is firmly attached to the continental United States. However, the state was originally named for the actual island of Rhode Island (now widely known as Aquidneck Island) that the city of Newport sits on today.

8. These Beaches are For Pretty Much Everything but Swimming

Source: Flickr user robposse

Rhode Island folks love their coast access. It means boating, fishing, beach walks, amazing views, and great seafood. But swimming? Maybe once a year, on the hottest day of summer, max. It’s mostly chilly in there. And salty in there.


9. RISD Is the Raddest School You’ve Never Heard Of

Source: Facebook user Rhode Island School of Design


Providence’s Rhode Island School is Design (RISD) is such and amazing hotbed of collegiate fine art and creativity, chances are you’ve enjoyed something created by a RISD graduate in the last week. The Talking Heads? “Family Guy?” “Good Will Hunting?” All created by RISD folks.

10. Roger Williams Is Rhode Island’s Thomas Jefferson

Source: Flickr user Will Hart

Theologian and philosopher Roger Williams’ fingerprints are all over the state’s history. He founded the colony of Rhode Island as a refuge for religious minorities in 1636. He was also one of the first people to preach separation of Church and State, advocate for fair treatment of Native Americans, and actively speak against slavery, making him a man way ahead of his time.

11. Don’t Knock Squid Until You’ve Tried It

Source: Flickr user missmeng


Calamari is one of Rhode Island’s choice delicacies, since it makes the perfect appetizer for a great seafood meal. Sure, they don’t taste great plain, but once you spice, deep fry, and add marinara and lemon juice to those little guys, they’re quite tasty.

12. The State May Be Small, But It’s Not Too Crowded

Source: Flickr user Gary Brownell

Despite what you may think, everyone in Rhode Island doesn’t have to stand shoulder-to-shoulder due to limited space. There are still plenty of farms and open stretches in the state. Just take a drive on Route 102 and you’ll see what we’re talking about.

13. Still, Nothing Is More Than An Hour Drive Away

Source: Giphy


In massive states like California and Texas, different cities can be so far away from one another they require a plane trip. Lucky for Rhode Islanders—they’re never more than an hour drive from anywhere and anyone else in the state.

14. New York System Wieners Are A Rhode Island Thing

Source: Wikimedia Commons user Skeejay

Rhode Island has its own locally famous hot dog style with their misleadingly-named The New York System wieners. The dogs feature beef dogs with meat sauce, mustard, and chopped onions on top. Most Rhode Islanders consider Olneyville New York System the top spot in the state to get the beloved dog.

15. There’s No Need to Fear that Big Blue Bug

Source: bigbluebug.com


If you’re driving down I-95 in Providence and spot an enormous blue insect perched atop a building, fear not, you’re not under terrifying intergalactic attack. It’s just local icon “Nibbles Woodaway,” the mascot for extermination specialists Big Blue Bug Solutions.

16. Al Forno Really Is the Best Pizzeria in America

Source: Al Forno via Facebook

The thin-crust, absurdly-fresh-toppings spot has gained national attention since opening up in 1980. The margherita with basil tomato sauce, fresh herbs and cheeses, and extra virgin olive oil will make even the most pretentious pizza snob shout “mama mia!” and other choice Italian phrases.

17. Dunkin Donuts May Serve Coffee, But It’s Not a “Coffee Shop”

Source: Flickr user Phillip Capper


The state’s largest performing arts center may bear the Dunkin Donuts name, but that doesn’t mean Dunkin Donuts qualifies as a coffee shop.

Rhode Islanders are known for taking coffee culture insanely seriously. The Coffee Exchange in Providence, Empire in Newport, and TLC in Kingston? Now those are primo cups of Joe.

18. Ain’t No Fall Like a Rhode Island Fall

Source: Flickr user Robert Newman

The fall is beautiful pretty much everywhere in New England, but Rhode Island has the added bonus of having miles of prime coast and islands. Foliage + oceanside views = way, way pretty.

19. No One Actually Lives in Those Crazy Mansions

Source: NewportMansions.org


Rhode Island is famous for it mansions, particularly those in Newport’s Bellevue Avenue Historic District. The most famous is probably the Breakers, a 70-room Vanderbilt family mansions. However, these days, the mansions are for tourist attracting, not for rich person living.

20. Everyone Should Read a Little Lovecraft

Source: H. P. Lovecraft via Facebook

Horror writer HP Lovecraft loved his hometown of Providence so much, the words “I AM PROVIDENCE” are scrawled across his headstone. While in Providence, diehards can go on a Lovecraft walking tour to see sights associated with their favorite existentially weary writer.

21. The White Horse Tavern Is Worth a Second Glance

Source: White Horse Tavern via Facebook


Rhode Islanders know that there’s more to the White Horse Tavern in Newport than just slinging brews and upscale bar fare: it’s the oldest tavern in America, established before the USA was even a thought back in 1673.

22. Mr. Potato Head Is Everywhere

Source: Flickr user Matt Cloutier

At one point in 2000, there were 47 different Mr. Potato Head statues stretched across the state as part of a Rhode Island tourism campaign, but these days there are only about five remaining. Still, that’s a lot of potato.

23. Everyone Could Use More Johnnycakes in Their Life

Source: Flickr user merri


“The Sopranos” may have brought johnnycakes into the public consciousness back in 2006, but in Rhode Island the white cornmeal-based breakfast food has been well known and well eaten for generations.

While you have to hunt a bit to find a proper johnnycake even in Rhode Island, Kenyon’s Grist Mill in Kingston, home of the Johnny Cake Festival, has been churning out the goods since 1696.

24. Rhode Islanders Love Old Stuff Like Garfield Loves Lasagna

Source: Rhode Island Historical Society via Facebook

Because dozens of buildings in the state date back to 17th and 18th centuries, and this state is a hotbed of American history, there’s no quicker way to get on a Rhode Islanders bad side than suggesting you overwrite a piece of their history with a strip mall.

25. Because Rhode Island Is the Best Place Ever, No One Wants To Leave

Source: Flickr user Anthony Arrigo

Because of the state’s tight-knit communities, beautifully walkable and bikeable towns and cities, incredible food and vibrant arts scenes, people born in the little state are pretty keen to stay there for life.


26. Only Rhode Islanders Can Make Fun Of Friar Dom

Source: Providence College Women's Basketball via Facebook

Providence College’s Division 1 men’s and women’s college hoops squads are two the most beloved sports teams in the state. And with Friar Dom, a perpetually terrified looking, white-cloaked Christian devotee, they have one of the strangest mascots in America.

However, taking swipes at Doms creepiness factor is reserved for Rhode Islanders only, since they dole them out lovingly.

27. The Crescent Park Carousel Is a Work Of Art, But You Can Ride It

Source: Flickr user dadofliz

The Crescent Park Carousel is a hand-carved and hand-painted Rhode Island gem that’s been delighting riders since it opened in 1895. The landmark has been called "the State Jewel of American Folk Art."

Protip: nab a seat on one of the “jumpers.”

28 things people from rhode island have explain to out-of … · 2016. 2. 17. · named the new...

Documents