Providence Skyline (photo courtesy of Providence CVB)

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the United States but it just may be packed with the most diversity and character. Only 55 miles long by 30 miles wide, Little Rhody was founded by Roger Williams in 1636 as one of the original 13 colonies. 

From the cultural and diverse Mecca of Providence, a city recently remodeled into a world class port and about which a hit TV series was spawned, to the rugged Atlantic coast line of Newport punctuated by the world famous Newport mansions, this tiny little state is saturated with surprises and mired in many historical secrets. From the marriage of Jack and Jackie in 1953, to the mafia wars of the 60s, a time in which the country's most notorious mafia leader was considered so dangerous, he was brought to court on his deathbed for sentencing. (He never made it off his deathbed to serve his sentence). RI has even managed to sprout a few home grown celebrities like James Woods, Teddy Pentagast, Ruth Buzzi, and Survivor Richard Hatch, to name a few.

Snuggled tightly between Connecticut and Massachusetts, Rhode Island is a mere one hour drive from Boston or Hartford, and only three from New York. While it may not have the size these cities offer it certainly has the muscle. RI is home to most of the same upscale hotels found in the big cities save the mega-price tag rooms and two-hour traffic jams. And, it easily rivals the big boys with some of the world's best Italian and seafood restaurants.