This Rhode Island Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime

America’s smallest state, Rhode Island, has only one national scenic byway and, at around 5-6 miles long, it’s one of the shortest. This short route is a journey into New England’s Revolutionary War heritage, showcasing its historic towns, colonial architecture, picturesque landscapes, and iconic landmarks.

The Revolutionary Heritage Byway takes visitors through the heart of Bristol, a historic seaport incorporated in 1681 and situated between Providence to the north and Newport to the south. Bristol lies on a peninsula between Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay. The town was a flashpoint in the Revolutionary War years of the 1760s and 1770s and was subjected to frequent raids from British ships.

The byway gives visitors plenty of opportunities to learn about Bristol’s fascinating past, with stops at museums, historic homes, and through Bristol’s quaint downtown, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At around 5-6 miles long, the byway takes less than half an hour to drive without stopping, but if you have the time, it’s worth spending a whole day to soak up the sights. To help, we’re sharing some highlights below, along with a suggested one-day itinerary that runs north to south.

Know Before You Go

It’s easy to get your bearings on the Revolutionary Heritage Byway as it's a straight line south, following Route 114. The byway begins at the Warren town line and extends six miles to the Mount Hope Bridge. As it travels through Bristol, the highway is also known as Hope Street and Ferry Road. A large portion of the route runs parallel to Bristol Harbour, rewarding visitors with beautiful views of the waterfront.

The route is open year-round; however, some attractions may have seasonal opening hours, so it’s best to check before you hit the road. If you time your trip for summer, you’ll be able to catch one of Bristol’s biggest events. The town is famous for hosting the oldest Fourth of July parade in the country, a tradition since 1785.

Morning

The byway officially begins at the intersection of Child Street and Main Street in Warren before heading south on Main. Don’t be in a hurry to hit the road; however, fuel up for your trip with a delicious breakfast at Tracy’s Cream and Sugar, a locally-owned coffee and bake shop. This charming cafe serves donuts, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and a variety of hot beverages to kickstart your day.

With breakfast taken care of, proceed south along Main Street (which becomes Hope Street as you pass out of Warren) to your first suggested stop of the day, the Audubon Claire D. McIntosh Refuge. This 28-acre oasis is the perfect spot for a morning stroll, with walking trails that meander through meadows and a 0.25-mile boardwalk that offers stunning views across Narragansett Bay. The refuge is also home to a nature center and aquarium where you can browse interactive exhibits, visit the nature shop, and meet a life-sized model of a North Atlantic Right Whale.

Find more idyllic waterfront views at Colt State Park, a short drive south. Open year-round, the park follows the Narragansett Bay shoreline and has landscaped lawns and gardens, hiking trails, and picnic pavilions. Nearby is the Coggeshall Farm Museum, a replica of a working 18th-century salt marsh farm. The farm is home to heritage pigs, sheep, chickens, goats, and a friendly cat. Visitors can meet the animals, see demonstrations of 18th-century skills such as textile weaving, or simply wander the beautiful grounds and gardens. The museum has seasonal opening hours and special events, so it’s best to check the schedule before your visit.

At this point, you’re bound to have worked up an appetite, so why not take a break and grab lunch at The Beach House, a family-friendly waterfront restaurant serving fresh fish and classic dishes.

Afternoon

After lunch, travel south on Hope Street to enter Bristol’s buzzing downtown. Take a slight detour off the main drag to see the centerpiece of the village when it was originally laid out, the Town Common. The site of Bristol’s first meeting house, established in 1684, this was where the town came together for community events, burials, livestock grazing, and military drills. Today, it’s bordered by some of Bristol’s oldest public buildings, including the Bristol County Courthouse, built in 1819.

A block west of the common, you’ll find the Linden Place Museum and, beside it, the Bristol Art Museum. The former is a grand estate-turned-museum featuring a 1810 Federal-style mansion and sculpture garden. The house is open for self-guided tours year-round, and a guided Gardens and Grounds tour is offered during the summer and fall.

Founded in 1963, the Bristol Art Museum showcases the works of artists from Rhode Island, New England, and across the country. There are over 40 pieces of art in its permanent collection and rotating exhibits in the main galleries. The museum also hosts ‘Art al Fresco’, an annual open-air art show on the Linden Place grounds every July.

The Revolutionary Heritage Byway ends at the Mount Hope Bridge, which links Bristol with Portsmouth. After a busy day on the road, celebrate your trip with a hearty meal in historic surroundings. The DeWolf Tavern is housed in a former rum distillery on the waterfront. Awarded ‘Best New American Cuisine in New England’ by Conde Nast Traveler, the restaurant is a great place to try some New England lobster.

If you’re overnighting in Bristol, check out the Bradford-Dimond-Norris House. Built in 1792 for Deputy Governor William Bradford, this stately bed-and-breakfast is a cherished local landmark. Furnished in a 1800s Federal style, the house has several period rooms and suites, each with its own bath, as well as a common room and dining room where guests can enjoy a Continental breakfast.

Small but mighty, it’s possible to spend a full day on the Revolutionary Heritage Byway and see centuries of history unfold in just six miles. This historic road trip is the perfect day out for families and adventurers, promising new experiences and unique sights. See what life was like on an 18th-century salt marsh farm, wander the sandy shores of Narragansett Bay, view art through the ages, snack on lobster rolls, and see where America’s very first Fourth of July Parade took place. Short but full of surprises, the Revolutionary Heritage Byway is one of Rhode Island’s most memorable drives.