Usually, when warmer temperatures fall upon Providence, this signals nearly every student at Brown to pack up their work, grab an iced coffee and run to their favorite outdoor spot on campus for some (minimal) homework or even a game of Spikeball. However, with the majority of us heading home this week for the end of the second semester, only a select group of majority first-year students will get to enjoy campus during a Rhode Island summer term. Though campus may lack its typical crowd, Providence (and the greater New England area) has so many fun activities to offer during this time of year. So for those of you who are spending the next few months at or around Brown, add these activities to your summer bucket list!
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Take a day trip to Watch Hill. This area of Rhode Island is just under an hour away from campus and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and views on the East Coast. Leave in the morning and start your day at East Beach for a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. From there, explore the adorable shops in town, making sure to stop for some selfies in front of Taylor Swift’s house as you walk there. To end the day, stop by St. Clair Annex for a casual dinner and a delicious ice cream cone.
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Venture to Cape Cod for a weekend. Just like Watch Hill, Cape Cod is home to some of the best beach towns in the Northeast. Only an hour and a half from Brown, a stay at the Cape would be perfect for a long weekend during the summer semester. While you’re there, spend a day at Cahoon Hollow Beach, affectionately known as the Beachcomber, and grab an ice cream from Sundae School as you venture home. Additionally, head to Chatham for great shopping and restaurants, as well as the iconic go-karting track and mini-golf course frequented by many visitors.
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Pick blueberries at Rocky Point Farm. If apple picking is essential to fall, then berry picking screams summer. Rocky Point Farm in Warwick offers both beautiful views of the Narragansett Bay and blueberry picking starting at the beginning of July. Not only does this trip make for a fun summer activity, it also provides a great supply of fresh fruit to haul back to campus and enjoy as a snack (or in some blueberry muffins).
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Head to Lincoln Woods for a hike and a picnic. Lincoln Woods State Park is a great hiking, running, and walking spot located just a 10-minute drive from campus. When I visited in the fall, I noticed picnic tables scattered throughout the grounds. So, find a nice trail, do some walking to a lookout point, and then take a break for some lunch. On a nice day, the parking can fill up quickly, so make sure to arrive in the morning if you’re planning to spend the day.
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Eat dinner on the rooftop at Mare. Mare Rooftop is a Providence gem, located on the top floor of a building in Wayland Square. Just like the name suggests, the restaurant boasts a beautiful rooftop that overlooks parts of the city. While the environment is just as nice in the cooler months, warm temperatures and picturesque sunsets will make this summertime excursion even more enjoyable. Especially after a few weeks of dining hall meals, the charcuterie board and the salmon (which I highly recommend) will taste that much better.
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Grab a Del’s Lemonade with friends. Nothing screams summertime and Rhode Island like a Del’s. This frozen lemon “slushie” type concoction is native to the state and so refreshing on a scorching hot day on campus. Del’s can be hard to come by near campus, but, if you’re lucky, an occasional cart appears on a Thayer Street corner or right outside Wayland Arch. On days like this, drop everything, gather a group of friends, and get a Del’s!