Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the US, but it’s very crowded. There are various activities and events that occur on any given day. So whether you’re just looking to get out of the house or want to take a trip to Rhode Island, you’re sure to be able to find something to do in February. Ranger Days is an annual event at Woonsocket. The event is held in conjunction with the John H. Chaffee Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor and the Museum of Labor and Culture. Ranger Days are held at the Museum of Work and Culture and feature discussions on Rhode Island history. Ranger Days are free and open to the public.
Winter Bash is held in Providence annually and brings together more than 1,000 people from around the state. The event celebrates citywide restoration efforts and features live music, hors d’oeuvres, and a full bar. Attire ranges from blue to ball gowns and an eclectic mix of people is seen. The Newport Winter Festival is another big party. This even features over 150 separate events and activities over ten days. Food, music and fun are always included in events like horse-drawn carriage rides, sand sculptures, Chili Cook-Off, City-Wide Scavenger Hunt, Ice Sculpting Competition, Children’s Fair, Pizza Cook-off and much more. .
Visit Cranston for the annual Mardi Gras Ball. This is New England’s authentic Louisiana Mardi Gras celebration featuring four Zydeco bands, Cajun and Creole food, as well as non-stop dancing. Costumes are optional but the best ones win prizes. The Winterfest Tour of Inns and B&Bs gives the public the opportunity to see all the options for staying overnight in Newport County. Visit Bowen’s Wharf for the Seal Tours and Save the Bay for a lecture and two-hour boat tour of the Rose Island Lighthouse. The boat is heated, but you’ll want to dress warm so you can see the seals up close that winter in Narragansett Bay. Harbor seals are common in the Narragansett Bay area from October through April. They migrate each fall from Maine and Canada to spend the winter in the warmer waters and sheltered harbors of Rhode Island. Harbor seals are the most common marine animals seen in New England. They often rest on shore on rocks and at “drag” sites when the tide is out. One year 169 seals were counted in the bay.
