THE WEST BAY

The area of Rhode Island which hugs the western shores of Narragansett Bay began much as the East Bay - fishing, boatbuilding, etc. But while these arts and crafts are still practiced and preserved along the shore, the city of Warwick is now known as home to one of the greatest shopping experiences in the country. Known as the "Miracle Mile" of shopping, RI Rte. 2 is a famous strip which runs several miles and boasts not only two large shopping malls, but plaza after plaza of every major department store, discount store and specialty shop in the country.

Warwick's Greenwich Bay and East Greenwich's Greenwich Harbor are the place for the weekend boater, with a marina at every other address. This is a perfect starting off point to see Rhode Island from the water.

Pawtuxet Village is an historic settlement, well-preserved but a still-lively community which hosts the world-famous Gaspee Days, the summer celebration which reacreates the famous pre-Revolutionary event in which Rhode Island patriots captured and burned His Majesty's Ship the Gaspee in one of the first incidents of the American Revolution.

Warwick is also the location of Green State Airport, an international airpark where you'll be landing if traveling by airplane, making Warwick and the West Bay a perfect homebase for seeing Rhode Island.