Things To Do in Rhode Island

Unknowing passersby often overlook the inconspicuous entrance to Vanity due to its clever—albeit anachronistic—disguise as a telephone booth. A tribute to the profusion of speakeasy clubs that popped up in the Prohibition era, Vanity decorates its posh interior with black-and-white photos, vintage-inspired décor, and coat racks that look suspiciously like undercover cops.

However backwards-looking the décor, the menu reflects ultra-contemporary tastes with its mix of New American and Italian flavors. A selection of starters—aptly named "temptations"—include Italian eggrolls stuffed with shaved cold cuts, and "Vanity plates" include such colorful dishes as the Double Cross Delmonico rib-eye steak. Like any respectable speakeasy, Vanity features a lengthy drink menu with elderflower-flavored cocktails, sugar-rimmed martinis, and gin and tonics garnished with fresh eviction notices.

Rhode Island Fitness's Johnston location holds fitness classes throughout the week to ensure members can commit to their routine no matter how hectic their schedule. Participants of all fitness levels work through a series of movements under the watchful, encouraging eye of their expert instructors. Inside the massive, open studio, exercisers can tackle an indoor obstacle course, monkey bars, rock wall, climbing rope and cargo net. In addition to adult classes, kids can also learn fitness basics alongside peers as their instructors focus on instilling discipline and concentration while giving kids a outlet for their energy. The studio is used as a training site for 5Ks and other races as well as police and firemen academies.

Ann and Michael Martini have long shared a love and familiarity with Rhode Island's culinary landscape. Ann left her post at Rhode Island Monthly to work with chefs, restaurants, and food events, and Michael, a professional chef, has let his knives fly at upscale Rhode Island eateries for more than 25 years. Together, they bring outsiders into New England's culinary gems to sample signature dishes, tour kitchens, meet chefs, and get lucky guests’ tongues autographed. Ann coordinates each tour, then sends Michael off with up to a dozen people to receive insider access to restaurants, gourmet shops, and other palate-pleasing stops. For two hours, groups cover about 2 miles of ground at a leisurely pace. There are treats to sample at each stop—although, according to the Sun Chronicle, "What's almost as good as the food is the fact that the chefs welcome tour guests into their kitchens, which in many cases have sous chefs and other personnel beginning to prepare for dinner service."

Bikram yoga was founded by Bikram Choudhury, founder of the worldwide Yoga College of India who first devised and researched the idea of performing poses from traditional Hatha yoga in a heated environment in the early 1970s. Sessions generally last 90 minutes, incorporating 26 poses and two breathing exercises. Owner, Derek, and his fellow teachers lead students through these poses during classes that take place inside an eco-conscious studio with a sky-lit yoga room covered in Flotex antimicrobial floor covering. The heated studio also keeps the air moving, which prevents it from becoming stagnant or making lungs feel socially awkward. After class, students can rinse off their hard-earned sweat in the showers, browse the athletic boutique, or relax in the lounge.

From spring through autumn, morning through nightfall, the M/V Gansett can be spotted skimming gracefully atop the tides of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay's east passage. Built in 1969 as a passenger vessel and later altered into a working lobster boat, it was completely restored with modern amenities before returning to the water in June of 2007. Today, passengers climb aboard to absorb historic sights of Jamestown and Newport during relaxing, 90-minute trips, which were named the Best Harbor Tours in Newport by Yankee Magazine in 2013. Knowledgeable guides share facts throughout every cruise, and complimentary Rhode Island-inspired eats served straight from the galley let guests discover the flavor of the Ocean State without having to plunge a straw into local penny fountains.

The instructors at Providence Power Yoga won't take "I don't know how" for an answer. Their philosophy revolves around accessibility for all, and they reflect this commitment in their curriculum of Vinyasa classes. During All Levels Vinyasa and Baptiste Hour of Power sessions, they remain mindful of their students' varying skill levels, demonstrating modifications for postures as needed. The heat in the studio reaches 95 degrees to enhance muscle elasticity as guests bend through the fluid, strengthening sequences.

Even outside of classes, PPY devotes itself to helping others discover yoga. A work-study program allows participants to practice yoga in exchange for manning the front desk or tidying the space.