Day Trips

Due to South County’s central locality, many surrounding cities and islands are just a short ferry or car ride away. Rhode Island and Southern New England are a great neighboring bonus for any traveler to the area. The following destinations are within an hour from South County:

Newport, RI – 30 miles; 40 minutes.
A beautiful seaside community famous for its mansions, shopping and scenery, Newport has long been inviting visitors into tour their 19^th century “Gilded Age” summer cottages reminiscent of Europe, stroll the cobblestone streets lined with shopping and dining selections or hike the three-mile long Cliff Walk which winds the coast line of the Atlantic Ocean. Known as the ‘yachting capital of the world’, there is no shortage of ocean based activities which include sailing or harbor cruises. Don’t forget to celebrate the rich culture with ample museums and art galleries.

Block Island, RI – 12 miles; 55 minutes (by ferry).
Featuring 17 miles of pristine beaches, protected by lighthouses and spectacular bluffs, Block Island is known by many for its unspoiled beauty. A short ferry ride away invokes the feeling of being miles from home. Outdoor activities are aplenty with accessible beaches, fresh water ponds, hiking paths, kayaking, surfing, paddle boarding as well as a welcomed cycling workout with its hilly terrain. The downtown area, equivalent to a few city blocks, is bustling with every day activity from locals and tourists alike in the Victorian Inns, shops and restaurants.

Providence, RI – 38 miles; 45 minutes.
The renowned capitol of Rhode Island, Providence is the blend of urban sophistication of a big city with the graceful charm of a small town.  Home to a plethora of educational institutions, Providence has quickly become a melting pot for artists, chefs, scholars and businessmen in their own right. The city has garnered major buzz as one of the hottest culinary spots in the country. With the cozy proximity to other major cities, its convenience lends a unique experience for shopping, dining, history and culture.

Mystic, CT – 20 miles; 30 minutes. 
Mystic was founded in 1654 and quickly rose to prominence as a shipbuilding center during the clipper ship era. Nowadays, Mystic has become known for its quintessential New England charm, as well as its two world-class museums: the Mystic Seaport, the world's largest maritime museum; and the Mystic Aquarium, featuring fascinating creatures from both sea and land, as well as the exhibits of Dr. Robert Ballard, discoverer of the Titanic. The quaint cluster of shops in downtown Mystic, as well as diverse dining offerings, makes Mystic a destination for all.

Foxwoods, Mashantucket, CT – 20 minutes; 35 minutes. 
Owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Foxwoods Resort Casino is one of the premier hotel, gaming, shopping and entertainment destinations in the Northeast.  As the largest resort casino in North America, Foxwoods offers a vast array of gaming in six casinos; AAA Four-Diamond hotels, restaurants from gourmet to express, world-renowned spas, awarding-winning golf, state-of-the-art theaters, and exclusive retailers. Perfect for both recreation and business, Foxwoods provides modern and versatile convention and meeting space to infuse new life into any meeting or event.  

New London, CT – 30 miles; 35 minutes.
New London's Historic Waterfront District is the hub of creative energy that gives the city its Top Ten rating among creative communities of its size in America. Art, music, and design venues, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and over 30 eateries populate this 26-block National Register Historic District in New London, CT. Nathan Hale, Benedict Arnold, and Eugene O'Neill walked these streets. America's greatest architects left their mark in these buildings – from the collection of Tiffany glass windows in its cathedral to the country's oldest operating courthouse and custom house, to the quirky shops and plentiful entertainment, New London, CT is a great place to visit.

Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT – 40 miles; 47 minutes. 
Created in 1996 by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is one of the world's most amazing destinations with some of New England's finest dining, hotel accommodations, retail shopping, live entertainment and sporting events. Boasting three world-class casinos, Mohegan Sun is also host to the Kids Quest/Cyber Quest family entertainment facility, a luxurious day spa, convention center and meeting facility, a state-of-the-art Poker Room as well as three major entertainment venues with seating from 300 to 10,000. Every turn leads to a new adventure with an indoor 55-foot waterfall, and electrifying water wall, the world's largest and most spectacular indoor planetarium dome and the awe-inspiring Wombi Rock – a glowing crystal mountain made of imported stone that serves as the focal point of Casino of the Sky. With 300,000 square feet of gaming within three casinos, three entertainment venues, 130,000 square foot retail shopping experience and 40 restaurants, bars and lounges, it could be easy to indulge for the day with Mohegan Sun.