32 things you must do this summer!

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1 Dine outside

Here’s what dining al fresco means in my childhood home of Manhattan: you’re wedged out on a sidewalk with thirty other people, the sun beating mercilessly on your head while the rumbling heat from the subway creeps up around your feet. The section is roped off, not for the sake of containment but to keep meanderers from spitting on your food or asking for a quarter.

Rhode Island is a far cry indeed. Outdoor dining in the Ocean State is the equivalent of a spa retreat, complete with soothing ocean sounds and fresh air. You won’t find a better way to spend the afternoon (or better yet, dusk) than at The Boathouse (227 Schooner Drive, Tiverton, 624-6300, boathousetiverton.com) where tables are shaded from the midday sun and sailboats languidly coast on the Sakonnet River. If you squint just right — blocking out your fellow diners — you might be able to convince yourself that you’ve scored the ultimate waterfront country home.

If, on the other hand, your temperament lies somewhere in between serene and stylish, reserve a two-top at Jamestown’s decidedly European Trattoria Simpatico (13 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown, 423-3731, trattoriasimpatico.com). Outdoor dining is enclosed in an arboretum-style patio, where you can enjoy the warm air with just the background noise of wandering shoppers and beach dwellers. The menu features Italian-influenced New England fare, and the terrace is so lovely I often linger too long with my pinot grigio.

Finally, for those who can’t be persuaded to leave the city in the oppressive heat of August, there’s hope for you, too. Lunch under an umbrella at Venda Ravioli (265 Atwells Avenue, Providence, 421-9105, vendaravioli.com) with a hand-picked antipasti and plenty of water; or spend your evening at Al Forno (577 South Main Street, Providence, 273-9760, alforno.com), which exudes urbane charisma even in the thick of the summer. If there’s a better way to spend a warm night than with a crispy grilled pizza and a chilled Italian rose, I have yet to find it. —Karen Deutsch

2 Rent a beach house

And a real Rhode Islander knows there’s only one place to do it: Narragansett. Here’s what you can get for your money, according to Kara Churas at Lila Delman Real Estate (liladelman.com):

Steep: 162 Sand Hill Cove Road

What: 900 square-foot two-bed,
one-bath ranch
How much:
$4,000 per week
Closest beach: Roger Wheeler
(Sand Hill Cove)
Amenities: Gourmet kitchen, outdoor shower, whirlpool tub, plasma TV
Bottom line: Location, location, location. A few stairs separate the backyard from the beach; Galilee and the Block Island ferry are an easy walk away.

Moderate: 991 Ocean Road

What: 1,400 square-foot three-bed, two-bath bungalow
How much: $2,500–$2,900 per week
Closest Beach: Scarborough State
Amenities: Outdoor shower, screened-in porch, large, private yard, ocean views
Bottom line: A street lies between you and the state’s most popular beach.

Cheap: 81 Westmoreland Street

What: 600 square-foot two-bed, one-bath cottage
How much: $750 per week
Closest beach: Narragansett Town
Amenities: Rustic interior (think artist’s studio), large, shaded yard
Bottom line: Charm (and lots of it) comes cheap at this tiny
cottage thanks to a
fifteen-minute hike
to the beach.

3 Hit the beach

With 400 miles of coastline, Rhode Island’s got a beach for every sun worshiper. Whether you crave a sandy scene (or lack thereof) here are the best beaches if you want to…

party

Easton’s Beach (First Beach)
Memorial Boulevard, Newport
The draw here is that the Atlantic Beach Club is a stone’s throw from the crashing waves. Step up from beach to bar to quench your thirst with a cocktail while listening to live music on the patio every weekend. If lifting drink to mouth isn’t your idea of physical activity, dig in to a pick-up game of beach volleyball.

see and be seen

Narragansett Town Beach
Ocean Road, Narragansett

The fact that people are willing to pay for parking and pay another fee to step on the beach is proof they aren’t flocking here just for the surf. Cross the crowded strip of sand, find a postage stamp-sized plot to spread your towel and prepare to people watch. While the surfing is second to none, ogling is the sport of choice. 

see how the other half lives

Reject’s Beach/East Bailey’s Beach
Ocean Drive, Newport

Just a rope separates this beach from the Bailey’s Beach, Newport’s uber-exclusive, invitation-only beach club on Ocean Drive. Set up that beach chair and bask in the glory of knowing that you’re sharing sand with socialites and CEOs — sans the hefty membership fee, of course.

bring your family

Fred Benson Town Beach
Corn Neck Road, Block Island

Known locally as Crescent Beach, this is an ideal family-day destination. Kids love the ferry ride to the island, and the beach is a just short walk from the docks. Rent umbrellas and chairs so you can relax with a book, while the younger set entertains themselves with boogie boards (the surf is moderate) and cones from the nearby ice cream shop.

enjoy some peace and quiet

Blue Shutters Town Beach
East Beach Road, Charlestown

Though it’s tough to find a truly quiet beach during peak sunning season, this three-mile-long stretch of sand gets props for major crowd control. Limited parking, lack of commercial development and the mellow, largely residential beachgoers keep noise to a minimum and book-reading to a max.

5 See the sights from above

Gliding in a hot air balloon or leaping from a plane — an aerial view is the best way to see our scenic state. That is, of course, if you dare to look down.

6 Grill the perfect burger

There’s no burger on the menu at Brian Kingsford’s new Italian restaurant Bacaro. But in his off time you’ll find the chef in the backyard grilling up summer’s all-American staple. Here’s his (no-longer) secret recipe:

3 pounds 80 percent lean ground chuck hamburger buns (brioche are fine but soft, store-bought is often best) kosher salt
fresh, cracked black pepper

• Prepare a medium-hot, wood-charcoal fire. If you hold your hand about 4 inches above the coals, you should be able to stand the heat for about 4 seconds.

• Form meat into 6- to 8-ounce patties (about 1 inch thick and 4 1/2 inches in diameter). Do not overpack burgers. To avoid hamburgers puffing up during cooking, make a small dimple in the middle of each patty, about 1 inch in diameter and 1/4-inch deep. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.

• Place burgers onto grill and cook, without disturbing, for 4 to 5 minutes. Flip burgers and continue cooking, 4 to 5 minutes for medium-rare. Do not press down on burgers as this only dries them out. Serve with your favorite accompaniments. Makes 6 to 8 burgers.