The Best Spots for Sledding, Tubing and Other Snowy Adventures in Rhode Island
We only have three months of potential snow days, so make sure to take advantage of any newly fallen snow before dusk falls.
Via Getty Images/Travnikov Studio
It’s the new year and we only have three months of potential snow days — give or take — so make sure you take advantage of any newly fallen snow before dusk falls. Of course, dashing down — and trudging up — the day’s hilly destination isn’t the only thing that makes a day outside fun; warming up the soul with some hot chocolate, sandwiches and dunkable treats is a great way to wrap up your snow day. So bundle up, grab your supplies and get ready for the best snow day ever.
Snow Day Destinations
Here are some of the best sledding or tubing locations in Little Rhody, hand-picked by a variety of wise locals from across the state.
Photo by Jamie Coelho
NORTH
Durfee Hill Management Area,
Reynolds Road (Route 94), Glocester
Diamond Hill Park,
4125 Diamond Hill Rd., Cumberland
Jenks Park, Broad Street, Central Falls
Chase Farm, Great Road, Lincoln
Hill behind Lincoln High School,
135 Old River Rd., Lincoln
Cold Spring Park,
Katherine Road, Woonsocket
Daggett Field,
401 Daggett Ave., Pawtucket
India Point Park, 225 India St., Providence
Roger Williams Park,
(small hill by the Temple to Music; larger one across the street), Providence
EAST
Suicide Hill, fourth hole at the Barrington Country Club, 150 Nayatt Rd., Barrington
Burr’s Hill Park, Water Street, Warren
Hill near the Bristol Rec Center at Colt State Park, Hope Street, Bristol
St. George’s School,
Purgatory Road, Newport
Fort Adams State Park,
Fort Adams Drive, Newport
Shorby Hill, Shorby Drive, Jamestown
Silver Spring Golf Club,
3303 Pawtucket Ave., Riverside
SOUTH
Photo by Jamie Coelho
Sand dunes at the Big River Management Area,
Division Street, West Greenwich
Salter Grove Memorial Park, Narragansett Avenue, Warwick
Academy Field,
Rector Street, East Greenwich
Goddard Memorial State Park,
1095 Ives Rd., Warwick
Former Gorton Junior High School, 69 Draper Ave., Warwick
Village Green,
1020 Kingstown Rd., South Kingstown
Hills behind Wakefield Elementary, 101 High St., South Kingstown
Wickford Elementary School,
99 Phillips St., North Kingstown
Wilcox Park, 44 Broad St., Westerly
The Spring House Hotel,
52 Spring St., Block Island
Yawgoo Valley Ski Area,
(snow tubing), 160 Yawgoo Valley Rd., Exeter, 294-3802, yawgoo.com
Stock Up!
Local hardware stores stock all the winter toys and tools you can imagine to keep you smiling and warm throughout your chilly play day.
Via Getty Images/Imgorthand
You’ll find a great variety of sleds — both plastic and metal — and shovels to make the perfect launch pad for sledding at Salk’s Ace Hardware and Marine, with locations in Warwick, North Kingstown, Wakefield and Seekonk, Massachusetts.
“If it’s a snow day, we’ve got toys and we’ve got the tools for clearing snow too,” says vice president Adam Salk. “Plus, you need a good shovel to make a good snow ramp for sledding.”
The Pawtucket resident loves to go sledding with his two children, ages three and one-and-a-half, on days when the freshly packed snow is too tempting to resist. His children also like other snowy endeavors, he says.
“My kids would probably be making snow angels.”
His go-to sledding spot is Goddard Park in Warwick, and there’s also a gentle hill in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Pawtucket that’s perfect for little ones.
Winter Warm-Ups
Take a break from the frigid outdoors with a visit to these shops and cafes, offering delicious (and comforting) hot cocoa and other goodies. By Sophia Failla
Getty Images/Natalya Mamaeva.
Coffee Connection
Coffee Connection’s creamy hot chocolate is a great way to warm up before or after sledding. For that extra kick in your drink, add an espresso shot, a flavor shot or some nondairy oat or almond milk. Grab a hearty breakfast sandwich or a nutritious acai bowl while you’re there to get you pumped for the rest of the day.
How to visit: Visit the website for hours for each shop.
Details: Locations in Cumberland, North Attleboro, North Providence, Providence and Woonsocket, coffeeconnectionri.com
Empire Tea and Coffee
Customize your hot chocolate and try different combinations to create the perfect warm drink. The shop boasts a wide selection of milk varieties, flavors and toppings like cold foam, nutmeg, ground cinnamon and more.
How to visit: Open daily 6 a.m.–2 p.m. (Bristol); daily 6 a.m.–4 p.m. (Newport)
Details: 251 Thames St., Bristol; 22 Broadway, Newport; 112 William St., Newport; empireteaandcoffee.com
Fundati Coffee
Come for the cocoa; stay for the warmth, delicious baked goods and laid-back environment. If you’re hungry for more than a snack, check out the menu of breakfast and lunch options, too. Even if you don’t order any, get mesmerized as you watch the baristas craft pour over coffee concoctions.
How to visit: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Details: 1525 Old Louisquisset Pike, Lincoln, fundaticoffee.com
Jitters Cafe
Order a warm cup of hot chocolate to sip at the cafe or take it home to enjoy with post-snow day movies. Select from a wide variety of flavors like white chocolate, espresso, caramel and vanilla. If you’re hungry, grab a fresh-baked delight or sandwich from the menu (there are gluten-free options as well).
How to visit: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 6:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.– 2 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m.–1 p.m.
Details: 530 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown, 295-9155, jitterscaferi.com
Kaffeology
What’s better to warm you up on a cold day: hot chocolate or toast? If you’re stopping by Kaffeology, there’s no need to choose. Head over to grab a tartine toast and a hot chocolate with a splash of your choice of milk and flavor shots to complete the comforting drink.
How to visit: Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Details: 359 Thames St., Newport, 324-5151; 8 Russo Rd., Portsmouth, 251-4208, kaffeologycafe.com
Little City Coffee and Kitchen
Bite into a cinnamon cider scone at Little City Coffee and Kitchen. If cinnamon isn’t your thing, sample another bakery treat made from scratch or a breakfast sandwich. Pair it with some hot cocoa with a choice of oat milk, macadamia milk, whole milk and other options.
How to visit: Open daily 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; kitchen closes at 1 p.m.
Details: 170 Mathewson St., Providence, 632-4440, littlecitypvd.com
Presto Strange O Coffee Co.
Something strange — and strong — is brewing over at this West Bay coffeehouse. Grab a cup of hot cocoa with your choice of milk and whipped cream. Take a bite out of one of the unique snacks, like the Warwick Neck chicken salad sandwich. Bring home a pumpkin pie or a salted caramel apple pie along with a jug of cold brew or salted caramel latte to sip on later.
How to visit: Monday–Saturday 7 a.m.–3 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m.–1 p.m.
Details: 334 Warwick Neck Ave., Warwick, 219-4478, prestostrangeo.com
The Nook Coffee House
The Nook’s smooth and creamy hot chocolate flavors — like vanilla and honey — will leave you wanting more. Also check out the scones, muffins, bagels and other tasty treats.
How to visit: Open daily 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Details: 307 Main St., East Greenwich, 402-0029, nookcoffeehouse.com
