🩃 Happy Thanksgiving đŸ„§!

Giant wreaths 🎄, Historic toys 🚂, Night Shopping 🎁

November 27, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving & Happy Thursday!

Today is a day to be thankful for all the blessings in our lives, and also to live in the smallest and bestest state with SO MUCH TO DO any given weekend, even a holiday weekend!

Many of us have family in town in RI this weekend. Here are some GREAT activities from food, to shopping, to outdoorsy stuff to do with them (and help burn off some pie calories).

Let’s get right to it and plan the weekend for maximum relaxation and fun!

In This Issue

Giant wreaths 🎄

Historic toys 🚂

Night Shopping 🎁


Outdoor & Nature

  • East Bay Turkey Trot! “Run, walk, stroll, trot” in Colt State Park right on to a “winner winner turkey dinner” for whoever gets around the 1.5 mile course 1st, and the 3 mile (1.5 x 2) 1st. There is even an official sweatshirt (limited). NOTE: this is actually on Thanksgiving in the early morning!! Get up, get coffee, get going!

  • BIG TIME WREATH MAKING. No joke. Learn how to make an evergreen wreath from scratch by helping make a GIANT wreath for Casey Farm's barn. Then, make your own normal sized one. Casey Farm supplies hot cider, materials, and expert help.

  • Hit Prescott Farm in Middletown for a woodsy walk that isn’t a state park. Check out the 1812 windmill and other cool historic buildings. There are geese and ducks at the pond (you can feed them), and quaint walking trails what will NOT disappoint. Might need to walk off some that stuffing and pie after Thanksgiving.

  • Cut your own tree & drink hot cider! Head to The Farmer’s Daughter this Saturday. Pick your tree to cut, and the staff will shake and bale it for you. Hard Pressed Cider Company is there ready to serve everyone. Hot apple cider donuts, even hot chocolate, are all ready to go!

  • đŸ’« Winter star gazing at Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown. Did you know they are open to the public EVERY FRIDAY? Click through to the calendar to see which events need tickets. A very charming Friday night activity!

Arts & Entertainment

  • Holiday hand made arts and crafts sale in Warren. Artists from the Imago Foundation have original paintings and art objects for sale on Market St. in Warren. Great gift ideas, through 12/22.

  • Plan ahead! The Wickford Festival of Lights kicks off next weekend so book it now, plan your date or double date or family night. There are tree lightings, horse drawn hayrides, Santa, and an elf parade!

  • 🎄OH SHOOT you are going to need to get tickets fast. The “Classical Christmas with Frisson” concert coming up on 12/14. There are only 2 shows. Featuring Nutcracker Suite, Vivaldi’s “Winter,” Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, Carol of the Bells, even some jazz, all in the Gothic Revival style Emmanuel Church. If you have room for one concert this Christmas Season, this is it. Don’t think, act now!

  • Holiday Celebration at Waterfire! Part of the city’s ”Three Nights of Lights”, 12/7 is jam packed with too much stuff to list. Winter Market, Santa’s Village, Raffle, Nutcracker & Mouse King, Food, Music, Starry Night installation, and Cirque De Light performance. Click through for deets and more deets and even more deets.

  • Ah, a bonafide Christkindlmarkt! The German American Cultural Society of Rhode Island hosts it’s Christmas Market
25 vendors with all the arts and goods you can think of, and then all the German treats and goodies you can think of! Bratwurst in the Biergarten, cakes, waffles, hot chocolate. It’s all there! Frohe Weihnachten!

  • Have you ever dreamed of seeing “White Christmas” on the big silver screen? Bing Crosby’s Christmas classic having it’s 70th anniversary with limited theatrical releases! COOL. Dec 15-17 at various times and theaters across the state. Get tickets before you forget about. Perfect surprise date night activity!

Food & Drink

  • Mansion Oyster Hour? Yes! Half-priced oysters offered in “The Dining Room” at The Vanderbilt, but also learn how to shuck them with the staff giving lessons.

  • Get cooking with “The Providence and Rhode Island Cookbook: Big Recipes from the Smallest State”. Things like Jonnycakes, gaggers, and stuffies are not typically found on restaurant menus. But this book has ’em. Chorizo, quahogs, and coffee cabinets are uncommon as well, but now you can get this for yourself or gift your bestie that loves RI but is out of state.

  • Hobbit House Dining? One does not simply walk into the Hobbit House without reservations, but, if you want a one-of-a-kind dining experience with an upscale grilled menu and fine bourbon pairings, you’ll do it. Don’t be a fool of a Took! Click through to the absurdly cool Shire-like pics at The Preserve.

  • 🎁 Old fashioned holiday tradition for the win! Stop by Deleka’s Drugstore in Warren for the soda fountain, old fashioned candy, and Christmas cheer! Great gift ideas too. Check out the costumed caroling by the Merry Dickens Carolers from last Christmas to get a sneak peek of this years holiday festivities around town. Browse their Instagram for the old-time vibes you are missing if you haven’t passed through yet! And if you don’t know what a “coffee cabinet” is, here is your opportunity. BTW: IT’S BEEN THERE SINCE 1858.

  • “Oh, that Providence burger truck”. Yes, Haven Brothers. Since we are doing “old stuff”, might as well put this on your list of places-to-eat-now if you haven’t done it. For many, it’s on the “Yes, of course I’ll go there but haven’t yet” list. Why not do something downtown this weekend and hit them up? Since 1893! You know it’s not health food, but that’s why you will stop by. Grab a root beer float too. It’s time.

  • Since 1917, Jiggers has been a thing in East Greenwich. “Old School Modern Twist” is their motto. Exactly correct. Look out for their pumpkin waffle with cinnamon apples and pumpkin spice spread when it’s on special. Winner “Rhode Island Best”. Perfect place to take out of town family for breakfast this weekend.

Rhody Moments

Everything Else

  • 🧾The Rhode Island Historical Society’s Winter Toy Display has a bunch of classic / historic toys & games on display from the Rhode Island Historical Society in Woonsocket. Give the kids something TOTALLY NEW (i.e., old and historic) to get everyone to think about and even challenge what a “fun toy” is, that isn’t attached to a glowing screen these days!

  • SHOP AT NIGHT at the Providence Flea this Black Friday. Yeah - FUN! The “Farm Fresh Holiday Flea Market” is open for evening gift shopping. More fun than Black Friday at, say
Walmart. There’s artisans, makers, merch, food, and more. Do it different this year


  • OK one more oldie-but-goodie, especially if you want to explore the Umbrella Factory. But what is it? A 19th century farmyard & an international bazaar. Just go. It’s one of the “Top 10” things to hit if you are visiting RI especially if you are poking around Westerly and Watch Hill for the day.

That’s it for this issue of the Rhody Weekender. Make the most of the holiday weekend!

See you next week!

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Your editors:

Douglas & Mary Bonneville