👏 Happy Thursday & Happy New Year & Happy January 2025!

First, a warm welcome and heartfelt 💙 thanks to the almost 200 new Rhode Island lovers that signed up for The Rhody Weekender this week. We are very excited to earn your trust & your love for our content!

Next, I heard it’s supposed to be getting cold ❄️! Like, very cold! Think about getting outside for some hiking, walking, poking around, before you have to think twice about the ice.

We’ve got arts, crafts, and cooking classes, as well as beer-related activities. Something for everyone this week.

So let’s get right to it and plan weekend for maximum relaxation and fun 👏👏🗓️!

In This Issue

Owl stalking 🦉…

Winter Sowing 🌱…

Skating Pizza 🍕🛼🍕…

Outdoor & Nature

🍁 Wanderlust in your backyard: This Reddit thread Best hikes in and around Rhode Island highlights paths for adventurers of all levels. Super cool chat with some insider knowledge, priceless. Take notes.

🌲 Find joy in winged wonders: Outdoor Adventures at the Museum of Natural History, Providence, lets you join winter bird walks for a frosty peek at local avian life. From chickadees to majestic hawks, it’s a whole vibe. Start your year by flying into something new! We saw a black-crowned night heron there a few weeks ago, during the day. A real treat! And if the link to the city website gives you any trouble, cut and paste this: “https://www.providenceri.gov/museum/outdoor-adventures/”

🌌 Stalk the night with owls: Owl Prowl at Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown, is perfect for exploring the wild side of the season. Hear owls calling through the crisp air, and maybe even catch a glimpse of one flying low. Great excuse to bundle up and embrace the chilly magic! You’ll even learn what the owl calls sound like.

🐾 Track the wild in winter: RI Environmental Calendar features a cool wildlife tracking activity. Learn to spot animal prints and signs in snowy or muddy landscapes—it’s nature’s version of a treasure hunt! Perfect excuse to wander the woods and channel your inner explorer.

🌱 Sprout skills this winter: Growing Native Plants from Seeds: Winter Sowing teaches you how to sow seeds in the chill of winter. Learn a simple and sustainable method to start native plants right in your yard. Bonus: no fancy equipment needed—just nature doing its thing. OK, so maybe this is a little early…but…is it?

Food & Drink

🌟 Cheers to craft and community: Visit The Tasting Room at Sons of Liberty in South Kingstown, where unique drinks meet good times. Dive into their extensive drink menu or drop by for live music (see the calendar). PS: flights are a very fun way to sample their award-winning spirits!

🎨 Craft meets sass in a brew: Blue Raspberry Dirty Sundae at Providence Brewing takes fruited sour beers to the next level. Tangy, smooth, weird color, full of personality—a work of beer art. Perfect for a flavorful escape during dark-early winter days.

🍸 Wings & Drinks: Every day is a good day at Trinity Brewhouse has something for everyone! They’ve got some weekly regular specials worth mention for a fun night out. Monday’s half-priced wings to Wednesday’s Industry Night discounts, it’s the perfect place to chill, snack, and unwind. But it’s the weekend “cheese pizza” deals that intrigue.

🍝 Shape up your pasta skills: Pasta 101: 3 Shapes & Easy Red Sauce in Newport is a fun, hands-on cooking class. Learn to create three pasta shapes and a simple, delicious sauce to impress everyone at your next dinner party. Bonus: homemade pasta tastes even better than it looks! You’ll never go back to store bought, without a fight.

🍅 Stock up on local goodies year-round: Farmers Market at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol keeps the fresh vibes going with over 20 winter vendors. From seasonal produce to handmade goods, there’s always something to discover. Bonus: a scenic farm stroll makes it even better!

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Entertainment

🎸 Groove into the new year: The Evan Goodrow Trio at Pump House Music Works, Wakefield, delivers soulful blues and funky vibes. Expect a night of stellar musicianship and foot-tapping energy. Perfect way to kick off January with live music magic! Go get some funky.

🍕 Pizza, wheels, and good times: All You Can Eat Pizza Roller Skating Night offers unlimited slices while you roll around the rink in Narragansett. Whether you're skating for fun or for the food, it's a win-win. When is the last time you had roller skates on? PRO TIP: Don’t leave your phone in your back pocket…think about it.

Arts, Crafts & Culture

🎨 Create your cosmic masterpiece: Celestial Night at Paint and Vino, Pawtucket, is all about starry skies and good vibes. No art skills required—just follow along, sip, and watch your celestial artwork come to life. Great for a night out or solo artistic escape! If you don’t look old enough, bring your ID :)

✨ Heavenly art and craft brews: Seaglass Angel Class at Smug Brewing, Pawtucket, offers a chance to create angelic art from seaglass while exploring their innovative craft beer lineup. With a warm taproom vibe and unique brews, this is the ideal event for art and beer lovers alike. Cheers to creativity! Go to the main events page, and you can see the date is 1/04 (and see all the other cool events).

🖤 Master the art of simplicity: Everyday Drawing Workshop at Jamestown Arts Center, Jamestown, dives into the beauty of black and white drawing. Sharpen your skills and rediscover the elegance of simplicity. Perfect way to start the new year with creative focus! We had a different event up for this weekend but it sold out. Don’t overthink this and get tickets!

Rhody Moments

🎅 So Santa apparently owns an AirBnB in Pawtucket and had to make a pitstop to do some yard work.

😂 Best drivers? Ask Rhode Islanders: New England: The Best Drivers in the Country? points out that RI drivers are ranked by NHTSA as 45th of 50 for driver safety…50 being the BEST! We crushed it! BUT…we rank close to last in other data sets. Who is right?

🎇 Fireworks + Fun + Food Trucks: Citywide New Year's Eve Celebration brought big vibes to Providence for the 2nd time with early fireworks, great food, and riverside vibes. Hit the video to catch the highlights—you’ll know if it’s perfect for a family outing next year.

🥨 Twisting taste buds into knots: Who has the best soft pretzel in RI? sparks a salty debate featuring local spots like Union Station Brewery and The Malted Barley. From perfectly chewy bites to unmatched dips, pretzel enthusiasts are speaking up. Is the Zoo the best kept pretzel secret?

🎭 RI Drama: The “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” is going to be a thing? Ok, what town should it be? Read the comments.

Photo of the Week

Rhody Reading

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

We hope your weekend is filled with new adventures and unforgettable memories!

See you next week!

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