Happy Thursday, Rhode Islanders!

The holidays with their seasonal charm are receding (whew!), making way for a brisk and deep midwinter charm with a beauty all its own.

But now’s not the time to sleep in! Throw the blankets off, head out, and find some backroads. Pick any direction in RI and you’ll have coffee and breakfast ready to warm you up in minutes. Once you are out the door, the possibilities are limitless even in tiny Rhode Island.

Let’s get right to it and plan the weekend for maximum all the relaxing things.

In This Issue

Blind Coffee ☕️...

Scenic Backroads 🌄...

Winter Markets ❄️...

Outdoor & Nature

🐦 Chirp with the Locals: Free Sunday Guided Bird Walks, Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown. Walk the frosty trails and meet feathered friends braving the winter chill. Spotting a rare bird feels like winning nature bingo—binoculars are a must!

🌱 Dig in, Sow Joy: Growing Native Plants from Seeds: Winter Sowing, Portsmouth. Winter doesn’t scare these seeds, and you’ll love learning the trick. Cold hands, warm gardener’s heart.

🦌 Spot Nature’s Cold Survivors: Winter Wildlife Walk, Rocky Point Pier. Learn how animals handle the cold while you warm up to winter walks. Bonus: catching a glimpse of something wild feels like a real-life nature doc.

⚰️ Graves Tell Great Stories: Guided Tours, Island Cemetery, Newport. Wander through old gravestones and learn the secrets they keep. Winter vibes make it extra eerie and memorable.

🔭 See the Stars Up Close: Free Public Observing at Seagrave Memorial Observatory, North Scituate. Stargazing through fancy telescopes into a cosmic snow globe. Winter skies are clear and sharp—just like the views you’ll get here.

⛸️ Skate and Celebrate: The Providence Rink, downtown Providence. Opens at 10am, through 10pm. Go at night for something different, when twinkling lights and slippery ice make for winter magic. Even falling feels pretty good when the whole rink is lit up around you.

Food & Drink

☕ Coffee Gone Wild: This Instagram Reel from Gray's Daily Grind in Little Compton is peak barista talent—blindfolds and all. Coffee-making “acrobatics” that are more adrenaline-inducing than any espresso shot. Now that’s how to brew a buzz.

🌽 Winter Market, Warm Finds: Farmers Market, Mount Hope Farm, Bristol. Stock up on local goodies and discover seasonal treats. Perfect excuse to get out, even if it’s chilly.

🎶 Beer Meets Beats: Taproom Sessions combines craft brews, local music, and smoky barbeque vibes at Phantom Farms Brewing. Fresh beer and exclusive night-only deals make it a no-brainer. Reserve your spot free through their bio!

🦪 Shuck and Chill: Half Shell Happy Hour at Cork and Rye, East Greenwich, serves up Breachway Oysters from @401oysterco. Slurp down some icy ocean vibes—perfect for warming your winter soul or embracing cozy vibes this season. Bonus: Happy hour makes it feel like a seafood holiday.

🎱 Shoot and Sip: Bo's Bar and Billiards in Warwick is your go-to for pool, drinks, and vibes. Kick back with friends, and let Bo’s deliver. Very beginner friendly. Winter blues? Not here. It’s all fun and games. Testimony from someone’s wife: “…the most fun I’ve had in 8 months!”. Nachos and wings are amazing, among other daily specials.

Entertainment

🎥 Dylan’s Story on the Big Screen: A Complete Unknown, Jane Pickens Theater, a world-class art house cinema based in Washington Square in the historic center of Newport, Rhode Island. Discover the origins of an artist who reshaped music and culture. Watching his rise to fame is as timeless as his songs. AND THEIR POPCORN IS MADE WITH REAL BUTTER!

🎻 Feel the Power of "Eroica": Spano Conducts Eroica, The VETS, Providence. Beethoven’s symphony is bold, emotional, and perfect for winter drama. Add the elegance of The VETS, and you’ve got a night that’s pure class.

🎶 Traditional Tunes, Modern Magic: Atwater-Donnelly Trio, Blackstone River Theatre, Cumberland. Folk music with soul and a sprinkle of humor—this trio brings the charm. Perfect for shaking off the cold and warming your spirit. Fiddle, cello, and vocals of traditional American and Celtic folk songs.

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Arts, Crafts & Culture

✊ Celebrate, Reflect, Engage: Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend Celebration, RISD Museum, Providence. Honor MLK with free museum admission, special programs, and art that inspires action. A meaningful and creative way to embrace the spirit of the holiday.

🔥 Iron, Fire, and Fun: Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, Great Road Heritage Campus, Lincoln. See skilled blacksmiths turn raw metal into something amazing. Hands-on history with a fiery twist—perfect for a chilly weekend. Scroll down for demonstrations.

🎨 Explore Art’s Secret Messages: Wayfinding, The Avenue Concept, Providence. Take a self-guided tour of art installations that bring new perspectives to familiar spaces. Winter walks just got way more colorful.

Community

Have a community announcement? Submit one today!

🎨 Desserts Meet Masterpieces: Draw, Paint, & Dessert, Portsmouth Arts Guild, Portsmouth. Eat what you paint? Yes! Friday evening intergenerational opportunity to paint a delicious dessert and then eat it, too! Wonderful, community-based arts opportunity. Click through for details.

Rhody Moments

🛣️ To Heat or Not to Heat?: Am I doing it right? This Reddit user's experiment with warming pizza strips (ouch) leads to mixed reactions. Some suggest calling "Venda's" for a hit. A fun look at Rhode Island's food traditions, but also “what a terrible day to have eyes”.

🚗 Cruise Scenic Backroads: Good Quiet Areas to Just Go for a Drive In, Reddit thread suggest many favorite scenic RI roads with some “secret” ones you’ve prob never heard of. Join the discussion.

🐺 Coyotes Take Center Stage: PVD Coyotes Looking Skinny. Reddit user spotted what they thought was a loose dog downtown while heading to Kennedy Plaza for ice skating, only to realize it was a very lanky coyote. Speculation about pigeons being on the menu.

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Other Rhody Things

🏛️ Historic Shopping, Modern Finds: Brown & Hopkins, Chepachet. With a mix of home accents, sweets, and unique gifts, this store blends old-world charm with fresh offerings. A perfect destination for thoughtful gifts and cozy vibes. And also “…one of the oldest, continually-operating country stores in the U.S”!

Photo of the Week

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

See you next week!

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