Whether you've been home all day in Wakefield, RI, at a game with the kids, or just running errands, the best way to cap off any afternoon is with a fresh scoop of ice cream. We did some delicious research to compile this list of our favorite shops offering frosty treats. Enjoy! 1. Brickley's Ice Cream Offering up nearly four dozen fresh flavors every day, Brickley's has something for everyone. Their menu includes classic ice cream, no sugar added varieties, sherbets, sorbets, and frozen yogurt for those looking to avoid the heavier frosty treats. They've been sweetening up Rhode Island for nearly 25 years. Our favorites right now are the Butter Brickley, Coffee Oreo, and Bing Cherry! more 2. Del's Lemonade If there isn't a Del's frozen lemonade in your hand, are you even in Rhode Island? This shop has been a crowd favorite for generations. From their eponymous lemonade to their undeniably popular watermelon flavor, Del's is the reigning champ. The recipe that is still in use today has been passed through the years, starting in the 1840s in Naples, Italy. Next time you see that neon lemon, stop off and grab yourself a taste of this sweet history. 3. Swirls and Scoops This shop is absolutely the cutest on our list. If you're looking for an ice cream shop that will make everyone in your group feel like a kid again, Swirls and Scoops is the one for you. It would be impossible to feel bored while reading through their extensive list of Gifford's ice creams, soft serve flavors, and toppings galore. You just can't go wrong with two big scoops of toasted coconut topped with pineapple! 4. Nana's Ice Cream & Gelato 50 flavors, 50 toppings, hard ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, soft serve, sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan options, and the list at Nana's goes on and on. Top your blood orange gelato cup off with an iced coffee, a dogsicle for your four-legged friends, and a box of delicious salt water taffy to bring home! Nana's is truly a quintessential beach ice cream shop and the perfect place to complete any afternoon. 5. Aunt Carrie's Ice Cream & Gift Shoppe The next time you find yourself in the mood for a delightfully imaginative frozen treat, make your way to Aunt Carrie's. They're well known for their wintery sundae creations like The Dirty Fisherman or The Little Rhody made from a base of their delicious hand-crafted ice creams. If you're looking for a little more than a simple cup or cone, Aunt Carrie's is happy to serve a scoop on the side of a slice of their homemade apple pie. 6. The Original Vanilla Bean Fill a fresh waffle cone with hand-churned pumpkin ice cream or treat yourself to a smooth and creamy vanilla bean milkshake at this town favorite shop. The Original Vanilla Bean doesn't limit itself to ice cream and has been bringing a full menu of hot, cold, and frozen coffee treats to the Ocean State for nearly 50 years. Before you head out to find your new favorite sweet shop, stop by Flood Mazda and check out our inventory of new, used, and Certified Pre—Owned vehicles. Let us help you find your new favorite car today! Image via SteadyContent
What do you do if you're one of the richest families in America? Build a mansion worthy of your opulent lifestyle. Known fondly as the Breakers, this 70-room house was completed in 1895. The cost? Over $12 million. 1. Whimsical Architecture Cornelius Vanderbilt II built the mansion as a summer home for his family. After seeing the original burned down, he insisted that the new one must be fireproof. Therefore he built it using steel, and he buried the furnace underneath the street! The design must have worked because the house still stands today. Cornelius' wife Alice made a few requests as well. Her bedroom featured a unique oval shape. Even the doors were specially made to fit the curved walls. She also required four closets in order to fit all her beautiful clothes. more 2. Still In The Family After the original owner Cornelius died, his wife Alice lived on the property until her death in 1934. The mansion then passed on to her daughter, the Countess Gladys Szechenyi. It was Gladys who allowed the Preservation Society of Newport to lease the mansion: on one condition. The third floor must always be left intact for the family to stay in. When Gladys passed away in 1965, her daughter Sylvia became the owner. Sylvia sold the mansion to the Society with the original deal in place. The family would always be allowed to live on the third floor. 3. The Mansion Is Rumoured to Have a Ghost The mansion contains a secret. The ghost of Alice Vanderbilt has been sighted by family, servants, and visitors. She is a charming and quiet ghost, content to stay mostly on the second floor where her bedroom was. Why does she linger? We don't know, and the family doesn't wish to disturb her with any investigations. 4. Extensive Grounds Covering 14 acres of gorgeous seafront property, the gardens at the mansion are not to be missed. The grounds boast many examples of rare trees, including blue atlas cedar and copper beeches. The landscape architect spared no expense, and the gardens and trees serve to insulate the mansion from both street noise and nosy neighbors. 5. Museum Tours The mansion is one of the most popular attractions in Rhode Island, receiving nearly 300,000 visitors each year. It has received the status of a National Historic Landmark. Tours are available daily to the public and include access to most of the first floor. The great hall, dining room, music room, and kitchen are must-sees. Be sure to take in the fresh ocean air on the loggia and witness stunning views. Occasionally special tours are available. These allow visitors access to previously closed off areas like the underground tunnel and basement. You don't have to be a billionaire like Cornelius Vanderbilt to feel like a king. Come to Flood Mazda and browse our inventory of new and used cars. You are sure to find a stylish, yet affordable, car to cruise the Newport Coast in. Image via SteadyContent
Established in 1965, Fort Adams State Park spans 200 acres and preserves Fort Adams and several other historic landmarks. Here are four tips for visiting the state park to ensure your experience is unforgettable, and not for the wrong reasons. 1. Bring Your Walking Shoes People wear all sorts of shoes to the famous park. However, they're often not appropriate for the situation. When you tour the fort and surrounding historic sites, you'll do a lot of walking. Make sure your shoes are comfortable enough to walk for an hour during the guided tour. This tour will give you a high-level overview of the fort's history during its active period from 1799 to 1953 and whet your appetite for more education. more 2. Make Time to Tour the Eisenhower House The park is open from sunrise to sunset every day. Be aware of what time the sun will set on the day you plan to go and make sure you leave plenty of time on your scheduled day to tour the Eisenhower House. Formerly known as Quarters Number One of Fort Adams or Commandant's Residence, this stately mansion was constructed in 1873. This sprawling Victorian-style home was first inhabited by General Henry Jackson Hunt after George C. Mason & Son constructed it. Today, it is called the Eisenhower House because President Eisenhower made it his summer residence between 1958 and 1960. Touring this house is like stepping back decades into the past, forgetting momentarily all of the stressors in your life. 3. Stay for the Best Sunset in Newport You should visit Fort Adams in the late afternoon at least once. The sunset from the west side of the Bay Walk is the most beautiful in the entire city. The Walk takes you along Narragansett Bay's picturesque East Passage and provides unobstructed views of the sun setting over Jamestown. Be sure your phone or favorite camera is charged so you can take pictures of Clingstone and the Castle Hill, Beavertail, and Rose Island lighthouses. Though the sun sets in the west, it's also worth it to stroll down the East Side of the Bay Walk which overlooks Newport Harbor. Across the harbor, you will see the New York Yacht Club, easily identifiable by its white and green awning, the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, the Newport Waterfront straight to the East of the state park, and Goat Island. 4. Go Between the July 4th Weekend and Labor Day Between July 4th weekend and Labor Day every year, you can take a 90-minute tour of the fort and the rest of the state park in a golf cart. If you think you'll forget, put it on your calendar. You won't regret your decision to schedule this special tour. When you visit Fort Adams, be sure to bring comfortable shoes, make time to tour the Eisenhower House, tour the park in a golf cart, and take in the most beautiful sunset in Newport. For help to get into a better vehicle, call Flood Mazda now. See you soon! Image via SteadyContent
