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
Rhode Island's coastal location and climate make it an excellent place for vineyards with gorgeous views and delicious varietals. Many are open for tours and tastings, and they produce delicious red, white, blush, rose, and other varieties of wine. Take a look at some of the great wineries below and try out the fruits of their labors with your friends or family members. Note: Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, please confirm the current state of operations by contacting these businesses before visiting. Leyden Farm Vineyard and Winery Discover a winery with an at-home atmosphere at Leyden Farm Vineyard and Winery, located at 106 Plain Meeting House Road. This establishment is about 30 minutes away from Wakefield in nearby West Greenwich. You can relax on the farmhouse front porch with a glass of your favorite wine or a selection of delicious tasting samples. The core wine selection includes Cleo's Blanc, Sunny Grigio, Leyden Vineyard's American White Blend, and Leyden Vineyard's American Chardonnay. You can also sample the following wines: Leyden Vineyard's American White Zinfandel. Leyden Vineyard's American Riesling. Jack's White Merlot. Leyden Vineyard's American Sangiovese. Leyden Vineyard's American Merlot. Romeo's Red. Leyden Vineyard's American Pinot Noir. Leyden Vineyard's Cayuga White. You can also try wine with delicious fruit essences, including American Cranberry, American Cranapple, Peach, Siberian Blue (Blueberry), Apple Jack Russell, Lazy Watermelon, Samson's Wildberry, and Golden Sangria. Many orders include free delivery, or you can pick up your order from noon to 5 p.m. more Langworthy Farm Winery Langworthy Farm Winery is also a bed-and-breakfast establishment. Visitors can spend their time in a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by gorgeous landscapes while they take in the flavors of many delicious wines. Langworthy Farm's bed-and-breakfast offers seven different suites; each has its own amenities and features. Built in 1875, this winery and farm is at 308 Shore Road in Westerly, about 30 minutes from Wakefield. The largest Norway maple tree in the state grows on the grounds. Wine options include the following: Avondale Cabernet Merlot. Charlestown Cabernet Franc. Haversham Reserve Chardonnay. Misquamicut Merlot. Napatree Cabernet Sauvignon. Noyes Neck Vidal Blanc. Pawcatuck River Red. Pleasant Point Petit Verdot. Rhody Riesling. It would take days to try everything Langworthy Farm Winery has to offer. Gooseneck Vineyards Savor every moment that you spend with your friends and family members at Gooseneck Vineyards, 4 Brown St. in North Kingstown. You'll discover more than wine for dining. The establishment offers cooking wines, mussels, pomegranate prosecco punch, salmon pizza, and more. Sample some of the most popular wines such as proseccos, brut roses, pinot grigios, sauvignon blancs, chardonnays, roses, pinot noirs, heritage reds, and cabernet sauvignons. Whether you're interested in a bottle for personal use or a case to share with friends, this vineyard is glad to fill your order. You can also attend a wine tasting with three or five wine varieties and a free glass. Each of the above Rhode Island wineries has everything you'll need to rest, relax, and enjoy some of the best locally produced wines in the state. Visit each of them when you have the chance. You can have fun, sample a range of wines, find a few new varieties to love, and help support local farms and businesses. Image by Photo Mix from Pixabay
