Lincoln, Rhode Island: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – Discover the Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!
Lincoln sits on the Blackstone River just north of Providence. The Arnold House here is a stone-ender built in 1693, which puts it among the earliest surviving buildings in Rhode Island. Lincoln Woods State Park covers over 2,000 acres and draws climbers from outside the state. The Twin River Casino is the other reason people drive out.
Lincoln, Rhode Island is small and it holds more than its size suggests. History, outdoor country and good food are all here, and the town works for someone travelling alone as readily as for a family.
Lincoln eats well for a town this size. The restaurants cover Italian through to American cooking without much of a gap between them. For something sweet, the ice cream at Lincoln Creamery is what the town is known for, and it is worth the calories.
The history is the other half. The Blackstone River Valley runs through here, the Hearthside House Museum is open to visitors, and the Slater Mill Historic Site is a short drive away. For anyone who would rather be outdoors, Lincoln Woods State Park carries the hiking, biking, swimming and horseback riding.
Key Takeaways
- Lincoln, Rhode Island is a charming town that offers something for everyone.
- You can enjoy delicious cuisine, explore the town’s rich history and culture, and experience the great outdoors.
- Don’t forget to visit Lincoln Creamery for some of the best ice cream in town!
A Bite of Lincoln
Lincoln, Rhode Island is a better eating town than its reputation, with farm-fresh produce at one end and savory meat pies at the other. The food worth trying in Lincoln:
Farm Fresh Delights
Lincoln’s farmers’ markets are where the local produce actually is. Corn, tomatoes and zucchini are the reliable ones, and the fresh herbs are the part people forget to buy. It is the efficient way to fill a fridge if you are staying in a rental.
English Meat Pies and More
For something heartier, Lincoln’s English meat pies are the local institution. They are filled with beef and vegetables and they are not a light lunch. Local bakeries and restaurants across the town sell them, and a cold beer alongside is the correct pairing.
Lincoln runs beyond meat pies. The bakeries do homemade apple pie and fresh-baked cookies if you want something sweet, and the restaurants around town cover a juicy burger or a steak if you want something that will hold you until dinner.
Lincoln, Rhode Island feeds people properly. Fresh produce, savory meat pies and good baked goods, all within a short drive. Arrive hungry.
Historic Lincoln
Lincoln, Rhode Island carries more history than a town this size normally does, and most of it is still standing. The places to see:
Hearthside House Tour
The Hearthside House dates to 1810 and is the local landmark. The historical house museum has been restored to what it was, and the tour shows you how the wealthy residents of Lincoln actually lived in the 19th century. The guides are knowledgeable and genuinely entertaining, which is rarer than it should be.
Arnold House Visit
The Arnold House is the older one, a stone-ender built in 1693 and among the oldest buildings in Rhode Island. It is a national historic landmark, and what it demonstrates is the craftsmanship of the early settlers. Take the guided tour for the history of the house and the Arnold family, or simply walk around it and look at how it was put together.
Stone-Ender Structures
Stone-ender structures are a Rhode Island form, and Lincoln has some of the best surviving examples. They were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, and you know one by the large central chimney and the roof sloping down to the ground. Stand in front of a stone-ender and the ingenuity of the people who built it is the thing that lands.
Local history, architecture, or simply somewhere old enough to be interesting: Lincoln, Rhode Island covers all three. Historic houses and stone-enders, all within a short drive of each other in this corner of New England.
Outdoor Adventures in Lincoln
Lincoln, Rhode Island is better outdoor country than its size predicts. The best of it:
Lincoln Woods State Park
Lincoln Woods State Park is the one to prioritise. Over 2,000 acres of woods and water covers hiking, biking and swimming without anyone having to compromise. The trails wind properly rather than looping back, and the rocky ground is the reason climbers come here.
Kayaking on the Blackstone
For a different view of Lincoln, take a kayak down the Blackstone River. The greenery closes in on both sides and the wildlife is close enough to see properly. Kayak rental companies in the area will supply everything if you did not bring your own.
Bouldering Fun
Bouldering is the outdoor activity Lincoln is actually known for. Lincoln Woods State Park holds some of the best problems in the region, across a range that takes an experienced climber and a complete beginner equally. Bring shoes and chalk.
Pack a picnic and a water bottle and give Lincoln, Rhode Island a full day outdoors. The park alone will absorb it.
Lincoln Woods State Park deserves a full day. Over 2,000 acres of woods and water, with trails for walking and riding, swimming when the weather allows, and rock worth climbing. The Blackstone River takes a kayak. Rentals are available locally. The history is a separate morning: the Arnold House from 1693, the Hearthside House from 1810, and the stone-enders in between.
Lincoln’s Gaming and Entertainment
Lincoln, Rhode Island covers the evening better than most towns this size, from a casino to a laser tag arena. The options:
Casino Nights
The Twin River Casino is the big one, running blackjack, roulette and poker alongside over 4,000 slot machines and 92 table games. It also programmes events and concerts through the year, so check the schedule before you decide it is only a casino.
Battlegroundz Excitement
Battlegroundz is the active option, a laser tag and arcade center in Lincoln. The laser tag arena is the reason to go and the arcade games fill the rest of it. With over 20,000 square feet there is genuine room to move rather than shuffle.
Movie and Bowling Fun
CW Lanes & Games is the relaxed evening, combining bowling with a cinema on the same site. There are 16 lanes with modern scoring, and the attached cinema runs the current releases, so a film either side of the game is straightforward.
Whatever your idea of an evening is, Lincoln, Rhode Island has a version of it. Take people with you.
Family Fun in Lincoln
Looking for a fun-filled family day out in Lincoln? Look no further. Lincoln has a wide variety of activities that are perfect for families with kids of all ages. From exciting zoo escapades to aquarium wonders and amusement park thrills, Lincoln has it all.
Zoo Escapades
If you’re an animal lover, then you must visit the Lincoln Zoo. This zoo is home to over 100 different species of animals from all around the world. Get up close and personal with the animals and learn about their habitats, diets, and behaviors. Don’t forget to take a ride on the zoo’s train, which will take you on a tour of the park.
Aquarium Wonders
For an underwater adventure, visit the Lincoln Aquarium. This aquarium has a wide variety of marine life, including sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles. You can even touch some of the animals in the touch tank. Don’t miss the daily shows where you can watch the trainers feed the animals and learn about their behaviors.
Amusement Park Thrills
For a day of excitement and thrills, head to the Lincoln Amusement Park. This park has a wide variety of rides, from roller coasters to water rides. There are also plenty of games and attractions, including a haunted house and a mini-golf course. Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat at one of the park’s many food stands.
No matter what your family’s interests are, Lincoln has something for everyone. So pack up the kids and head out for a day of fun and adventure.
Exploring Beyond Lincoln
With Lincoln, Rhode Island covered, the surrounding country is worth a second day. The trips worth taking:
Day Trip to Providence
Providence is a short drive from Lincoln and holds a full day easily. Start at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, which keeps over 160 species. Then the Rhode Island State House, which is the seat of the state’s government and worth seeing as a building. Federal Hill is where to eat, and the Italian cooking there is the reason it is famous. Finish with a walk through Waterplace Park, along the riverwalk.
Block Island Getaway
Block Island is the slower option, a short ferry ride from Point Judith. The beaches, the hiking trails and the shops are the whole proposition, and it is a genuinely restful day. Walk up to Mohegan Bluffs for the view, and see the Southeast Lighthouse, which has been guiding ships since 1875.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you handle the speed of the go karts in Lincoln, Rhode Island?
The go-karts in Lincoln, Rhode Island move faster than they look. Anyone who wants their heart rate up will get what they came for. Hold on and wear the seatbelt.
Is Lincoln Park in Rhode Island still a fun place to visit?
Lincoln Park is no longer the amusement park it once was, and it is still worth the walk. The grounds are pleasant, a picnic works well there, and it is a good place to sit for an hour. Traces of the park’s older life turn up if you look for them.
Looking for fun things to do near me, any suggestions for Lincoln, Rhode Island?
Lincoln, Rhode Island has plenty. Take a hike through Lincoln Woods State Park, visit the Providence Athenaeum library, or spend an evening at the Twin River Casino. None of the three will disappoint.
Are the CWTheaters at Lincoln Mall 16 worth checking out?
Yes. The CWTheaters at Lincoln Mall 16 runs the current releases with modern projection and sound. The popcorn is fresh, which matters more than people admit. It works for a date or for a family.
Is 2 Manchester Print Works Rd in Lincoln, Rhode Island a hidden gem?
It is. 2 Manchester Print Works Rd is the address of the Hearthside House Museum, a restored 1810 Federal-style mansion. It is the best place in Lincoln, Rhode Island to understand the history of the town and the country around it.
What’s the best way to enjoy the great outdoors in Lincoln, Rhode Island?
There’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Lincoln, Rhode Island. Take a hike through the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, go fishing in the Woonasquatucket River, or take a leisurely bike ride on the East Bay Bike Path. The possibilities are endless.
Frequently asked questions about Lincoln, Rhode Island
What is a stone-ender, and where can you see one in Lincoln, Rhode Island?
A building with a large central chimney and a roof sloping down to the ground, built here in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is a Rhode Island form and it barely exists elsewhere. The Arnold House, built in 1693, is the one to see, and it is a national historic landmark.
How big is Lincoln Woods State Park?
Over 2,000 acres of woods and water. There are trails for hiking and biking, swimming in season, and bouldering on the rocky ground, which draws climbers from well outside the state. Pack a picnic and give it the day.
When was the Hearthside House in Lincoln built?
1810, and it has been restored to what it was. The house museum shows how the wealthy residents of Lincoln lived in the 19th century, and the guides are worth listening to rather than reading past. It stands at 2 Manchester Print Works Rd.
Keep exploring Lincoln, Rhode Island
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