Taylor Swift gave Rhode Island a shoutout during a recent Q&A on Ellen. (Don’t even get me started about Ellen’s response…) Of course, you may already be aware that she bought a house in Watch Hill, RI some years ago (If you’re not, then my best guess is you’ve been on an extreme digital detox for the last 4-5 years.), but if all you know about WH is her house, and maybe the five star hotel and resort up the street, then it’s time for a look at a few of the other gems in that area. You’ll want to bookmark them all for your next vacay day in one of the more popular summertime destinations in the OS.

1. The Aphrodite. You’ve probably spied this classic boat tons of times. And wondered about it. Well, it has quite the history! First owned by financier John Hay Whitney, who had it built back in the 1930’s, the 74 foot luxury yacht was expertly restored in Maine during the early 2000’s. It later made its way to Westerly, RI by way of the Ocean House’s own Chuck Royce. Guests at the OH can now cruise into town on it at scheduled times during the day during their stay. (PS ~ If you cannot swing a staycation at the OH ty, make friends with someone who can. Then hitch a ride with them on The Aphrodite. 😉)

2. Catch up with the famous Flying Horses at the pavilion on Bay Street. Believed to have been abandoned by a traveling carnival around 1879, and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, it’s officially the oldest, still in operation in the United States carousel that features individual (hand-carved) horses suspended from chains. Don’t call it a merry-go-round, but do take kiddos under 12 - they will ❤️ it! (PS ~ It opens officially in June.)

3. Looking for another location for your foody updates from WH? The you’ll be ecstatic to hear that the award winning Sift Bake Shop is open in town (aka, Bay Street) again this year, thru Labor Day. Their 2nd outpost (the original being nearby in Mystic) is serving up a variety of scrumptious cookies and other yummy baked goods for all your snacking and snapping - because photos or it didn’t happen is still very much a thing - pleasure starting now.