This seaside get-away is plopped down in the Atlantic Ocean, 15 miles off the mainland of Rhode Island. Two-hundred foot bluffs look out over the restless tide and the Great Salt Pond nurtures a host of wildlife rarely seen elsewhere. And little ferries, filled with passengers, chug back and forth to the rocky nest from Port Judith on the mainland. This magnificent, little rock lures thousands to its shores. The island overflows with natural beauty -- gentle hills, Early American homes, stone walls, meadows painted with wildflowers, and towering bluffs perched over the pounding tide.

Middletown is a swimsuit community with a population of 17,334. With several beaches to call its own, it is centrally located between Narragansett Bay and the Sakonnet River in Rhode Island. One of the most popular attractions in Middletown is the Norman Bird Sanctuary with more than 350 acres of beachside trails. Biking is a great way to take to the trails, especially in the crisp autumn days. Bird watching at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is a popular pastime here, and catching the views of a radiant sunset on Third Beach is another.

Sprawled out around scenic Newport Bay, the city of Newport is all about the sea. The Bayfront, a street of quaint pubs, restaurants and shops backing Newport Bay, is a pleasant way to take in the sights and smells of the sea. Aquariums, surf shops, lighthouses, and great clamming spots can all be found here.

Warwick, the second largest town in Rhode Island, is composed of 30 separate villages each with a distinctive personality. The community is centrally located and surrounded by 39 miles of shoreline, giving it an edge on both business and tourism. Peering out over the beautiful Narragansett Bay, Warwick has a bit of brine in its blood. Four of its parks are salt-water beaches. Along with the usual beach activities, City Park offers hiking, biking and softball. Finding something to sink the teeth into is easy. Restaurants are almost as prevalent as retail stores.