The East Bay Bike Path

Rhode Island's best-known rail-trail, the East Bay Bicycle Path, hugs the shores of Narragansett Bay, from Bristol in the south and north to India Point Park in Providence. The 14-mile paved path accommodates a wide variety of users. Markers on the pavement every half mile help you keep track of your progress.

The trail takes you through an alternating landscape of stunning natural areas, as well as more urban enclaves. Spur trails lead to several parks and conservation areas, including Colt State Park in Bristol, Burr's Hill Park in Warren and Veterans Memorial Park and Haines Memorial State Park in Barrington.

In Bristol, watch for an intersection on the path marked by bike racks. Here, a path leads to the Rhode Island Audubon Society's Environmental Education Center. The center features a state-of-the art, fully accessible natural history museum and aquarium, as well as all-season guided tours, nature walks and special family programs.

Approaching Providence, you'll cross the Interstate 195 bridge to India Point Park, the path's northern terminus. The park, built on the rail bed and scrap metal yards in 1974, was originally a port for trading ships bound for the East and West Indies in the 1700s. After 1850, with the arrival of the rail line, it became a debarkation point for new immigrants to America. Train service on this route operated from 1855 until 1974. In 1900, the New Haven Railroad, which owned the line at the time, converted it to electric car service using overhead lines.

A 0.5-mile detour from the trail in Riverside leads to Crescent Park and the Looff Carousel. To get to the park, head east on Crescent View Avenue where it intersects the trail. A sculptural masterpiece of wood, the carousel features 62 exquisitely carved figures and four chariots. Dating to 1895, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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