Featured Destination Story

Kinney Azalea Gardens

Kingstown, RI

The Kinney Azalea Gardens is a stunning and serene botanical oasis known for its breathtaking displays of azalea and rhododendron blossoms. Nestled within the picturesque landscape of the University of Rhode Island's W. Alton Jones Campus, these gardens offer a tranquil escape for nature enthusiasts, garden lovers, and visitors seeking a peaceful retreat. The gardens were originally developed by W. Alton Jones, a philanthropist and conservationist, and have since become a beloved attraction.

The gardens are located on 16 acres of land in Kingston and were founded in the 1920s by Lorenzo Kinney Sr., the first botany professor at the University of Rhode Island. They are home to over a thousand different cultivars and species of rhododendrons, azaleas, native and exotic trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with over 150 bird species spotted on the property.