An Easy-To-Navigate Little New England Airport Takes The Crown As One Of America's Best

How far is the airport from downtown Providence? Oh, about 15 minutes by car. Okay, but how far is it by public transit? That'll take you a little longer — about 21 minutes. Right, but when you get there, airport security is awful, right? Well, it might take more than five minutes, but only if you come at peak hours. And TSA is usually really friendly. You should hear them say, "How ya doin'?" in a thick New England accent. Sure, but then you have to find your gate, which must be a hassle, right? Um, no? It's really just a straight line. You'd have to work to get lost ...

If you're accustomed to sprawling airline hubs, T.F. Green International Airport is like something from another universe. Arriving flights rarely have to taxi for long, and the moment you step off the plane, you're only minutes from baggage claim and ground transport. As you descend the escalator, there's a good chance you'll see musician Andrew Kaplan playing standards and show tunes on a grand piano in the lobby. You'll also be welcomed by a fully rigged Mount Gay 30 racing sailboat, which is dry-docked next to the exit. The bus stop and ride-share station are directly outside, and Parking Lot A is about a one-minute walk from the main entrance. This level of ease and economy has made Rhode Island one of the most budget-friendly vacation spots in New England.

Named after Theodore Francis Green, a politician who governed Rhode Island during the Great Depression and later served as a U.S. Senator, T.F. Green International has earned widespread accolades. A Reader's Choice survey in Condé Nast Traveler, which received more than 575,000 votes, placed T.F. Green in the top 10 airports in the U.S., while a Travel & Leisure survey of 186,000 participants named the airport the nation's second-best. The physical complex may be small, serving only seven airlines, but as many as 3.5 million people travel through this terminal each year. The airport boasts direct flights to 39 different destinations — including Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic — and more than 90 flights per day.

While T.F. Green is technically located in the second-tier city of Warwick, it's a quick drive from Providence — Rhode Island's capital and largest city — and the two municipalities seamlessly overlap. Many New Englanders prefer T.F. Green to larger, closer airports. Indeed, some travelers from the southern suburbs of Boston have found it's about as fast to get to T.F. Green as it is to get to Logan International Airport, the hub located in their own city. While the New England Patriots are based outside of Boston, T.F. Green is the NFL team's official airport for away games. This isn't surprising, given Boston Logan's nightmarish reputation as one of the worst airports in the U.S.

The best part? T.F. Green is your gateway to the beautiful Ocean State. Rhode Island has long been famous for its beaches, seafood, and sailing, and Providence has garnered a reputation for arts and dining. While most Americans recognize Rhode Island as the smallest state in the nation, a recent tourism campaign capitalized on this fact, referring to the state as "fun-sized." It's true: You can drive from one end of Rhode Island to the other in about an hour, dropping into quaint New England towns and touring centuries' worth of cultural landmarks as you go.

Rhode Island is also full of surprises. Horror fans can find the famous headstone of author H.P. Lovecraft. History buffs can visit Slater Mill, the birthplace of America's Industrial Revolution. Down in Newport, you can take in both Gilded Age mansions and spectacular coastal views on the Cliff Walk. Rhode Island is small but perfectly formed, and its airport might just be the best in the country.