Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum in Bristol, considered one of the finest public gardens in New England, appears to be the favorite "staycation" spot for Barrington Patch readers.

Forty percent of Patch readers who voted in this week’s Readers’ Choice poll picked Blithwold, a 45-room mansion on a 33-acre country estate with "mysterious and exotic gardens" that overlook Narragansett Bay.

The poll asked: What is your favorite staycation spot in the East Bay? It was posted on the site from early Monday morning to Friday at 9 am.

Among the Barrington spots included in the poll were Haines Memorial State Park on the East Providence line and overlooking Bullock's Cove and Veterans Memorial Park and the adjacent Brickyard Pond -- a favorite fishing hole in the East Bay. Neither came close to topping Blithewold for a fun-filled vacation close to home.

Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol received the second highest number of votes. It appears that even if Barringtonites stay home for a vacation, they do like to wander out and make some day trips.

Be sure to watch Patch over the weekend when we tally up the top votes and announce the favorite stay-cation spots in all of Patch’s Rhode Island sites. And check back on Monday to choose the best liquor store in Barrington.