10 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in Rhode Island
It isn't hard to find a memorable vacation destination in Rhode Island; the state has over 400 miles of coastline, more historic structures per capita than nearly any other state, and a maritime heritage that ranges from Gilded Age yacht racing to working-class lobster fisheries. In Bristol, the nation’s oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration has filled the waterfront with patriotic pageantry since 1785. On Block Island, the Mohegan Bluffs drop 200 feet to a quiet beach reached by 141 wooden steps. These 10 towns show how Rhode Island turns bay views and colonial streets into ideal long-weekend destinations.
Bristol
Bristol sits on a narrow peninsula between Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay. The drive into town alone is worth the trip, with water on both sides and colonial homes lined up along Hope Street. At the center of it all is Colt State Park, 464 acres of open fields and paved paths along the bay that locals flock to in the summer months.
Rent a bike or just walk the shoreline loop and watch the sailboats drift past. Nearby, Blithewold Mansion and Gardens is a 33-acre estate with a 45-room mansion, a working greenhouse, and sweeping bay views. The Herreshoff Marine Museum tells the story of the region's boatbuilding dynasty with original vessels that are simply stunning.
If you're around for the 4th of July, Bristol hosts the oldest continuous celebration in the United States. It's a tradition going back to 1785, when a Revolutionary War veteran named Henry Wight conducted the first patriotic celebrations. We suggest you stay in the William's Grant Inn B&B, which puts you right in the middle of the action, within walking distance of the waterfront and Hope Street's excellent restaurants.
Jamestown
Jamestown occupies most of Conanicut Island in the middle of Narragansett Bay. Getting there involves a bridge crossing with views that'll make you want to stop and snap some photos. The island is small enough to feel like a hidden gem and interesting enough that the entire long weekend will fly by without you noticing.
Beavertail State Park is the highlight of the trip and sits at the island's southern tip, where the Atlantic crashes against the rocks and where America's third-oldest lighthouse keeps watch. If you walk out to the point on a clear day, you can see Block Island in the distance.
Nearby, Fort Wetherill State Park, which sits above the bay, offers dramatic ocean views and some of the best cliff-jumping in the state if that's your thing. For a different kind of adventure, rent a kayak and paddle across to Dutch Island to poke around the ruins of Fort Greble. Pitch a tent or park your RV at Fort Getty Park, or treat yourself to a stay at Castle Hill Inn on the Newport side of the bridge, which is a waterside property with 33 rooms and its own lighthouse.
Little Compton
Little Compton is tucked into the southeastern corner of Rhode Island, bordered by the Sakonnet River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It has roots that feel closer to old-timey coastal New England than almost anywhere in the state.
One of the most photographed corners of the state is the Commons, a traditional New England town square surrounded by centuries-old buildings and the stunning United Congregational Church of Little Compton. For a different kind of vibe, the Goosewing Beach Preserve is a wild stretch of barrier beach that stays uncrowded even in the warmer months. Sakonnet Point is at the far southern tip of the peninsula, which has a working harbor, a lighthouse out on the rocks, and some of the best striped bass fishing on the East Coast.
While you're there, stop at the historic Wilbur's General Store for coffee, local produce, and a walk through a building that feels locked in time. Spend your nights at The Stone House Inn, a residence built in 1854 on Sakonnet Point, with the kind of views that justify spending your entire weekend.
Narragansett
Most visitors would agree that The Towers are the first thing you need to see when you arrive in Narragansett. These are massive stone arches that once served as the grand entrance to the Narragansett Pier Casino in the 1880s, which now stand alone above the seawall after the casino burned down. Concerts happen there in summer, and the views of the Atlantic from the top are unbeatable. Narragansett Town Beach stretches out below, drawing surfers all year-round and sunbathers from May through September.
For a quieter afternoon, Fishermen's Memorial State Park has open fields and walking paths away from the bustling summer crowds. Stay at the Aqua Blue, which is a popular hotel that offers rooms with oceanfront views.
Westerly
Westerly sits right at the Connecticut border with a historic downtown that is all redbrick and independent shops. With access to some of Rhode Island's finest beaches, Westerly is a prime vacation destination.
Misquamicut State Beach is the main draw. The beach is a long, wide stretch of sand on the Atlantic coast that can get rowdy in summer but is absolutely gorgeous no matter the season. From Westerly, it's a short drive to Watch Hill, an upper-class enclave with gorgeous mansions and the oldest operating carousel in the country. Napatree Point Conservation Area at the tip of Watch Hill offers a mile-long sandy area with almost no development and a chance to see nesting shorebirds in the summer.
The legendary Ocean House Hotel is perched above the water and is one of the finest hotels in New England. We recommend that you book a room well in advance of your long weekend visit.
Warren
Warren doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves. This small Bristol County town has quietly assembled one of the most interesting main streets in the state, with a mix of antique shops, independent bookstores, bars, and art galleries ready to welcome you. Main Street is the place to start. From there, you can spend a morning browsing Carmen & Ginger for vintage finds, picking up a paperback at Ink Fish Books, and stopping for coffee while you figure out what to do next. The Warren Town Beach is a sandy stretch on the bay, good for swimming and sunset watching without the crowds you'd find in better-known spots.
For wildlife lovers, the Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge is one of the best spots for birding on the whole east side of the bay. The town's working waterfront still has commercial fishing boats and boatyards that showcase the town's unique heritage. The Holiday Inn in Swansea is an easy and comfortable hotel option nearby.
East Greenwich
East Greenwich is perched above Greenwich Cove, with a Main Street full of good restaurants, interesting shops, and a waterfront that invites you to slow down and enjoy the sunshine. Main Street runs along the cove, lined with well-maintained historic buildings.
Goddard Memorial State Park, along the western shore of Greenwich Bay, has acres of trails, picnic grounds, and beach access that locals treat as their backyard. The Varnum Memorial Armory houses one of the finest collections of colonial military history in New England and is worth a visit for anyone who loves to explore the region's history.
For a comfortable stay, the TownePlace Suites is a well-reviewed hotel a short drive away from Goddard Park in nearby North Kingstown, ideal for anyone who wants easy access to the outdoors and a comfy bed for the weekend.
Wickford
Wickford Village, within North Kingstown, looks almost exactly like it did centuries ago. It's home to one of the largest concentrations of 18th-century architecture in New England, with history coming alive as you walk around the historic hamlet.
The harbor at the center of town is surrounded by clapboard buildings right down to the water, with sailboats tied up at the docks. The streets are walkable and lined with independent shops and art galleries. Smith's Castle, just north of the village, dates to 1678 and is recognized as the oldest surviving plantation house in America, with guided tours that bring the colonial period to life without the theme-park treatment.
We recommend planning your trip around the annual Wickford Art Festival in July, which draws over 200 artists and has been running continuously since 1962. You can stay at the Hamilton Village Inn, a historic property that offers comfortable rooms in a picturesque setting only a short drive away from Wickford.
Tiverton
The long, narrow town of Tiverton along the Sakonnet River is easy to miss but has two unique personalities, with a popular waterfront village and a quiet, agricultural interior that feels nothing like the coast just a few miles away.
Tiverton Four Corners is a small crossroads of art galleries, antique shops, and cafés that draw a crowd without feeling like a tourist trap. The Weathervane Cottages in neighboring Portsmouth are close enough to Tiverton to serve as a comfortable home base for the weekend. For a slower afternoon, the Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge manages miles of coastal habitat along the river that feels almost untouched. Spend hours wandering through marshy trails and spotting migrating birds.
Block Island
A 30 to 55-minute ferry ride from Point Judith lands you in Block Island, a place that feels genuinely disconnected from the mainland. With only about 800 year-round residents, almost no chain businesses, and nearly 40 percent of the island permanently protected as a natural reserve, the island is the perfect long weekend getaway for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of Rhode Island's most popular stops.
The Mohegan Bluffs on the southeastern shore are the defining image of the island. These 200-foot clay cliffs drop to a quiet beach below that is reachable via 141 wooden steps. The Southeast Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark built in 1874, sits at the top with panoramic ocean views. The Clayhead Nature Trail winds through coastal grasslands above the water and leads to a series of interconnected paths called "The Maze," which is a great spot for birdwatching.
The main settlement of Old Harbor has the Victorian facades, fishing boats, and weathered seafood shacks that show up on every New England postcard. Stay at the 1661 Inn, a classic island inn with a mix of rooms and cottages and ocean views from nearly every deck. We recommend that you book months ahead for summer weekends.
A Long Weekend Like No Other
None of the towns on this list requires reservations weeks in advance, apart from some obvious exceptions in the summer months. But even in the high season, not one of these 10 perfect towns has the kind of crowds that make travel feel like a chore. A long weekend in Rhode Island is all about the ferry rides, the back roads, and the harbor views at low tide. The state shows itself at its best in the quiet towns and beaches that are never more than a short drive away from each other.
