Sakonnet Lighthouse and Harbor in Little Compton, Rhode Island.

2025's 10 Most Scenic Rhode Island Towns

A celebrated pioneer in Colonial rebellion, Rhode Island has had a long history and relationship with freedom and tolerance. However, whether you will tolerate its mind-rousing beauty is a different question — one that only your wide eyes and wandering feet can answer. The Ocean State boasts more than 400 miles of shoreline, a stretch that doubles up as one of the most accessible in New England. Some charming small towns line this stretch of paradise, while others, not less charming, dot its inland realms. Whatever your version of beauty, you will find a location that looks like a familiar dream. Keep reading to discover the 10 most scenic Rhode Island towns to visit in 2025.

Charlestown

Charlestown, Rhode Island
Charlestown, Rhode Island

Charlestown is a neat, compact community, peacefully nestled in southwestern Rhode Island, about 90 minutes from Boston. Its six miles of coastline is enough space for a serene seaside escape, complete with quiet beaches and soothing views that feel miles away from the rush of city life. Depending on the season, one can enjoy plenty of sun and sand at the many pretty beaches along the world's second-largest ocean, including East Beach, one of Rhode Island’s least developed stretches of sand. Alternatively, there is the Charlestown Breachway, with its signature twin seawalls, and Blue Shutters, a family‑oriented public beach that serves as a quieter alternative to its more famous neighbors. Don't miss the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, a 900-acre wildlife refuge on the shore of Ninigret Pond with birds and easy-to-walk trails.

Little Compton

Little Compton, Rhode Island
Little Compton, Rhode Island

Little Compton may deceive you as “little,” but it is chock-full of interesting things to see and do. And not just stone walls, although the town (and the area around) features some of the most abundant displays of stone walls on the continent. This is not talked about as it should, but Little Compton is home to one of Rhode Island’s most scenic spots: the swoon-worthy Goosewing Beach Preserve. And the landscape around is anything but ordinary, especially with its sudden bursts of meadow, water, beautiful rows of greenery, and shingled barns. Keep in mind that the whole of Little Compton’s town common is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sakonnet Garden is an amazingly beautiful treasure with wooden walkways and is one of those places that gives Alice-in-Wonderland vibes. Water lovers have South Shore Beach, an easy beach to get to, especially if worried about parking, and a lovely place to wander along.

Newport

Newport Cliff Walk Trail in Newport, Rhode Island.
Newport Cliff Walk Trail in Newport, Rhode Island. Editorial credit: Cavan-Images / Shutterstock.com.

Newport is on the southern end of Rhode Island in Narragansett Bay and is traditionally a big name in the country's vacation landscape. It was founded in the 1630s by a group of religious refugees from Massachusetts. James Franklin, an older brother of American founding father and philosopher Benjamin Franklin, started printing in Newport in 1727, a first for the state. Outdoor attractions abound in the area, including Touro Park, which features multiple tributes to historical events and persons, including the Shimoda Tomodachi Declaration, a nod to the long-standing relationship between the US and Japan. There is also the Newport Tower, an enigmatic Colonial-era windmill ruin that inspires debates about its true age; it's certainly one of the older European-built edifices in the US. Check out Fort Adams State Park, a fun place to connect with history and nature, or Gooseberry Beach, if you want to admire coastal views or sink your feet in the sand.

Narragansett

The Towers in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
The Towers in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

To be trapped between the Atlantic and Narragansett Bay may look like a cruel conspiracy by nature's deceitful hand, but it acts out differently for Narragansett, a town with offbeat restaurants, funky shops, and a deep relationship with water. Talking of water, Narragansett is home to a stunning sliver of sand that doubles up as the local outdoor playground. Town Beach is just a mile in length, because beauty sometimes comes in flashes and short doses. Surfers move in clusters, waiting like porpoises to catch the next wave, some of the best in New England. Just outside Narragansett, Point Judith Lighthouse looms over one of the so-called graveyards of the Atlantic; there have been many shipwrecks off this coast. You can mill around the pier or visit the Canonchet Farm for a mix of Colonial history and lovely trails.

Scituate

Hope Dam in Scituate, Rhode Island.
Hope Dam in Scituate, Rhode Island. By Rhododendrites - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.

Situate was part of Providence until 1731, but from the moment it carved its own identity, it has been quietly establishing a reputation for both adventure and relaxation. Residents often go to Dexter Pond, a scenic location just off Danielson Pike, to fish, skate, or just walk and enjoy lovely water views. There is Scituate Reservoir, which adds a mist of rustic charm to an already beautiful place. The roads around the reservoir, the largest freshwater body in Rhode Island, offer some of the most picturesque rural drives in Rhode Island. However, keep in mind that the reservoir property itself is off limits to the public. For more water options, Westconnaug Reservoir is just south of town and is hemmed by some lovely trails to explore. The scenery around Scituate is beautifully laid back and pastoral.

Westerly

Westerly, Rhode Island
Westerly, Rhode Island

Its name may not set the imagination purring with ideas, especially because it merely points to the town's geographical position on Rhode Island’s southwestern tip, but Westerly is a small, quiet charmer with all the hallmarks of a classic New England town. It has exquisite green spaces such as Wilcox Park, a heart-melting urban oasis recognized as a “Medallion Park” by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Meanwhile, Napatree Point is just south of town, a pristine spot with rare birds, a scenic hike with lovely water views, and a clean, swimmable beach to cool off. Check out Watch Hill Lighthouse as well, a fantastic place to catch a glorious sunset amid delicious coastal views. There is the Pawcatuck River, which flows along the town's western rim and serves as the boundary between Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Jamestown

Beavertail Light House near Jamestown, Rhode Island.
Beavertail Light House near Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Some towns pass through your mind like a whisper, and others tempt you to immediately look for a real estate agent. Jamestown, a slow, sleepy village on Conanicut Island, belongs to the last group. Jamestown is often less crowded than neighboring Newport, but we can't say the same thing for its pristine beauty. Once a much sought-after summer resort frequented by the well-heeled, and with several grand hotels lining its waterfront, Jamestown still retains vestiges of its vacation heydays. You will want to visit Mackerel Cove Beach, a nice beach with beautiful views and shallow waters. Steps away is another outdoor wonderland that tourists don't seem to get enough of: Fort Getty Park. You will find gorgeous open areas with benches and nice nooks to fish off the rocks. Fort Getty is also an awesome place to camp. There is the Marsh Meadows Wildlife Preserve, a nice place to watch ospreys swooping down in search of fish. Just don't forget Beavertail State Park, with its great scenery, beautiful lighthouse, and the sailboats that slowly make their way around the tip.

Tiverton

Tiverton, Rhode Island
Tiverton, Rhode Island

Tiverton is peacefully nestled on Rhode Island’s Farm Coast and is widely known for the Four Corners, a hub of artists with well-preserved Colonial and Federal-style buildings. Situated in the easternmost corner of Rhode Island, Tiverton is one of the most underrated towns in New England. Start your adventure at Grinnell’s Beach, just to watch sailboats and fishermen, and walk along the harbor. Alternatively, the drive to Fogland Beach through the Farm Coast is almost as beautiful as the destination itself. Although not in the league of big names such as Narragansett Town Beach, Fogland Beach has beautiful scenery that makes it ideal for a peaceful evening stroll. Meanwhile, Audubon Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge features lovely views of the Sakonnet River, along with pristine woodlands and marshes. On a good day, you will also find lots of birds and wildlife.

New Shoreham

Block Island North Light Lighthouse in New Shoreham, Rhode Island.
Block Island North Light Lighthouse in New Shoreham, Rhode Island.

If you still believe that big is better, it is because you have not passed within a mile of New Shoreham, whose deep and enduring beauty is at odds with its reputation as the smallest town in Rhode Island. The Mohegan Bluffs, which rise more than 150 feet above sea level on the southern realms of Block Island, is among the most photogenic spots on the island. The adjacent beach is a nice place to escape and forget about everything. Closer to town, Ocean View Pavilion is a beautiful spot with a wonderful view and perfect for an hour of calm and clarity. There is also Frederick J. Benson Town Beach, a lovely beach with unusually clear water that is easy to get to from the ferry. The sand is clean and soft, and best of all, you will find chairs and umbrellas for rental.

Bristol

 Independence Park in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Independence Park in Bristol, Rhode Island.

Depending on the time you swing to Bristol, you may find sailboats flying over impatient waves, as the salty breeze chops the air in swift, steady bursts. Meanwhile, a few steps from the harbor, mansions, especially on Hope Street, bear witness to maritime fortunes won and lost. If beauty will eventually save the world, the theatre of action will be places like Colt State Park, a 464-acre paradise, whose Edenic beauty is difficult to wrap one's head around. It offers panoramic Bay views, attentively groomed lawns, lovely trails, and picnic tables. Taking the cue, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island Nature Center and Aquarium offers a nature walk through wetlands, an aquarium with locally focused exhibits, and the chance to brush shoulders with ospreys, unique for their reversible outer toes that fit them for grasping all kinds of slippery fish. Also, you can be studying faces at Independence Park, one of the most relaxing places in the town to stroll or people-watch.

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but beauty is seldom measured in acres or miles. You may not find it as wild or whimsical as the Four Corners Region of America, but its rugged scenery and spectacular shoreline will still elicit frequent gasps of wonder. Rugged cliffs peer over the water, while sandy beaches stretch lazily below. You want a quick escape into some dreamy Neverland? The above locations are Rhode Island's most beautiful towns to visit in 2025.

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