6 Idyllic Small Towns In Rhode Island To Visit In 2025
Many of the idyllic small towns in Rhode Island feature beaches as their centerpieces, for good reason. Few vistas are more beautiful and more inspiring than standing on a sandy shore gazing out to sea, watching the sun set over the water, or sunning on a sailboat on a lazy afternoon. Rhode Island isn't called The Ocean State for nothing. Sometimes, however, Little Rhody's (another nickname referencing its small size) towns are special for other reasons: their quaint architecture, welcoming residents, or their curious history to explore. As the smallest US state, it is easy to drive from one town to another to find out which town feels most idyllic to you.
Narragansett
This small town is known for having great beaches -- three of them, in fact! Both Narragansett Town Beach and Scarborough State Beach have large, flat expanses of sandy beach and plenty of room for swimming, plus an area for surfing away from the swimmers. They also have pavilions, boardwalks, benches to sit on and restrooms. The third beach, Roger Wheeler State Beach, is especially loved by families with young children. Shielded by a breakwater barrier, it has calm waters and only a slight drop-off; it also has a playground. Lifeguards are on duty at all three beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day from 9 am to 6 pm. Narragansett Town Beach charges a fee during this time. As state beaches, Scarborough and Roger Wheeler beaches are free, but they do charge for parking. After Labor Day, the amenities are closed and no lifeguards are on duty.
Visitors and locals alike enjoy exploring the octagonal Point Judith Lighthouse, a picturesque site not to be missed. Anglers like to fish at the Camp Cronin Fishing Area, at the flat rock jetty, for the variety of species often caught there, including winter and summer flounder, striped bass, black sea bass, weakfish, and others. You might be lucky enough to find that the local landmark, The Towers, is hosting a public event during your visit. Either way, it is a landmark worth seeing. Originally part of the Narragansett Pier Casino, it was built between 1883 and 1886. With its stone facade and Victorian peaks, it is a majestic reminder of the former grandeur of this quaint town.
Charlestown
Just 12.9 miles south of Narragansett on Route 1 is the charming seaside town of Charlestown. Here you will see both large houses by the ocean and smaller brick or clapboard houses in the town. Even the larger houses, with their nautical details and rustic features, add to the relaxed charm that makes Charlestown idyllic. The town has four beaches: two town beaches and two state beaches. Charlestown Town Beach is described as having fine sand and moderate to heavy surf, while Blue Shutters Beach, with its milder surf, is geared more for families. East Beach/Ninigret State Beach, is known for great windsurfing conditions, while Charlestown Breachway State Beach is a rocky beach great for fishing and the best views of Block Island Sound, and offers camping.
Ninigret Park features a dog park, playground, hiking trails, a bike path, and a pond you can swim in. The 900-acre Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, which borders Ninigret Pond, is a serene spot for walking and viewing wildlife. Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center, which is also in Ninigret Park, opens every Friday night and for special events, depending on the weather and how clear the sky is (or isn't). Check their website on Thursday or Friday to see if they will be open and if tickets are required: https://frostydrew.org/observatory/visiting.php.
Tiverton
The quaint town of Tiverton sits on Narragansett Bay and the Sakonnet River, across from Aquidneck Island. Its two beaches, Grinnell Beach and Fogland Beach, have lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fogland Beach has spots for fishing, a hiking/walking trail, and showers. The breezes at Grinnell Beach make it a popular area for windsurfing. It is also a family-oriented beach, with a playground, changing rooms, showers, and a paved promenade that extends into the water.
Step back in time at Tiverton Four Corners, an eclectic area settled in the 17th century. Today, it has restaurants and pubs, antique shops, boutiques, bakeries and treat shops, and the Four Corners Art Center, which offers classes and workshops. If you have a bit more time, visit the Green Animals Topiary Garden in Portsmouth, just 8 miles away. For over 100 years, children and adults have enjoyed its life-sized shrubs shaped like animals and the gorgeous flowers that bloom in the gardens from May through October.
New Shoreham
If you have a bit more time to get to your destination, visit New Shoreham, the only town on Block Island. The smallest town in the smallest state, it nevertheless has lots to offer. From the RI mainland, take the Point Judith Ferry to the island; it's a one-hour ride on the traditional ferry or 30 minutes on the high-speed ferry. (A few other cities also have direct ferry service.) Bring your bicycle, motorcycle, or car if you like, but be sure to make advance reservations for them online. A car isn't necessary, however, because it's easy to get around the island walking, taking taxis, or renting bicycles or mopeds.
Historically, many shipwrecks occurred off the coast of Block Island due to the shoals, rough currents, and dangerous weather it encounters. This means visitors have two lighthouses to visit! The North Light, the fourth one built at this site, was built in 1867 of granite and iron, refurbished in 2008-09 of brown granite, and has a range of 11 nautical miles. The Southeast Lighthouse was built in 1873, then moved farther inland in 1993 as erosion had left it precariously close to the sea. It is located 1.8 miles from town. The island has 12 miles of free, public beaches and 28 miles of trails. For a beach that's more secluded than the others, try Mansion Beach. Due to the time involved getting to and from New Shoreham, it's worth spending several days there. The town has many accommodations to choose from, ranging from quaint cottages to grand Victorian hotels. Do check details carefully, as some options have AC, Wifi, and/or free breakfast, while others may not.
North Smithfield
Not everyone's idea of an idyllic town has to include a beach. If your mind's picture is a more rural feel, being one with nature in a forest, and respecting natural resources, check out North Smithfield, starting with Wolf Hill Forest Preserve. A north-to-south rocky ridge that goes through the middle of the town, its old farm roads are now gentle walking/hiking trails where wild turkeys, deer, songbirds and other wildlife are often seen. Bicycles, dogs (under owner's control) and horses are permitted on the trails. The Conservation Center has a fishing dock that is ADA accessible.
Adding to North Smithfield's charm are the distinct villages that make up the town. Slatersville, located on the Branch River, is one of the oldest factory villages in the US and was a model mill town widely replicated throughout the country. On North Main Street in Slatersville's Historic District, you can still see some of the original timber-framed buildings built for the mill workers. These one-and-a-half-story and two-and-a-half-story structures originally were divided into two-family and four-family tenements, respectively. The William and Tyler Mowry Houses are examples of Federal style architecture and are both on the National Register of Historic Places. Experience farm-to-table living firsthand by picking your own fruit at Jaswell's Farm. After all the hiking and exploring, cool off with ice cream from Wright's Dairy Farm and Bakery.
Foster
When you're looking for something to do that doesn't involve the beach, head inland and visit rural Foster. Although it's less than 20 miles from Providence, Foster feels a world away. Take a picnic and your camera to Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge, one of only two remaining in the state. The bridge is open all year, but really shows its beauty when the leaves turn in autumn. A replica of an earlier, 19th-century bridge, it was built in 1994 by volunteers using donated lumber from local forests. Get in some hiking at Jerimoth Hill, which was named after early settler Jerimoth Brown and sits near the Connecticut border. At 812 feet, it is the highest point in Rhode Island. Yet, the trail to the top is not a difficult one. It is popular with highpointers (hikers who climb to the highest spots regularly) and Brown University uses it as an astronomy spot because it is free from city lights. Record your name in the summit register you will find in the mailbox.
Relax in the ambiance of Foster's own Nickle Creek Vineyard while enjoying a glass of Foster Red or Foster White. Open Saturdays and Sundays, Noon to 5 pm. Bring the whole family to Cucumber Hill Farm for hayrides, pick-your-own-pumpkins, pony rides, corn mazes, axe throwing and more. The fall season opens September 20 with a variety of food trucks on site.
Plan A Fall Or Winter Getaway
Small towns in the smallest state have so much to see, from beaches to barns and famous houses to lighthouses. The crowds clear out in the fall as families go back to school and regular routines, making your visits even more spectacular. When cool breezes replace the hot sun, it's easier to walk along the ocean beaches to explore the treasures they hold. Fish are still biting in the fall, and if you book a fishing tour, the guide can lead you to the best spots for catching perch, pike, bass, pickerel, and maybe even trout. Come December, when snow blankets the state, the winter wonderland is perfect for sledding, sleigh rides, and hot cocoa by the fire. The winter holidays could be the best time to plan your idyllic Rhode Island getaway.
