7 Quirkiest Rhode Island Towns You Didn't Know Existed

While most associate the Ocean State with its jaw-dropping coastline and breathtaking beaches, Rhode Island is also teeming with some of the quirkiest communities in the United States. From villages frozen in the 18th century to towns infamized for their vampire past, travelers can unveil a completely different side of Rhode Island, rich in history, local legends, and unforgettable sites. Coupled with world-class beaches, coastal parks, and family-friendly attractions, these eccentric, lesser-known towns invite travelers to delve deeper.

Charlestown

Often overshadowed by charming beach towns like Newport and Narragansett, Charlestown is a lesser-known retreat with some of the state’s prettiest coastline and quirkiest attractions. At Charlestown Beach, visitors can mingle with locals on a wide golden shore, perfect for sandcastle building, swimming, and surfing. Other shores like Blue Shutters Beach are also popular with families, offering seasonal lifeguards and stunning views of the Block Island Sound.

For a nature-centered day outdoors, Charlestown is home to the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. One of only five national wildlife refuges in the state, Ninigret stretches across 858 acres, preserving wetland and upland habitats. Across 4 miles of hiking trails, visitors can explore forested swamps and waterholes like Ninigret Pond, the largest coastal salt pond in the state. Wildlife lovers can also discover the 250-plus bird species that live in Ninigret, along with marine critters like the blue crab.

To complete your time in Charlestown, make sure to visit its most iconic attraction, the Fantastic Umbrella Factory. Open year-round, the quirky bazaar is set on a 19th-century homestead. First established in 1968, today the beloved landmark invites travelers to shop an eclectic collection of handmade goods, imported treats, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs. While strolling its clamshell garden paths, watch for the roaming chickens and Emu named George. Afterward, the various buildings and businesses can be browsed, housing everything from stained glass art to nostalgic candy.

Little Compton

Due to its coastal seclusion, Little Compton has a quieter atmosphere reminiscent of an old-fashioned New England seaside. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Sakonnet River, the Sakonnet Peninsula town blends maritime culture with pastoral charms, reflected in its industries and attractions. Wandering the coast, you will see fishing fleets casting off from the Sakonnet Wharf daily. Further inland, a ride through the country will showcase the town’s beautiful rural scenes.

There are countless public shores to enjoy in Little Compton, including South Shore Beach and the Goosewing Beach Preserve. Thanks to the town’s underrated reputation, visitors can enjoy these beaches with smaller crowds, especially outside of its peak summer season. Elsewhere, the Whitehead Preserve at Dundery Brook is “A magical hideaway of meadow, thicket, woodland and water.” Known for its wooded boardwalk, forested wetlands, wildflowers, and wildlife, this outdoor attraction is perfect for when you want a break from the sand.

For history lovers, Little Compton’s Wilbor House is a must-see site. The multi-building museum is known for its remarkable display of eras, spanning four centuries. The Wilbor Family Home, built circa 1690, includes additions from 1740 and 1860. The grounds also include a carriage house, antique carriages, and 18th and 19th century barns.

Jamestown

Also offering a blend of coastal and rural landscapes, travelers can discover Jamestown, an underrated town tucked away in its own world. Situated on beautiful Conanicut Island, the second largest island in Narragansett Bay, mainland explorers can reach the community by crossing the Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge. After a scenic drive to the island community, even prettier scenes await, along with a selection of unique attractions.

Sheltered shores like Mackeral Cove Beach are perfect for a day in the sun and sand, its shallow waters ideal for families. Deeper inland, the historic Watson Farm flaunts the island’s pastoral beauty. Open June through mid-October, the 265-acre working farm can be explored freely, from its livestock-dotted meadows to the exterior of a 1796 farmhouse.

Back on Conanicut’s rocky coastline, Beavertail State Park is another attraction blending history and nature. The park boasts four breathtaking overlooks to drive to, or you can hike the coast on trails like the Beavertail Lighthouse Loop. The Beavertail Lighthouse and its seasonal museum are the park’s star attraction, perched at the entrance to Narragansett Bay since 1856.

Kingston

Kingston is another community ensconced in its own little world, inviting visitors to experience the charms of a “virtually unspoiled 18th-century village.” Located inside the larger town of South Kingstown, the historic village was largely untouched by the Industrial Revolution. This is especially unique given Rhode Island’s ties to the Blackstone River Valley, known as the "Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.” Today, attractions like the Kinney Azalea Gardens give the village a storybook feel, honoring nature and inspiring whimsy with events like the Flower Fairies Music & Parade, happening May 25, 2025.

Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, the village also features over forty historic structures. Highlights include the South County History Center which is housed in the 19th-century Old Washington County Jail, and the Fayerweather Craft Guild. Now a darling local gift shop, the 1820 Fayerweather House once served as a homestead and blacksmith shop. Open April through December, the store displays handcrafted works from over 40 local artists, also hosting a variety of festivals throughout the year. Some upcoming events include the Strawberry Festival & Outdoor Craft Fair taking place June 21, 2025 and the Annual Blueberry Festival & Outdoor Craft Fair on July 26.

Foster

While vastly underrated, the Providence County town of Foster has some of the most unique historic sites and landmarks in the state. Among these, the Foster Town House stands out for its incredible preservation. Restored in 2007, the 1796 building still serves as Foster’s Town Hall to this day, making it one of the oldest in the nation.

For golf enthusiasts, the Foster Country Club is another site rich in history. Established in the 1890s, the Club and its golf course are among the oldest in Rhode Island. The 18-hole course is open to the public, boasting a serene, divergent landscape. Weaving past the Moosup River, Rhode Island farm country, and various peaks, the rugged terrain is perfect for golfers seeking a challenge.

If teeing off is not your cup of tea, consider visiting Foster during its annual Old Home Days festival. Held each year on the last weekend of July, the small-town fair is a fun event for the whole family, celebrating Foster’s community spirit with local vendors, live music, a horse show, and contests galore. Afterward, make sure to take a scenic drive to Foster’s famed Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge for a special finale. Modeled after the classic 19th-century bridges scattered across New England, the charming replica is the only public, covered bridge in the entire state.

New Shoreham

Just 25 square kilometers in size, New Shoreham takes the title of “smallest town in the smallest state.” Located on Block Island, a glacier-formed island created thousands of years ago, the town is home to around 800 year-round residents. But despite its small size, New Shoreham boasts spectacular sights and scenes, including more than 17 miles of coastal beach, over 300 freshwater ponds, and over 30 miles of scenic walking trails.

Due to its high waves, Mansion Beach is one of New Shoreham’s most popular public shores with surfers. Alternatively, the Fred Benson Town Beach is preferred by families for its calmer waters and amenities, including umbrella and boogie board rentals, a snack bar, and lifeguards on duty from 10AM to 5PM. For a bird’s-eye view of the Atlantic, the vistas from New Shoreham’s Mohegan Bluffs will take your breath away, towering 200 feet above the ocean. Afterward, a 141-step staircase will carry you down to a secluded beach, perfect for cooling off away from crowds.

Exeter

Finally, we end our journey in Exeter, whose local legends once inspired Rhode Island’s brief reputation as “The Vampire Capital of America.” Today, the Washington County town is largely unknown to travelers, its rural setting and simple attractions not generally drawing tourists. However, beyond its vampire mythology, Exeter is the perfect town for those who love to immerse themselves in nature.

Picturesque paths like the Ben Utter Trail reward hikers with views of Wood River, the ruins of an old mill, and the Stepstone Falls waterfall. At the Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, hikers can explore other various landscapes, from white cedar swamps to upland beech forests. Wildlife spotting is also a prominent feature here, with hikers encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for beavers, deer, muskrats, and various owl species. After crossing a few bridges, you can also enjoy a charming waterfall, just a short hike from the preserve’s historic cemetery.

For those intrigued by Exeter’s vampire lore, a different town cemetery is worth a visit. Located behind Chestnut Hill Baptist Church, Mercy L. Brown’s Headstone has a rich but tragic past. It was here that superstitious townspeople exhumed the body of Mercy Brown in 1892, labeling her a vampire after seeing her well-preserved body. Today, logic tells us that the preservation was a result of Mercy being buried during a cold winter, but nonetheless, the delusion sparked Rhode Island’s short-lived distinction as a vampire hub.

Discover Rhode Island’s Quirky Towns in 2025

For those planning a Rhode Island getaway or traveling as a local in 2025, the Ocean State invites you to journey off the beaten path. By venturing from the more mainstream destinations, travelers can discover these unique towns and their quirky attractions, underrated yet well worth the detour. Whether ending your Charlestown beach vacation with a visit to the Fantastic Umbrella Factory or visiting Foster for a photo on Rhode Island’s only public covered bridge, these one-of-a-kind experiences are also the most memorable.