8 Stress-Free Rhode Island Towns For A Weekend Retreat
The Flying Horse Carousel has been spinning in Watch Hill since the 1870s, and it sets an easy pace for a laid-back weekend. Along more than 400 miles of shoreline, the towns here run on Rhode Island time. Descend 141 wooden steps to the base of the Mohegan Bluffs, watch harbor seals rest along the Sakonnet River, or eat oysters where the streets empty out by dinner. Bristol has thrown the country's oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration since 1785, back when Rhode Island was one of the original 13 colonies. None of these places trade on crowds. For a vacation that is equal parts relaxing and refreshing, here are eight Rhode Island towns for your next weekend getaway.
Westerly
Westerly welcomes visitors to its historic downtown and to its plethora of shops, galleries, and restaurants, including River Bar, hailed for its tasty oysters. At the center of downtown is the beautifully landscaped Wilcox Park, a good place to walk or rest after shopping and dining. Families usually spend a good portion of their vacations at Misquamicut State Beach, which is among the largest beaches in the state.
Westerly is also commonly associated with its affluent Watch Hill neighborhood, where Taylor Swift famously purchased a waterfront mansion and where the Flying Horse Carousel, one of the oldest operating carousels in the country, still runs. At the most southern part of town sits Napatree Point Conservation Area, a sandy spit with a level walking trail out to the point. For the indulgent, the Ocean House in Westerly is perched high on the bluffs of Watch Hill and holds Forbes Five-Star ratings across its hotel, spa, and dining. Guests have access to a private beach, a spa, and fine dining.
Jamestown
Jamestown occupies the majority of Conanicut Island in the middle of Narragansett Bay, so getting to this remote community requires crossing Rhode Island's Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, a rare adventure in itself. At Jamestown's southern tip lies Beavertail State Park, home of the Beavertail Lighthouse, which stands on the third-oldest lighthouse site in America and now includes a museum open for tours. From the point, visitors can take in panoramic views of the New England south coast while the Atlantic Ocean crashes against the exposed rocks.
On the opposite side of the island, the calm waters of Mackerel Cove Beach are good for swimming. The heart of Jamestown's culinary scene can be found on Narragansett Avenue, adorned with acclaimed restaurants like BEECH, Our Table Jamestown, and JB's on the Water. As for lodging, East Bay Bed and Breakfast is located in the center of Jamestown Village, just a short walk from the harbor. Each room features a mix of modern and vintage accommodations, and guests start their day with an enormous three-course breakfast.
Charlestown
Visitors to Charlestown typically start their weekends at the 227-acre Ninigret Park, where you can spot more than 250 bird species while hiking your way through Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge. On the other side of Ninigret Pond, you'll be greeted by a vast stretch of beaches, including Charlestown Beach, which contains the photo-famous Charlestown Breachway and its wide views of the Block Island Sound.
Charlestown is also one of New England's top spots for stargazing thanks to the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center, which sits inside Ninigret Park and capitalizes on its unusually dark skies to spot planets, meteor showers, and the Milky Way. To commemorate your stay, pick up a souvenir at the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, a collection of unique shops surrounded by flower gardens, a bamboo forest, and roaming chickens and emus. Located just a mile away from Charlestown Beach is A Shore Thing, a bed and breakfast in an 1830s farmhouse featuring a meditation garden and multiple patios to chill out after a long day of hiking and shopping.
Little Compton
For a weekend of peaceful walks in serene, coastal settings, look no further than Little Compton, just east of Newport. Here, visitors have numerous beaches at their disposal, like South Shore Beach, a popular swimming spot. If you prefer a greener environment, Goosewing Beach lets you explore miles of grassy dunes, coastal ponds, and swaths of unspoiled rocky beaches. Birders will notice the abundance of migrating bird species, including piping plovers, terns, and herons.
Little Compton's history is on display at The Commons, a traditional 18th-century New England town square surrounded by historic buildings like the United Congregational Church, originally constructed in 1832. Likewise, the Wilbor House Museum is a complex of well-preserved rooms depicting life in colonial America within a 17th-century house. Located just a few miles from both downtown Little Compton and South Shore Beach is the Harmony Home Farm, a local bed and breakfast with four spacious rooms on a quiet road, delivering homemade breakfasts right to your room each morning.
New Shoreham
If you really want to get away in every sense of the word, New Shoreham is located on an island accessible only by ferry or plane: Block Island. On the south shore of Block Island is its main attraction, the Mohegan Bluffs, sitting roughly 150 to 200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can take in elevated views of the sea from near the Southeast Lighthouse before descending 141 wooden steps down to the sand. New Shoreham also contains multiple secluded beaches like Mansion Beach and Black Rock Beach, both coveted by surfers for their large waves.
When you're ready to venture back into civilization, New Shoreham's food stacks up to any big city, including upscale American cuisine at Winfield's, wood-fired pizza at Aldo's, and the seafood extravaganza presented by Dead Eye Dick's, one of Block Island's oldest restaurants. As a well-established vacation destination, New Shoreham has a myriad of convenient lodging options. The Rose Farm Inn sits on 20 acres of open farmland just a few minutes away from the aforementioned beaches. Though no longer a working farm, the inn's grounds are still frequented by marsh hawks, ring-necked pheasants, and white-tailed deer.
Tiverton
In between Little Compton and Fall River, Massachusetts, is Tiverton, renowned for its historic district, Tiverton Four Corners. This is a small 18th-century village where historic barns and farm buildings have been converted into galleries, boutiques, shops, and even bakeries, like Groundswell Cafe and Garden, offering seasonal breakfast and lunch menus with Parisian flair. As another coastal town, visitors have a range of hiking options to choose from, such as the Audubon Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, which takes you through a series of red maple swamps and along the shoreline of the Sakonnet River, where harbor seals have been known to rest. You could also walk the black stone shores at Fogland Beach, a quiet spot ideal for picnics.
Speaking of the Sakonnet River, Tiverton is home to Fort Barton, a former Revolutionary War site that now features wooded walking trails and a stone observation tower providing views of the aforementioned body of water along with the Mount Hope Bridge. Though hotels are sparse in small towns like Tiverton, The Stone House Inn is located just 15 minutes from Tiverton Four Corners in nearby Little Compton. Situated in a restored 1886 barn, the property features a Prohibition-era basement speakeasy and a backyard area that overlooks the Sakonnet River.
Bristol
Bristol contains one of the most walkable downtowns in all of Rhode Island. You'll find plenty of waterfront dining options, like the Thames Waterside Bar and Grill and the DeWolf Tavern. Other popular downtown spots include the Bristol Art Museum, housed inside a renovated carriage house from the 1860s, and the Linden Place mansion, first built in 1810 and considered a paramount example of Federal architecture with its Palladian windows and Corinthian columns. If you prefer to spend the day outside, the 464-acre Colt State Park provides views of the bay along with miles of biking and walking paths, picnic areas, and open fields.
Another great place to walk is the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum, where bay views are accompanied by historic architecture and a variety of rare flower species. Many people choose to visit Bristol during Fourth of July weekend, since the town hosts the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States, dating back to 1785. To fully immerse yourself in Bristol's marine history, stay at William's Grant Inn, located in the former home of a sea captain and within walking distance of downtown Bristol.
East Greenwich
If you want to experience classic Rhode Island character without the noisy crowds of Newport, East Greenwich is the town for you. Located along the west shore of Narragansett Bay, East Greenwich is known for its lively Main Street, featuring an array of highly regarded shops, galleries, and restaurants, like Jigger's Diner, set in a restored 1950s Worcester lunch car, and Scoops on Main, beloved for its coffee Oreo ice cream. Main Street also runs along Greenwich Cove, giving visitors a host of waterfront dining options, including Water Street Kitchen and Bar, where you can chow down on local seafood in an elegant setting or sip mixed drinks on their rooftop deck.
Just a few minutes away from Main Street lies Goddard Memorial State Park, which stretches along the shoreline and extends deep into a peaceful forest, making it equally appropriate for hiking and simply sitting by the water. Though East Greenwich is an affluent community, most visitors opt to stay in nearby Warwick. The Crowne Plaza Hotel, for example, is located less than five miles from Main Street, and it offers exceptionally large rooms. If you prefer a more modern option with a nautical theme, The Loom Hotel Tapestry Collection by Hilton - Warwick feels more like a New York City apartment complex than a hotel.
Kiss Your Stress Goodbye in Rhode Island
You really can't go wrong with any of these towns, all of which possess Rhode Island's trademark characteristics in spades: beautiful beaches, marvelous food, and fascinating historical legacies. They're especially appealing for those who love a good walk, whether it's through nature or a waterfront downtown strip. Some options are easier to get to, just as some are a little more crowded during the warmer months. It's up to you to decide how far you're willing to go to truly escape urban culture. So, the next time you have a weekend retreat in the works, don't forget that relaxation is Rhode Island's specialty.
