8 Stunning Small Towns In Rhode Island
As one of the nation's oldest and most scenic states, Rhode Island is a traveler's paradise. Its allure can be found in such towns as Little Compton, the shores of which are a migration point for hundreds of birds, or in the preserved Colonial-era roadways of Foster. There is fine dining in the waterfront restaurants of East Greenwich, and military history in and around North Smithfield. There are so many towns to explore in this beautiful state, and so many ways in which to explore them. The best of them can be found below in these eight stunning Rhode Island towns.
Westerly
People of all ages can find something that suits them best in Westerly's outskirts: Misquamicut State Beach is a popular destination for families, while the beach in the oceanic Watch Hill neighbourhood is a haven for birding, photography, and hiking.
In town proper you will find the old Westerly Armory which offers exhibits depicting Westerly's most formative years, and the Westerly Library, founded in 1894 to commemorate volunteer soldiers and sailors who fought in the Civil War. Stunning and historic, you may wish to spend more than a day in Westerly, and if so, there is nowhere better than to spend a night at the Margin Street Inn, right in the heart of town. This riverfront Bed and Breakfast is luxury personified, and traces its roots back to 1849.
Little Compton
Built on the shores of the Atlantic, the rugged-but-beautiful town has hot beaches in the spring and summer, and many local produce stands in the fall. Perhaps its biggest appeal, though, is Sakonnet Point, where a lighthouse dating back to 1884 stands vigil at the entrance to the Sakonnet River. Not available for admittance, the lighthouse is best seen by boat. Sprawling into the waters nearby, the Sakonnet Point Marina is both scenic and busy, with many public access points. For those interested, a stop by the Sakonnet Vineyard is well worth your time. Tour the oldest vineyard in New England and taste a delicious array of wines while you do so.
Just outside of town, Goosewing Beach Preserve is an ecological paradise. Here, visitors can explore miles of dunes, coastal ponds, and untouched stretches of sandy beach. Those who travel there should be prepared to see hundreds of migrating birds in a variety of species: piping plovers, terns, herons, and more.
East Greenwich
East Greenwich is located along the west shore of Narragansett Bay. As a result, the bulk of its lively atmosphere can be found in its waterfront entertainment: among several restaurants to choose from is Finn's Harborside, a family-friendly experience right on the water's edge, serving some of the best local seafood one can find. Water Street Kitchen and Bar is another excellent option with stunning views of the bay. Here, guests can be treated to a fine dining experience right in the heart of the marina.
If one should fancy a post-meal stroll, nearby Goddard Memorial State Park stretches along the shoreline and extends deep inland. Wild, wide, and wondrous, this stretch of land is a great microcosm of Rhode Island as a whole. Downtown, you will find Third Rock Emporium, a local shop unique in its display of fossils, minerals, and handcrafted artisan jewellery.
Tiverton
A town with roots going back to the 1600s, Tiverton is located at the mouth of Mt. Hope Bay in the easternmost part of the state. Rife with history in and around town, visitors will want to explore nearby Fort Barton, a Revolutionary War redoubt. Here, tourists can enjoy a three-and-a-half-mile hike through the stunning New England wilderness while also appreciating the sobering extant fortifications used in 1778.
You may also wish to visit the Tiverton Four Corners, which is a village within a village. Here, guests may enjoy a variety of shops, galleries, food, and even accommodations in a refurbished 19th-century schoolhouse. In addition to the Four Corners, visitors can explore the expansive Tiverton Farmers Market, which operates every Sunday, including during the winter. Dozens of different vendors, each representing local artists and farmers, rotate throughout the weeks.
Coventry
What makes Coventry such a stunning town is that it combines the best of nature and city together. Outdoor activities such as fishing and wakeboarding can be enjoyed in the George B. Parker woodland, while the Coventry Greenway is a pedestrian and bicycle path spanning many miles in and around the town. The trail leads to the historic Anthony Village Mill, which was built in 1873 and at the time was the largest building in all of Rhode Island. The trail also passes the Moosup River, which offers excellent fishing.
Coventry has many buildings on the National Historic Register, as well. Included among the smaller, historic homes that are still lived in today are larger sites such as the Interlaken Mill Bridge, more than worth a detour to visit. This structure is a lenticular pony truss bridge which spans the Pawtuxet River and was once used to provide quicker access between the town's original mill sites.
North Smithfield
Continuing on historic sites, the locations around North Smithfield are as old as they are varied. Peleg Arnold Tavern, which dates back to 1690, is one of the oldest homes in the area. During the American Revolution, the house served as a base of operations for the American army. Though it is closed to visitors, this beautiful and imposing home is still a sight to behold from afar.
For any history buffs interested in touring the town, the Second Battle of Nipsachuck Battlefield, a site from King Philip's War in 1676, can be found in what is now Mattity Swamp. The Todd Farm, dating back to 1740, is a wonderfully preserved look into life some centuries ago; the main block of the house is a two-and-a-half-storey wood-frame structure with a gable roof and large chimney.
For those interested in exploring some of the bountiful nature surrounding North Smithfield, an afternoon spent at the Slatersville Reservoir is well worth it. With acres of space around, you can experience the waterway, which once powered the Slatersville Mill and dates back to the mid-1800s.
Foster
The stunning, inland town of Foster is best experienced at leisure. Renowned for its efforts of preservation, original winding roads are bookended by classic farmhouses, Colonial-era stone walls weave their languid way throughout the town, and even at its heart, town meetings are held in the historic Town House, still in use all these centuries later. Built in 1796, this two-storey property is carefully maintained and is available for bookings as a public venue.
With no congested downtown to worry about, the roadside and farmers' markets offer fresh fruit in the spring and summer. The Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge is a local highlight, and even a place for seasonal decoration at holiday time. Built entirely by volunteers, this bridge is the only covered bridge in the state.
Woonsocket
Woonsocket is a proud town that hosts several events to celebrate its past. Among them is the annual Autumnfest, which takes place on Columbus Day weekend and offers carnival rides, arts and crafts, and fireworks. For a slower pace, the Woonsocket Harris Public Library, which dates back to 1868 (and which was the first public library in the state), is an impressive red-brick building. Renovated in 2001, the Library is no less impressive inside, and offers a range of programs including children's knitting classes, computer classes, and book clubs.
You will also want to tour the Museum of Work and Culture, which explores not only Woonsocket's history but also the lives of the people who built its first buildings. Visceral and immersive, the exhibits in this museum are rotated, but each tells a story of the town's earliest days and the industries that shaped its place in Rhode Island.
Visit Stunning Rhode Island Today
Maybe it is the wildlife that can be found and photographed just outside of Little Compton that appeals most to you, or perhaps it is the militaristic history surrounding North Smithfield that you might want to explore. The extant Colonial architecture of Foster may pique your interest. Above all, it could simply be the miles of beaches that stretch all along Rhode Island's coast. Whatever version of beauty you are partial to, these eight stunning Rhode Island towns have it in spades.
