9 Most Scenic Small Towns In Rhode Island For Nature Lovers
Typical day-to-day activities for most people involve spending a lot of time indoors. Going from home to work, then back again. Sometimes, going out on weekends to go to restaurants, shops, or museums. Getting outside can be a much-needed reward to break up the mundane, especially when planning trips to places where the main activities are out in nature. Rhode Island is one of the best states to get out and explore. While the state is small, only 48 miles long and 37 miles wide, it is jam-packed with stunning coastal scenery and dense forests. Rhode Island’s cities have so much to offer visitors. These nine scenic small towns in Rhode Island have plenty of beauty and activities for nature lovers of all ages.
Bristol
Uncover enchanting scenery in the historic town of Bristol, Rhode Island, a waterside town where history blends effortlessly with natural beauty. In New England, on a peninsula between Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay, Bristol was incorporated by the Plymouth colony in 1681. Bristol is roughly 30 minutes southeast of Providence, the state's capital.
One of Bristol's greatest outdoor attractions is its harbor. The Bristol Harbor provides stunning views of serene waters and boats sailing. Visitors can picnic on the shoreline and relax, breathing in the salty air. Another of the town's gems is Colt State Park, offering 464 acres of lawns, hiking trails, historic stone walls, and paved pathways. Here, you can fly kites, bike, or walk the paths. The East Bay Bike Path is another option for cyclists. As the first multi-town bike path in the state, the route travels 14.5 miles from Independence Park in Bristol to India Point Park in Providence, mainly following the former Providence and Bristol Railroad. Blitheworld Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum are another must-see in Bristol. The property includes authentic examples of the Country Place Era, a 45-room mansion stuffed with family heirlooms, an accessible greenhouse, and grounds featuring historic and contemporary gardening practices.
Narragansett
Narragansett is a southern Rhode Island town settled in 1675, named after the Narraganset Indians. Home to beautiful beaches and unique landmarks, Narragansett offers much to do for individual travelers and families with young children. Its classic New England beaches are among the top activities to engage in Narragansett. Narragansett Town Beach offers some of the more accessible conditions for residents and tourists in New England, drawing thousands of visitors per day to sunbathe, surf, and enjoy the sounds of crashing waves against the shore. Scarborough State Beach is one of the state's most well-known beaches, providing 26 acres and over 2,000 feet of beachfrontage. Visitors can enjoy typical beach activities and picnics under the larder pavilion.
In Narragansett, you can find one-of-a-kind historical landmarks, such as the Point Judith Lighthouse, built in 1816. Initially, builders created the lighthouse with wood, but after a fire, they rebuilt it with brick into an octagonal shape. The Towers is another prominent 1800s structure in this city. A remnant of the great Narragansett Pier Casino, the building was once a centerpiece of social activity and continues standing firm after a fire and multiple hurricanes throughout the years.
Newport
On the southern end of Rhode Island is the city of Newport, a beautiful place surrounded by water and once considered America’s First Resort. For over 400 years, the small town has beckoned visitors with its architecture, coastal views, and charm.
Stroll along the Newport Cliff Walk, 3.5 miles of paved path hugging the coastline, offering panoramic ocean views, sights of Gilded Age mansions, and a soothing ocean breeze. Available daily from sunrise to sunset, the Cliff Walk is a free outdoor activity where you can bring your dog if you desire. Throughout New England, lighthouses are a common fixture. Check out the Newport Harbor Lighthouse while in Newport. The 1842 lighthouse stands 29 feet tall and is the first sentinel established in the historic deepwater harbor, guiding ships in the early 1800s.
If you enjoy the ocean and mansion views along the Cliff Walk, get behind the wheel and drive the 10 miles along Ocean Drive. The winding road features rippling waves on one side, mansions like The Breakers and The Elms on the other, and the Hammersmith Farm where Jackie Kennedy once lived. Of course, no trip to Newport is complete without visiting at least one of its beaches. Easton Beach, the town’s largest beach, is at the beginning of the Newport Cliff Walk. Along Ocean Drive is Gooseberry Beach, a quiet beach, and King Park Beach is the perfect place for a picnic under a pavilion.
Westerly
Lying along the Pawcatuck River across from Pawcatuck, Connecticut, is the charming southwestern Rhode Island town of Westerly. This small city’s name stems from its geographical location as the state’s westernmost town. Westerly comprises the villages of Westerly, White Rock, Potter Hill, and Bradford, as well as the resorts of Misquamicut, Watch Hill, and Weekapaug.
When in Westerly, visit the Napatree Point Conservation Area to witness 86 acres of some of the rarest habitats in the state. Napatree Point is open year-round to the public and is home to various plant species, such as Least Terns, Osprey, American Oystercatchers, and Piping Plovers. Bask in the sun at some of Rhode Island’s best beaches. The Misquamicut State Beach is one of Rhode Island’s most extensive beaches, offering modest surf and a pleasant shore with a gradual drop-off. Nearby is Wuskenau Town Beach, previously named Westerly New Town Beach, another option for enjoying the North Atlantic Ocean. Tour the Watch Hill Lighthouse, a beacon of Westerly heritage. The lighthouse rests on the tip of a peninsula and includes a museum housing artifacts like historical photographs and paintings.
Jamestown
Jamestown is situated in Newport County, Rhode Island, and sits almost completely on Conanicut Island. Incorporated in 1678 as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Jamestown was later transferred to Rhode Island in 1746. Like the rest of Rhode Island’s small towns, Jamestown is overflowing with history and outdoor beauty.
While in Jamestown, you must visit one of the town’s most notable attractions, the Beavertail Lighthouse and Museum. Located in Beavertail State Park, this lighthouse is America’s third oldest. Hundreds of years ago, the Beavertail Lighthouse played a crucial role in navigation, shipwrecks, and fog signal experiments. Jamestown is also home to the Jamestown Windmill. Originally constructed in 1730 and later reconstructed in 1896, the Jamestown Windmill is a three-story octagonal structure, open to the public to visit most weekends.
Spectacular sights are one of Jamestown’s specialties. Fort Wetherill State Park rests upon 100-foot high granite cliffs, providing views of the East Passage of Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor. Visitors can explore the park’s 61.5 acres, scuba diving, saltwater fishing, birding, boating, and mountain biking. Conanicut Island Sanctuary is another of the town’s outdoor offerings. The property features a short loop trail, boardwalks, and areas overlooking the large salt cove, Marsh Meadows.
Tiverton
Opposite Portsmouth and Bristol, Rhode Island, resting along the Sakonnet River, is Tiverton, Rhode Island, a town with so much to offer, especially to nature lovers. Tiverton was originally part of the Plymouth colony and later incorporated into Rhode Island in 1747. Some of the town’s best features are its beaches and marches.
On the south side of Fogland Point is a black stone beach in Tiverton called Fogland Beach. This beach’s conditions make it a favorite amongst windsurfers and kayakers. For those who prefer activities on land, hiking and walking trails are also in the area. Immerse yourself in history at Fort Barton and the Fort Barton Woods. The area includes an observation tower you can climb and see a panoramic view of Narragansett Bay, a network of earthen fortifications remaining from a 1700s battle, and 83 acres of woodland. In the forest, you can find a variety of southern New England trees like birch, sassafras, black cherry, and hickory. Head to the Sapowet Marsh to go fishing from the rocky shore. Here, you can wait for fish to bite while surrounded by estuaries, tidal rivers, and farmland. Check out the Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge to see more of Tiverton’s habitats and wildlife. The refuge includes woods and salt marsh, home to red maple swamp, deciduous woods, crabs, deer, and foxes.
Wickford
On an inlet of Narragansett Bay rests the resort village of Wickford, Rhode Island. Wickford houses an array of 19th-century buildings and one of the state’s largest marinas. Water activity enthusiasts, families, and history lovers will find something they enjoy in Wickford.
Spend time paddling the Pettaquamscutt River, also known as the Narrow River, with Narrow River Kayaks. This river is a diverse waterway. It is a tidal inlet with over 500 acres of cove and wildlife refuge, two freshwater ponds, a brackish pond, and a fjord-like lake. South of the river, you can find the Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge for additional outdoor fun. The trails are easy to walk on, and with several viewing decks, you might see one of 300 bird species or one of 40 mammal species in their natural habitats throughout the 700 acres of land.
Wilson Park is another option for spending time outdoors. The park grounds include tennis and basketball courts, a playground, athletic fields, and a splash pad, making it a great activity for families with younger children. Engage with local history at the 1600s Smith’s Castle. It is not really a castle, but people thought it to be one due to its size and durability at the time of construction. Smith’s Castle is the oldest surviving plantation house in the US. Outside the home sits an 18th-century-inspired garden brimming with vibrant blooms and contrasting textures.
East Greenwich
East Greenwich, Rhode Island, is the state’s 8th oldest town. The city sits in the center of Rhode Island beside the west shore of Narragansett Bay. East Greenwich boasts beautiful trails, historical farms, and opportunities to explore on horseback.
Frenchtown Park, Laurel Wood, and the Fry Family Preserve Trails, located on Frenchtown Road, span 125 acres and 2.5 miles of trails for traversing. The Trail system begins alongside a small pond connected to the Frenchtown Brook water system and then goes past old mill ruins, the remains of the Tillinghast cotton mill factory. For a mix of history with your great outdoors, head to the Briggs-Boesch Farm. Established in the early 1700s, the farm currently serves as the town’s greenway system, supplying access to trails to the public throughout the farm’s fields and forests. You can find several historic structures along the paths, such as the farmhouse and barn.
Goddard Memorial State Park features a picturesque environment of spacious fields, lawns, and forested areas with tree species from all over the globe. You can play a round of golf on the nine-hole golf course, pack a lunch to picnic in one of many picnic areas, or go horseback riding across 18 miles of bridle trails. If horseback riding is your speed but you need more instruction, C and L Stables provide lessons in Goddard State Park to teach you how to trail ride. The friendly and knowledgeable instructors can advise complete beginners to the most advanced riders.
Little Compton
Incorporated by the Plymouth Colony in 1682, Little Compton, Rhode Island, was the first permanent European settlement in New England. Later, Little Compton became part of Rhode Island in 1747. Today, the town is the sole official town common listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Little Compton provides travelers and residents with a unique charm and opportunities to get up close to the great outdoors.
One of Little Compton’s quirkiest attractions is its Rhode Island Red Monument. Nestled on Main Street is a large stone combined with metal featuring an embossed chicken. The fixture commemorates a new breed of chicken in 1854 that shifted the poultry industry for the better. Get your steps in at the John C. Whitehead Preserve, where you can walk the Dundery Brook Trail System. The Path runs through a forested wetland, a meadow, and a pond habitat. Throughout the year, changes in flourishing flora and fauna occur. Observe Little Compton’s wildlife at the Goosewing Beach Preserve, where a variety of shorebirds, mink, coyotes, and skunks call home. While getting out in nature can mean exploring hiking trails or kayaking down a river, it can also mean taking a more personal interest in where your food comes from. The Young Family Farm is one of three of the largest farms in Rhode Island, and you can visit to pick your produce.
Rhode Island is easily a nature lover’s paradise. There is no shortage of gorgeous beaches, such as Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett, Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly, and the black stone Fogland Beach in Tiverton. Adventurers who want to partake in more physical activities have options like horseback riding in East Greenwich or kayaking the Pettaquamscutt River in Wickford. Individuals who enjoy some history with their nature can view gilded mansions from the Cliff Walk in Newport and check out the lighthouse in Jamestown. Gardeners will appreciate the gardens at Blitheworld Mansion in Bristol. People who like to walk around small towns and look for unique monuments will love the chicken fixture in Little Compton. Whatever you are looking for in your next outdoor getaway, Rhode Island’s small towns can deliver.
