9 Off-The-Grid Rhode Island Towns To Visit In 2025

Although some enjoy living life on the fast lane and in the bustling cities that dot America, others find such an existence to be needlessly hectic and exhausting. You come to a point when you feel like a decorated marionette, with bills and bosses pulling the strings. The truth is, getting off the grid comes with idealised notions of freedom, of living life on your own terms. You may not easily find the perfect off-the-grid town with no connection to the modern world. However, there are off-beat spots where you can pour out your money into hobbies and experiences rather than bills. Starting with Little Compton, discover 9 off-the-grid Rhode Island Towns to visit in 2025.

Little Compton

Like most places in New England, Little Compton is not off-the-grid in the sense of lacking electricity, telephone network, or other amenities that make life comfortable. Instead, it embodies a quiet, unplugged lifestyle that is increasingly becoming elusive but highly coveted in America. This town is a serene, pastoral village with beautiful ocean views, historic homes, and pretty beaches. Talking of beaches, although South Shore Beach can be rocky, it has nice sand and great waves and views. Sakonnet Vineyard, the oldest vineyard in Southeastern New England, is a fantastic place to sip wine while listening to the sound of soothing music. If you want a tranquil spot to rest and slow down a bit, Whitehead Preserve at Dundery Brook has a boardwalk, a peaceful pond, and some nice, easy trails to explore. Stay at the Stone House Inn, where room windows open to lovely views of the ocean and the surrounding scenery.

Jamestown

Set on Conanicut Island, whose pristine beauty will set any heart purring, Jamestown is a tad quieter than Newport but offers stunning coastal views, enjoyable nature walks, and best of all, the mind-bending Beavertail State Park. Forget about chain stores, skyscrapers, or the gory grandeur of soulless architecture; Jamestown’s restful rhythm and quiet beauty is the next thing to off-grid that you will come across in New England. Another exciting part about Jamestown is that it is bikeable, an aspect enhanced by the recent addition of about 18,000 linear feet of new trails along the toe of the Jamestown Reservoir. So, pick a bike from Jamestown Outdoors on Narragansett Avenue and head south to Beavertail State Park, home to the most stunning views in the area. You can also explore the North End area, a less developed section of town that is still relatively quiet and undisturbed. Grab delicious lobster rolls from the aptly named JB’s on the Water, before heading to Mackeral Cove Beach, a beautiful, less crowded stretch loved for its relaxing waves.

Charlestown

A coastal gem with laid-back historic villages, Charlestown is loved for its pristine beauty, nautical charm, and ancient woodlands. Stonewalls dot the landscape around the area and transport the mind to the town’s agrarian past. You will find a sense of place here that you will miss in many other towns in the state. Fortunately, Charlestown is still intentional about preserving its rural character. Notable touch points worth exploring include the 57-year-old Fantastic Umbrella Factory, where beautiful plants line the walkways and emus cast longing eyes; Ninigret Park, to see trolls; and Charlestown Breachway, from where you can catch panoramic views of Block Island. If you are looking for an off-the-grid accommodation venue, Rockbriar Farm, whose history goes back to 1790, has a rustic, wooden cabin secluded in a tranquil wooded area.

Scituate

If there is one thing unique about Scituate, it has to be its remote feel. The environment here is different. The ambiance is different. The air is different. Surprisingly, Scituate has not always been like this. Agriculture flourished around the area in the 1700s. The subsequent century witnessed widespread industrial development and positioned Scituate as a swanky modern locale with almost all the glitz and amenities. But with the construction of the large reservoir, the town’s character swung back to its rural theme, no doubt aided by the need to protect the reservoir’s watershed. Today, Scituate is known for scenic fall foliage drives, beautiful antique shops, and the Hope Village Historic District, a call-back to the town’s industrial heritage and a past that is now almost completely forgotten. Attractions in the area include the heart-melting Ponaganset Covered Bridge Trail, Scituate Reservoir (although recreational activities are prohibited), the nearby Lawton Farm, one of the best hiking spots in the area, and the Scituate Nursery Farm & Greenhouses, for the experience of hand-picking fresh, delicious apples.

New Shoreham (Block Island)

Although time changes faces and facades, New Shoreham, an off-beat town incorporated in 1672, still retains much of its Old World feel and character. One of the best places to experience this aspect of New Shoreham is at the Old Harbor Historic District, a pretty stretch along the water with more than 40 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Start with some iced tea at Aldo’s Bakery, a beloved fixture on the island for over 50 years. Next, spend some time at the historic Southeast Lighthouse, which Yankee Magazine has just recognized among the 12 Beautiful Places To Visit In New England in 2025. The Mohegan Bluffs, which provide unparalleled views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape, must not be missed. You may also want to rent a two-wheeler at Island Moped & Bike, so you can explore the nooks around the island in a freer style.

Tiverton

A visit to Tiverton ushers one to a lovely countryside with quiet beaches and a relaxing atmosphere. Tiverton is in a picture-perfect locale in the East Bay section of Rhode Island. Strolling through the town, sampling its character and ambiance, will feel like returning to another era. Around the town are gray-shingled homes, old barns, and interesting stone walls. The Sakonnet, one of the longest rivers in Rhode Island, tumbles around and adds a tint of rustic charm to an already beautiful area. There is the Audubon Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, a fantastic spot for a leisurely walk through the woods and along the shoreline. Sapowet Marsh is nearby and is a nice spot to see egrets winging their way through the sky or swooping down for a well-timed catch. Closer to town, Fort Barton has an observation tower that provides tasty views of Narragansett Bay.

Exeter

Exeter is an exhilarating getaway whose surroundings teem with farms and forests, making it the perfect place to wind down and move at a pace that nature prescribes. Exeter offers a fascinating insight into Rhode Island: That is the tiniest state in the nation, yet still dotted with spots that feel frozen in time. The town that earned Rhode Island the “Vampire Capital of America” moniker loves to cast an unusual, off-the-grid image. Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge has well-marked trails to explore, while Exeter Country Club, one of the best public course layouts in Rhode Island, knows something about keeping greens in good condition. Start with a tender chicken fajita at the aptly named Homestead Restaurant, before crowning the day with a craft beer at the Tilted Barn Brewery.

West Greenwich

Instead of 10-floor apartments that wrestle for space with chain stores and restaurants, the landscape around West Greenwich teems with ponds, streams, and wildlife. But don’t pinch yourself. This is just another side of Rhode Island, even if it will strike a first-time visitor as odd. The area around is rugged and forested and boasts thousands of protected acres. Dan's Place is a barn-style restaurant that serves some of the best wings in Rhode Island. They occasionally have live entertainment. There is so much seclusion to be enjoyed at the Big River Management Area, a pristine wonderland filled with beautiful trails to explore. Alternatively, sit with a gripping read at Louttit Library, and see the day end like a whisper in the wind. There is also Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery, for some of the best wine-tasting experiences in Rhode Island.

Foster

Foster is one of Rhode Island’s least populated towns. Therefore, it has the seclusion and the quirky beauty that most off-the-grid spots embody. Established in 1636, this little town has a history way older than the average American town. You will notice a feel of the 1700s in the air, and in the eye-catching Colonial architecture that the town is famous for. Winding country roads and quiet, woodland trails are other aspects of the town that off-griders enjoy. Sip wine at the Nickle Creek Vineyard, where live music often fills the atmosphere with a cheery spirit; enjoy hayrides at Cucumber Hill Farm; or play golf at the Foster Country Club, an 18-hole course tastefully set in Rhode Island’s farm country. If you love covered bridges, Swamp Meadow is beautifully set over a quaint, bubbling brook.

The Takeaway

Is the daily grind sapping life out of you, so that you have started dreaming of unplugging? Rhode Island offers a solution: The small, soothing towns that dot its landscape. Many of these locales are seductively secluded and offer an escape into quiet beaches, rustic farms, and peaceful neighbourhoods. Remember, rediscovering simplicity is not about losing connection. It is about finding the right one. So fill your car tank and do reconnaissance.