The Most Charming River Towns In Rhode Island

Rhode Island is known as the ‘Ocean State’ thanks to its beautiful coastal shoreline, which runs 400 miles along Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The smallest state in the Union may have plenty of oceanside action, but go inland and you’ll find riverside towns that are just as charming and scenic as their coastal cousins. Rhode Island has three major rivers: the Blackstone, the Pawtuxet, and the Pawcatuck. Along these rivers and their many subsidiaries are historic mill towns that offer a quintessential New England vacation full of heritage, history, and hospitality.

Westerly

Settled in 1661, Westerly is one of the oldest communities in New England. The town lies on the Pawcatuck River close to the Connecticut border, and its long history is evident in its quaint Colonial and Victorian architecture.

Downtown, you can’t miss the Granite Theatre, housed in a Greek Revival Church that was built in 1843. Constructed on the highest point in downtown, the building is said to be built on a magic rock. Magical or not, it’s now a lively arts and entertainment hub, hosting shows, events, and educational programs.

Across the street from the theatre is Wilcox Park, where Westerly’s other theater company, The Colonial Theatre, performs its annual Shakespeare in the Park festival every summer. Originally donated to the town in 1898, the area is a 15-acre Victorian strolling park with an arboretum, a bandstand, fountains, memorials, and monuments.

If you’ve worked up a thirst on your wander, call into the Grey Sail Brewing Company. This charming taproom, brewery, and beer garden is Rhode Island’s southernmost brewery and serves seasonal craft beers and year-round favorites.

Warren

The town of Warren in southwestern Rhode Island shares its name with the river that runs through its lively downtown.

Start your visit in Warren with a trip to the historic Town Common, which dates back to the 1800s. Today, the Common is a tranquil green space in the heart of the village with an Honor Roll remembering local veterans, a Fireman’s Memorial, and a Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

Get more insights into Warren’s history at the Maxwell House, a restored 18th-century colonial home that has been converted into a living history museum. Visitors can tour the property and see live demonstrations of life in the 1700s.

If you’re in the mood for shopping, browse the fascinating collection of antiques and art at the Nick Haus Shop. Proudly labeling itself ‘the smallest shop in the smallest town in the smallest county in the smallest state’, this one-of-a-kind store is in a narrow two-storey building in the historic waterfront area of town.

Hopkinton

Named after a former Rhode Island Governor, the quaint town of Hopkinton has access to both the Pawcatuck River and the Ashaway River. Hike the Narragansett Trail to see some of Hopkinton’s most scenic viewpoints. The trailhead starts at Ashville Pond, a 30-acre pond popular with anglers and kayakers.

Visit Festival Farm, just five minutes north of town, to pick fresh seasonal produce or purchase a homemade souvenir from their country store. On weekends, kids can take a pony ride or enjoy an old-fashioned hayride, pulled by an antique tractor. The farm also has a year-round petting zoo where visitors can meet alpacas, mini donkeys, goats, and the farm’s resident emu.

When you're back in town, be sure to visit the Ashaway Free Library to learn about local history. Built in the late 1800s, the library has been a community hub for over a century.

Tiverton

Tiverton was originally a Massachusetts colony but officially became part of Rhode Island in 1747. The town sits on the Sakonnet River in eastern Narragansett Bay and offers beautiful views of the water from the town beach at Fogland Point. This black stone beach is a favorite of kayakers and has a conservation area with nature trails for scenic hikes.

One of the oldest buildings in town is the Chace-Corey House, a former homestead dating back to the early 1700s. The property has witnessed centuries of American history and is now used to teach that history to visitors through tours of the restored farmhouse, wash house, outhouse, and period gardens.

Combine nature and hiking at Fort Barton Woods, where you can take a short wooded walking trail up to the Revolutionary War-era Fort Barton. The earthen fortifications from this 1778 military outpost are still visible, and you can climb an observation tower to see incredible views of Narragansett Bay. From the fort, the trail network continues to wind through the 83-acre natural preserve over rustic bridges and gurgling brooks.

Foster

Foster is a rural village near the Rhode Island-Connecticut border. It is a true hidden gem near the Ponaganset River, which flows past the town and into the Barden Reservoir. The city is the site of Rhode Island’s only 19th-century-style bridge, the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge. Stretching 40 feet long and made from local lumber, the bridge is an excellent location for vacation shots and a historical marker.

There’s more riverside fun at Nickle Creek Vineyard, a family-owned, small-scale winery where you can sip award-winning wines in their tasting room or simply bring a picnic and take a tranquil walk through the vineyard.

Foster is home to Rhode Island’s highest peak, Jerimoth Hill. You can hike to the 811ft summit for breathtaking views of the state’s beautiful northern landscape. The trailhead is located along Route 101 and marked.

Narragansett

Beautiful Narragansett is both a river town and a coastal community. Situated where the Pettaquamscutt River meets the Rhode Island Sound, this seaside resort has a relaxed, beachy charm and plenty of outdoor activities.

Frances Fleet, founded in 1978, is one of the oldest charters in town. The company has four boats offering fishing charters, private excursions, and whale-watching trips. The latter run from the end of June to the beginning of September, giving visitors a chance to see Finnack Whales, Humpback Whales, Dolphins, and other marine mammals as they gather in the warm waters of the sound.

If you want to cool off and enjoy the water, head to Narragansett Town Beach, a classic New England saltwater coastal beachfront with surfing and swimming areas. You’ll see an iconic Narragansett landmark from the beach, the Narragansett Towers. Built in the late 1800s, the Towers were a lively resort casino but burned to the ground in 1900, leaving only its front stone pillars standing. The Towers are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and now operate as an event space for performances, plays, and concerts.

If you have time, stop by another cherished local landmark, the Point Judith Lighthouse. The towering light was built in 1816 and functioned as a guard and beacon during the Revolutionary War. Visitors can wander the grounds, take photos, and enjoy the oceanic views, but the lighthouse itself is closed to the public.

Lincoln

Up in northeastern Rhode Island, the Blackstone River winds through the historic and picturesque town of Lincoln. To see the riverside scenery at its best, hike or bike the Blackstone River Bikeway, a 24-mile scenic trail that meanders through the Blackstone Valley.

You can connect with the trail behind the Captain Wilbur Kelly Museum of Transportation. Located in Blackstone River State Park, the museum traces the story of the Blackstone Canal and its impact on the area until it was replaced by the railway.

For more gorgeous scenery and riverside landscapes, visit Lincoln Woods State Park. This natural preserve is Rhode Island’s first state park and features a freshwater swimming beach, scenic overlooks, horseback riding trails, hiking paths, and picnic facilities.

Richmond

Richmond is a small town on the tranquil Beaver River. Founded in 1747, it has 123 miles of rivers and streams. Explore the town’s rustic beauty from the 28-acre Beaver River Park hiking trails or the 100-acre Crawley Nature Preserve. Both offer a network of scenic and accessible walking paths, although Beaver River Park is more suitable for beginner hikers as the trails are flatter and shorter.

For something a little different, visit the Lazy K Ranch, an alpaca farm that sells alpaca yarns, accessories, clothing, and more. The ranch hosts a farmers’ market on Saturday mornings, and its farm store is open on Sundays.

Visit Richmond in August to attend the lively Washington County Fair. This annual festival brings hundreds of visitors to town to enjoy midway rides, music concerts, livestock shows, tractor pulls, family games, and more. This year’s fair takes place from 13 to 17 August.

From watching theater in the park to hiking through waterside woods, and from historic homesteads to serene wineries, there’s so much to explore in these Rhode Island river towns. This year, why not avoid the crowds in the Ocean State’s busy coastal resorts and head for these pretty river communities? Visitors can experience the real Rhode Island in these charming river towns and relax amid idyllic New England scenery.