10 Best Small Towns in Rhode Island to Visit in 2024

When looking for a unique New England small-town vacation for 2024, look no further than Rhode Island. Rhode Island is packed with dozens of small towns capable of serving up a great deal of fun all year long. Experience a unique mix of coastal and country scenery, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor fun to suit nearly every visitor. Visit a beach, mansion museum, or lighthouse, and experience the best small towns within Rhode Island.

Bristol

Bristol is a deep-water seaport offering a unique small-town experience for various types of visitors. If you’re looking for a casual stroll, take a walk down the streets of town. Peruse a variety of mom-and-pop stores and local cafes and restaurants. Consider passing an afternoon or two strolling the Blithewold Mansion and Gardens or hiking in Colt State Park. For bikers, consider the East Bay Bike Path.

The East Bay bike path gives bikers 14.5 miles of stunning scenery from Bristol to Providence. Looking for water adventures? Kayak, windsurf, fish, or rent a sailboat and hit the open water. Come back to town and enjoy the excellence of locally sourced seafood or numerous other culinary options. Enjoy all the experiences available in this quiet but happening small town.

Hopkinton

Hopkinton is one of many small towns listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but there’s more to this small town than its historical significance. Visitors interested in the outdoors can bike, hike, kayak, or even camp. Arcadia and Rockville Management Areas are local state parks offering stunning scenery and a quality back-to-nature experience. The area is popular for snowshoeing during winter months. Check out the Eli Pond trail through town for day hikers or bikers.

History buffs love the town’s rich history, which started in the late 18th century. Take a leisurely self-guided walking tour around town. Each historic building includes a marker with unique details.

In town, there are a plethora of homey restaurants, coffee houses, and bars featuring live music with local musicians.

Jamestown

Jamestown encompasses the Conanicut Island, making it the perfect small-town island getaway. From the town center, it’s a short trip to the nearby Beavertail Lighthouse Museum and take in a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding coastlines all at once. Jamestown is home to the Conanicut Around the Island Race annually from the Coanicut Yacht Club. This year’s event occurs on September first.

Visitors can also walk the town and find shops of all kinds and one-of-a-kind seafood fare. Check out the famous lobster rolls at JB’s on the Water for lobster lovers.

Little Compton

Little Compton is a small coastal town bordering Massachusetts near the Sakonnet River and the ocean. The town is in an ideal location. Visitors can experience the rocky coastline at South Shore Beach, Which offers crystal-clear water for swimming or water play. After the beach, visit Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard for live music and local wine.

History lovers will enjoy the Wilbor House Museum, Gray’s Store, and the Little Compton Historical Society. Consider taking a walk through the Sakonnet Garden off the Dundery Brook Trail nature preserve or visit one of many family farms offering a variety of Farmstand goods. Find quality food within town, or take a short drive for more extensive food options.

Narragansett

The ultimate and authentic beach resort town is both popular and small. The beaches are open year-round for fun and relaxation. Popular state beach destinations include Roger Wheeler, Salty Brine, Narragansett Town, and Scarborough. Sunbathe, kayak, swim, surf, or go sailing.

Visitors can also take in the Point Judith Lighthouse and the Fishermen’s Memorial. The coastal views are absolutely breathtaking.

Check out The Towers in town or entertain children for hours at Adventureland. Don’t miss the carved twenty-three-foot Douglas Fir statue by artist Peter Toth honoring the American Indian. Diners and foodies will be right at home at any of the many local seafood or brewery restaurants and local cafes.

Newport

Find your small-town ocean spirit in the surf in Newport. Experience the ocean, majestic coastline, and classic Colonial architecture. Spending time in Newport is a mix of relaxation, inspiration, and feeling fully engaged in life.

Visitors can enjoy the seaside activities or take guided bird walks, foodie strolls, visits to the Ca’Del Bosco wine garden, or any number of mansion museums and gardens. Experienced sailors can rent a boat at the Newport Dock office.

Newport is also home to the Newport International Polo series, which attracts polo enthusiasts. During the summer and fall, catch a baseball game with the Newport Gulls and experience history at one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the country.

New Shoreham

The small town of New Shoreham is also known as Block Island. Visit the South East Lighthouse, the Mohegan Buffs, or many beaches offering swimming, sunbathing, and other water activities. Getting to New Shoreham involves hopping on a ferry from nearby Newport or Point Judith in Rhode Island. Sail into the harbor or fly into the Block Island State Airport. Getting here is part of the adventure.

Despite its popularity with tourists, new Shoreham has all the small-town charm of a coastal New England town with clear water and spacious beaches. Enjoy the beach, vast open space, and plentiful recreational options. There’s also plenty of specialty shopping, arts, and island tours. From quaint and historic Inns to museums and island tours, there’s something for everyone in New Shoreham.

Warren

Warren may be small, but there’s always something going on. Warren is a haven for artists with multiple galleries and creative opportunities. It’s also home to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and a bird-watching haven. Hikers and bikers enjoy the opportunities to smell and feel nature in the Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge. As a small coastal town, Warren also has a town beach for swimming and other water activities.

Shoppers will find Warren a haven for unique shops from modern art to vintage antique shops and classic bookstores. Foodies will be in heaven with an array of tastes, including seafood, burgers, gourmet specialties, and small-town cafes. History buffs will be awash in over seventeen historic sites open to the public, including schools, churches, and cemeteries from the 18th century.

Westerly

Westerly is a small beachfront town on Rhode Island’s south shore. Westerly sports an abundance of open shorelines and beaches. In town, visitors can take a ghost tour through Westerly’s long history or visit the Mystic Seaport Museum. They can also walk through an authentic mansion or take a sailing tour.

Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Westerly’s Napatree Point Conservation area. Visit the Living Sharks Museum and Research Center to learn more about these incredible animals. Or get a taste of the theatre at the historic Granite Theatre. Westerly is home to a thriving downtown district with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Visitors can also kick back and catch a movie at the Misquamicut Drive-In from May to October.

Watch Hill

Though technically an affluent coastal neighborhood within the town of Westerly, Watch Hill has the charm and attractions of a small town, making it a must-visit destination in Rhode Island. The neighborhood is filled with seaside mansions from the Gilded Age. This charming town sports a low-key attitude despite its sprawling mansions and famous inhabitants, including Albert Einstein, Groucho Marx, Henry Ford, and, most recently, Taylor Swift. Yes, Taylor Swift owns a home here on Bluff Avenue that once belonged to oil heiress Rebekah Harkness.

However, there are too many things to do in Watch Hill to spend time stalking celebrities. Watch Hill offers local beach access, ice cream shops, and a dazzling variety of high-price gourmet fare, as well as local fudge shops swarming with tourists. Beach activities abound, including volleyball and surfcasting. Bird watchers flock to the Napatree Point Conservation Area, a prime location to find an array of feathered friends.

Visitors can also take in the Watch Hill Lighthouse and ride the Flying Horse Carousel for some extra fun. Shop the waterfront boutiques while taking in the immense charm and beauty of this refined, historic, and charming town.

Experience Rhode Island's Small-Town Charm

Rhode Island offers a unique small-town vacation experience away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Consider visiting any or all ten small towns described and walk away feeling refreshed. These towns are perfect vacation destinations for families or individuals looking for a coastal adventure with good food, shopping, and plenty of history. Get your island experience on in Rhode Island and discover the best of the classic New England region.