11 Most Scenic Rhode Island Towns
Rhode Island may be the smallest US state, but its coastal beaches and New England location make it one of the most scenic states in the country. The state boasts 1,200 square miles, meaning it takes just roughly one hour to drive through its entirety. Much of Rhode Island’s beauty comes from the 400 miles of shoreline for visitors to enjoy, but there are also over 20 state parks filled with dense forests and rolling farmland. If you’re looking to visit Rhode Island and want to stop at the most scenic locations, these 11 towns are sure to impress.
Newport
Known as one of the top vacation destinations in the state, Newport is a town that has attracted tourists to Rhode Island for decades. This iconic town has a rich history that includes being the first in the nation to run a ferry system and having one of the oldest schoolhouses in the US to date. Through time, Newport has functioned as a thriving sailing town and today is known for its luxurious Gilded Age mansions and one-of-a-kind seafood restaurants. Tourists visiting Newport looking for a scenic attraction should check out Fort Adams State Park, one of the state’s military landmarks. The park allows guests to take tours of the fort, walk the grounds, saltwater fish, boat, or enjoy a picnic in the grass along the water.
Brenton Point State Park is another great attraction that has free admission for visitors. This park has 89 acres of land that date back to the late 1600s, though the park was not opened until 1976. The Park has a reputation for offering some of the most beautiful ocean views in the state and has space for flying kites and sightseeing. Back in town, 22 Bowen's Wine Bar & Grille is a restaurant that serves fresh seafood and offers water views while patrons enjoy their meals.
Charlestown
Situated in Southwest Rhode Island, Charlestown is a seaside town that is known for its combination of beautiful beaches and wilderness recreation areas. It is also dedicated to preserving its natural landscapes and history, which is why it is home to one of the oldest running inns in the entire country, The General Stanton Inn. This inn opened in 1740 and has 14 guest rooms that are still available to book today. Charlestown is also home to one of the most unique and scenic attractions at the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center. This observatory and sky theater offer guests a chance to stargaze for meteor showers, eclipses, and constellations.
The Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is another one of Charlestown’s attractions for tourists and residents. This park has an informative visitor center, hiking trails, and a pond for fishing, along with the opportunity to spot over 250 species of birds. If you want to take in the coastal views in Charlestown, Blue Shutter Beach is a public beach that’s great for families with children. The beach has restrooms and beach-accessible wheelchairs available for no extra charge. Another scenic location in Charlestown is the Fantastic Umbrella Factory. This unique location has tiny stores with homemade goods woven through a bamboo forest and clamshell paths, with free-roaming chickens and an emu onsite for visitors to pet.
Narragansett
Narragansett, Rhode Island, is a well-known summertime destination that attracts over 27,000 tourists to the bay each year. There are countless attractions for families and solo travelers and no shortage of scenic locations. One of the more popular tourist destinations in Narragansett is the Point Judith Lighthouse, which sits on the western side of Narragansett Bay. The physical lighthouse structure dates back to 1810 and sits beside a former Coast Guard station. Visitors to the lighthouse are welcome to explore the grounds of nearby Rose Nulman Park and take in the incredible ocean views, but access to the actual buildings is restricted. The Towers is another historical Narragansett landmark located on Ocean Road. The building is now used as an event center, but driving under the towers is an experience visitors should try at least once.
There are also stunning views and a great opportunity to take in the town’s views at Black Point Trail in Scarborough State Park. The 2.1-mile trail is best suited for those with some experience hiking, as the landscape has some uneven rocky areas. After entering the trail, hikers are rewarded with views of the cliffs that overlook the roaring ocean and can walk along the trail until they reach the beach. Families with young children should stop at Roger Wheeler State Beach. This public recreation area has 27 acres of beach, a playground for kids, and waves that tend to be smaller than what’s found at other local beaches.
Westerly
Home to the well-loved Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly is a town in Rhode Island that has a population of just under 18,000. Like many other towns in Rhode Island, Westerly is known for its beaches and shorelines, as well as a bustling downtown area filled with locally owned shops, cafes, and restaurants. Westerly has also gained recognition for being the hot spot where pop star Taylor Swift has a summer home, helping to bring in tourists every summer. Westerly’s Centerpiece is Wilcox Park. Located conveniently on High Street, this outdoor area has everything you need for a relaxing afternoon: free admission, a greenhouse, and a beautiful fountain.
Another free location to visit in Westerly that has scenic views is the Napatree Point Conservation Area. This nature preserve is an ideal location for birdwatching, walking the nature paths, and having a picnic in the sunshine. Atlantic Beach Park is another local gem that is perfect for families looking for an afternoon of fun. This beachside park has amusement rides and games, an iconic carousel, and the Windjammer Surf Bar, a great spot to enjoy drinks and seafood on the ocean.
Tiverton
One of the most historic towns in Rhode Island is Tiverton, just south of Fall River, Massachusetts. Tiverton first became its own town in the state in 1747 and, through time, has focused on farming, fishing, boating, and woolen mills as its primary industries. Today, the Historic Tiverton Four Corners is the hot spot for tourists and residents looking to have a quaint day out in the town. The four corners are set up like an 18th-century village and feature the home furnishings shop Cottage at Four Corners, Peter's Attic antique shop, and handmade jewelry store Studio by the Sea. The Four Corners also has the year-round Gray’s Ice Cream store, an award-winning town feature that has been open since 1923.
An outdoor attraction with scenic views visitors should try to visit is the Weetamoo Woods & Pardon Gray Preserve. This beautiful nature preserve has seven miles of trails that are well marked, weave through farmland and streams, and even have a spot with local cows. There are also an additional 200+ acres across from the Woods trails that feature remnants of a mill once a part of the town. The most popular spot to grab a meal in Tiverton is the Four Corners Grille, which features an eclectic menu with seafood dishes and affordable prices.
Barrington
If birdwatching and nature trails are the type of scenic locations you are looking for, Barrington, Rhode Island, should be a must-stop destination on your travel bucket list. Barrington’s history started in 1717 when the town was named after the village in England where the settlers originated. They went on to focus on farming and trading during the colonial times before developing into a suburb-style town with waterfront homes that attract tourists from the surrounding cities and from across the country every summer. One of the top scenic attractions in Barrington is the Osamequin Nature Preserve, a great location for hiking and birdwatching. The park has dedicated areas for wildlife viewing, a salt meadow, and benches to sit and relax.
The Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge is another great nature preserve with over 70 acres of land for visitors to explore. The refuge has gentle, flat terrain and is open year-round, though some spots can become icy and slippery during the winter months. Haines Memorial State Park is an excellent park on the bay that has a picnic area where visitors can enjoy a meal on the water, fishing locations, and a boat launch. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon taking in the peaceful nature of the park before taking off on a bike ride on the East Bay Bike Path.
Jamestown
Like many of the coastal towns in Rhode Island, Jamestown attracts tourists for its pristine beaches, art galleries, and award-winning seafood restaurants. However, there is one attraction in Jamestown that has some of the most stunning and well-known scenic views in the entire state, and that is Beavertail Lighthouse. The lighthouse is at Beavertail State Park and allows visitors to take in the sights on foot, from their vehicles, or up close and personal from the rocky coastline. One of the major perks of visiting the park is the free admission and parking, as well as the clean facilities.
Fort Wetherill State Park is an excellent park to visit for those looking for a location with affordable admission and ocean views. This park is across the water from Newport’s Fort Adams State Park and has incredible 100-foot-tall granite cliffs offering harbor views. One unique aspect of this location is the opportunity for scuba diving, often in the park’s waters. For those who need a meal after a long day on the water, Our Table Jamestown is one of the town’s top-rated restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating, vegan options, and award-winning cocktails.
Little Compton
One of the smallest towns in Rhode Island is Little Compton, though the community there is tight-knit and focused on keeping a small-town feel in the area. Little Compton is known for being incredibly rural, with rolling farmlands, historic landmarks, and home of the state's Rhode Island Red Chicken monument. The Stone House Inn is one of Little Compton’s most well-known lodging options. Built in 1854, the inn once operated as a speakeasy and home to a Civil War hero soldier named Henry Sisson. Today, the inn has 16 rooms available to rent, free wifi, and free parking for guests.
South Shore Beach is another top travel destination in Little Compton. This beach is secluded and peaceful, though it does lack the traditional sandy area to sit and relax. Instead, South Shore Beach has a rocky coastline with a small area of sand to walk and is attached to Goosewing Preserve, a combination of coastal pond, saltwater beach, and sand dune. After spending time on the water, visitors can grab a bite to eat at one of the few restaurants in town, The Commons Lunch. This spot serves American dishes and is open for breakfast and lunch during the week and all three meals on the weekend days.
East Greenwich
East Greenwich is a Rhode Island town with the typical New England charm tourists look for when traveling there. Found nestled between the towns of Warwick, Exeter, and North Kingstown, East Greenwich is a town known for its historic buildings and is home to the New England Wireless & Steam Museum. There is no doubt that Goddard Memorial State Park is the biggest attraction in the town, along with Frenchtown Park and Frye Nature Preserve. These nature areas have acres of land to explore, trails, and remnants of old mill buildings.
Tourists who want to spend time in nature should check out the local Scalloptown Park. This dog-friendly park is on the water with benches to enjoy the breeze, trails that weave through the property, and areas dedicated to fishing. If you’re ready for a delicious beverage after a day of taking in the scenic views, The Nook Coffee House is a top-rated cafe located on Main Street in East Greenwich. The combo coffee house and espresso martini bar is perfect for those who need a pick-me-up during the day or want to try a cocktail during one of the cafe’s live music events.
Bristol
With a population of just over 22,000 residents, Bristol is one of the larger scenic towns in Rhode Island. However, that doesn’t mean it’s packed with skyscrapers or the chaos of larger cities like Providence. Bristol is a small, rural town known for its Fourth of July festivities and sailing events and is home to the oldest continually celebrated Independence Day parade in the United States. In addition to its reputation as one of the country's most patriotic towns, Bristol is also prized for its historic architecture and ocean views. Bristol is home to the popular landmark Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, featuring a 45-room mansion and over 30 acres of property to explore.
Colt State Park is another must-see location for tourists in Bristol. The park has over 400 acres of land with walking paths, picnic areas where visitors can enjoy a meal on the water, fishing locations, and a boat launch. There's a playground for kids to enjoy and incredible panoramic views of Narragansett Bay. The historic stone walls located throughout the park date back to the 1800s, and there are also bike paths and stroller paths for guests to use.
Middletown
Once referred to as the "farming community" of Aquidneck Island, Middletown is a town with plenty to offer visitors. Middletown is surrounded by three different bodies of water and features a rocky coastline. This is where the famous Sachuest Beach is, also known as Second Beach. The beach has a massive parking lot and restroom facilities available for visitors, making it convenient for those who want to spend a day of their vacation in the sun. The beach also has a concession stand where visitors can grab snacks and drinks. For those looking for a little more peace and quiet, Third Beach is right next to Second Beach and has fewer aggressive waves compared to its neighboring beach.
Middletown is also home base to one of the few wildlife refuges on Aquidneck Island, the Norman Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary has over 300 acres of property with several bird habitats, nature trails for hiking, a museum where visitors can learn about the area's natural history, and a summer camp for kids and teens to learn more about the environment. Another popular outdoor attraction is Middletown's Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for bird watchers and hikers, as there are flat, easy trails to explore.
Rhode Island's coastal towns may be small, but they are full of charm and offer something for everyone. Visitors have a variety of scenic destinations to choose from, each with its own unique attractions. Whether enjoying the beach in Little Compton or exploring sites in Bristol, there is no shortage of things to do and see on a trip to Rhode Island's scenic coastal towns!
