14 Most Beautiful Small Towns In Rhode Island That You Should Visit
Rhode Island is one of the southernmost states in the American Northeast’s New England region that is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean via Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound to the south and the US States of Connecticut and Massachusetts to its west, north, and east, respectively. Being one of the initial Thirteen Colonies, this serene coastal retreat is celebrated for its incredible sandy beaches, breathtaking landscapes, rich heritage, and innumerable diners serving delectable seafood cuisines. Even though Rhode Island contains many bustling urban metropolises like the state capital, Providence, and other populated cities like Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, etc., vacationers are also attracted to the many pretty small towns that dot the nation’s smallest state. So, the next time you visit Ocean State for an extended vacation or a quick weekend trip, these gorgeous small towns are worth adding to your itineraries.
Narragansett
An enchanting New England seaside town in southern Rhode Island’s Washington County, Narragansett is situated on a narrow band of land along the Pettaquamscutt River’s eastern banks to the Narragansett Bay shores. A favorite summertime destination, this scenic town attracts beachgoers, daytrippers, and weekend getaway adventurers to enjoy its stunning beaches, warm waters, and friendly ambiance. Steeped in history and named after the Narragansett Native American tribes who resided in the area, the town is known for its various notable landmarks like The Towers spanning Ocean Drive, Point Judith Lighthouse, Narragansett Baptist Church, Gladstone Springhouse & Bottling Plant, etc. Travelers can explore the town’s famous beaches, like Narragansett Town Beach, Scarborough State Beach, Roger Wheeler State Beach, and Salty Brine State Beach, indulge in a variety of delicious seafood and sip waterfront cocktails at the Coast Guard House, or hike the Black Point Trail, Whale Rock Trail, and other trails at the Fishermen’s Memorial State Park.
New Shoreham
Coextensive with Block Island, a 9.7 sq. mi island about 12 miles south of mainland Rhode Island, this small Washington County town holds the distinction of being the state as well as the county’s southernmost town. This unique year-round island community is known for its breathtaking ocean views, over 17 miles of coastal beach, more than 30 miles of walking trails, and 300 freshwater ponds. Some of New Shoreham’s noteworthy attractions include the Mohegan Bluffs, North Lighthouse, Southeast Lighthouse, Spring Street Gallery, 1661 Farm & Gardens, Sacred Labyrinth, Mansion Beach, Clay Head Nature Trail, Great Salt Pond, and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge & Sachem Pond.
Bristol
The administrative center of Bristol County, Bristol, occupies a peninsula between the Narragansett and Mount Hope Bays, about 13 miles southeast of Providence. Nicknamed “America’s most patriotic town,” Bristol is best known for hosting the United States’s oldest continuously celebrated Fourth of July festivities, drawing more than 200,000 visitors from all over the world for a three-hour-long event where the entire town is decked in red, white, and blue colors, and the day ends with a fly-over by the local National Guard. The town’s exciting attractions include the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, Bristol County Courthouse, Bristol Ferry Light, Colt State Park, East Bay Bike Path, Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol Art Museum, Joseph Reynolds House, Linden Place Mansion, and many more. In addition to the annual Independence Day celebrations, Bristol also hosts several annual events like the Bristol Harbor Festival, Raptor Weekend at the Audubon Experimental Education Center, Harvest Festival, Bristol Burger Bash & Bluegrass at Linden Place Mansion, and the Grand Illumination of Hope Street.
Wickford
Wickford, a tranquil seaside village and North Kingstown town’s administrative center, is situated around one of the Eastern Seaboard’s most well-protected natural harbors and houses the nation’s most extensive collection of well-preserved colonial and 19th-century buildings. Stroll along the tree-lined waterfront streets filled with plenty of impressive landmarks dating many centuries back, small independent locally-owned shops, antique stores, boutiques, home décor stores, art galleries, and top-class eateries serving fresh seafood. At Wickford, tourists can engage in an array of activities, such as a historical walking tour to learn more about the village's roots, a horse-drawn carriage ride, kayaking, paddle boarding, and a 90-minute lobstering tour by Fish n Tales Adventures. Moreover, the Wickford Art Association hosts the annual Wickford Art Festival in July, attracting thousands of eminent artists from all over the globe.
Little Compton
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the south, Sakonnet River in the west, Tiverton in the north, and the Massachusetts town of Westport in the east, Little Compton is a tiny tranquil seaside town in Rhode Island’s Newport County. The town’s relatively cool maritime climate, its immaculately clean sandy beaches like South Shore Beach and Goosewing Beach, and abundant stonewalls have made it a prominent tourist destination. Initially inhabited by the indigenous Sakonnet Indians and later by the Europeans, Little Compton is home to several interesting sites, including Wilbor House Museum, William Whalley Homestead, Friends Meeting House & Cemetery, Young Family Farm, Sakonnet Point Lighthouse, Rhode Island Red Monument, Stone House Inn, and the nearby Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard that manufactures award-winning wines. The waterfront town also houses the state's only official “Town Common,” which functions both as a religious center and a civic center for various social activities.
Tiverton
Tiverton, an idyllic coastal town in Newport County, extends alongside the Sakonnet River close to the Massachusetts state line. This quintessential New England town has one-of-a-kind retail stores, stylish boutiques, alluring art galleries, and countless eateries offering appetizing cuisines. The Tiverton Four Corners Historic District with its numerous 18th and early 19th-century properties, the First Baptist Church of Tiverton, Thomas Bennett Homestead in the Osborn-Bennett Historic District, Cook-Bateman Farm, Fort Barton Site & Woods, and Bourne Mill complex are some of Tiverton's fascinating attractions that should not be missed. Outdoor lovers can explore the area’s natural beauty at the Weetamoo Woods & Pardon Gray Preserve or head to Fogland Beach for kayaking and windsurfing activities.
East Greenwich
Kent County’s seat, East Greenwich, is Rhode Island’s 8tholdest town and its affluent municipality on the Narragansett Bay's western shores. This New England gem is acclaimed for its multiple structures in different architectural styles scattered throughout the town. East Greenwich's alluring waterfront features exquisite shopping stores, colorful art galleries, clubs, restaurants, and bars. Varnum House Museum, Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, New England Wireless & Steam Museum, and the Greenwich Odeum are some of the town's remarkable points of interest. The Goddard Memorial State Park offers outdoorsy types with spectacular views of the adjacent bay besides ample recreational activities like fishing, boating, and hiking. The Frenchtown Park & Frye Nature Preserve is ideal for nature enthusiasts to unwind and reconnect with nature.
Jamestown
Jamestown, a peaceful waterside hamlet in Newport County, is located entirely on Conanicut Island, charming visitors with its well-preserved heritage properties, spotless beaches, extensive parks, and ferry rides to Newport. The innumerable lighthouses, such as the Poplar Point Lighthouse, Goat Island Light, Castle Hill Lighthouse, Dutch Island Lighthouse, Plum Island Lighthouse, Conanicut Island Lighthouse, and Beavertail Lighthouse that encircle the town are just waiting to be explored. For an authentic Jamestown experience, travelers must stroll down Narragansett Avenue and browse the uncountable retail stores and diners. The meandering trails of the Beavertail State Park and Fort Wetherill State Park especially draw adventurers to discover the famed WWII facilities, besides catching a glimpse of Rhode Island’s rich wildlife at the Marsh Meadows Wildlife Preserve and Conanicut Island Sanctuary. Jamestown’s other must-visit attractions include the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum, Jamestown Fire Memorial Museum, Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, Fort Getty Park, Historic New England Watson Farm, Jamestown Arts Center, Village Hearth Bakery & Café, and Clancy Designs Glass Studio.
Westerly
A pleasant beachfront community set in the state’s extreme southeastern corner along the Pawcatuck River, Westerly is noted for its many pristine beaches like Weekapaug Beach, Misquamicut State Beach, Watch Hill Beach, Westerly Town Beach, and East Beach. One of Southern New England’s best shoreline destinations, Westerly has a thriving downtown packed with retail outlets, beautiful boutiques, trendy cafes, breweries, and eateries. The town also has many significant structures, including the Babcock Smith House, Westerly Armory, Weekapaug Inn, Lewis-Card-Perry House, and Flying Horse Carousel. The luxurious Ocean House perched on the high bluffs of Watch Hill allures travelers to spend a night after touring some of the must-visit attractions like the Granite Theatre, Watch Hill Lighthouse, Napatree Point Conservation Area, Atlantic Beach Park, and Wilcox Park. Westerly also hosts multiple annual events like the Pawcatuck River Duck Race, Virtu Art Festival, Shakespeare in the Park & Summer Pops, Riverglow, Westerly’s Columbus Day parade, Memorial Day Parade, and Veterans Day Parade.
Cumberland
Providence County’s northernmost town, Cumberland, located in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley, is the state’s seventh-largest municipality named in honor of Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. The town attracts travelers by offering a perfect amalgamation of historic sites and magnificent natural sceneries. Heritage connoisseurs would not want to miss the Arnold Mills Historic District, Ashton Historic District, Metcalf-Franklin Farm, Whipple-Jenckes House, St. Joseph’s Church Complex, Burlingame-Noon House, Ballou-Weatherhead House, John Cole Farm, and Berkeley Mill Village. The adventure seekers are free to take a bike ride along the 18.2-mile-long Blackstone River Bikeway – the state’s 2nd-longest bike path and check out the Phantom Farms, Diamond Hill Vineyards, Blackstone River Theatre, and the Cumberland Library Friends’ Bookstore. The town also hosts the Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade, 4 Mile Road Race, Summer Solstice Festival, and the Cumberlandfest with joy rides, live entertainment, carnival, and a small fireworks show.
Newport
Often referred to as the “Sailing Capital of the World,” Newport, the administrative center of Newport County, is located along Narragansett Bay, about 33 miles southeast of Providence and 180 miles northeast of New York City. This New England summer resort is best known for its impressive Gilded Age mansions that once served as summer residences for affluent American families and are currently open as museums for public viewing. Newport is also home to the Newport Historic District - containing one of the nation’s largest concentrations of colonial houses, the Ocean Drive Historic District, White Horse Tavern, Touro Synagogue, Sailing Museum, Fort Adams, Redwood Library & Athenaeum, Save the Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium, the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, the 3.5-mile long Cliff Walk bordering the shoreline, and various public recreation areas like Brenton Point State Park, Easton’s Beach, King Park, and Touro Park. The town annually hosts the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Newport Classical, and Newport Flower Show.
Harrisville
Home to just 1,745 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, Harrisville is a small village within the town of Burrillville in Rhode Island’s Providence County. Named after Andrew Harris, a 19th-century manufacturer, a significant portion of the village forms a historic district. Tourists visiting Harrisville can explore the numerous 18th and 19th-century homes, along with a wide variety of locally owned businesses, restaurants, and interesting regional museums. Nevertheless, this tranquil community has its share of excitement, with a historic four-room farmhouse that inspired the supernatural horror movie The Conjuring.
Foster
Foster, a tiny rural town in Rhode Island’s Providence County along the boundary with Connecticut, is home to Jerimoth Hill, the state’s highest point that rises to an elevation of 812 ft. Tourists visiting Foster should gaze in awe at the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge – the only covered bridge in the state located on a public road; browse Bees’ Buzz for antiques, jewelry, handicraft items, old tools, etc.; enjoy a sip of handcrafted wines at the Nickle Creek Vineyard; taste lip-smacking dishes offered at the Shady Acres Restaurant & Dairy and Woodland Meeting House; and trek the 0.3-mile trail that leads to the Jerimoth Hill.
Richmond
A forested landlocked community, Richmond is situated about 35 miles south of Providence in Washington County. Home to only 8,020 residents, the town comprises the villages of Alton, Barberville, Hillsdale, Shannock, Usquepaug, Woodville, Arcadia, Carolina, Kenyon, Tug Hollow, Wood River Junction, and Wyoming. So, whether one wants to discover the town's noteworthy sites, relax along the open green and blue spaces, or spend time at the different museums, boutique shops, and cozy restaurants, Richmond has something for every taste. Moreover, the forested settings and the adjacent waterbodies make Richmond one of Rhode Island’s enchanting destinations.
From picture-perfect towns like Narragansett and Newport to the untarnished beaches of Westerly and Little Compton, there is no shortage of pretty locales in the nation’s smallest and seventh-least populous state. Each of these scenic small towns in the Ocean State offers a multitude of recreational opportunities besides astounding natural landscapes, fresh seafood, and vibrant annual celebrations. So, quickly pack your bags and embark on a journey to these gorgeous Rhode Island towns for a fun-filled, memorable vacation with your loved ones.
