7 Cutest Small Towns In Rhode Island For 2025

Despite being the smallest state in the nation, Rhode Island certainly bats above average when it comes to fun things to see and do. Covering just over 1,000 square miles of beautiful New England scenery, the Ocean State makes up for its small size by being home to some of the region’s cutest towns, each just waiting to be explored.

Many of these small communities owe their charm to their history and are able to trace their roots as far back as the state’s founding in 1636. Known for their maritime heritage and fascinating cultural traditions, the best of them offer curious travelers a broad range of experiences to participate. Find out more with this list of the seven cutest small towns in Rhode Island for 2025.

Newport

Newport is well-known for its impressive waterfront mansions and fascinating sailing traditions. With roots dating back to 1639 when the first English colonialists settled the area, the town grew rapidly and by the 18th-century was one of the region’s trading ports. A period of incredible opulence followed that came to be known as the Gilded Age when America’s wealthiest families started building massive summer estates along Bellevue Avenue. Places like The Breakers, Marble House, and Rosecliff can now be toured, a fun experience that sheds light on the era’s affluent families and architectural innovations.

The Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile pathway bordering the Atlantic, provides superb ocean views and glimpses of these homes’ parklike grounds from the waterfront. The town’s cute factor is enhanced further by the preserved buildings of the Newport Historic District. Highlights include the Touro Synagogue, completed in 1763 and the oldest such building in the United States; and the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, established in 1747, and one of the nation’s oldest lending libraries. Be sure to also wander through Washington Square with its colonial-era structures like Old Colony House, built in 1739. Also, pay a visit to the Museum of Newport History for a look into local events that helped shape the state… and the nation.

Bristol

The cute town of Bristol is famous for holding one of the oldest continuously celebrated Independence Day parades in the United States. A tradition that began in 1785, 2025 marks the 240th year of the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration, with highlights including a parade complete with floats and marching bands, as well as a fantastic firework display. Whatever time of year you visit, Bristol’s waterfront location along Narragansett Bay is lovely to wander. Once a bustling 18th-century trading port, you can explore Bristol’s nautical past at the Herreshoff Marine Museum with its historic yachts and boat-building exhibits.

Colt State Park on the western edge of Bristol is another pretty spot to visit. Covering 460 acres of manicured lawns and scenic bay views, pleasant walking paths meander through fruit orchards and picnic areas. Enjoy history? Stop by Linden Place, an attractive 1810 Federal-style mansion with grounds often used to host concerts and art exhibits. Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum is also fun and offers garden tours.

Narragansett

Narragansett is a cute Rhode Island town with an identity that’s forever connected to its fishing heritage. It also just so happens to home to some of the best beaches in New England. Narragansett Town Beach itself features about a mile of shoreline and is extremely popular with surfers in search of those awesome Atlantic swells. The region’s fishing culture is still very much evident at the Port of Galilee, where you can pass time watching commercial fishing boats returning with fresh catches, much of it destined for local markets and seafood restaurants.

One of the cutest spots in town is The Towers, a historic stone edifice completed in 1886 and once the grand entrance to the Narragansett Pier Casino. Today, it hosts dances and community gatherings and is considered one of the best places in town to get married. The best time to visit? Shoot for the annual Blessing of the Fleet scheduled for July 2025. This old traditional seafaring tradition is fun to watch as vessels line up for a blessing to secure a good year’s sailing.

Westerly

Located near the Connecticut border, Westerly is another pretty Rhode Island town that draws travelers to its wonderful Atlantic beaches. East Beach is one of the best and is a laid-back spot boasting soft sands, safe swimming, and smaller crowds than some of Rhode Island’s more popular beaches. Westerly Downtown Historic District is well worth a wander, it’s well-preserved 19th-century architecture providing an attractive backdrop to a fun day trip or even a weekend stay.

Here you’ll find the Granite Theatre, built in 1849 as a Greek Revival-styled church but now staging plays and musicals. Pawcatuck River is lined with specialty shops and small eateries like the River Bar serving local favorites like lobster rolls and calamari, the latter officially designated the state appetizer. A great time to explore this picture-perfect town is May 2025 when the Virtu Art Festival in Wilcox Park makes a return. This much-anticipated community event features regional and national artists displaying paintings, sculptures, and crafts.

East Greenwich

Over in East Greenwich, the big draw for fans of cute towns is its historic district along Main Street. Enjoy a wander along streets featuring preserved old homes from the 1700s and 1800s, many of them built by sea captains and early merchants engaged in trans-Atlantic trade. The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum is an important attraction that keeps records and artefacts from the town’s role in the Revolutionary War right up to World War II. The old town center is immensely walkable, so after this, head to the Greenwich Odeum, a renovated 1926 vaudeville theater that’s still going strong. It now hosts film screenings, concerts, and even stand-up comedy acts.

Natural attractions that add to the town’s appeal include Goddard Memorial State Park, a stretch of coast along Greenwich Cove that’s popular for its trails, equestrian facilities, and even a public golf course. In summer, the park’s amphitheater features free outdoor concerts

Tiverton

The appeal of Tiverton definitely stems from its early history. Incorporated way back in 1694, this lovely small town developed into an important fishing and farming community, evidence of which can still be scene. Places like Tiverton Four Corners, an 18th-century village center that’s been revitalized as an artistic hub, is a perfect example of how older buildings can be reinvented as modern-day attractions. Here, you can explore art galleries exhibiting regional painters and potters, including at The Four Corners Gallery. A must-do, Gray’s Ice Cream has been serving delicious homemade scoops since 1923 (tip: try the coffee chip or chocolate maple for a mouthwatering treat).

Enjoy the outdoors? Then, head to Fogland Beach. Set on a sheltered bay, it’s popular for its calm waters, making it a must-visit for windsurfers and kayakers, as well as those seeking scenic views of the Sakonnet River. Further inland, the Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge features woodland trails and plenty of birdwatching opportunities, especially during the fall migration.

Jamestown

Not to be confused with its namesake in Virginia, Jamestown, RI, occupies most of Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay. Linked to the mainland by the Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge, the town’s full of historical attractions that together paint a fascinating look at the region’s colonial past. Highlights include the 1857 Schoolhouse Museum and the Beavertail Lighthouse & Museum, established in 1749 and the third-oldest lighthouse in the United States (tours are available, and the views are outstanding).

Fort Wetherill State Park on the island’s eastern end is certainly worth visiting. This former coastal defense installation now offers scenic hiking paths and vantage points overlooking the water. The park’s marinas support boating enthusiasts, and diving spots around its coves attract underwater explorers. Those with an artistic bent should visit Jamestown Arts Center with its rotating exhibits of contemporary works, as well as workshops for aspiring artists

The Final Word

There’s no doubt Rhode Island’s small towns offer a fascinating glimpse into America’s colonial past as well as its unique maritime history. Each of the destinations outlined here combines history with stunning coastal scenery and extremely friendly townsfolk. From the stately mansions of Newport to the close-knit artistic community in Tiverton, these places embody the Ocean State’s capacity to preserve tradition while embracing modern flair. You can find out more with this list of these seven cutest small towns in Rhode Island for 2025.