8 Coolest Towns in Rhode Island for a Summer Vacation in 2024
Rhode Island is called the Ocean State for a reason. There is barely any part of this town without a beach or lake in it, making it the perfect state to escape the summer heat and partake in various water activities! With its Narragansett Bay shoreline connecting to the Atlantic Ocean, vacationers are in for a great time swimming in the ocean and taking a walk on the beach shores. Not to mention, these towns offer quaint shopping areas, maritime history, as well as other family-friendly museums and attractions. Make this summer memorable by vacationing in any of these eight coolest towns in Rhode Island!
Westerly
Westerly is the coolest place to be in summer. Get ready to eat as much seafood as possible and sunbathe on some of the most beautiful beaches in Rhode Island, such as Atlantic Beach Park and Misquamicut State Beach. Spend your vacation chilling on Napatree Point Conservation Area, a Sandy Spit with an island feel. The Weekapaug Inn beach resort is a must-stay. Get access to fine dining, events, amenities like squash courts and boat tours, and great room service. The town used to be known for quarrying stones and granites and folks here can visit the Granite Theatre, which is now home to live musical and drama performances. Take some history information back home by visiting Babcock-Smith House Museum and Living Sharks Museum. Go beer-tasting at Grey Sail Brewing and attend their Summer Block Party event on Canal Street from April to September. FInish off your vacation by attending an art exhibit at the Artist Cooperative Gallery to support a local artist.
Narragansett
Narragansett is a seaside resort which used to be a rural fishing site. The town has evolved into a place where tourists can have the time of their lives while on holiday. Adventure awaits you at the Point Judith Ferry Terminal, where there are seafood restaurants aplenty. Point Judith is a small village on the shores of Narragansett with a history of its own. During World War II, an Allied ship sank within sight of the Point Judith Lighthouse Coast Guard as the ship was hit by a German torpedo, causing the loss of lives. To date, that eventful time is called the Battle of Point Judith. You will be able to see the Lighthouse when you visit. Point Judith Fisherman's Memorial is a state park and a tribute to hardworking fishermen who lost their lives at sea. If you enjoy fishing, you should see the Twenty/Aught Sportfishing. Visit the Coast Guard House Restaurant for the scenic ocean view, clams, and oysters. What is a summer vacation without the beach? Swim at Salty Brine State Beach. Go picnicking at Narragansett Beach. Chat with other tourists or locals while sunbathing at Roger Wheeler State Beach. Relax and boardwalk at the family-friendly Scarborough State Beach. On the way to the beach or when you are coming back, check out The Towers, a historical monument in town. Spend the night at The Shore House or The Break Hotel.
Newport
Newport was founded in 1639. The town is known for preserving its historic structures, which can be seen in the beautiful buildings across the town, with many on the National Register of Historic Places. Touro Synagogue National Historic Site is one of the United States' oldest synagogues. Visit the Rosecliff mansion, an old house that is now open to visitors. Marble House and The Breakers, another Gilded Age Mansion like Rosecliff, is a must-see. Have fun at Brenton Point State Park and Fort Adams State Park. Bowen's Wharf has everything you need for a full vacation: restaurants, antiques, galleries, and a bubbling nightlife. If you are around in May, attend the 8th Annual Newport Oyster & Chowder Festival on the 18th and 19th. Hike The Cliff Walk for the mansion and beach views. Get some food at White Horse Tavern before going to Easton's Beach. Travelers can spend the night at Motel 6 Newport or at the many other accommodations available here!
East Greenwich
East Greenwich is one of the richest communities in Rhode Island. The town has a Main Street that takes you back in time to the days of the Revolution. Take a tour to shop for collectibles, taste Main Street Coffee, and eat a savory meal. The East Greenwich Town Hall is a must-see. It is a stunning Federal-Georgian structure listed on NRHP. Lounge at The Updike Room at the Greenwich Hotel. Take your kids to Go Play or visit the historic Armory of the Kentish Guard. East Greenwich has more military stories to share with you at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. The Varnum House Museum is another museum entirely focused on home decor and furniture artifacts from the 1600s and 1800s. Go hiking in Briggs Boesch Farm at any time of the day. Sip a glass of beer or two at LineSider Brewing while attending the Bonsai Tree Workshop held once a month or their DJ Trivia held every Thursday!
Little Compton
Little Compton was first home to the Native Americans and was called Seaconnet before Europeans from Duxbury, Massachusetts, started settling in the land. One of the Englishmen was Benjamin Church, a colonel who was known for causing rifts among the native tribe in the neighborhood. Before King Philip’s War, Church built a home in Little Compton, and the plaque on West Main Road shows the location of his house to date. Learn more about the town at the Little Compton Historical Society Museum. Stop by Peckham's Greenhouse Garden, where you can order beautiful plants and flowers or just look around. Check out the rocky South Shore Beach and go park-hopping at Wilbour Woods and Little Compton Town Common. If you love bird-watching, the Goosewing Beach Preserve has a bird nesting area, less crowd, and sand dunes. Rhode Island Red Monument is a tourist attraction on Little Compton’s Main Street. Go see it before going over to Donovan Studio Art Gallery. Lodge at Stone House Inn or Harmony Home Bed & Breakfast.
Middletown
Middletown has lots of outdoor adventures to offer vacationers during summer. If you would rather sit down on a park bench and watch the waves clash quietly, or you prefer tandem skydiving while screaming your lungs out, Middletown has got you. Start your vacation in Third Beach with access to children-friendly boat ramps. The Norman Bird Sanctuary nature preserve is also on this beach, with camping opportunities for anyone interested. Relax at Second Beach, which has a great parking space. Go skydiving at Skydive Newport. Visit the historical preservation museum, Prescott Farm, which gives you a feel of the colonial era. History meets architecture at Whitehall Museum House. Check it out alongside St Columba's Chapel. Get some eats at Newport Vineyards & Restaurant. Buy fresh farm foods at Sweet Berry Farm or Simmons Farm Organics. Take a hike at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge and stop over at the bird area. Check out the tourist attraction, Boyd's Windmill, when you visit Paradise Valley Park. Go fishing at Sam's Bait & Tackle. Days Inn by Wyndham Middletown, Hampton Inn & Suites Newport, and Quality Inn & Suites Middletown are great accommodation options to choose from.
Foster
The British Colonists who settled in Foster made it a farming community in the 1600s. However, the town has much more to offer tourists, such as the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge, where you can stop to take some pictures. Dine at the famous Shady Acres Diner before embarking on a hike at the Barden Reservoir near Foster, which has a lake and a waterfall. Take your time embracing the beauty of nature. If visiting with children, why not take them on a tour of the Providence Children's Museum, 28 minutes from Foster, where you can also spend the night at Comfort Suites West Warwick - Providence, providing easy access to the state's capital.
New Shoreham
Although it is a small town with only 1,394 residents, New Shoreham is a great place for a summer vacation, with over 300 ponds, coastal beaches, and admirable ocean views. Lodge at the Ballard's Beach Resort with private beach access, seafood, and cocktails. Hop the town’s many beaches and enjoy the cool wind, breathtaking view, serene environment, and expanse land at Mansion Beach, Crescent Beach, and Frederick J. Benson Town Beach. Explore the Nature Preserves at Rodman's Hollow and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge. After a long day of walking, relax with a massage at Koru Eco Spa - Block Island Massage anytime during your vacation. For a real adventure, take a helicopter tour with HeliBlock Helicopter Adventures at Block Island State Airport (BID) for an excursion to remember! To cap off your trip, get yourself or your loved ones a gift at Block Island Trading Company.
Summer vacation is a great time to go beach, park, and island hopping, and these eight towns in Rhode Island have more than enough adventure to last a lifetime. Take a trip to any of these towns this summer and come back home with memories, keepsakes, and sunbathed skin. From beautiful Newport to quaint and rugged Foster, these towns will not disappoint travelers who make their way to this state!
