8 Friendliest Towns to Visit in Rhode Island in 2024
Rhode Island, a New England state in the U.S., has many friendly towns that may appeal to travelers needing a new itinerary for 2024. With plenty of cool commercial locales, interesting natural and historical landmark attractions to discover and a vibrant community upbringing, this coastal state has lots to see and do. For anyone who wants to experience friendly faces and happy moments, these towns will be worth the trip!
New Shoreham
One of the smallest towns in the state with 521 residents on Block Island, New Shoreham is a must-visit for its friendly surroundings and lighthouse beauty. At Block Island North Light, scenic island vibes and gracious tours of the 18th-century lighthouse museum make the trip quite splendid for tourists near Settler's Rock. The South East Lighthouse is also available for another close look at lighthouse scenery, with its Mohegan Bluffs viewpoints and Victorian-era architecture that may appeal to crowds wanting some European influence in 2024!
Frederick J. Benson Town Beach has further natural scenery, with its crowded yet pleasant atmosphere and friendly residents who like to wave at newcomers and take photos together near relaxing ocean waves! For bookworms, Island Free Library has cozy and aesthetic reading spaces with easygoing staff who love to help out visitors; it also has a few events planned this year, like welcoming Mahjong nights and beach yoga sessions! Some tourists may find friendly cyclists around Beach Rose Bicycles, a popular rental spot where locals and travelers alike enjoy hearty conversations about the coolest bikes.
Little Compton
A coastal town of 3,622 inhabitants, Little Compton has rural friendliness and interesting landmarks worth visiting in 2024. Little Compton Town Common is a laidback triangular park with happy locals and historical architecture that also makes for a lovely road trip this year! Peckham's Greenhouse is a great stop for beautiful garden beds and hospitable owners who love discussing homegrown products and New England flower landscapes. At Goosewing Beach Preserve, one can find ocean tides and boat crowds filled with smiling residents!
Tourists needing an easy stroll or hike can trek across the Wilbour Woods to experience forest species and friendly hikers. The Donovan Studio may be worth touring for those who admire local artistry and casual tours of impressionist artworks related to Sakonnet River beauty. For hungry visitors, The Barn Restaurant is a superb stop for French toast breakfasts and rural pleasures alongside welcoming villagers! For an underrated stop, one can visit Art Cafe, where organic coffee blends and friendly Sakonnet culture make everything fun and memorable. It is also known for hosting couple-friendly morning band sessions for music lovers, making this a definitive stop for tourists needing a romantic itinerary this year!
Jamestown
Jamestown is a suburban destination on Conanicut Island with 5,554 residents who love history and nature. Lighthouse enthusiasts in 2024 may enjoy Beavertail Lighthouse for its coastal vibrancy and New England island splendors that capture the essence of Narragansett Bay. Fort Getty Park has gorgeous pink skies and dog-friendly campers who love to share stories about their travels. The park is hosting a special half-marathon event for all residents and tourists who want to race around scenic routes during September!
At the historic Watson Farm, tourists can find 265-acre pastures full of cultural farmland heritage and Indigenous tour guide history. Those seeking more history can check out the Jamestown Windmill within the Windmill Hill Historic District, a great place to learn from friendly farmers how the 17th and 18th centuries of agricultural foundations paved the way for modern wind turbines in town! For special tours with smiling hosts, the Jamestown Fire Department Memorial Museum displays cool firefighter relics and charming photography spots. Over at Angel's Kitchen, travelers can enjoy tasty Margherita pizzas and Thai tropical salads amongst a social crowd.
Westerly
A small town of 18,334 locals, Westerly is an amazing destination for colonial stops and friendly vibes. Napatree Point is a sandy landmark with island beauty and birdwatching points where travelers and residents can observe avian species together. The Atlantic Beach Park has historic carousels, family-friendly arcade rooms, and soft-serve ice creams sold by the most welcoming merchants. For brewery enthusiasts, Grey Sail Brewing has compassionate owners who love to talk about local town beers and seaside culture; it is even hosting live music events on Canal Street throughout July of 2024!
For historic art gallery tours and fancy atmospheres, one can stroll through the Artists' Cooperative Gallery, where the town's best fine arts exhibits and outgoing artisans showcase their most important and extravagant collections. For a hidden gem tour, Living Sharks Museum has the most unique visual history of sharks on display with their friendly classroom workshops for tourists of all ages to enjoy and remember for a lifetime. Travelers who like to be around farmlands can take in the allure of gourmet sweetcorn and roadside friendliness at Manfredi Farms, an adorable locale that has been around for 70 years!
Bristol
Deemed one of the prettiest small towns in the country, Bristol is home to 22,069 residents. It is known for the Linden Place Mansion, a famous "Great Gatsby" filming landmark that appeals to tourists with its theatrical relics, friendly guided tours, and 18th-century white walls. At Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, garden estate walks and social chit-chat related to family heirlooms from a bygone era of the Narragansett Bay make for a pleasant stop! At the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, one can expect to find friendly natural history tours of local habitats and wildlife species that create a laidback adventure for those traveling to Bristol this year.
The Bristol Art Museum is a perfect option for East Bay local artistry and some of the trendiest museum relics exhibited by friendly residents; it even has handmade painting sessions and traditional Japanese quilt lectures during early and mid-July 2024! Bristol Oyster Bar has downtown scenery and astounding customer service for anyone craving local seafood delights and calming crowds. Portside Tavern may appeal to others with a penchant for fireplace coziness and social cocktail sessions.
Lincoln
A vibrant town with 22,846 residents located north of Providence, Lincoln is a great destination for friendly tourism and awesome commercial stops. Blackstone River State Park has cycling routes, canoeing pleasures, friendly anglers, and the best historical fields of the 1820s. Hearthside House Museum has incredible guided tours of 18th-century Federal estate living and fireplace warmth that draws in tourists and locals, making for a fun fashion congregation with its dressing rooms and historical antiques!
One may find social activities at Rock Spot Climbing, a hotspot for educational and extracurricular rock climbing lessons, perfect for any traveler visiting during the summer of this year. It also hosts many events during July 2024, such as large "Group Rock Climbing" welcoming events! R1 Indoor Karting is a cool and unique locale in town for anyone seeking friendly vibes and thrilling go-kart tracks to ride around on. For Italian cuisine lovers, Trattoria Romana offers top-notch Roman dishes and luxury items for visitors who need worthwhile dining options.
Cumberland
A suburban northeastern town with 36,276 inhabitants, Cumberland is quite friendly and fulfilling for tourists in 2024. Diamond Hills Vineyards is a pivotal stop for welcoming garden parties, amazing customer care, and the scenic tranquility of the estate out front. Blackstone Valley Baptist Church has both down-to-earth community upbringing and welcoming events to introduce newcomers to the town's most interesting church activities, regardless of one's affiliation or background!
The Monastery is a historical detour with its 1900s stone church architecture and private mass rooms, filled with monastic relics and inscriptions that are often presented through friendly tours of the campus. Conversational bartenders love to chat with customers at Koury's Tavern, a frequented spot for family-friendly outings and cauliflower dishes. For South Asian cuisine fans, Bollywood Grill has various North Indian meals and signature cocktail evenings, while locales like Cumberland House of Pizza and Angelo's Palace Pizza have gourmet pizza options and the most energetic crowds!
East Greenwich
A wealthy town of 14,312 residents, East Greenwich locals know all about friendliness and history. The Greenwich Odeum is a must-see for popular event attractions and venues filled with talkative folks and the coolest downtown performances in 2024. It hosts several events in July and August, such as social "Jazz Nights" and "SpongeBob Musicals" for child-oriented traveling groups! At Varnum Memorial Armory, friendly tours of Medieval-themed weaponry make for a fascinating historical itinerary. The New England Wireless & Steam is full of happy volunteers who love to share knowledge about electrical and mechanical technologies from the older days.
Travelers who wander around Briggs Boesch Farm may encounter many friendly interactions with locals as they enjoy southern farmlands and classic New England family forestry. Some tourists may enjoy C and L Stables, where laidback horseriding lessons and 18 miles of scenery around East Greenwich make for a pleasant itinerary outing. For travelers who want something truly exciting to remember for a long time, the Updike Room at the Greenwich Hotel has company-loving open mic sessions and friendly staff who love to serve delicious french fries!
These small towns demonstrate the friendliness and glamour of Rhode Island. With the "Ocean State" providing so much to take in on even just one journey, it is not difficult to be in awe when experiencing all there is to offer in these towns. For anyone with this list handy, there will always be friendly conversations and beauty combined when visiting the New England region at any point during 2024!
