8 Most Eccentric Towns In Rhode Island
Of the 50 US States, Rhode Island is the smallest and seventh-least populous state in the American Northeast’s New England region, ceremoniously admitted to the Union on May 29, 1790. Considered ‘unique’ among the initial Thirteen Colonies, Rhode Island is esteemed for its rich colonial past, entrancing 384-mile-long tidal shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay, extraordinary fine-sand beaches, appealing attractions, and comfy New England amicableness. Despite the fact that the state’s significant metropolitan centers, including Warwick, Pawtucket, Cranston, and Providence - the state capital, are almost always the top preferences of a vast majority of holidaymakers, the unnumerable eccentric towns remain largely unnoticed. So, if you are visiting the Ocean State on your upcoming holidays, these offbeat Rhode Island towns will surely offer you a memorable vacation experience.
Narragansett
An enthralling oceanfront settlement in Washington County, Narragansett sits on a constricted parcel of land extending along the Pettaquamscutt River’s eastern shores to the Narragansett Bay banks. The most chosen summer-time relaxation getaway, the town ushers in beach aficionados, day trippers, weekenders, and adventure junkies to be bewildered by gentle waters, unpolluted beaches, and a home-like atmosphere. Drenched in history and called after the Narragansett Native American tribes, travelers visiting the town should pay a visit to the Narragansett Baptist Church, The Towers spanning Ocean Drive, Point Judith Lighthouse, etc. On top of that, traverse the remarkable beaches: Scarborough State Beach, Narragansett Town Beach, Roger Wheeler State Beach, and Salty Brine State Beach; trek the miscellaneous trails at the Fishermen’s Memorial State Park; and relish cocktails and mouthwatering seafood at The Coast Guard House Restaurant, George’s of Galilee, and Champlin’s Seafood Deck.
Bristol
This seat of government of Bristol County occupies a peninsula encircled by Mount Hope Bay in the east and Narragansett Bay in the west, roughly 13 miles southeast of the state capital. As ‘America’s most patriotic town,’ Bristol is publicly acknowledged for hosting the country’s oldest uninterrupted celebration of Independence Day festivities, attracting annually over 200,000 spectators to this three-week-long celebration, which concludes with a gala parade on July 4. When in Bristol, do not forget to stop by the Blithewold Mansion, Bristol County Courthouse, Colt State Park, Herreshoff Marine Museum, Linden Place Mansion, and Bristol Art Museum. Besides attending the town’s Fourth of July celebrations, also spare some time to turn up at other yearly events such as the Bristol Harbor Festival, Grand Illumination of Hope Street, Bristol Burger Bash & Bluegrass, and the Audubon Experimental Education Center’s Raptor Weekend.
New Shoreham
Coextensive with the 9.7 sq. mi Block Island in the Outer Lands archipelago around 9 miles south of mainland Rhode Island, this tiny Washington County community holds the status of being the Ocean State as well as the nation’s southernmost town. This unparalleled all-season island town entices visitors with its awe-inspiring marinescapes, 300 freshwater ponds, more than 30 miles of walking trails, and 17 miles of sandy beaches. For travelers visiting New Shoreham, riveting sites like the Mohegan Bluffs, Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, Southeast Lighthouse, North Lighthouse, Mansion Beach, Clay Head Nature Trail, 1661 Farm & Gardens, Sacred Labyrinth, and Spring Street Gallery are mandatory stops.
Little Compton
Bounded by the mighty Atlantic on the south, the Sakonnet River on the west, Tiverton on the north, and Westport, Massachusetts on the east, Little Compton is a coastal paradise in Newport County. Thanks to the reasonably cool nautical climate, copious stonewalls, and spotless South Shore and Goosewing Beaches, Little Compton has, over the years, become one of the preferred respite destinations. Originally colonized by Sakonnet Indians and later by Europeans, Little Compton’s noteworthy sites of interest include the Wilbor House Museum, Young Family Farm, William Whalley Homestead, Rhode Island Red Chicken Monument, Friends Meeting House & Cemetery, Sakonnet Point Lighthouse, Stone House Inn, and the next-door Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard. Additionally, this waterfront community houses Rhode Island’s lone official ‘Town Common’ that functions both as a religious and civic center.
Wickford
Wickford, baptized after its namesake town in the English county of Essex, is a teeny seaside resort village and North Kingstown town’s administrative center located on Narragansett Bay’s western side, around one of the Atlantic Seaboard’s most well-protected natural harbors. Saunter through the pleasant tree-lined streets and gawk in amazement at America’s biggest collection of conscientiously preserved Colonial and Federal period properties, family-owned shops, antique stores, top-class restaurants like Wickford on the Water, Tavern by the Sea, etc. When in town, take a walking tour to gain knowledge about the village’s history, a 90-minute lobstering tour conducted by Fish n Tales Adventures, apart from horse-drawn carriage rides with New Deal Horse & Carriage and plenty of water-based recreations. Furthermore, the annual Wickford Art Festival hosted by the Wickford Art Association every July draws popular artists and audiences from all over the globe.
Tiverton
A paradisal waterside retreat, Tiverton is situated along the side of Mount Hope Bay and Sakonnet River in Newport County, near the state boundary with Massachusetts. Wonderfully blending aesthetic pleasures with mind-boggling natural spectacles, Tiverton invites holidayers to peruse its native-owned boutiques, retail shops, Four Corners Art Gallery, and diners like the Boat House Waterfront Dining and Sakonnet River Grille serving yummy cuisines. Some of Tiverton’s fascinating attractions include the Bourne Mill Complex, Cook-Bateman Farm, the First Baptist Church of Tiverton, Fort Barton Site & Woods, Thomas Bennett Homestead in the Osborn-Bennett Historic District, and countless 18th and early 19th-century buildings in the Tiverton Four Corners Historic District. Outdoor enthusiasts must head straightaway to Fogland Beach and Grinnell’s Beach to participate in windsurfing, Kite-surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking opportunities or to the Weetamo Woods & Pardon Gray Preserve for uncoiling in the midst of nature.
East Greenwich
Kent County’s seat of government and the state’s most affluent municipality, East Greenwich, is set on Narragansett Bay’s western shores in central Rhode Island. Scattered all over this coastal settlement named after Greenwich, England, are uncountable landmark properties in addition to the abundant Main Street one-of-a-kind retail stores, art galleries like New England Contemporary Fine Art, and top-class restaurants like Union & Main and Jiggers Hill and Harbour Diner. When in town, the Greenwich Odeum, New England Wireless & Steam Museum, Varnum House Museum, and Varnum Memorial Armory Museum are must-visits. Nature enthusiasts get to spend quality time amidst the greens at the Frenchtown Park & Frye Nature Preserve, while the Goddard Memorial State Park offers unlimited recreational activities besides marvelous views of the bordering bay.
Jamestown
Jamestown, a serene coastal hamlet in Newport County, occupies almost completely Conanicut Island - Narraganset Bay’s second-largest island, and is home to around 5,559 inhabitants as per the latest US Census. Vacationers flock to the town in large numbers in the lure of meticulously maintained heritage properties, locally-owned small businesses, ferry rides to Newport, art galleries like Out of the Box Studio & Gallery and Jamestown Arts Center, and parks like Fort Getty Park, Beavertail State Park, and Fort Wetherill State Park. Rimming the town are numerous lighthouses, such as the Poplar Point Lighthouse, Plum Island Lighthouse, Beavertail Lighthouse, Castle Hill Lighthouse, Goat Island Light, Dutch Island Lighthouse, and Plum Island Lighthouse which are waiting to be discovered. Travelers must walk down Narragansett Avenue and browse the many retail stores and finest eateries like Narragansett Café, Our Table Jamestown, Beech Restaurant & Bar, etc., while other noteworthy sites of interest, including the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum, Jamestown Fire Memorial Museum, Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, and Historic New England Watson Farm must not be missed.
From Little Compton’s impeccable beaches to Bristol - ‘America’s most patriotic town,’ Rhode Island has no shortage of quirky towns. Every town unerringly showcases the incredible pristine natural habitats, multiple recreations, spirited yearly cavalcades, and welcoming seafood joints tantalizing vacation-goers across the world. If you are on the lookout for offbeat locales to spend your weekends or extended breaks, these Ocean State towns are worth visiting with your near and dear ones.
