8 Most Neighborly Towns In Rhode Island

To find a place with great neighbors, it's best to start in a small community. There's nowhere smaller in the United States that Rhode Island, the smallest state by landmass. This tiny state has a proud history going back to the 1600s, founded on the principle of religious tolerance. Within this state, visitors will find many neighborly towns that offer much to be proud of, including 18th century village markets, the most beautiful beaches in the Atlantic, the best mansions in the US, and naturally preserved woodlands for everyone to explore. Here are eight neighborly towns in Rhode Island to visit.

Little Compton

Little Compton's history goes back to the days of the pilgrims, when it was incorporated as part of the Plymouth Colony in 1682. However, the town would later pass ownership to Rhode Island in 1747. It is part of the Farm Coast, an area along the sea with a great deal of farms and neighborly communities. There's plenty of quaint and fun activities in town such as South Shore Beach, a great place to relax in the water or collect sea shells. Little Compton has many family owned farms that let visitors pick apples or other fruits such as Young Family Farm or Wishing Stone Farm. Lastly, it's worth it to explore the picturesque Sakonnet Gardens, a secret garden with hidden passages and exotic plants to see.

Narragansett

Narragansett was named after the Native American tribe that Rhode Island founder Roger Williams befriended during the 1600s. This community was originally a laid back fishing and farming village, until it slowly gained a reputation as a seaside resort.

Despite this, it still keeps a friendly spirit alive through local businesses and pristine beaches. At Narragansett Town Beach, visitors can dip their toes in the salty waters, while being within walking distance of restaurants and shops. It is right next to the Narragansett Pier which has several locally owned businesses such as Kitt Kites which sells kites and Shell Boutique which has shell art and gifts. Visitors can also see great examples of beautiful New England architectures such as The Towers, the last remnants of the Narragansett Pier Casino built between 1883 and 1886.

Newport

Newport sits on the Classic Coast, a historic area in Rhode Island that is known for beautiful architecture, great clam chowder, and much more. Newport itself was founded in 1639, making it one of the oldest towns in Rhode Island. Residents here have a lot to be proud of, as Newport was one of the richest areas during America's Gilded Age.

In fact, there are many well maintained mansions from that era to explore such as Thegloh Breakers, a summer getaway for the Vanderbilt family and Rosecliff, a silver white house built for silver heiress Thereas Fair Oelrichs. Visitors can see many of these mansions alongside the Cliff Walk, a 3.5 mile trail that runs alongside an Atlantic Ocean cliff. The town has a few local shops worth visiting as well such as Mustang Betty's Antiques or Jet Age Records.

Middletown

First incorporated in 1743, Middletown sits directly in the center of Aquidneck Island. It is closeby to Newport, making it a great central location for a larger Rhode Island trip. The community is proud of its rich wildlife, which is preserved at multiple sanctuaries. For example, visitors can go bird watching or hiking at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, which also includes the picturesque Hanging Rock hiking trail.

At the nearby Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, there is a rich variety of wildlife such as the Snowy Owl. For those looking for a day on the beach, Middletown contains the 1-mile long beach called Sachuest Beach that contains one of the best surfing spots in Rhode Island: Surfers End.

Glocester

Named after the city in England, Glocester is a quaint place with unique landmarks. Its residents are proud of their rich forests which they share with everyone through the Glocester Land Trust. In these picturesque spots, visitors can escape into nature through fishing, hiking, geocaching, and bird watching. There are multiple woodland areas in town including Burton Woodland with a glacial fen and wetlands, and Robert Huckins Woodland which is home to the endangered Black-throated Blue Warbler.

Visitors can also seek out several historic buildings that have been well maintained by the community such as the 1821 Baptist Meeting House or the Chepachet Village, the first village to be placed on the National Historic Register. There are multiple locally owned seafood restaurants in town to try out such as Seaport Grille and Salt Water Grille.

Tiverton

Much like Little Compton, Tiverton used to be part of Massachusetts Bay Colony before being annexed to Rhode Island in 1746. The town would serve as a crucial center for revolutionary forces during the American War of Independence when British troops occupied large portions of Rhode Island.

Today, Tiverton is know for having a neighborly spirit with local boutiques and restaurants and an appreciation for its Revolutionary past. Of note in Tiverton is Fort Barton, a redoubt from the American Revolution. Visitors can see an observation tower and 3 miles of walking trails by the Fort. Speaking of boutiques, Tiverton preserves many of its 18^th century buildings within the Tiverton Four Corners historic village, which has many locally owned businesses. These include Arch Contemporary Ceramics, Cedian Paintings: Studio & Gallery, and The Cheese Wheel Village Market.

Exeter

Exeter is located right in the center of Rhode Island, and is a rich rural community. In fact, it one of the last rural communities left in Rhode Island. As such, residents have great love for their beautiful farms and outdoor activities. Of note is the Arcadia Management Area, a 14,000-acre park featuring miles of hiking trails, ponds, and freshwater beaches.

Exeter is also a major center for car enthusiasts, which is on display at the Oak Harber Village Car Show, which showcases more than 100 classic cars. As a rural town, Exeter has a few local farms which are great places to go buy fresh goods. At the 1902 Schartner's Farm, visitors can purchase fresh produce, pick berries or get lost in a corn maze.

New Shoreham

Located on Block Island, just over 1,400 people call this small community of New Shoreham home. Visitors can reach the island by ferry, and they will quickly see why this town is worth the trip. For one, New Shoreham has some of the best views in Rhode Island, such as at Mohegan Bluffs. These bluffs are 200 feet above sea level and offer some of the best views of the ocean. There are also several beaches in town including the Mansion Beach and Fred Benson Town Beach.

New Shoreham residents love to have fun, and one of their favorite activities is the island wide scavenger hunt: the Block Island Glass Float Project. During this hunt, visitors and residents can look for 550 glass floats that are hidden on the beaches and trails throughout New Shoreham.

Conclusion

New England has a reputation for large metropolitan areas, but Rhode Island is proof that there's more to this region than just the Big Apple or Boston. Within these small towns, one can discover tight nit communities that have keep alive historic buildings, mansions, farms and much more. By visiting these towns, visitors will experience the very best of the Atlantic coastline while also enjoying the rich wildlife of Rhode Island. These neighborly towns are perfect for someone looking for a relaxing getaway.