8 Offbeat Rhode Island Towns To Visit In 2025
Many travelers stop in this state for its pristine storybook beaches, but stunning coastlines are only one part of what makes Rhode Island so special. The Ocean state grants access to truly rare opportunities, such as celebrating tribal land at the oldest Native American Powwow in North America and exploring salt marshes that are full of life and wonder. Anyone who has a hunger for whimsy will be satiated venturing through these small towns that are packed with indie art landmarks, towering forests, and so much more. Keep reading to find the perfect offbeat town to visit in 2025.
Jamestown
Step into the majestic town of Jamestown, where waves crash dramatically against rocky cliffs. A lighthouse stands tall on the shore, casting light over Narragansett Bay. The Beavertail Lighthouse used to warn sailors of the rocky cliffs, and now welcomes visitors who want the best view of New England’s coastline. Some of Jamestown's most beautiful views are below the surface. Along the shoreline of Fort Wetherill State Park is a peninsula separating two coves that offer easy access to the water, making this a beginner-friendly dive.
The majestic waters are full of corals, tropical fish, and other fascinating sea life. Back on shore, film fans will have fun immersing themselves in Wes Anderson's imagination. The park was used as a filming location for the beloved indie film "Moonrise Kingdom." Get even more inspired at Jamestown Art Center. The multidisciplinary visual and performing arts center hosts cultural events and exhibits that mix creativity and innovation.
Charlestown
One of the most beautiful views in Charlestown is above it. To appreciate this view, go to Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center, where an Ash-Dome creates a clear glimpse of the night sky and all of its celestial bodies. Return to earth with a beautiful view of Block Island Sound from the golden sand of Charlestown Breachway. This beach is known not only for its stunning scenery but also for its bountiful opportunities for saltwater fishing. If fishing isn't your favorite pastime, you can take to the waters in a kayak or even swim in the calm rolling waves.
If you are in Charestown in the summer, do yourself the favor of learning about the culture of its original inhabitants. Every August, the Narragansett Indian Tribe holds the Narragansett Indian Tribe Annual Powwow on tribal land. This is the oldest recorded powwow in North America and is a powerful experience that shares traditional food, as well as singing and dancing.
Exeter
Exeter may be a small town, but it has so much to offer, including seemingly endless forests. Arcadia Management Area claims 14,000 mostly forested acres, making it the largest recreational area in Rhode Island. The options on how to take advantage of all of this land access are limitless, from horseback riding to fishing, mountain biking, or just adventuring on foot. If you’d rather ski down a mountain than ride a bike on it, visit Yawgoo Valley, the only ski area in Rhode Island. In warmer months, the valley transforms into a water park full of slides and pools.
Dry off from the snow or waterslides by frolicking in the fields at Wicked Tulips Flower Farm, where the largest U-Pick event in New England occurs annually. A colorful bouquet picked with your own hands makes the perfect New England souvenir.
Foster
Stop by Foster to have a meal among ghosts of Foster’s past at the Old Town Meeting House (Woodland Meeting House), where community members have gathered for over 200 years. The community still gathers here, now with food on their plate and a cocktail in their hand since the space has been renovated into a bar and restaurant. If you prefer a dessert, head to Wright's Dairy Farm & Bakery for farm-fresh sweet treats. Ever since the farm started operations in the early 20th century, they have been a mainstay in dairy products for the local community. Now, their freestall barn houses cows that provide milk for the ice cream and cakes that the bakery serves. There is even a viewing area, where customers can watch their Foster-Famous ice cream being made.
After eating your way through the town, turn your gaze skyward to get a clear view of the Milky Way at the highest point in Rhode Island. Jerimoth Hill is a locally known spot for dark sky watching, one of the rare points in the country without any light obstruction, creating a clear canvas for the Milky Way and its neighboring stars to shine through.
Tiverton
A trip to Tiverton allows you to enjoy the bountiful outdoor spaces that flourish in this small town. At Fort Barton, hike one of the 3.5 miles worth of trails to the observation tower, which looks like it emerged from the pages of a fairytale. The tower gives hikers panoramic views of the gorgeous Narragansett Bay. Walk along the black stone shore at Fogland Beach, where the Sakonnet River welcomes kayaks and windsurfers on its gentle waves. To explore local salt marshes, head to Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge. The winding trails will lead you through red maple swamps and a calm forest that houses creatures such as deer and foxes, which hikers love to stop and admire. Along the shorefront, you may even find crabs and harbor seals.
Little Compton
Indulge your senses and your curiosity in Little Compton. Learn all about this little town at The Little Compton Historical Society, a museum that preserves historic structures such as barns, a carriage house, an artist studio, and more. The spaces have been restored to transport visitors into the shoes of the original community members who made Little Compton what it is today.
Step back into the present (though vintage drinks are always an option) at New England's oldest vineyard, Sakonnet Vineyards. Taste their delicious wine or simply immerse yourself in the serenity of 169 acres of lush trees and greens. If you’d rather walk on the sand than the grass, go to Goosewing Beach. This beach doubles as a mile-long nature preserve that is home to migrating rare seabirds, making it the perfect spot for bird watchers and wildlife explorers.
Warren
A refuge for wildlife and ghosts, Warren is full of extraordinary life forms. Start your journey by letting the river breeze cradle you along Warren’s Waterfront district. While the river is beautiful in its serenity, the waterfront is made even more beautiful by the colorful murals painted on walls and utility boxes. This small town’s serenity transitions to spooky at night, when you can take a Historic Ghost Tour to learn about Warren’s past and how it still has its ghostly hands wrapped around the present. For another educational walk that is more peaceful than petrifying, visit the Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge. The walk will consist of 66 acres of hardwood forests as well as a salt marsh overlook.
Bristol
For an offbeat Rhode Island experience, visit Bristol, where history bursts to life in the most beautiful yet haunting ways. What started in 1810 as a family home, Linden Place has known many reincarnations, from a hotel during wartime to a shopping complex. Tour the mansion to admire the Palladian windows and fluted Corinthian columns, as well as the surrounding grounds sprinkled with aged sculptures and lush flowers. Occasionally, Linden Place offers haunted tours of its palace, where guests are guided only by candlelight.
Art can be found only a few steps from this beautifully haunted place. The colorful art of various media brings light to the shadows of the mansion. Bristol Art Museum houses eclectic exhibitions to admire and educational programs to inspire. It was founded by three local women in 1964 to add more art to downtown Bristol. Finish your trip with a living museum dedicated to preserving and teaching the ways of salt marsh farming. If you visit Coggeshall Farm Museum, you can expect to find much more than exhibits. The entire farm is alive with live interpretations, historic structures (such as a forge and a cheese house), and heritage-breed animals roaming the grounds.
Finishing Thoughts
These offbeat towns don’t just offer things to do; they are full of creative ways to get to know the smallest state in the USA. From deep-sea exploration to space gazing, the towns on this list make up the perfect travel itinerary for 2025. The truth of Rhode Island is found in these small towns, which are gateways to folklore saturated in forgotten history and native ancestry. Visiting these towns will uncover rare sights, from colorful coral and sealife to galaxies that shine high above the rocky coastline. Rhode Island’s most offbeat towns do more than welcome their visitors; they pull them into a world where past and present artistically merge, changing all of those who venture through.
