These Small Towns in Rhode Island Have the Best Historic Districts
Rhode Island is not only the smallest state in the USA; it’s one of the prettiest. As one of the original 13 colonies to join the Union, it’s also one of the oldest. Having played a role in shaping the destiny of the USA that’s undeniably disproportionate to its size, Rhode Island now boasts many quaint small towns with well-preserved historic districts that tell tales of the people and events that helped shape the country.
Whether you’re a history buff or a tourist looking for cool things to do in Rhode Island, the stories preserved in these communities paint a fascinating portrait of the past. Some of the best destinations, like Newport and Wickford Village, do such an excellent job of preserving their unique stories that they now rank among the top tourist attractions in the United States.
To find out more, read through our list of small towns in the “Ocean State” that have the best historic districts.
Newport
Business street along Thames in Newport, Rhode Island, United States. Image credit Yingna Cai via Shutterstock.
Widely considered one of the prettiest places to visit in New England, coastal Newport was established in 1639 and has witnessed many pivotal moments in American history. Newport Historic District is home to many of the best examples of colonial and later “Gilded Age” architecture, including marvelous 19th- and early 20th-century mansions built for wealthy families such as the Vanderbilts, whose opulent Breakers “cottage” can today be toured.
Other important historical attractions in Newport include Fort Adams, a coastal fortress active for nearly two centuries, and the Touro Synagogue, built in 1763 and the oldest such building in the United States.
Westerly
The Ocean House, a Victorian-style luxury waterfront hotel in Westerly, Rhode Island. Image credit Allard One via Shutterstock.
On the southwestern shoreline of Rhode Island, Westerly was founded in 1669 and now boasts two intriguing historic districts. The Westerly Downtown Historic District covers most of the town’s commercial and civic buildings, including the Old Town Hall from 1874 and the Westerly Train Station, built in 1912 with a distinctive neoclassical styling.
Westerly's Main Street Historic District encompasses 19 of the town’s most attractive residential buildings and is worth exploring. In addition to these stunning Second Empire- and Italianate-designed homes, you’ll also see the Pawcatuck Seventh Day Baptist Church built in Greek Revival style in 1847.
Bristol
Historic Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum in Bristol, Rhode Island. Image credit Faina Gurevich via Shutterstock.
Named after the port city in England, Bristol was established in 1680 and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Rhode Island. The town's historic waterfront district is where much of the appeal lies and is home to the Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame, which celebrates the achievements of the famed yacht builder and the world’s most prestigious sailing competition.
Could you include the Linden Place Mansion on your Bristol travel itinerary? Built in 1810, this Federal-style mansion features ornate architecture and interiors and can be toured. Bristol’s also where you can enjoy the country’s oldest Fourth of July celebration, initiated in 1785 and attracting crowds from across the state and beyond every year since.
East Greenwich
On the west shore of Narragansett Bay on the outskirts of Providence, the state capital, East Greenwich is the eighth oldest town in Rhode Island. Founded in 1677, much of the town’s Main Street is included in its preserved historic district. Highlights include the Varnum House Museum, constructed in 1773 in Georgian style and once home to General James Mitchell Varnum, an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and the East Greenwich Free Library, a Romanesque Revival building dating from the 1890s.
The Old Kent County Jail is another must-see attraction in East Greenwich. Built in the early 19th century, it served as a jail until the 1950s and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wickford Village
Street view in Wickford, Rhode Island, displaying old houses and historic charm. Image credit Swampyank via Wikipedia.
Take a short drive south of East Greenwich, and you’ll find yourself in Wickford Village, a delightful coastal hamlet established in the late 17th century and one of the most picture-perfect settings in New England. Wickford’s historic district comprises over 170 structures, many dating from the 1700s and displaying a mix of Colonial, Federal, and Victorian-era styling.
Wickford Harbor, with its wooden docks and sailboats, is fun to explore and has, for centuries, served as a vital trade and transportation hub. Close-by attractions include Smith's Castle, a 17th-century plantation house and former military command post, and the Old Narragansett Church, built in 1707 and one of the oldest Episcopal churches in the Northeast.
Warren
Drone view overlooking the town of Warren, Rhode Island.
Along the shores of the Warren River, the town of Warren dates back to 1747 and was originally a popular colonial-era place of residence. A critical historic landmark here is the Warren Town Wharf, which has been a hub for shipping, shipbuilding, and fishing for centuries. Maxwell House, built around 1750 as a tavern and later where British General Prescott was kept after being captured during the American Revolution, is another must-see Warren landmark.
Other highlights include the Warren Armory, constructed in the late 19th century with Romanesque Revival styling, and the Baker Street Museum, which features a substantial collection of local artifacts.
Pawtuxet Village
Pawtuxet Village Shoppes athe intersection of Broad Street and Aborn Street. Image credit Wangkun Jia via Shutterstock.
Strategically located at the confluence of the Pawtuxet River and Narragansett Bay midway between the cities of Cranston and Warwick, Pawtuxet Village was established in the early 17th century and is home to a number of important Rhode Island attractions of historic significance. Topping our list is Governor Sprague's Mansion. Built in the 1790s, and the former home to two governors of Rhode Island, it’s now an interesting museum that offers public tours.
The Pawtuxet Rangers Armory is another worthy landmark. Established in the late 18th century, the Rangers played a role in the Revolutionary War, notably in the burning of the British ship, HMS Gaspee, an event commemorated annually as the Gaspee Days celebration.
Tiverton
Between the Sakonnet River to the west and the border with Massachusetts to the east, Tiverton was founded in 1694 and has been of strategic importance ever since. This fact led to the construction of Fort Barton, which was instrumental during the Revolutionary War (its foundations can still be visited). The Tiverton Four Corners district is a historic village center, that dates from the 18th century and is home to many well-preserved colonial buildings, many now repurposed as artisan shops and galleries. Chace-Cory House, built in 1730 and one of the town’s oldest buildings, is also worth visiting.
Rhode Island's Historic Tapestry
Despite being the smallest state in the USA, Rhode Island offers no end of opportunities for historic sightseeing. Here, you’ll find numerous beautiful coastal towns that feature a mix of colonial, Federal, Victorian, and early 20th-century architecture, all just waiting to be explored. Use our list of these small towns in Rhode Island with the best historic districts for travel ideas and inspiration.
