Rhode Island is small enough that almost every town seems to sit on water, whether it’s Narragansett Bay, the Atlantic, the Sakonnet River, or one of their inlets. That geography shapes every downtown on this list. In Jamestown, it’s a one-minute walk from the coffee shop to the ferry dock. In New Shoreham, the Empire Theatre has been running on Block Island since 1882. Here are seven of the prettiest downtown strips in the state.

Jamestown

A distinctive feature of Jamestown is that it sits entirely on Conanicut Island. The benefit is that downtown is just steps from the water. A walk along Narragansett Avenue will take you past Out of the Box Studio & Gallery on adjoining Clinton Avenue. This community arts spot showcases the work of both professional and up-and-coming artists, with rotating exhibits that keep the gallery lively.

Locals appreciate the café for its pub fare (crispy fish sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks) and for almost-nightly events, from trivia to cover rock shows. Then walk up Conanicus Avenue to East Ferry Beach, a small cove where you can cast from the pier or relax on the sand.

Wickford

Wickford, a village within North Kingstown on the west side of Narragansett Bay, has one of the most intact colonial downtowns in New England. The grid of 18th-century houses along Brown Street and Main Street runs straight down to Wickford Harbor, where the village’s small marina fills with sailboats in summer. The Old Narragansett Church, built in 1707, is one of the oldest Episcopal churches still standing on its original site in the United States, and Smith’s Castle, a 1678 plantation house just north of town, is a landmark of early Rhode Island history.

The village’s commercial streets pack a lot of shopping and dining into a small footprint. Wilson’s of Wickford carries New England preppy and nautical goods in an old general-store space. Tavern by the Sea has a waterfront patio overlooking the harbor. The Wickford Art Association runs a gallery on Main Street and puts on the Wickford Art Festival each July, which has drawn juried artists to the village since 1962. Ryan Park, a few minutes inland, covers roughly 270 acres of trails and wetlands.

Bristol

Bristol rewards a day on foot. A trip down Hope Street makes for a solid mix of culture, shopping, and dining. The Bristol Art Museum is a good first stop for rotating exhibits and occasional painting and photographic-process workshops. Nearby is a stretch of restaurants that border Bristol Harbor. The Thames Waterside Bar & Grill lives up to its name with seafood and cocktails close to the shore. Boats sail by during the daytime before the skyline lights up as the sun descends, making the view of the harbor hard to beat.

Moving south down the street, a few minutes will bring you to Rockwell Park, a small but popular public space where you can get a close view of the boats tied up in the harbor. Moving back into town along John Street will bring you to Hope Street, where you can do some shopping. A stop at Jesse James Antiques near the junction of Hope and State Street will reveal fine French and European antiques that could add the perfect touch to your home.

Narragansett

Narragansett puts dining steps from the coast. A few shops sit just off Beach Street, like Shell Boutique, a seashell specialty store and a popular gift stop. Close to Shell Boutique is Queen of Cups, a local favorite for coffee, tea, and sweets. For dinner, head south to Kingstown Road and the seafood restaurant Celeste, known for calamari, charred octopus, and flounder.

Moving east from here to Ocean Road, you will find Memorial Square and nearby The Towers. This intersection is a fantastic photo spot that features a fish-themed town fountain. Finally, you can head north for just a few minutes to Narragansett Town Beach, a sandy seaside spot popular with surfers but open to anyone who wants to hit the water or relax on the shore.

Watch Hill

The best part about living in Watch Hill is how close shopping, dining, and the nearby coastal shores are to each other. Those traveling along Bay Street will find a streak of stores for every need. Island Outfitters is particularly appropriate for those in town, as they sell coastal gear for both men and women, ranging from stylish sweaters to denim pants and summer shorts. As you continue on to Bluff Avenue, you can find oceanside dining at The Bistro, which provides views of the Atlantic while you enjoy classic seafood like crab cake and seared salmon.

Just steps away, you will find sandy shores looking out onto Block Island Sound. The beach runs to Watch Hill Lighthouse, a local landmark that today operates as a museum showcasing the lighthouse’s history in the area. This combination of oceanside relaxation with convenient shopping and dining destinations makes for a beautiful afternoon in town.

Tiverton

Tiverton is an oceanside destination where shopping and dining happen alongside the water, creating a relaxing downtown vibe. On the west side of Tiverton, you can enjoy upscale dining over lamb stroganoff and hard-shell lobster at Boathouse Waterfront Dining. The restaurant offers waterside dining with views of Mt. Hope Bay. As you move onto Main Road, you can find other places to spend your day. Coastal Roasters serves matcha lattes and cocoa for casual days along the water.

Those hoping to get closer to the water can head to Ginnell’s Beach just a few minutes south of Coastal Roasters. The beach was renovated in 2019 with a new bathhouse and a promenade that runs to the Sakonnet River. You can also head east on Lawton Avenue until you reach Ft Barton Woods on Highland Rd to see the Revolutionary War-era remnants of Fort Barton. This park includes an observation tower with panoramic views of Narragansett Bay and around 3.5 miles of trails, all just across from Town Hall.

New Shoreham

New Shoreham, Rhode Island’s only incorporated Block Island town, packs its whole downtown into a few blocks of Water Street above the ferry landing. Ballard’s Beach Resort is the closest sand to the harbor and a popular spot for sunbathing or swimming. The beach sits next to the Old Harbor Historic District, where Water Street reveals buildings dating to the mid-1800s. Visitors enjoy downtown’s walking tours, featuring churches, hotels, and theaters with histories dating back over a century.

One example of these storied buildings is the Empire Theatre, built in 1882 and, over the years, serving as a roller skating rink, playhouse, and movie theater. If you are hungry, Rebecca’s Seafood is a long-running local spot on Water Street. The menu runs from tuna steak sandwiches to classic omelets, French toast breakfasts, and chicken wraps.

Downtowns Worth The Walk

Wherever you land in Rhode Island, the water is usually nearby. Bristol, Jamestown, New Shoreham, and the rest each pair a walkable downtown with a harbor or shoreline view. If you are looking for the prettiest downtowns in the state, start with these seven.