Rhode Island
6 Most Idyllic Small Towns in Rhode Island
As the smallest state in the United States by area, Rhode Island may seem like one big, bayside city. While many people flock to the capital of Providence, it is far from the only Rhode Island community with amazing attractions. Spilling from the central hub are tiny drops of fun and serenity that are worth a dip. From a whole town of beaches to a nest of nature preserves to an inland wonderland, these Rhode Island retreats should not be skipped during your next New England vacation.
Narragansett
With 14,500 residents as of the 2020 Census, Narragansett would not be considered a small town in many other states. But, in Rhode Island, this town is one of the smallest. Nestled between Point Judith Pond and Narragansett Bay, Narragansett is brimming with beaches. For example, Narragansett Town Beach is a 19-acre eastern shore oasis with swimming, surfing, sunbathing, snacking, and views of The Towers, the regal remnant of a Medieval-style casino that burned down in 1900. A few miles south is Scarborough State Beach, which occupies 60 acres and features two multi-use units. Last but not least for beachgoers, Roger Wheeler State Beach brings them near the southern tip of town, which is marked by the historic Point Judith Lighthouse. Those only here for a short trip can knock off four beaches worth of sand at the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge, a 550-acre preserve of marshes, forests, and birds along the picturesque Pettaquamscutt River.
Warren
Home to over 11,000 people, Warren is another sizeable town that is small by Rhode Island standards. It sits deep in Narragansett Bay but attracts drivers and sailors with a scenic waterfront comprised of the Warren Boat Yard, Warren Town Beach, and eateries like The Wharf, Trafford Restaurant, and The Guild. After sampling Warren’s famous seafood, visitors can tour its famous historic district. Gorgeous heritage haunts include the Warren Town Hall (c. 1900), George Hail Library (c. 1888), First United Methodist Church (c. 1844), and yet another castle-like Rhode Island monument: the Historic Warren Armory, which was built in 1842 to store cannons. Though short on space, Warren is big on nature since it boasts the 66-acre Audubon Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge and neighbors the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium.
Charlestown
A classically compact community of about 8,000 people, Charlestown straddles Rhode Island’s western coast and has most of the expected seaside attractions. Charlestown Beach offers swimming, sailing, surfing, sunbathing, beachcombing, and sightseeing. The Breachway Grill is ideal for eating and drinking, and the Charlestown Seafood Festival boasts seasonal partying. However, Charlestown also claims its fair share of unexpected attractions. One of them is the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, an international bazaar that has been operating since 1968, perfect for finding a quirky souvenir or keepsake. Or, one can opt for the Frosty Drew Observatory & Sky Theatre, a domed stargazing spot in Ninigret Park called “Southern New England’s gateway to the Milky Way.”
Charlestown has several outdoor areas for nature enthusiasts, including Burlingame State Park, the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, and the Indian Cedar Swamp Management Area. Moreover, the town owns six open space properties for the “scenic enjoyment of residents”: Tucker Woods Preserve, Charlestown Moraine Preserve, South Farm Preserve, Schoolhouse Pond Preserve, Richard Trails Preserve, and Patricia Sprague Forest Preserve. With so much outdoor space to enjoy, there is no shortage of activities in Charlestown.
Jamestown
Jamestown may not have the same quantity of preserves as Charlestown, but it does have the quality via Fort Wetherill State Park. This 61.5-acre former military site overlooks Narragansett Bay from 100-foot granite cliffs and offers hiking, mountain biking, birding, saltwater fishing, picnicking, scuba diving, and, of course, sightseeing. After the park, most tourists head to downtown Jamestown to see the Jamestown Arts Center, The Wicked Whisk ice cream shop, slice of heaven cafe, and the Jamestown Newport Ferry. No matter what one does with their time in Jamestown, the views are scenic as this 5,600ish-person town spans three islands, two of which are uninhabited. On said secluded isles, one can find abandoned buildings, untamed nature, and the Dutch Island Lighthouse, a lone preserved beacon.
Scituate
Situate yourself in Scituate, a town with just over 10,000 people that sits many miles from the ocean. Yes, inland Rhode Island can also be idyllic. Instead of a bay, Scituate has Scituate Reservoir, the state’s largest inland body of water. As Rhode Island’s main source of drinking water, the reservoir is off-limits for recreation, but visitors can still get amazing views of certain features, especially Ponaganset Falls. Meanwhile, tourists looking to raise their heart rate can do so at numerous neighboring parks, such as the Audubon George Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Ken Weber Conservation Area, and Snake Den State Park. After the fun, they can relax in Scituate proper with a coffee at Cold Brook Cafe, a beer at The Village Tavern, or a slice at Scituate Famous Pizza. Those who want to pack everything in one day can combine rest and recreation at the Scituate Art Festival, a legendary autumn event that attracts over 100,000 visitors.
Little Compton
A truly little town, Little Compton has about 3,600 residents and is one of the smallest communities in the state. But it is first on many people’s lists of the best towns in the state. Why? Little Compton is a microcosm of Rhode Island charm. It has a beach: South Shore Beach. It has a preserve: Simmons Mill Management Area. It has a lighthouse: Sakonnet Point Lighthouse. It has a marina: Sakonnet Point Marina. It has a historic haunt: Little Compton Historical Society. And it even has a reservoir: Watson Reservoir.
While all these attractions will make any trip enjoyable, Little Compton distinguishes itself from other communities with Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, which produces award-winning Rhode Island wine, and the Wilbour Woods, a storybook-esque forest in the middle of town. Meanwhile, for a unique experience, one can visit the Rhode Island Red Monument, which commemorates the creation of the Rhode Island Red chicken in the mid-19th century.
Rhode Island is a tiny state with one big city surrounding a bay. As such, it might appear that Rhode Island has little room for rural retreats, but Narragansett, Warren, Charlestown, Jamestown, Scituate, and Little Compton prove otherwise. Those six small towns have some of New England’s most idyllic attractions. With endless coastal activities and tons of historical landmarks, visitors should hit the road to explore ravishing rural Rhode Island.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Governor Dan McKee PHOTO: GoLocal
It’s a new year, filled with new challenges. The General Assembly is back in session. Rhode Island’s economy is flat at best, and according to the University of Rhode Island economist Leonard Lardaro, the state is in a recession. Rhode Island is also in daily legal conflict with the Trump administration.
Add that the state is trying to recover from a mass shooting at Brown University, which killed two students and wounded nine others.
For Governor Dan McKee, it is a critical time.
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He has announced he is running for reelection—the Democratic primary is just nine months away.
McKee’s poll numbers have plummeted to record lows.
A poll released by the University of New Hampshire in November of 2025 found that in the race for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Rhode Island, 29% of likely Democratic primary voters (N=359) say they would currently vote for former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, 13% would vote for Speaker of the RI House of Representatives Joe Shekarchi, 11% would vote for incumbent Governor Dan McKee, 6% would write in someone else, and 42% are undecided.
Is the 74-year-old McKee criss-crossing the state to reassure Rhode Islanders, listening to residents’ ideas, and sharing his vision for the state in his second term?
GoLocal offers a recap of the McKees’ public schedule for the first ten days of the month.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 & SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2026
No public events.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
No public events.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026
2:00 PM
Governor McKee will deliver remarks at the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty’s 18th Annual Interfaith Poverty Vigil.
LOCATION:
RI State House Rotunda
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026
No public events.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026
No public events.
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026
9:30 AM
Governor McKee will deliver remarks at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new community learning center at the Cross’ Mills Public Library.
LOCATION:
Cross’ Mills Public Library
4417 Old Post Road
Charlestown, RI
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3 & SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2026
No public events.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2026
11:00 AM
Governor McKee will join members of Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation and local and state leaders for a rally hosted by Climate Action RI, Climate Jobs RI, and the AFL-CIO in support of Revolution Wind and other offshore wind projects.
LOCATION:
CIC Providence
225 Dyer Street
Providence, RI
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2026
No public events.
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Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | Politics | Providence On Sunday Is One of the Sites for a National Protest Against ICE
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Protest in Providence in June against ICE PHOTO: GoLocal
Organizers in Rhode Island and across the country are mobilizing against ICE after a pair of shootings in the past few days.
Organizers locally said, “Rhode Islanders will gather on Sunday to honor the life lost, make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions, and demand that state and federal leaders reject local contracts with ICE, take every action possible to stop ICE from operating in Rhode Island, and hold ICE agents accountable when they break the law.”
The RI event begins at 2 PM at the State House on Sunday.
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Nationally, it was a announced on Friday that, “A broad national coalition, including Indivisible, MoveOn Civic Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Voto Latino, United We Dream, 50501, the Disappeared in America Campaign of the Not Above the Law coalition, and partner organizations across the country, is calling for a coordinated ICE Out For Good Weekend of Action.
“The mobilization comes in response to the escalation of ICE violence in our communities, the killing of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old wife and mother of three, and the months-long pattern of unchecked violence and abuse in marginalized communities across America. Across the country, communities will gather in nonviolent, lawful, and community-led actions to honor the life lost, demand accountability, and make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions,” said organizers.
Organizers added, “Good and the Portland victims are part of a broader and deeply alarming pattern of unchecked violence and abuse by federal immigration enforcement agencies. In September, ICE reportedly shot and killed Silverio Villegas González, a father and cook from Mexico living in Chicago. In 2025 alone, more than 30 people have reportedly died in ICE detention.”
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Rhode Island
Rhode Island General Assembly Begins 2026 Session With Focus on Affordability – Newport Buzz
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island lawmakers opened the 2026 legislative session this week with a focus on health care affordability, housing costs and economic stability, as leaders in both chambers warned of uncertainty tied to federal budget changes.
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi outlined House priorities centered on expanding access to health care while lowering costs, calling it the chamber’s top agenda item for the year. He also said lawmakers will continue addressing housing shortages and rising home energy costs, emphasizing the need for community input as policy decisions move forward.
In the Senate, President Valarie J. Lawson convened the chamber by urging bipartisan cooperation and announcing plans to introduce legislation supporting education, small businesses and the state’s health care system. Stabilizing hospitals and strengthening the primary care workforce were identified as key goals.
Both chambers paused to honor victims of the Dec. 13 shooting at Brown University, passing resolutions recognizing the victims and commending first responders. Lawmakers also observed a moment of silence.
New legislation introduced by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara would require the Department of Education to adopt a zero-tolerance hazing policy in partnership with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, mandating clear and consistent discipline statewide.
Meanwhile, Reps. David Morales and Jennifer Stewart called on Gov. Dan McKee to fully fund public libraries in the upcoming state budget.
Speaker Shekarchi also announced several committee leadership changes, appointing Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee as chairwoman of the House Judiciary Committee and Rep. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith as chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee.
The week also marked the first Senate session for Sen. Stefano V. Famiglietti, who received committee assignments following his election to fill a vacant seat.
Legislative leaders capped the week by joining faith leaders at the 18th annual Rhode Island Interfaith Poverty Vigil at the State House, calling attention to legislation aimed at reducing poverty statewide.
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