Rhode Island

7 Serene Towns in Rhode Island for a Weekend Retreat

Published

2 years ago

April 14, 2024

7 Serene Towns in Rhode Island for a Weekend Retreat

Rhode Island is a fascinating state in the US. It is known as one of the first colonies to resist the British rule. It shares a water border with New York, and you will find diverse fresh seafood and a 400-mile coastline of beaches, lakes, and engrossing history in this state.

These seven serene towns are a must-visit if you are planning a weekend retreat to Rhode Island. Prepare to have a full itinerary as you explore parks, gardens, farms, and lighthouses like the ones in Westerly and Jamestown.

Tiverton

The view of Sakonnet River and a small residential neighborhood in Tiverton, Rhode Island.

Tiverton has always been a fishing and farming community, and this was the town’s major industry until 1900 when Menhaden oil production started. Tiverton has now become a resort town with many tourist activities.

A weekend retreat in this community will have you exploring wildlife sceneries like Sapowet Marsh and Audubon Emilie Ruecker, as well as many scenic restaurants like Boat House Waterfront Dining, Localz Burger & Cocktails, and The Red Dory. Check out exhibits from a wide range of artists at the Four Corners Gallery and Four Corner Art Center, and you might catch an art event on one of the days you are in town. Sakonnet River Bridge has a great fishing spot beneath the bridge. Explore Fort Barton and Ft. Barton Woods by hiking through the woods, then drive to Fogland Beach, where you can go kayaking and windsurfing. Stay at Bally’s Tiverton for the weekend while in town.

Westerly

Get your beach wear and sunscreen ready when visiting Westerly because there are many beaches to explore in this town bordered by the Pawcatuck River. Beaches like Misquamicut State Beach and Atlantic Beach Park.

Westerly used to be known for its granite production, but now the town focuses on textiles and tourist attractions.

Watch events and live theater performances at the cozy Granite Theatre. Take a break at Windjammer Surf Bar, where you will enjoy live music, cocktails, meals, and conversations with locals. Visit Living Sharks, America’s first shark museum, and check out Babcock-Smith House Museum, a prominent historical house once visited by General George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Watch the sun go down at Watch Hill Lighthouse and see the Napatree Point Conservation Area before bringing your adventure to a close. Retire for the night at the Weekapaug Inn beach resort or Ocean House, which offers a free stay on the fourth night.

New Shoreham

New Shoreham is a small town on Block Island named after a village in England, Shoreham, Kent. The town’s many landmarks and beaches make it a great summer vacation destination.

Start your weekend holiday by going beach hopping at Monhegan Bluffs Beach, Block Island State Beach, Scotch Beach, Vaill Beach, Crescent Beach, and Frederick J. Benson Town Beach.

Tour beautiful vegetation and watch wildlife activities at Rodman Hollow and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge. Eat like a royal while enjoying enthralling views at Ballard’s Beach Resort, where you can stay the night. If you are looking for a place to relax, take a walk, or go picnicking, Clayhead Trail is a great route. Book lovers will love the Island Free Library, where you can attend book events with kids. Shop until you drop at Star Department Store Inc., then visit Settlers Rock, a historical landmark and great biking trail.

Hopkinton

Hopkinton is the first town travelers encounter when coming from the north to Rhode Island. This city also encompasses two villages, with the primary villages being Hope Valley and Ashaway District.

The community is filled with nature preserves. Explore these protected areas by hiking through Narragansett Trail Trailhead, Grills Preserve, Ell Pond Preserve Trailhead, and Audubon Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge. If you are interested in summer camps for yourself or your kids, Coastal Ninja Warriors & Summer Camp and Yawgoog Scout Reservation host incredible camping opportunities. Bask in the serenity of nature at Long Pond and Ashville Pond. Get fresh farm foods at Festival Farm in Hope Valley and Pelloni Farms. Arcadia Management Area in Hope Valley is the largest recreational area in Rhode Island. Visit the park with friends and family.

Jamestown

Jamestown is a quiet farm community on the west side of Newport. Tourism in Jamestown was a thriving industry in 1903 when the town had about nine resort hotels. The vast waterfront Bay Voyage Hotel is the only standing hotel today.

Jamestown has many old tales to share with visitors. Learn about the town’s interesting history by speaking with locals at Beavertail State Park and Fort Wetherill State Park when you are in these scenic areas. When you visit the Claiborne Pell/Newport Suspension Bridge, see the shack in the area for some fresh lobster. The Castle Hill Lighthouse in Newport is a beautiful place to rest and enjoy the mesmerizing ocean view. Explore Dutch Island and its Lighthouse for the great view, boating activities, and seafood. Do not miss out on the Jamestown Arts Center exhibits and a tour of the historical parts of the town, like Windmill Hill Historic District and Conanicut Island Sanctuary nature preserve. If you prefer to spend the night in Newport, check out OceanCliff Hotel.

Scituate

In 1710, the first people to settle in Scituate came from a town with the same name in Massachusetts. They had Indian origin because another name for the town in the native language is “Satuit,” which means “a cold river.” The town used to be a part of Providence, a big city in Rhode Island, but eventually separated from the city in 1731. Scituate also played major roles in the Revolutionary War and World War II by forging cannons and facilitating communications.

Start your retreat by visiting the historic Scituate Reservoir, built to provide water for Providence city. Visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo at Providence, which has over 800 animals and 160 species, with family or friends. Get the best book collections and coffee at The Providence Athenaeum. If you love gardens and flowers, check out the beautiful Scituate Nursery Farm & Greenhouses. To be a part of the Scituate Art Festival, where tasty meals and handmade crafts are sold, visit Scituate in October. Lodge at America’s Best Value Inn or Econo Lodge Cranston in Providence.

Lincoln

Lincoln town was named for the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It has about 17 sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places. One of them is the old Whipple-Cullen House and Barn.

Moffett Mill is a historical landmark and one of the surviving buildings in Lincoln. Enjoy your vacation to the fullest by going park and beach hopping to Lincoln Woods State Park and Beach and Blackstone River State Park. Visit museums and historical houses like Captain Wilbur Kelly House Transportation Museum, Eleazer Arnold House, and Hearthside House Museum, where you can learn new things about the town. Do not also forget to take pictures of these beautiful places. Eat at Hartley’s Original Pork Pies. Retire for the night in Courtyard by Marriott Providence or Bally’s Twin River.

Rhode Island is full of eventful towns and cities. From Tiverton to Lincoln, there is no dull moment. If you are not fishing or eating fresh farm foods, you can relax on the beach and watch amazing scenery. Enjoy a serene weekend retreat to the fullest in any of these seven towns.

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Rhode Island

Bodycam footage shows moments police respond to Pawtucket shooting

Published

3 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Bodycam footage shows moments police respond to Pawtucket shooting

Police bodycam footage shows the moments officers arrived to the scene of a deadly mass shooting in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The shooting on Feb. 16 at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena killed Rhonda Dorgan and Aidan Dorgan, the ex-wife and son of the shooter, who died by suicide.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

Gerald Dorgan, Rhonda’s father, died from his injuries this week. His wife, Linda Dorgan, and family friend Thomas Geruso remain hospitalized.

Around five minutes after the first officer arrives, he beings helping paramedics with a man who identifies himself as Aidan. Twelve minutes in, Aidan Dorgan is transported to the hospital, where he would later die from his injuries.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.

For the last 10 minutes of the footage, the officer then begins helping paramedics transport the other three gunshot victims.

The video ends with police prepping witness interviews.

The shooting rocked the Pawtucket community. Chris Librizzi, head coach of the Blackstone Valley Schools hockey team impacted by the shooting, said the players and coaching staff “are devastated over the events that took place at Lynch Arena on Monday and intimately affected one of our teammates.”

As authorities continue investigating the shooting in Pawtucket, three patients remain in critical condition.

“We will lean on each other and support one another, as we have always done as a team,” he added.

Pawtucket police said two handguns were found at the scene after the shooting, a Sig Sauer P226 and Glock. Other weapons have been seized at the suspect’s storage unit in Maine.

Investigators continue reviewing all video evidence from before, during and after the shooting, including surveillance footage from the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, police body-worn camera footage and other records — a high school sports livestream captured the shooting from a distance — police said.

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Rhode Island

Man killed in RI shooting; suspect involved in Mass. car crash that killed 2 others

Published

15 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Man killed in RI shooting; suspect involved in Mass. car crash that killed 2 others

A man has died after a shooting in Cranston, Rhode Island, and investigators say a suspect was later involved in a car crash in Swansea, Massachusetts, that killed two other people.

The shooting victim was found Thursday on Legion Way, shot multiple times in the chest, Cranston police told NBC affiliate WJAR-TV. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he later died. His name has not been released.

The suspect initially fled on foot, setting off a shelter-in-place order while investigators searched the area.

Police said Friday that investigators identified a suspect vehicle, which was later spotted by Massachusetts State Police. A trooper followed the car down Route 6 and Interstate 195, but stopped when it crossed back into Rhode Island. The car was later involved in a crash on Route 136 in Swansea, Mass.

Swansea police say that crash on Route 136 (James Reynolds Road) resulted in the deaths of two other people.

According to the Swansea Police Department, two officers saw a white Infinity G37 speed past them around 12:18 a.m. Friday on Route 6, otherwise known as Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Moments later, officers observed that the vehicle had crashed into the side of a blue Subaru Ascent that had been traveling southbound on Route 136.

Both vehicles sustained catastrophic damage, police said.

The vehicle that was struck was fully engulfed in flames. First responders and bystanders tried to extinguish the fire, but both occupants — a man and a woman — were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Their names have not been released.

The 28-year-old Infinity driver, who struck the victims’ Subaru, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries and later into custody by Cranston Police. They have not been publicly identified at this time.

Swansea police said they are aware that the Infinity was the subject of a police pursuit, and know the driver was wanted in connection to the Rhode Island homicide investigation. While Swansea police had been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect’s vehicle, however, they say they were not involved in the pursuit and were not pursuing the vehicle at the time of the deadly crash.

The crash in Swansea is under investigation by Massachusetts authorities, including state police and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. Meanwhile, Cranston police said they would give an update on their investigation around 1 p.m.

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Rhode Island

RI House speaker unveils housing bills for 2026. What to know

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

RI House speaker unveils housing bills for 2026. What to know

Rhode Island House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has introduced a new package of housing legislation.
Highlights include allowing property owners to divide single-family lots and legalizing single-staircase, four-story apartment buildings.
The package also seeks to expand the Homeless Bill of Rights and streamline the creation of emergency shelters.

House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi is once again taking aim at the regulations he says are stifling new homebuilding.

The Warwick Democrat unveiled his sixth annual suite of housing legislation on Thursday, Feb. 26, a few weeks after announcing he would not be running for governor this year.

“We are still trying to play catch-up for all the years that Rhode Island was dead last in the country for new housing starts,” Shekarchi said. “While Rhode Island remains a relatively affordable option for people moving here from other states, our own residents are too often priced out of the neighborhoods they grew up in.”

The legislative text of the nine-bill housing package, and with it the specifics of how it would work, were not available for Thursday’s news conference.

But highlights of the package, according to summaries, include:

Infill housing. Allow property owners to divide lots in single-family zoning districts, creating multiple dwellings instead of one, provided they have water and sewer service.
Parking maximums. Put new limits on how much off-street parking communities require for new apartment buildings.
Homeless Bill of Rights. Expand the state’s Homeless Bill of Rights to require 15-day notice to the occupants of encampments before local authorities clear them.
Emergency shelters. Let communities build temporary shelters, such as the ECHO Village Pallet shelter in Providence, during a state of emergency.
Stairs. Legalize the construction of four-story apartment buildings with a single staircase.
Affordable housing taxes. Overhaul the tax system for income-restricted housing covered by the state’s “8 Law.”

Is land-use reform working?

Since Shekarchi was elected speaker in 2021, the General Assembly has passed dozens of bills he backed that tweaked state land-use statutes or streamlined the process for building.

How successful this approach has been is subject to debate.

Many local elected officials wary of development in their communities continue to rail against efforts to erode their power over construction.

Others in the growing Yes In My Back Yard movement see Rhode Island’s piecemeal approach as inadequate in comparison with the scale of the affordability problem and what other states are doing.

As evidence that his changes are making a difference, Shekarchi said Rhode Island saw a 70% increase in building permits in 2023 and a more modest increase in 2024. (Statistics for last year were not immediately available.)

Gov. Dan McKee’s 2030 plan calls for 15,000 new housing units built by that year.

Democratic primary challenger Helena Foulkes is slated to roll out her housing plan on Monday.

It is expected to include a millionaires tax to fund affordable housing, a revolving fund and target of 20,000 new homes.

What would the new laws do?

Letting property owners put multiple homes on a plot of land is one of the most direct ways that lawmakers can encourage the construction of more homes, but it is also one of the most controversial.

That’s especially true in areas zoned for large lots and single-family homes.

How far the new bill allowing lots to be subdivided in single-family zones goes is unclear. It is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Casey, D-Woonsocket.

Legislation setting maximum parking requirements for new developments, introduced by Rep. Joshua Giraldo, D-Central Falls, would apply to areas accessible by public transit.

Critics of off-street parking requirements say they make it harder to build new apartments and make the units that are built more expensive.

Shekarchi proposed the emergency shelter bill last year. It passed the House and died in the Senate.

It was the result of how long it took state officials to navigate Rhode Island’s building code and open the ECHO Village Pallet shelter in Providence.

The staircase bill, sponsored by Rep. June Speakman, a Warren Democrat and chair of the House’s home affordability study commission, follows a wave of cities and states relaxing rules on how many exits are required in new construction.

Currently, the state building code requires two stairways in buildings with more than three stories, and fire officials have opposed all efforts to change that.

Speakman’s bill would allow four-story buildings with a maximum of 16 units with a single staircase.

Supporters of single-stair buildings say they allow development of small sites that would otherwise sit vacant and allow family-sized units with more light and better ventilation.

A previous Rhode Island single-stair bill would have allowed six stories, but it died in committee.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order in mid-February to study the idea.

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