Rhode Island
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
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.
A new era for State Troopers in southern RI
Closing the State Police barracks facilities in Wyoming and Wickford marks the end of an era in community policing
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor John Loughlin wants the office to become the Rhode Island inspector general his party has been seeking in vain for years.
Loughlin, a former state representative, said on May 11 that, if elected, he would staff the underutilized office with people who would help him expose “fraud, waste, abuse, and government corruption.”
“Rhode Islanders are sick and tired of watching their tax dollars disappear into a black hole of inefficiency, cronyism, and outright corruption while the General Assembly talks a big game but delivers nothing − year after year after year,” Loughlin said in a news release. “For more than two decades, the legislature has failed to create a true Inspector General with real investigative power. Enough is enough. If they won’t do it, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office will − starting on day one.”
Why turn the lieutenant governor into an inspector general?
The Rhode Island Constitution gives the lieutenant governor little to no authority beyond being available in case the governor is unable to finish their term. That’s prompted some to call it a “do nothing” office and others to propose abolishing it.
“Frankly, the current workload of the office leaves ample time and resources to do far more for taxpayers than ceremonial appearances and ribbon-cuttings,” Loughlin said in his news release. “Rhode Islanders deserve a Lieutenant Governor’s Office that works every day to protect their money and hold government accountable.”
The lieutenant governor’s office has a budget of $1.4 million, which Loughlin said is enough to staff and run an effective investigative team made up of “certified auditors, investigators, and compliance professionals” to review state agency spending and contracts.
He acknowledged that the lieutenant governor does not have subpoena power, but believes that investigations can be completed utilizing public records requests and gathering publicly-available data.
Loughlin, who ended his talk radio show earlier this year when he announced his campaign for governor, said he would communicate his findings through “RI Report” publications, news briefings and podcasts.
He said he would also make the office’s resources available to city and town leaders.
Republicans have been fighting for an inspector general
Rhode Island Republicans have for years promised to lower state spending by rooting out government waste, fraud and abuse. The last GOP Rhode Island governor, Donald Carcieri, launched a “Fiscal Fitness” program that aimed to save money and find efficiencies.
Democrats criticized Carcieri’s tenure for featuring exorbitant privatization and outsourcing.
Since Carcieri, the idea of creating an independent inspector general similar to those in other states has become a holy grail for Rhode Island Republicans, but the Democratic General Assembly has had little interest in it.
“If our office saves just 1% from Rhode Island’s bloated state budget, the savings would return more than ten times the entire cost of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to taxpayers – and that’s only the beginning,” Loughlin said in the news release.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 10, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from May 10 drawing
Midday: 9-9-9-0
Evening: 5-5-0-9
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 10 drawing
01-13-14-16-32, Extra: 02
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 10 drawing
01-03-20-35-46, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Watch: Khano Smith speaks with media after RIFC drew Tampa Bay
Watch as Khano Smith speaks with media after RIFC drew Tampa Bay
PAWTUCKET — JJ Williams finally had his space and rose to the opportunity.
The Rhode Island FC striker, deep in the attacking zone, came back to a cross and headed Nick Scardina’s service to the near post to salvage the night for Rhode Island. Williams’ goal landed in the 86th minute to draw Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1-1, in rain-soaked Pawtucket.
It’s the third draw in USL Championship play for Rhode Island at Centreville Bank Stadium this season. RIFC was turning in a familiar performance before snagging the tie against the league-leading Rowdies as Williams supplied his third regular-season goal of the year. The draw is the first time RIFC has earned a result after the opposition opened the scoring since its 1-1 tie vs. Birmingham Legion FC on July 5, 2025.
Rhode Island now travels to USL League One side Portland Hearts of Pine for its second game of the 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup group stage on Saturday, May 16 at 4 p.m. The club returns to Pawtucket on May 23 against Brooklyn FC.
“All night they made it tough because they were doubling,” Williams said of Tampa Bay. “And wherever I went to, they were going contact first, especially in this league with no [Video Assistant Referee] … but on that one, the ball was so good that they spun around, and then I was able to make good contact.”
Rhode Island had a string of missed chances in the first 15 minutes that fed into a goal for Tampa Bay and then a triple substitution in the second half that provided little spark. Max Schneider’s cross from right of the box found Pedro Dolabella at the far post for a clinical header in the 29th minute in front of an announced attendance of 6,790.
The game’s first score came just 10 minutes after attempts from Hugo Bacharach and Jojea Kwizera were saved and Williams sailed an open shot past the bar.
“We tried to correct some of those things that we struggled with last week,” Williams said. “Getting to the ball, making tackles, making a stick, I think that we weren’t as clean in possession as we would have been, especially as we won the ball and played forward. We had a lot of turnovers in the first half where we could have seen more chances, but we did well to weather the storm early and create some. But for me, I [have] to bury that first one.”
Rhode Island creates plenty of chances — it is tied for fourth with 112 attempts — but has just 12 goals this season. If it had finished one of the early chances against Tampa Bay, it would’ve shifted the tenor of the match and forced the visitors to play outside of its form. But the final scoring sequence is still missing with the summer months coming soon.
“Happy with the spirit, happy with the effort, happy with the fight,” RIFC coach Khano Smith said. “You’ve seen that a lot with our team. They just fought to the end, never gave up, kept pushing. Ultimately, it’s two more points dropped at home, and we need to find a way to stop doing that. We need to be ruthless – just ruthless in front of the goal.”
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