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Rhode Island
7 Storybook Towns In Rhode Island
Rhode Island, often referred to as the Ocean State is home to a collection of enchanting towns and villages that embody the allure and history of New England. From picturesque coastal vistas in Narragansett to the delightful, history-laden streets of Pawtuxet Village, these storybook towns provide a wonderful escape for visitors seeking both relaxation and adventure. Whether you are a history buff, a nature aficionado, or a food lover, these towns promise unforgettable experiences that will fill your cup while simultaneously beckoning you back for more.
Bristol
Established in 1681, Bristol is a storybook town known for its charming streets and beautifully preserved architecture. Its peaceful landscapes, historical homes, and vibrant cultural heritage create a whimsical atmosphere that captivates visitors and residents alike.
Begin your visit with a walking tour of the town grid, where you will uncover various historical sites. Highlights include Burnside Memorial Hall, a Richardsonian Romanesque Revival building steeped in early American history, as well as several churches and historic homes.
You have to check out Blithewold. This 45-room mansion set on 33 acres with beautiful gardens and rare plants is a paradise for botanists and horticulturists. Nature enthusiasts will also appreciate a ride along the East Bay Bike Path. This decades-old bike path spans 14.5 miles from Providence to Bristol.
Narragansett
Nestled along the wild Atlantic coastline, Narragansett is a seaside town that provides scenic beauty, New England beach culture, and rich history.
Start your day in the adorable village of Narragansett Pier, which is home to Narragansett Town Beach. With soft sand and rolling waves, this stretch of shoreline is the perfect spot for swimming and sunbathing. After enjoying some of the best clam chowder and/or lobster rolls in New England, head to The Towers. This iconic landmark is all that’s left of the Victorian-era Narragansett Pier Casino. History enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the Point Judith Lighthouse, which has been guiding mariners since the 19th century. Snap a couple of photos and get a glimpse into the town’s maritime heritage.
Pawtuxet Village
Nestled along the scenic Pawtuxet River, Pawtuxet Village is a charming community located between Cranston and Warwick, just four miles from downtown Providence. This quaint village is one of the oldest in New England and is absolutely dripping with history.
Perhaps the most significant historical event in the story of this delightful village is the Gaspee Affair, when, in 1772, American colonists protested against British taxation by burning a prominent ship, the HMS Gaspee. Every June, Pawtuxet holds the Gaspee Day Parade to celebrate this pivotal moment leading up to the American Revolution.
Aside from its history, Pawtuxet Village has become known as a hidden culinary gem. Stop by Basta for authentic Italian cuisine or indulge in a sweet (or savory) treat at Crepe Corner. Walk it off with a stroll in Pawtuxet Oxboes Park or a walk along the Pawtuxet River.
Wickford
Wickford, a village located in North Kingstown, boasts a rich maritime history and a thriving arts scene. Begin your visit at Wickford Harbor, where you can take in peaceful views of the boats bobbing in the water and people-watch as local fishermen go about their days. You can also rent a kayak or SUP from the Kayak Center for a different perspective on harbor life.
History buffs will appreciate the well-preserved colonial architecture that characterizes Historic Wickford Village. Admire homes dating back to the 18th century on foot or via a horse-drawn carriage ride with New Deal Horse and Carriage. Be sure to pop into the Wickford Art Association. The organization hosts a variety of exhibits and events year-round, including the annual Wickford Art Festival, a source of pride for the community since 1962.
Just a quick drive from town, you will find Smith’s Castle. This 17th-century historical site hosts the oldest plantation house in the country, where kingly plantation owners and their slaves lived for over a century. It’s part of the Rhode Island Slave History Medallion program, aimed at raising awareness of the injustices of slavery.
East Greenwich
Established in 1677, East Greenwich is a quaint town that combines history with modern allure. For a glimpse into local heritage, visit the Varnum Memorial Armory, constructed in 1913, which houses a museum dedicated to Rhode Island’s military history. Nearby, you can tour the Varnum House Museum, once a gathering place for prominent early American politicians. The New England Wireless & Steam Museum, which showcases the history of wireless communication and steam technology, is also worth a visit.
You can’t miss a trip to Goddard Memorial State Park. Here, you can explore 490 acres of well-kept walking trails, gardens, and picnic areas.
In the summer months, East Greenwich hosts multiple events on its Main Street showcasing local culture and talent. Music on Main, Chalk the Block, and Taste of East Greenwich all present excellent opportunities to experience local artistic and culinary talents.
Newport
Newport is famous for its lively sailing community and, like many towns in the state, its maritime heritage. As you wander through Newport, you will be captivated by the opulent historic mansions from the Gilded Age. Some, including The Breakers and The Marble House, provide guided tours.
For a deep dive into Newport’s love of all things sailing, past, present, and future, visit the Sailing Museum. After you have immersed yourself in exhibits addressing the town’s nautical roots, check out the historic Rose Island Lighthouse.
Newport is an exceptionally bike-friendly town. Rent a bike from Ten Speed Spokes and take in the town’s scenic beauty on two wheels, stopping at a multitude of white sand beaches along the way. When hunger strikes, grab a bite at one of the glorious seafood restaurants on Bowen’s Wharf or Bannister’s Wharf.
If you are in town during the summer, don’t miss the annual Newport Folk Festival (or the Newport Jazz Festival) at Fort Adams State Park. The combination of phenomenal musical performances and views of the imposing 1840s fort is enough to take your breath away.
Watch Hill
Watch Hill is a breathtaking gem of a village in Westerly, Rhode Island. Boston Magazine described this Gilded Age summer colony as “almost absurdly picturesque.” Its white sand beaches, coastal views, and tranquil vibes, removed from the hustle and bustle, have made it a hot spot for iconic figures, ranging from Albert Einstein to Groucho Marx and even Taylor Swift.
Start your trip at The Ocean House. This iconic inn’s pale yellow façade and luxurious accommodations have been welcoming guests since just after the Civil War. Book a stay, throw on your tennis whites for a match or two, and treat yourself to a spa treatment, all while soaking in unforgettable ocean views.
No visit to Watch Hill is complete without plenty of time on the beach. Watch Hill Beach, East Beach, and Weekapaug Beach are all excellent spots for sunbathing and swimming. If you are chasing sunsets, Napatree Point is another top choice.
Before you leave, check out Watch Hill Lighthouse. Built in 1745, the lighthouse and its museum are a great place to take in views of the surrounding waterways and learn about the town’s history. And don’t miss the Flying Horse Carousel. It’s been operating since 1884 and is the ideal place to take the family and cap off your trip.
The fairy-tale towns of Rhode Island draw visitors from near and far. From the colorful galleries and harbor views of Wickford to the bike paths of Newport and the serene shores of Watch Hill, these enchanting destinations promise delightful experiences around every corner. With so much to explore and discover, it’s time to carpe diem and plan your next adventure. So, book your trip and get ready to create unforgettable memories in the heart of Rhode Island!
Hear about the $30 million in infrastructure money for Tidewater
Pawtucket’s Tidewater Landing project gets $30 million for infrastructure
PROVIDENCE – Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes still leads Gov. Dan McKee by double-digits in the Democratic primary race for governor, but her whopping 34-point lead of last April has shrunk to 20 points in the wake of McKee’s TV attack ads, according to a new University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll.
The survey sampled 337 likely 2026 Democratic state primary voters, 145 likely Republican state primary voters and 664 likely general election voters between June 18 and June 23.
Among the key findings of the survey:
If the Democratic primary had been held while the survey was underway, 42% of likely primary voters would have chosen Foulkes and 22% would have chosen McKee, with restaurant owner Gregory Stevens and Wil Gregersen each getting 1%, the poll said. Thirty-one percent of respondents were undecided.
“Pluralities of moderates (46%), liberals (46%), and progressives (46%) support Foulkes, while two-thirds of socialists (66%) are undecided. McKee does best among those aged 65 and older (31%) but still trailsFoulkes (46%) among this group,” according to this poll.
McKee has narrowed the gap somewhat since the last UNH poll in April, when 45% of likely primary voters chose Foulkes and only 11% McKee.
Bottom line: Incumbent McKee, a former Cumberland mayor and lieutenant governor who has been governor since his predecessor Gina Raimondo quit mid-term in March 2021, “remains quite unpopular among likely Democratic primary voters: only 18% have a favorable opinion of him, 56% have an unfavorable opinion,” according to the poll released on Tuesday, June 30.
And then there’s this: In a hypothetical matchup between Foulkes, whoever emerges as the Republican nominee and independent Ken Block, the poll showed 38% of likely general election voters would vote for Foulkes, 22% would vote for the Republican nominee and 19% for Block.
If, however, McKee won the Democratic nomination, the potential matchup “would be very close,” with both McKee and Block getting 27% of the likely general election vote and the GOP nominee 23%; 2% would vote for another candidate. Twenty-one percent were undecided, according to the poll.
The poll is the latest in a string of bad news for the 74-year-old McKee, including his failure to clinch the endorsement of the state Democratic Party on June 20.
Depending on how you do the math, he fell three votes short of the endorsement, making him the first Democratic governor in Rhode Island to fail to win his party’s endorsement for a reelection bid since the modern primary system was created in 1948.
In the days since, Foulkes has racked up city and town Democratic committee endorsements, while McKee has only won endorsements from Pawtucket and North Providence Democrats. On Tuesday, June 30, he touted one more from the East Providence Democratic City Committee.
But McKee campaign spokeswoman Sophie Mestas hailed the poll as evidence that “the more Rhode Islanders learn about Helena Foulkes – a corporate executive who built her career on cutting healthcare access and fueling the opioid crisis – the more they want no part of her empty promises.
“More Rhode Islanders now view her unfavorably than favorably, and it’s not hard to see why,” Mestas said. “Rhode Islanders know the difference between a Governor who delivers for them and an executive who cashed in at their expense – and they’re choosing the Governor who’s always fought for working families.”
Her statement reflects disputed allegations in McKee’s TV ads about Foulkes’ record.
On the Republican front, those surveyed chose retired comedian Elaine Pelino, who has campaigned almost exclusively on Facebook (38%), over the state GOP’s endorsed candidate, Aaron Guckian (19%), an advance man and driver for former Gov. Donald Carcieri who most recently worked for the Rhode Island Dental Association.
Flying athletes in with the Special Olympics Airlift
Getting athletes to the games takes more than airplanes. Textron Aviation coordinates the effort while AccuWeather provides forecasting support to make weather-informed decisions.
Rhode Island athletes took home five gold medals, nine silver medals and 11 bronze medals at 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which wrapped up on June 26.
The Rhode Island Special Olympians left for the games in private jets provided by Textron on June 15. A total of 50 members, including 24 athletes and their families, traveled to represent and cheer on Rhode Island.
“Once we went to the hangar on the way out to Minnesota, and there was a big rally, my husband Steve and I were looking at each other saying, ‘This is big. This is huge being invited to the USA games,’” Rena Megrdichian, mother of softball player Garen Megrdichian, said. “I guess we just didn’t realize what an honor this whole process was.”
After preliminary events on June 22 to group athletes accordingly, the medal rounds across multiple sports began the next day.
Rhode Island picked up three gold medals, three silver medals and four bronzes in bowling, swimming, powerlifting and track and field events on June 23. Despite the heavy medal count for the smallest state, one athlete’s finish went viral on social media.
Thomas Poirier, of North Providence, was placed in lane 5 of group 4 in the 400-meter after finishing fifth in his preliminary race with a time of 1:20.54. The race started, and Poirier hustled as hard as he could, but coming into the final 100 meters, he found himself in fourth place. Then, he kicked it into another gear. He passed the runner in third, then second and suddenly he was gaining on the leader he was about 25 meters behind just a few seconds prior. With 25 meters left to go, Poirier passed Noah Lamusga, of Minnesota, and took the lead and the gold medal.
Poirier finished with a time of 1:17.24, three seconds faster than his time in the preliminaries.
“I saw my time in the prelims, and I was like ‘That’s good, but I just need to work harder,’ and so I did,” Poirier said.
The clip of him running the final 100 meters and his post-race interview where he says, “Rhode Island… I’m coming home golden,” currently has over 100,000 likes on Instagram.
“At first I was a little embarrassed, but I slowly and surely got used to it,” Poirier said. “I’m not used to getting fame like this.”
Poirier’s mom, Dora, was able to attend the games with her husband and daughter, Poirier’s twin sister. When they saw Thomas cross the finish line, the only emotions they could convey were shock and tears of joy.
“We couldn’t believe it,” Dora said. “We’re like, ‘Oh my god, he actually might do this.’ I honestly couldn’t believe that he did it. We hoped he would come home with something. I was so happy for him, overjoyed.”
Dora said that the family had no idea that Thomas had gone viral until later that night. They had received a few videos of friends recording the TV when the race first ended, but they kept receiving more videos, and that’s when they realized he had his viral social media moment.
Thomas also competed in the 200-meter run and 4 x 100-meter relay, where he won silver in both with a time of 30.59 and 1:07.83, respectively.
Thomas noted that the quick turnaround to compete in the three events was hard, but he knew he had to power through.
“It was definitely a little hard, but I slowly adapted to it, and I gave it my all,” Thomas said. “In the end, that other guy was just a little faster, but I still gave it my all, and I’m happy with what I came home with.”
Another one of Rhode Island’s five gold medals came from the softball team. The team had lost its first two group stage games 17-8 and 18-3 against Delaware and Connecticut, respectively, on June 22. They were able to salvage one win, a 12-9 victory against Arkansas the next day, before losing to Florida in its final group stage game on June 24.
The team suffered a couple of injuries during the group stage games, one of which was Jamar Abney, who suffered a hand injury in the final group stage game. Abney’s injury was a rallying cry for the rest of the team as they developed a slogan, “Win for Jamar,” that would define the rest of the team’s run, according to Special Olympics Rhode Island President and CEO Edwin Pacheco.
In the first game of the medal round, Rhode Island was paired up against Arkansas once more. The team was down 9-3 at one point but rallied back in extra innings to pull off the 11-10 win and advance to the gold medal game.
“The enthusiasm, the excitement that came from the team was just contagious,” Pacheco said. “You think about all the memorable moments, whether it be the Red Sox or the Patriots, and these come-from-behind wins that people still talk about 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 years later, that game between Rhode Island and Arkansas was one of those moments.”
In the championship, it was another rematch, this time with Connecticut. No miracles or comebacks were needed in this game, though, as Rhode Island won 21-7 to take home the gold.
“I feel like in the gold medal match, I thought we had a lot of energy coming into this game,” said Garen Megrdichian, of Hope. “We had some urgency, and we had some confidence, so I’m really happy that we got the gold medal, and I’m just happy for our guys.”
Garen’s mom Rena attended the games and watched her son and his team’s run to the gold medal. The emotions ran high throughout the week.
“The nail-biting and anxiety that the parents go through watching them go through all this, it really was a nail-biter,” Rena Megrdichia said. “We couldn’t be more proud. We really couldn’t be more proud of what not only Garen accomplished, but this whole team, how they came together, [and] how they supported one another.”
She spoke about the team’s camaraderie despite the struggles and the emotions all the parents felt after they took home the gold.
“They just kept saying, ‘We’re going to win this for Jamar,’ and not only did they FaceTime Jamar right after the game, [but they also] called his mother to say we won this for Jamar. So, the support they all had for each other – we were just in tears. It was just one of those times where they overcame being beaten down and not doing well, and then all of a sudden, they turned it around, and they did very, very well.”
Megrdichian’s mom noted that the teams, despite it being a competition, all became friends with one another.
“They want to play each other again,” Rena Megrdichia said. “That’s how much playing against them meant to them that they would love to get together again and play these teams again. Because it was so fun for them and they really enjoyed it.”
Poirier and Megrdichian both described just getting the call that they had made it to the USA Games as a “dream come true,” and that earning the gold medal just added to an already incredible experience.
Special Olympics Rhode Island invites any Rhode Islander with an intellectual or developmental disability to join the organization and participate in a sport at no cost, according to Pacheco.
Find the full results of the USA Games here.
Local News
The vehicle’s three occupants are believed to still be inside.
A car carrying a family of three went into the Seekonk River in Rhode Island Sunday evening, authorities said.
The vehicle entered the river near the Taft Street boat ramp shortly before 7:30 p.m., Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said in a statement.
A bystander riding a jet ski heard the car dive into the water and attempted to help, while another witness called 911, according to Goncalves.
First responders arrived within three minutes of the emergency call, Goncalves noted.
The vehicle’s three occupants are believed to still be inside, The Boston Globe reported.
Recovery efforts resumed Monday, with Pawtucket police and fire personnel working alongside Rhode Island State Police and other state agencies to remove the vehicle from the river, Goncalves said.
“Conditions are extremely challenging for dive teams due to the strong current and poor underwater visibility,” she added.
A video released by the Globe shows the car being recovered from the water Monday afternoon.
Authorities have not released the identities or conditions of the occupants.
“We ask that you please keep the family and their loved ones in your prayers as our first responders continue recovery efforts,” Goncalves said.
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