While it’s the smallest state in the United States in terms of square miles, Rhode Island is known as the “Ocean State” because of its stunning coastline. Many folks from neighboring states like Connecticut and metro areas like Boston dash off to Rhode Island in the warmer months, looking for escape and inspiration. Small towns in Rhode Island provide the perfect backdrop for busy parents and professionals looking for a scenic change. Here are some of our favorites.
Newport
Newport, Rhode Island, breakers drone photo.
Nestled on Aquidneck Island in Narragansett Bay, Newport is a popular stop for weekend visitors, summer folks, and cruise guests. One of the most famous activities is mansion tours, which allow visitors to see exquisite homes built for successful American families during the Gilded Age. These include The Marble House, built by William Vanderbilt for his wife Alva, and Chateau-Sur-Mer, known for its high Victorian architecture. Check out Newport Travel Trolley Tours or Gansett Cruises for unique ways to travel around the area. Rhode Island Red Food Tours and Island Adventures bike rentals provide other great ways to see the highlights.
If you want to experience a waterfront weekend, book a room at the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina, where you can enjoy firepits, a heated indoor pool, and kayak rentals. If a Victorian-style B&B is more your style, visit the Almondy Inn, which has elegant rooms and is near downtown activities. The upscale shopping district includes delightful seafood restaurants like the Brick Alley Pub and shops like the Pink Pineapple.
Little Compton
An aerial view of the beachfront campground in Little Compton, Rhode Island.
Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Sakonnet River, Little Compton was developed in 1682 and became a part of Rhode Island in 1747. Today, it’s still a thriving fishing town and home of Wilbor House, originally built in 1690 and containing rooms representing four different centuries. Modern visitors can tour Wilbor House for free. Those looking to get a more comprehensive understanding of the area can rent two wheels at Little Compton Adventures and enjoy a guided tour of the highlights, including the Sakonnet Point Lighthouse.
If you’re in town for the weekend, enjoy an upscale experience at the Stone House Inn with its updated rooms and water views. You can also find comfortable, affordable lodging in the nearby Quality Inn & Suites Middletown/Newport. If you’re hungry, enjoy a handcrafted sandwich at The Barn Restaurant or seafood rolls at The Commons Lunch.
Advertisement
Westerly
Street view of Westerly Town Hall and Court House. Built in 1912 in the Academic Revival style. Editorial credit: Rachel Rose Boucher / Shutterstock.com
Located on the Pawcatuck River, Westerly is known for its beautiful beaches and lighthouses. Stroll through downtown Westerly, and you’ll find no shortage of spots for stopping and exploring. For example, Martin House Books offers a wide selection of reads, a cafe, and a cheerful children’s space. You can also find thoughtful jewelry pieces at the Eagle’s Nest Gallery or stop for a drink at the Tapped Apple Cidery & Winery.
If you’re looking for waterfront accommodations, don’t miss out on the Weekapaug Inn, which offers Pond View Rooms, Weekapaug Beach access, and a boathouse with complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats. Restaurants, free boat tours, and a state-of-the-art fitness center are also included in your stay. The Inn has a sister property in Watch Hill called The Ocean House, to which guests at Weekapaug Inn have unrestricted access. Regular events there, such as wine tastings, barbeques, and book signings, mean you’ll have plenty to do during your stay.
East Greenwich
East Greenwich, Rhode Island, waterfront scenes.
East Greenwich is located in central Rhode Island along the west shore of Narragansett Bay. Its Main Street is known for being a charming place to shop, dine, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Stop by The Green Door for beautiful baskets and wreaths, or find unique curated gifts at The Current. Main Street Coffee is a darling place to enjoy a latte or a homemade quiche. You can also take in some seaside views and sushi at Water Street Kitchen & Bar.
Weekend visitors can try the comfortable, affordable accommodations at The Holiday Inn Express—West Warwick area, located in nearby Coventry. You can also travel a few extra miles and stay at The Shepherd’s Run in South Kingston, which offers suites, spa services, and winery tastings. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, be sure to visit Goddard Memorial State Park in nearby Warwick, where a beach with a lifeguard, picnic tables, and a nine-hole golf course means you’ll enjoy plenty of outdoor recreation and beautiful views.
Bristol
Dramatic Sunset over Bristol, Rhode Island, Harbor.
The village of Bristol is nestled on a peninsula between Narragansett Bay and Mount Hope Bay. It’s around twenty miles southeast of Providence, a city easily accessed by plane or train from metropolitan areas like Boston and New York. If you love the outdoors, you’ll want to visit from May through October, when you can enjoy the East Bay Bike path or one of Bristol’s fourteen parks. You can also sign up for events like the Bristol House Tour, where you can tour twelve historic houses and have access to shuttle vans that will easily transport you between them. While there, enjoy a boat tour of the area with a company like Seastreak or check out an exhibit at the Bristol Art Museum.
Staying in Bristol means effortless elegance at places like Bradford-Dimond-Norris House, where you can enjoy charming rooms and downtown attractions just outside your door. Pick up a new sweater at Beau Bleu Boutique or enjoy a fish sandwich at The Waterside Bar & Grill. For dessert, head to the Jules Ice Cream Shop, where vegan treats and ice cream sodas are served along with all your favorite flavors.
Block Island
Block Island. In Wikipedia. By Timothy J. Quill – Timothy J. Quill, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikipedia
Block Island is only twelve miles from the Rhode Island coast and is accessed by ferry. Its free public beaches make it extremely popular in the summer months. Among its most popular is Fred Benson Town Beach, which offers restrooms, food, rentable chairs, beach umbrellas, and boogie boards. Visitors also love Surf Beach, which is a three-minute walk from the ferry and close to shops and bathrooms. This is also where you’ll find the Block Island Beach House, a hotel that offers ocean-view lodging and a restaurant that’s the perfect place to watch the sunset while enjoying a cocktail.
Hiking and biking are also popular in Block Island, with over 28 miles of trails to explore. Fishing, sailing, and kayaking are also popular. Shoppers can enjoy beachy gifts at Diamond Surf Shop or treats for their best friends at The Mutt Hut. Then top off your day with a Fisherman’s Platter at The Beachhead Restaurant.
Jamestown
Aerial view of Beavertail Lighthouse, Rhode Island.
Most of Jamestown is located on Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay. It’s home to historic sites like Watson Farm, which was established in 1796 and sits on land once owned by three governors. It is still an operating, sustainable farm. If you visit during open hours, you can enjoy workshops, walking tours, and farm activities.
Visiting for the weekend means you’ll be only a few miles from Newport, an excellent location for a day trip. Consider staying at Club Wyndham Bay Voyage Inn, which offers comfortable rooms overlooking Narragansett Bay and an outdoor pool and fitness center. Enjoy gorgeous waterfront dining with breathtaking views at JBs on the Water or a frozen hot chocolate at Slice of Heaven.
Advertisement
Warren
Warren, Rhode Island. In Wikipedia. By Kenneth C. Zirkel – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikipedia
Warren was first settled in 1653 as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. With centuries of maritime history to its credit, the waterfront remains a popular visitor spot. The Warren Town Beach has a lifeguard-protected swimming area, playground, outdoor shower, and picnic tables. You can also visit places like The Charles Whipple Greene Museum, where you’ll find artifacts, documents, and stained glass windows attesting to the town’s history and beauty.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, check out William’s Grant Inn B & B in nearby Bristol, where you’ll find cozy rooms and a friendly staff. When you’re hungry, enjoy a lobster roll and lovely views from the rooftop bar at The Wharf. Or stop by Cafe Water Street to sample the sweetest crepes, chai lattes, and banana bread in town.
If you’re looking for a unique way to spend a weekend, enjoy the peace, history, and beauty of one of Rhode Island’s small towns. With so many elegant homes, restaurants, and resorts to explore, you’ll wonder why you didn’t visit sooner. Active folks will love the area’s activities, foodies will be delighted, and those looking for a relaxing weekend won’t be disappointed. Pack your bags and get ready for a beautiful getaway!
Joe Samba may be a New Englander, but he sure has found a (musical) home in the Caribbean. The Massachusetts-born reggae-rocker was behind 2019′s moody “The Wrong Impression,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart that spring. Samba followed it with 2022′s “Far From Forever” and last year’s genre-shifting “Lifeline,” a collection threaded together with Samba’s smooth voice. Samba plays Ocean Mist (with special guest Dudemanbro) in Wakefield, R.I. on Friday at 9 p.m. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 day of show.
THE GILDED AGE ORCHESTRA OF NEWPORT in CRANSTON, R.I.
Rhode Island’s own Ambassador J. William Middendorf II may be best known as the former secretary of the US Navy and as the US Ambassador to The Netherlands. But Middendorf is also a composer, with symphonies and more than 100 marches to his name. On Saturday, the Gilded Age Orchestra of Newport will present “To Rhode Island, with Love,” an evening of music composed by Middendorf in celebration of his 100th birthday this past September, featuring a performance of the ambassador’s “Ocean State Symphony.” The orchestra will perform at The Historic Park Theater and Event Center in Cranston, R.I., on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets: $54.
Advertisement
RUMFORD JUNCTION in EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I.
One could say The Band brought it all back home with its iconic 1968 release, “Music From Big Pink,” having named the landmark debut album after the colorful rented home the group once shared in Woodstock, N.Y. And in that way, Rumford Junction may be following The Band’s homespun footsteps even beyond their shared roots-rock sound. The East Providence band started as a group of neighbors playing together on lawns and front porches to pass the time during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and now it has released an album, “Tributaries.” The nine-track release was inspired by music from artists the band frequently covers, including Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Jason Isbell, and, yes, The Band. Rumford Junction (with opener CRYS) will perform a few at Myrtle in East Providence, R.I., on Sunday at 2 p.m. during a record release party. There is no cover charge.
KAT & BRAD in WESTERLY, R.I.
Brad Bensko and Kathleen Parks, known collectively as the duo, Kat & Brad, put an incredibly wide range of influences through their folksy pairing. The two said they find inspiration in everything from American Songbook standards to 1950s and ′60s pop, and impressively funnel it all through their two voices, a guitar, a violin, and a mandolin. Their latest travels throughout New England will bring them to The Tap Room at The Knickerbocker in Westerly, R.I., on Sunday at 7 p.m. There is no cover charge.
Advertisement
Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com.
The only topic on anyone’s mind in recent months has been the health of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and he didn’t make a great first impression Tuesday afternoon. The 76-year-old has been battling cancer, and it has clearly taken its toll on him. He’s lost weight. He’s moving more slowly. And he missed most of the session last year. But he easily won reelection in Senate District 4 last fall, and then beat back a challenge for the presidency from Senator Ryan Pearson, his former majority leader.
Get Rhode Map
A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State.
Now he’s locked in for another two-year term leading the Senate, but the open question among his colleagues – and anyone paying any attention to Rhode Island politics – is whether he’s up for the job.
Advertisement
From the front row: My colleague Ed Fitzpatrick was in the chamber Tuesday for opening day, so I asked him to explain what happened.
Ed writes: “After battling cancer and shingles over the last year, Senate President Ruggerio’s No. 1 priority had to be showing that he was back in charge and capable of presiding over the chamber. But in the roll call for Senate president, he paused and then voted ‘present’ rather than voting for himself. At first, his vote drew laughs. And if he meant it as a joke, it would have been seen as a bad-ass response to the rebels who also voted ‘present,’ in effect abstaining.”
But after the session, a tired-looking Ruggerio told reporters he hadn’t heard the question and meant to vote for himself. Ruggerio had no opponent in Tuesday’s vote, so in a way his vote wasn’t an issue. But his confusion over the vote for his own leadership had the State House buzzing, showing that Ruggerio’s health remains a major issue in the Senate.
The opening day of the legislative session is often tightly scripted. But the Senate session seemed off from the get-go, when Ruggerio was sworn in and placed his hand on a Bible app on Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz’s cell phone because no one remembered to bring a Bible.
The bigger picture: It’s easy to compare Ruggerio’s poor health to President Joe Biden, who ended his reelection campaign last year following a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump. But being president of the Rhode Island senate doesn’t come with the nuclear codes, and the state government will be fully functional whether Ruggerio is present or not.
Advertisement
Still, within the chamber, the concern is real.
He won the presidency with 26 out of 38 votes, which was comfortable but not overwhelming the way it has been in previous years. That puts a tremendous amount of pressure on Ruggerio’s staff and leadership newbies like Majority Leader Val Lawson and Whip David Tikoian to hold down the fort.
The Senate only plans to meet once a week as a full body, so it’s possible that Ruggerio’s committee chairs will hold high-profile hearings – think Oversight, for example – that could serve to shield the president for a while. But there will come a time in the coming months where Ruggerio is going to have to prove to the people who just voted for him again as president that he is fit to lead the chamber.
This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you’d like to receive it via e-mail Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
Advertisement
Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him @danmcgowan.
KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Rafael Castro scored 16 points as George Washington beat Rhode Island 75-67 on Wednesday night.
Castro shot 7 of 10 from the field and 2 for 4 from the line for the Revolutionaries (13-3, 2-1 Atlantic 10 Conference). Sean Hansen added 12 points while going 4 of 10 from the floor, including 1 for 5 from 3-point range, and 3 for 3 from the line while they also had five assists. Trey Autry went 4 of 8 from the field (2 for 5 from 3-point range) to finish with 10 points, while adding 10 rebounds.
Advertisement
The Rams (12-3, 1-2) were led in scoring by Sebastian Thomas, who finished with 20 points, six rebounds and three steals. Quentin Diboundje added 14 points and seven rebounds for Rhode Island. Jaden House finished with 10 points.
George Washington entered halftime up 38-30. Castro paced the team in scoring in the first half with nine points. George Washington used a 12-2 second-half run to break a 61-61 tie and take the lead at 73-63 with 1:33 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Jacoi Hutchinson scored 10 second-half points.
George Washington plays Wednesday against Duquesne at home, and Rhode Island visits Richmond on Saturday.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
